A 1984 Suzuki RGB500 MK9 Factory/Production prototype designated "X3". One of only five Factory prototypes produced in this last year of RGB500 production and developement. (Just 25 production Mk9's made in the same year.) It has a fully rebuilt MK9 engine with many new parts.
Specific X3 marked, magnesium Mikuni carbs.
An oversized Factory radiator.
A "one-off" Factory fuel tank.
Electronically powered tacho.
17" Campag front wheel, 18" rear wheel. New Avon tyres.
Fully overhauled original front calipers and new discs.
Has an aluminium Factory frame (number X3-RGB500), swingarm and yokes.There were 3 base models of Suzuki RG500 production bikes through the years. The MK1 till 6 based on the XR14, the RGB500 MK7 and 8 based on the XR22 and the last versions the MK9 and 10 based on the XR45, equipped with exhaust valves and alloy frames.
In 1985 Suzuki opted to stop producing complete RGB500's, instead supplying Padgett's of Batley with up rated, magnesium cased, stepped RGB500 engines and their associated power valves and expansion chambers. Padgett's would then supply complete machines using a steel frame built by Harris Performance and based on the Suzuki Mk7/8 frame. A total of twelve engines were supplied to the Yorkshire based company with machines being built between 1985 and 1988.
One of the last bikes an MK14 was ridden by Darren Dixon, a Padgett's sponsored rider to victory in the 1988 British F1 Championship.
Not only Harris made frames for the RGB500 engine also Spondon, VRP and Nico Bakker did, they even made Delta Box frames in the last years.
For more pics see
Suzuki RGB500 MK9 X3
