This Yamaha XT500 is nearly 40 years old and crate-fresh
Vintage Yamaha XT500 is expected to fetch around €25,000 (£21,500), but it will need to be assembled before riding or being stored as a collectible.
Bikes that are close to 40 years old don’t typically remain unused, but that’s the case for this still crate-fresh Yamaha XT500.
Available through RM Sotherby’s, this vintage XT500 was initially built for the French market and was supplied to the Parisian motorcycle dealer Leuridan Motos et Cycles.
Yamaha first introduced the XT500 in 1975, with production on the model continuing until 1989. This particular model, which is believed to be a 1986 edition, is set to go under the hammer on October 18 in Munich, Germany.
It is powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, 499cc engine that is mated to a five-speed gearbox. Still reading zero kilometers on the odometer, the like-new bike will need to undergo a rigorous assembly before it can be ridden, or most likely stored as a collectible.
The headlight, turn signals, odometer and handlebars all need to be mounted to the bike, as does the front tyre. Thankfully, all the parts needed are provided as you can see from the images below.
The 1986 Yamaha XT500 featured twin rear shocks, long-travel forks, and front and rear drum brakes. Knobbly tyres help support the bike’s 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.
The Yamaha XT500 dominated early versions of the burgeoning trans-African rallies which took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Paris-Abidjan-Nice and Paris-Dakar. The bike was first registered in 1988, despite never seeing the road thus far.
According to RM Sotherby’s the bike’s estimate is between €15,000 (£13,000) and €25,000 (£21,500).
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
