SELLER SAYS: First time offered for sale, my rare 1981 TT500 H thumper. I have owned this classic weapon from new, 40+ years. It is in stock original condition, with the exception of a keyed ignition, front guard and a functional brake light. It has 9,526km on the speedo. After 25+ years of shed storage I had a local mechanic, who was very impressed with the condition and how original it is, go over it within the last 6 months. Fresh oil/filter change, fuel tank and carb cleanout and new filter, replaced front brake assembly with NOS parts as brake cable thread on brake assembly was damaged and rigged up a functional operating rear brake light. The bike is on seasonal road registration in SA. The TTH-500 number plate is a recently acquired personal plate I purchased on rego in November 2023 to allow the mechanic to test ride to see if any other work was needed. Again, it impressed him with how good it is, and powerful. I refrained from further work of replacing tyres and plastics, new decals etc. as I believe it’s rare original authenticity is what makes it unique and special to an enthusiast/collector of these old classic thumpers. Serious buyers, I am asking $16,500, no trades, no time wasters. To avoid scammers, please txt/msg your name and number I will contact you. Contact Graham on 0438 058 359 (Port Augusta, South Australia)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: It’s difficult to assess how the off-road and adventure-bike world would look today, had it not been for Yamaha’s decision to breathe life into the 500cc single engine back in the mid-1970s. Two strokes were sweeping the world across every facet of motorcycling. They were lighter, faster and had fewer moving parts, plus they had the flavour of “new fashion” so important in the world of marketing. The glory years of big single off-roaders was long dead, and it was only everyone’s dad who could recall the glory years of the BSA Gold Star. Honda’s long-running XL350 was starting to look like a dinosaur alongside Yamaha’s DT range, and it would have been a brave man who’d have put money on the big XL lasting much past the mid-70s. But when Yamaha released the XT500 in 1976, and then the dirt-only TT500 shortly after, everything changed. Even Honda’s XL350 found its mojo, reborn as the XL500 and suddenly looking like a modern motorcycle again. Gosh, they did sound cool! And hey — check out this wheelie! The four stroke survived the threat of the guillotine, and rebuilt momentum and popularity. This bike of Graham’s — the final edition of the TT500 — presents an excellent example of an important machine in motorcycle history. Largely untouched, it’s a rare bird and a rare collecting opportunity.
