Words: Jeff Ware, Pics: Heather Ware
G’day,
Well, I’m officially the owner of a road legal, sweet running, mint looking RG500. After years and lots of hard work, the job was done and after a few weeks of ironing out gremlins, my 500 became a first kick starter and runs like a new one…
After that great event running the bike, I went about getting my RG500 road legal. I joined the VJMC, took it to a mate’s workshop for a Pink Slip, a Historic Vehicle Declaration as well, then headed to the local registry to pay the fee and get a plate. I tell you what, fitting that plate made me so happy. I was really proud!
It was a 17km round trip and was a little disappointing, as a few things went wrong. One of the cylinders kept fouling its plug, the mid-range and top-end were not so good for an RG500, plus the fuel tap was leaking fuel.
I went right over the bike, found that I had messed up with the power-valve cover on cylinder #4, it has a stopper in it and the cover was the wrong way around, preventing the valves from fully functioning. That one took a bit of checking, as it was not so obvious, and I pulled the valves out before I realised it was the cover…
I had also set one of the float heights wrong and the needle clip in the wrong position on the cylinder that was fouling. So that was all sorted, I re-balanced the slides, re-set the idle screws and double-checked the air screws.
The weekend came and I decided to go for a ride. Heather followed, kids in the car and camera gear packed, and we headed up to the local mountain passes, the previous owner my late friend Helmut’s favourite roads, where this RG spent every Sunday for 25-odd years…
It was a very, very special moment and I have to admit, I shed a tear or two riding along that road on the bike… not only because of the great memories of Helmut, but also because I went to all of this effort to get an RG500 on the road and I still didn’t manage to escape my crazy kids for one lousy ride!
I just can’t believe how good the old beast is. With a clapped-out shock and rebuilt but basic, stock forks, the bike still handles so well and with the Venhill lines and SBS brake pads it stops unreal. The Bridgestone BT45s help, modern rubber compounds do wonders, but generally, the geometry is good and the bike an absolute weapon, even by today’s standards…
The gearbox ratios could be closer and final gearing lower, but aside from that, holy hell, keeping it revving between 7000 and 10,000rpm is thrilling and rewarding. There is a section of around 10km where I was able to keep the RG in that power range through fast open corners and I’m smiling just thinking about it.
I dig the retro riding position, knees up high, skinny seat and tank, tall ‘bars. It feels so awkward to hang off the bike but once I got used to it, I enjoyed riding old school. No elbows down on this thing. The bike is also very low at the back, particularly off the turns, the shock just collapses!
The bike accelerates ferociously from 7k, and in first gear off a hairpin, I slipped back and broke the single seat cowl I had purchased… my big fat arse! Too many pies!
Maybe it looks better without the cowl. I don’t really know…
I met back up with Heather and the kids and we started to do the shoot but the rain soon came and it poured, just as it had on my very first run (typical)…
I cruised home, amazed at how versatile the square four is below 7000rpm. Amazing. It has a great spread of power...
When I got home, I was relieved and had a great feeling of satisfaction. Of course, I opened the shed fridge…
Having the opportunity to live the dream is fantastic and of course, I insured the bike with Shannons!
Protect your motorbike. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
