Topic: GP bikes

[chung]

Being the fat lazy old bastard that I am, Maybe you guys can look it up fo me?

Since the FIM reconstructed the format for the GP, there should be a lot of retired/obsolete racers out there. Is there a "class" for a 5 year old "vintage racebike?"

Any one given that much thought?

I love "real" racebikes and even more so, I love 2 Strokes. The thought of owning a V4 500cc 2-Smokin' Thoroughbred just gave me a woody

[masonryman]

I don't know who sanctioning body is, but in mid Ohio they have race classes that cover about anything you can drag to the track and get through tech. there is a big swap meet and races, kinda like a bike week in the midwest, I think it is in middle of the summer.

Mark

[crazypj]

CCS ( Championship Cup Series? I forget) runs just about anything, the rules on year of manufacture etc are a lot more relaxed than AHRMA
PJ

[chung]

I figured they would find their way into AHRMA for sure. I was really hoping to hang a plate on one and ride it around. It was always mind blowing to see those guys laying down fat black marks commming out of very high speed corners.

But I'm guessing that a lot of those bikes had $100k in them so I doubt I'll ever afford one even if they are obsolete

I haven't priced the RD500LC in a few years but they fast approaching $20k and the TZ700/750 were already going for that.

[xtalon]

Here you go.  Hope you won the lottery!   If so, I'll take the 1997 NSR500V - French Private Team.   

http://www.gpstar.net/gpmotorcycles.html

--xTalon

[CrisPDuk]

According to Kenny Roberts Sr, an RC211V motor alone cost significantly more than $200,000 Unless you fancy asking Senor Gressini I don't think anyone is likely to find out how much a complete bike would cost.

Based on that, I would guess that you are looking at near $100k for a stroker with provenance

So whether or not you can find somewhere to race one is a mere technicality, you have to be able to afford to buy one first

[DarkRider]

Well if you wanted one bad enough there are always bikes like the older RC Hondas that spawned bikes like the V45 Interceptor along with the V65 Sabre as well as the current VFR street bikes. The more attainable machine would most likely be something like an RC30 from the mid to late 80s (cannot remember what years they were produced off hand)

[SteveD CB500F]

RC30s still go for £8-10k in the UK ($15-$20k)

That's still a lot to throw down a race track.

[DarkRider]

But then again as said they are a lot easier to obtain then say a newer Honda GP bike which is over 200K as said earlier in the thead. But in all realitiy im almost wondering if the V4 hondas couldnt be tuned for amatuer racing if anything.

[chung]

Yea, I did have a clue that 6 figures american was a bit opomistic for a 'late model" GP Racer.

But I'm not totally screwed, I hung onto several "Race Developed" Yamaha Twins that will give that feel and noice that I love so much. And a Suzi GT750 Triple. The Yamahas will all three probably make it back on the road and maybe one on the Trak. The 750 Suzi will need too much help to ever race it but #1Son wants it so I kinda traded him an XS650 for it.

As for the V4 Honda.... maybe an early VF1000R is in the "Top Ten" They seem pretty solid but look hard to service. I'm still thinking the 2/Smoker Twins are the ticket as long as they don't BlowUp. I hate it when that happens The TZ 250/350 are pretty much an industry standard and parts swaping was/is fairly strait forward for a couple decades

The Suzi T/GT500 needs some help in the power/chassis department but is a SOLID motor. I sold my last one but may do a Special someday. The Chassis sucks but they don't BlowUp.

Maybe a T500 motor in an RD frame? Hummmmmmm

[xtalon]

Have you considered a Suzuki RG500 Gamma or a Yamaha RZ500?  Probably not easy to find and prices are probably high, but still should be obtainable if you are serious.

--xTalon

[CrisPDuk]

Have you considered a Suzuki RG500 Gamma or a Yamaha RZ500?  Probably not easy to find and prices are probably high, but still should be obtainable if you are serious.

--xTalon

Aah the RG500

A mate of mine who owned (and swore by) several back in the day, once described it as 'Tomcat Engine, Kit-Kat Chassis'


I'm not sure whether you Yank's get them, but a Kit-Kat is a chocolate bar