Suzuki RG500 restoration story and how much it costs
Вставка
- Опубліковано 17 лис 2023
- Suzuki RG500 restoration story and how much it costs.
My bike is now a perfectly set up #RG500, well actually a stage 3, Stan Stephens tuned 570cc RG, with Mark Dent titanium pipes and ignition, Mark Dent filters, running 240 mains. Nova gearbox and dry clutch. Gsxr400 front and rear end, Maxton rear shock, Koso clocks. Mark dyno'd it at about 108 bhp but I noticed the curve is really smooth, but the journey has been a long one.
Now the dream has come true, at last my Rg, that I bought in 1991 for £1400, is how I've always wanted it. ♥️
This is a short visual story that includes most of the costs of the journey.
Enjoy!
A long, long journey, that I'll share.
I was riding a brilliant, brand new 1990 gsxr750L but I wanted an RG500.
I travelled all the way from Gloucestershire to the end of Wales to see mine. A drunk biker/hell's hooli stumbled out of the pub and pointed at this beaten up Skoal bandit RG. It was rough but cheap, I was skint and wanted one. £1400 later, I was stumbling home on this rough old dog.
As I had my superior handling gsxr so I used this to ramp around on but no matter how hard I pushed it, it wouldn't blow up. I thought, "this engine's strong'. So off I went to Stan Stephens with the intention of a do everything tune. Just 10 mins from Brand's Hatch it died. I had to wait hours for my Dad to pick me up with his trailer and went home.
Stan said get just the engine to him, so I stripped the bike and off I went back to Brand's. I remember sitting on the forecourt with Stan, as he picked bits up and put them in a box. I'd snapped a crank in half but as he picked up disc valves and the like, he kept saying, 'well that's totally f##*ed, you'll need 4 of those"
I left it with him, then returned to pick up my 570cc stage 3 raced tuned engine with Swarbrick pipes. It was around 1994 maybe and I still have the receipt, around £5500.
I got the engine back in and it was lightening. Very, very peaky and everywhere I rode it was 12000 rpm.
Massive wheelies and absolutely exhilarating. BUT 1 thing...
All that blistering speed but it handled like a shopping trolley with dodgy wheels! Wasn't long before I had a very slow speed slip. Those shitty tyres!!!
Next I took it to a custom shop in Gloucester, only for them to butcher it. Gsxr1100 front end. It was far to stiff with no alterations. They put a JMC back end but second hand. What can you expect for £1200?
They were amazed that on their dyno, it was pushing 96 bhp.
It did handle better but had top end issues, as no jetting had ever been done but still tons of fun but you always got off it with totally dead hands, all that fork vibration!!
Years went by, I moved away and it sat in Gloucestershire for 14 years, started very occasionally but was a pig to get going, obviously. Standing in a damp garage, soon the callipers seized. It was just another hoarded item then in 2016, it came to London. I contacted Mark Dent and he started the new beginning.
The engine was totally refreshed, then in January I bought a doner bike to complete my chassis.
Since about June, I've struggled with carbs and understanding how to set it up but at last, Mark kindly offered to sort everything out for me. What's pained me for weeks, he sorted in an afternoon.
So at long last, this bike is complete, my teenage dream, borrowed from the mags of 80s and 90s is now happily in my garage.
Enjoying the pleasures of having a beautiful, fully working, perfectly tuned bike, courtesy of Mark Dent at:
Performance Fabrications.
www.performancefab.co.uk/
mark@performancefab.co.uk
07831 711 079
Stage 3 race tuned
Standard carbs with 240 mains, 27.5 pilots, needle 2nd from top, pushing the Dyno at around 108 bhp.
Gsxr400 gk76a front wheel and forks
Forks totally rebuilt by Maxton engineering with SD20 fully adjustable cartridges.
Brembo front brake calipers with EBC 300mm MD Prolite discs.
