GP replica: Yamaha RD500 special!

Fancy a GP bike for the street...? This RD500-based special looks so hot!

While browsing for some information on Yamaha’s two-stroke GP bikes, we came across this RD500-based special that we thought was quite well done. The bike is basically a 1985-model Yamaha RD500 that’s been fitted with an alloy chassis from an RZV500R, rear wheel from a GSX-R, and aftermarket fairing, bodypanels and exhaust system.

The entire front end has been taken from a YZF1000R Thunderace, and an Ohlins steering damper has also been bolted on. The RD’s mighty 500cc V4 two-stroke engine was sent to Mick Abbey Tuning and has been tuned and fettled for maximum performance. With its GP-replica paintjob, the old RD looks hot and we suppose it might be capable enough to spring a surprise or two on unsuspecting R6 owners…

For more details on how this bike was made, go here. To read more about the great Yamaha RZV500R, go here.

Also see:
PB: The world's best two-stroke sportsbikes...!
Honda NSR500 Rossi-rep: The BEST GP-replica we've ever seen!
Rizla: The HOTTEST pit babes in the world?
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750: The superbike saga begins...
Suzuki RG500: Barry Sheene replica!
The coolest paintjob in MotoGP in 2007 was...?

External links:
Team FPR and how Carl Fogarty ended up with egg on his face...
Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000: Riding one of the greatest Gixxers ever made...
Down memory lane: The 59 Club
Classic Moto Guzzis. Hot!
Superbike magazine's 2008 calendar...

...and here's a Hailwood replica 'Honda,' that's actually built around a Suzuki SV650!
Pic: SV Italia