Elixir of life for Schwantz's Suzuki 500

There are certain bikes that never seem to age, retaining the same appeal despite the passing of the years. Their graphics, the riders who raced them and the races they won all contributes to making them true icons.

One of these is undoubtedly the Pepsi-sponsored RGV500 ridden by Kevin Schwantz in 1989, the year in which he won six Grand Prix races. A bike that is still an object of desire for many fans, and one that was fully restored during the Motorcycle Live Show held in Birminghan.

The iconic Grand Prix machine was completely stripped, before being carefully and meticulously restored by Team Classic Suzuki Chief Mechanic, Nathan Colombi. The bike was used as a show bike before being partially rebuilt in 2015 and Schwantz rode it at that year's 'Sound of the Engine' event at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

Here below are some images of the RGV, while you can enjoy its sound in the video above… Credit: gpone.com