Brembo RCS master cylinder
TWM folding clutch lever
Cnc aftermarket 50mm clip ons
Hydro Pro steering damper
Koso RX 1N+ clock cluster
2 fairings aftermarket
RG500 rear brake assembly and disc
Gsxr400 gk76a rear wheel
Mark Dent prepared, Stan Stephens Stage 3 tuned 570cc 108bhp engine
Nova gearbox and clutch
Brand new original fuel tap
Brand new full carb kits
Maxton RT10 fully adjustable rear shock
Mark Dent filters
Mark Dent titanium and carbon exhausts
Mark Dent adjustable ignition
Lance Gamma adjustable rear ride height strut
Lance Gamma petrol hoses and taps
Aftermarket rear indicators
Aftermarket indicator front mirrors
STP radiator filler bottle
Aftermarket aluminium radiator
novaracing.co.uk/
(+44) 01403 711 312
sales@novaracing.co.uk
Mark Dent titanium pipes, ignition, air filters and engine rebuild included:
Crank strip and Rebuild
Pistons/rings
Re-bore on a 570cc
Bearings and Oil Seals
Suzuki Genuine Gasket kit with Big Bore Gaskets
Stainless Fastener Kit
Paint
Billet Disk Covers
Billet Shift Support
Nova dry clutch
Nova gearbox
CAN'T WAIT until next Spring !!! - Авто та транспорт
Wow! Just Wow! What a bike. Well done Sir, you are a very lucky man. And probably skint now, but definitely worth it!
Thanks for watching! Yes, It is the best bike in it's own unique way that I can think of. Thanks for your kind words, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Not sure if you've checked out my other videos but you might get an idea of what a missile it is from the other videos. Here's a short video example:
ua-cam.com/users/shorts8jdofRK5ch0?si=qF2fdlDMzGyB81Q9
Yes, very skint now, although already planning to rebuild number 2, the Skoal Bandit one. Luckily I have all the parts, just need to restore the swingarm and wheels.
Hope to see you in the next one!
'Poor' Rich
Still don't think there's been a better looking bike ever built, especially when in Pepsi colours. If I had the money I'd happily spend that much on it. An amazing machine, hats off to you for restoring it to that standard.
Thanks so much. Yes, it was go for a modern Ducati or do this up. I've had it 32 years, so it had to be done. 👍
Most of the bikes I owned I regret selling. None more than my red/orange/white Suzuki RG500, sold for $5700 NZ in 1988 today would be worth ???? $50,000 US? One of the most iconic motorcycles ever made. Well done, crazy dude!
Know what you mean. Never considered selling, until it was in total bits. Decided to do it up, but a close call. As you see, best result. I'll be back out very soon. Waiting for the UK weather to wake up!!
Wow £1400 for the bike that's a steal !!! Seen these go for 5 figures in mint condition
It was 1991 and it needed a lot of cosmetic work!
Wow that soon added up fast 😅
Those titanium exhaust’s look fantastic! I’ve got a bike in with Mark Dent as we speak which will hopefully be coming home very soon 😬
Yes, very nice pipes. Don't pressure wash them though, the sticker comes off 😜
Nice one Richard, I used to add up all the costs of racing the RG, and as for the Supermono’s, well they were all prototypes so always trying different things, but either way it’s an obsession, I have no regrets and can’t wait to ride the RG again, bye the way I’m expecting to see you at Suzuki Live, Cadwell Park, 22/23 Jun, you could watch or ride if you want
Hey Perry. Yes, absolutely no regrets. A dream come true to get the old bike to where it is now. Love it! I will try to get to Cadwell. Had a great time last year. Hope to see you there.
But I'll see you before then!!!
Great update on the best performance two stroke ever. Regret selling mine as it too was modded, with a Terry Beckett tune and Micron pipes, an absolute missile.
Yours sounds awesome. Do you know what was involved in the tune and what bhp output it achieved? With microns on, it must have sounded absolutely awesome 👌
@@RG500_detectorist Bought the bike new Dec 85 for £3k, after running in I noticed it wouldnt redline, basically 1000rpm off and speedo topped 140mph, after several enquiries found out this was Suzukis exhaust port restriction from the factory and the main specialists then were Terry Beckett and Stan Stephens. After sending the barrels off to Becketts for porting, they estimated 100whp as opposed to 80whp stock, and after the Microns were fitted and carbs re-jetted, the bike outpaced every other bike on the road, outaccelorated the then fastest V Max, and topped out a GSXR 1100 at 150 plus, granted the litre bikes back then were limited to 120hp crank. IIRC, engine port mods, carb jets, steering damper for the twitchy 16" front, two tyres (a rear 160 Metz instead of the 120 Michelin) and the Microns (imo best sounding expansion pipes but prone to rust) came to just over a 1200, and a different bike altogether.
After the RG, I had a 954 Fireblade, and after that a K6 GSXR 750, both great bikes with superior handling and performance, but when it comes to sensations, the sounds, smells and the best powerband of any bike, the RG wins hands down, that's if I could afford one.
@pikachus5m166 Thanks so much for your detailed response. Really appreciate it. Great to hear fellow stories. I Bought my bike in 91, second hand. It was quite a wreck.
