Lot details Registration No: N/A Frame No: 4A0.000123 Engine No: 4A0.000123 cc: 500 MOT Expiry Date: N/A
A descendant of the mighty YZR500 (OW19) four-cylinder two-stroke Works bike that won first time out at the 1973 French Grand Prix (piloted by the immensely talented Jarno Saarinen), the TZ500 production racer was launched some six years later in response to the continued success of the Suzuki RG500 in privateers hands. Propelled by a four-cylinder two-stroke engine mated to six-speed transmission, the use of mechanically operated 'powervalves' in the former and a cassette-style gear cluster in the latter were both features designed to increase its rider friendliness. Built around a 'monoshock' frame that was adjustable for compression / rebound damping and spring pre-load at the rear, it utilised a modified version of its TZ750 big brother's front fork sliders (complete with air caps). It is believed that approximately 50 examples of the TZ500G were built making them comparatively rare even in period, with survivors now highly sought after.
The example offered, number 23, was originally supplied to the Australian racer Graeme Geddes and is believed to have been his "second" bike, supported by the unmarked condition of the original exhaust and other fittings prone to road rash in a spill. It was restored, following its purchase by the vendor, to original condition for show use, retaining incredibly rare items such as the number tags on the HT leads and the rubber "pre load" caps on the forks. Presented in "concours" condition cosmetically it has not been run while in the vendor's ownership, although he reports that it has a full compliment of gears and the engine turns over.
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