Yamaha SR500

[Mad Dog Doug]

Moto Guzzi for the win!

... I had a MotoGuzzi Centauro...

I love Guzzis, I had a V7 Sport that was a fabulous handler in sweepers. The wheelbase was a little long for really tight stuff, but rock stable in turns. I wish I could get my 1100's frame to be that strong so it wouldn't get the wobbles when really pushed over roughly paved turns.

[Guy_b_g]

A true, original V7 sport (there are waaay more [V7 Sports] now than the 200 or so originally made) is worth big bucks now, but I bet you can't realistically even get $23.000 for one of those.

Cool you had one tho.

I had a LeMans CX100 with the Tonti frame like the V7 Sport, the newer DR John Wittner designed "spine frames" handle far better.
Plus with some very simple mods they put 96hp to the ground.

[Mad Dog Doug]

A true, original V7 sport (there are waaay more [V7 Sports] now than the 200 or so originally made) is worth big bucks now... Cool you had one tho...

Did they start making them again? I'm sure mine was one of the originals as this was a looong time ago, at least 30 years. That was certainly the best bike I ever owned.

I can't even begin to tell of it's demise, it's too painful to relate, but the story of it's sad end starts with: "I let a friend take it for a test drive ...

[Guy_b_g]

They make something they call a V7 Sport...nothing like the original.

Actually they made several thousand V7 Sports...but only 150 with the red thin wall chrome molly frame, and the green paint job, it also was massaged at the factory with a balanced and polished crank, and other high performance mods...many, many people copied the paint job of the original 150, and tried to pass them off as one of them....that's why they say there are more now than were built then.



The Daytonas and Centauros have the same type of factory custom massaging..with Carillo rods, White Brothers suspension, Brembo wheels & brakes etc plus a reliable Ducati alternator and electrical system.

[Mad Dog Doug]

Mine was black, frame and tank.

[Guy_b_g]

Still a damn fine bike...

[Mad Dog Doug]

eBay SR500 sold for $5500.00

Well the super low milage SR500 mentioned by the thread starter sold for $5500 bucks. I guess that proves what a really low milage (less than 10 miles!) example is worth.

It didn't surprise me at all, I wouldn't sell mine for any less than that. What does surprise me is the super low prices posters here manage to pick up running 1100s for.

The tree I took down in trade for mine would have cost ~ $2500 so maybe I should have asked for some cash with it. I don't regret the deal at all though. I really like the bike, it does have a bit more raw power than my little 500s.

I'm fortunate to have the best of both Worlds as far as what classic Yamahas have to offer. If any of you get a chance to ride a classic thumper don't pass it by, they are a gas!

[Special Ed]

"For $23,000 it had better be made entirely of unobtanium, faster than a Gixxer 1000, and handle better than a new Ducati. I might also expect it to wash my laundry and mow the yard."

And give head!
Special Ed

[Mad Dog Doug]

Another eBay Bargain SR500 ...

Well, a properly setup SR500 does give great head, many of you are coming to find out.

Here's one that's already been cafe'd on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamah...#ht_485wt_1164

" the rear shocks and front fork springs come from Works Performance (set for a 200 lb rider on a 300 lb bike). The bike tips the scales at a little over 300 lbs and is set-up for taller riders and has excellent ground clearance. The front end/suspension is totally stable in tight corners – you will not drag a thing on this bike…"

Actually $4200 isn't a bad price for this level of build. Deus probably want $10k more for something similar, but built on a newer Japanese grey market 400cc unit.

~ Doug