Didn't realise they were restricted. My snapped a crank, so Stan Stephens rebuilt it, with a stage 3 tune and Swarbricks.
It was never jetting properly, so I never had it over 130.
Even so, it was 96 bhp and went well. Just dried up flat out. But even so, like you say total 12,500 rpm rocket.
Great to know it would hit over 150. ❤️
I agree, the Microns must be immense! I can imagine.
Now mine has a 160 rear, 110 front.
Tuned, they are how they should be, as you know, near undesirable. Simply awesome. At last, mine is close.
I sold my gsxr750L for the RG, and after had a '94 Fireblade. Kept the RG, as you say, much more fun. I remember racing my friend on his blade. Only the handling let the RG down, in that I couldn't lose him.
Hopefully now it'll top 160!
😁
Hi again rich mark here from Cornwall another fantastic video scary money but it puts a smile on your face and us viewers so it’s worth it in my opinion and like I’ve said before you ride like it’s meant to be ridden not many owners can say that takecare brother👍
Hi Mark. Thanks again for watching. Great that you are enjoying the videos. Yes, amazing how the money adds up. So many admire the bike when I ride it and a lot know what it is and that it's worth money but they have no idea of the real amount. People wince if I tell them just tge exhausts are around 4.5 grand. Crazy! It does cross my mind sometimes, when flat out that I'm riding a few quid. 🤣 Doesn't stop me. I can't imagine riding this how I see so many RD riders. Scared to go over 9000 revs, for fear of engine wear!!
On another subject, do you know Lamorna cove, near Penzance? We were in Marazion in summer. Went to go fishing at the cove. Most scary, smallest road I've ever driven down. Even a pedestrian that I met had to walk back 400+ metres, as they couldn't pass my 4wd. Terrible! So glad I didn't meet another car.
Well thanks again. Catch up soon 👍
@@RG500_detectoristnext time your down here we must meet up yes our roads are a bit crazy in places you should see some of the old green lanes I ride when out trail riding beautiful coastal roads nice to ride in spring and autum to busy in the summer especially when you meet a holiday maker with a caravan who can’t reverse lol takecare buddy just watched your latest metal detecting vid very interesting I must try it sometime I got a lot land where I work perhaps when I retire👍
@@user-pi8ic8tg6i Yes, it would be great to meet up. I expect we'll be down that way again next summer. Love it! (Except yes, the scenery is fantastic and so much history but yes a lot of those city folk messing things up in the Summer 🙂
The metal detecting is awesome. I tried a few times in Cornwall. Not sure if you know but I think you've had over 6000 shipwrecks around the coast. I think most around the Lizard point. So a lot of gold swishing around in that sea. Also, with all the tourists, you'd make a pretty penny, if you went each evening. I was finding £8 an hour in Brighton!
This video covers Marazion and Axminster. I found a coin from the Spanish invasion.
ua-cam.com/video/vYd1iXz6mbc/v-deo.htmlsi=y63GFn5_1NIO7Ae5
This video was in Devon
ua-cam.com/video/XYkMgeaYkis/v-deo.htmlsi=EX85bKrh7mzt2Wfo
Amazing how much history and old cash has been dropped. It's everywhere!
All the best. Rich
Yes mate I will watch that thanks all I know is my mates dad found a piece of eight on pentewan beach near mevagissy it’s in the ship wreck museum in Charlestown About 15 years ago a box of gold coins and chains was found in lerryn river the thought is somebody left it there for save keeping but never came back or died in the Cornish uprising. We do find Roman coins here wasn’t much Roman activity in Cornwall but they did come down here to trade tin the coins are usually found in tempery camps👍
@@user-pi8ic8tg6i yes, so much about. I've found 1 Celtic gold coin. 25BC. That was brilliant. I'm probably going to Kent tomorrow for another go. So addictive.Got to find that treasure!!
Great work and a very nice bike , love it! Thanks for sharing !! It looks awesome !!
Thank you so much. We had a little snow today, so all garaged up BUT as soon as I can get out again, I'm looking forward to showing how it really performs. Some flat out 'fly-bys' and drag style starts. Next year, maybe I can get it on a track for some great fun and hopefully great footage. See you soon. Richard
@@RG500_detectorist Your videos inspired me to drive my Gamma again. I overhauled it 2 years ago! Maybe I'll drive with her again around the Nürburgring, it's only 20 miles away from me! I'll watch more of your videos!! Best regards Heinz
@henrik-josefsson Hey Heinz! That's great news. Are you on the RG500 Facebook group?
