Note: This is the second of a series of owner comments about their vintage and classic motorcycles participating in the Cycle World Rolling Concours presented by BikeBandit.com during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 17-19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Participants join the Cycle World staff on a ride from the track to a private lunch Saturday, Aug. 18 before riding back to the Speedway for judging. Bikes must complete the entire ride to be eligible for trophies in a variety of classes, as this unique event celebrates both form and function. The beautiful machines of the Rolling Concours also will be on display Friday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 19 in the Pagoda Plaza at IMS.

For more information on the Cycle World Rolling Conours - Click Here!

MY BIKE: CYCLE WORLD ROLLING CONCOURS
Tom Barnard, 1984 Yamaha RZ500

I hope to have my 1984 Yamaha RZ500 ready. It should be a rolling chassis by now, but things seem to have been getting in the way for the past 20 years.

Alternatively I have ridden my 1984 Yamaha RZ350 down for the past few years and noticed one entry in the Concours last year.

RZ350 Yamaha’s were the last two-stroke road bikes sold in the U.S. This one was in boxes when I bought it and was raced back in 1985. It has all the cool vintage race pieces and gets more thumbs-up than I will ever be able to return.

The RZ500 is Yamaha’s top two-stroke, and I bought the first one I saw for sale in Trading Times in 1991. It also was a race bike painted Yamaha Yellow all over. I have loved it ever since I first heard it start. I hope to have her ready, with a big thanks to the RZ Owners Group.