Lot 009: SUZUKI RG500 MK2

The introduction of the RG500 during 1976 had an immediate impact on the class, providing privateers who had previously been starved of competitive machinery with an effective mount to campaign at the highest level and consequently rejuvenating the 500cc class. Prior to the RGÆs introduction privateers had been forced to run over bored TZ twins or TR500Æs, however, the Mk I, which was clearly derived from the works machines first seen during the 1974 season gave those who could afford it a genuine ôGrand Prixö motorcycle. The new machine retained the 56 x 50.5mm bore and stroke employed on the 1974 and æ75 factory bikes, although for 1976, the works bikes had moved to ôsquareö dimensions of 54mm x 54mm in 1976, a refinement that would not be incorporated into the ôover the counterö racers until 1979 and the introduction of the MkIV. The Mk II, introduced for the 1977 season, incorporated detail changes, the most obvious being the more upright shock absorber mounting employed on the new model. Suzuki also followed the lead of the racers who had ridden the MK I variant and who had routinely dispensed with that models oil injection system, in deleting the system. The consequent switch to pre-mix lubrication on the Mk II which resulted in blanked off disc valve covers gracing the Mk IIÆs crankcases and the exhaust system adopted integral silencers. The rest of the machine was little changed from the previous season, it retained the wire spoked wheels, quadruple 34mm Mikuni carburettors and four crankshafts of the Mk1 which delivered a power output reputedly of 103 bhp. We are informed by the vendor that this example of the Mk II variant has recently been stripped down and benefited from having the frame powder coated. The bodywork has been finished in the traditional blue and white livery synonymous with the model. It should be noted that the machine is fitted with a desirable Focal "TT" tank rather than the standard item and retains wire spoked wheels.