If so, maybe post a photo of your bike. I'd love to see it.
facebook.com/groups/1847437598845344/?ref=share
They are great machines. ❤️
Back in the 90s I had some friends that got really fat in the early Dotcom madness. As luck would have it they spent all their money on motorcycles. I had the history and the love of bikes but of course no money. One day one of my friends called me up and said "come down to the shop (the had rented a storage facility for their bikes that they called "the shop) I have a couple of bikes I want you to ride. I got down their fast and out front was sitting a Suzuki RG500 Gama and a Series D Vincent. The Suzuki was never sold in the country and had been sourced from Canada. It felt tiny, light and when the power came on just a bit dangerous. I didn't get to ride it far and I was in constant danger in heavy city traffic but the experience was quite memorable.
Sounds a very lucky day, as you say, very rare in the US. Tuned, they're even better but a bit more mental 😁
@@RG500_detectorist It had nothing at all below 4K. Hit 7 grand and it's as if someone hit you in the back with the broadist of shovels. Pure, head in you hands, front wheel in the air bike panic. Crazy ride. If I ever win the lottery I want to try one on the track where I could let it breath. The Vincent was equally a handful but for different reasons. Chalk and Cheese as they say. It had tons of torque, nonexistent brakes and a frame that felt like it had a hinge in the middle. It terrified me because it's replacement value was more than I made in a year. I was lucky indeed.
Mine has been tuned so 4000rpm, its just a normal bike until 6000rpm. At 8000rpm, there is a totally different, loud noise. Induction, exhausts, I'm not sure what, but then it missles to 11500. It's actually pretty smooth, unless you keep it around 9/10, then it's an absolute animal. I think I'm going to take it to a track next year, as it's too fast for the roads really. Too easy to get carried away. The track is obviously it's true home ❤️
@@RG500_detectorist It would be so much fun to be able to keep the bike in the power band without having to worry about the surprises of traffic and road irregularities. It truly is made for the track. I liked the video by the way.
@@JR-bj3uf Thanks so much for your feedback. Yes, it is so mental at 9000+, is great. Hopefully I can get it on a track and we can we how it goes. I've got the chassis bits coming in a couple of weeks to extend the forks for better handling.
I can agree with some of the costs of the upgrades however, in my opinion, I would have passed on some others, but that is a personal choice. You built the bike as you saw fit and you are surely elated with what you have. That bike is a real head turner and must be a joy to ride and own. I always tell people that seem to think that putting money into a bike as a total loss is not accurate. You have invested "x " into the bike and if and when you decide to sell it, you will surely recoup a big chunk of that money and I see the difference -if any- to be the cost of having your enjoyment x the years of ownership. Being and RG500, it should hold its value and maybe even increase but that surely isn't why you built it and ride it. You clearly enjoy riding this bike and your viewers also appreciate what riding an RG500 today means. Love the content.
Thanks so much for your kind and wise words.
Yes, totally agree with you. All a learning curve. I personally would advise keeping the original forks. That's been such a headache. But yes, I started this dream 32 years ago, Things were a lot cheaper back then but I didn't have the spare funds. Got there eventually ! Yes, love this bike. It has such character. I had the conversation with the wife, at the start of this restoration. It was a case of sell it, and buy a state of the art Ducati, or restore. We decided, as it was the dream, that I should follow my heart on this one. So glad I did. Mission complete. I agree with you. I didn't restore this as an investment. I've had the bike for so long and always wanted to get the performance and handling as best it could be. I always remember racing around on it, as a youngster, and it always took my breath away. Even though I had litre Hondas and a GSXR750. This topped them all for exhilaration. So it was only right to get the upgrades in and truly enjoy this amazing machine.
Will I ever sell, probably not. The kids have got there eyes on it, as an inheritance asset :-)
monster... thumbs up
Thanks so much, great to hear you enjoyed. 👍
I'd have stopped counting way before to 20K mark. Sometimes it's best not to know.
😁🤣 Need reminding that I can never drop it 😅
Hope all is well and look forward to seeing you soon.
Well I don't know what to say, but I know how that can happen...
Not a bad result. It's been a great journey!
All that money and the person who painted it could get the panels to match, shame as its a nice bike otherwise.
All the paintwork and panels are Chinese with a Chinese tank cover, so yes lousy. It doesn't bother me, as they're the cheap bit. At £2000+ per set, original panels are all boxed and safe. They come out on show day. I don't fancy doing 4000 miles a year, messing them up. These are fine