Description

Yamaha RD500LC 1985 Parts Catalog – OEM Factory Part Numbers & Diagrams

You have a Yamaha RD500LC on the lift with a mangled piston or a cracked crankcase half. The aftermarket parts catalog online gave you a number that didn’t match the casting. Now you’re down a week waiting for the right part. That stops here. This is the official Yamaha RD500LC 1985 Parts Catalog, a 105-page factory document that shows every nut, bolt, seal, and subassembly with the exact OEM part number. No reprints, no scanned-from-a-copy – this is the same book the dealer parts counter used in ’85.

Engine Coverage: Cylinder, Crankshaft, and More

The engine section kicks off at page B2 with the Cylinder breakdown. You get the cylinder block, studs, gaskets, and the specific piston kit numbers for the 49-state and California models. The Crankshaft – Piston section runs B5-B6 and separates the left and right crank assemblies with their own part numbers. If you’ve ever mixed up the crankshaft halves on a V4 two-stroke, you know why this matters. Water Pump – Piping (B7-B8), Radiator – Hose (B9-B10), Oil Pump 1 and Oil Pump 2 (B11-B13) – each pump has its own diagram because the RD500LC uses a separate oil injection pump per cylinder bank. The Intake section (B14-B15) covers the reed valves and manifolds. Carburetor (C2-C4) gives you the complete Mikuni breakdown with float bowl gasket numbers. Exhaust (C5-C6) includes the expansion chamber brackets and O-rings. Crankcase (C7-C8) splits the upper and lower halves – you get the main bearing locating pins and dowels. Crankcase Cover 1 (C9-C10), Starter (C11), Clutch (C12-C13), Transmission (C14-C15) – all with genuine Yamaha part codes.

What Parts Are Covered in the Chassis Section?

Chassis starts at D4 with the Frame. You get the main tube frame, but also the subframe brackets for the sidestand and centerstand. Fender (D6) – front and rear. Side Cover (D7-D8) – left and right, with the decal part numbers. Oil Tank (D9) – the separate 2-stroke oil tank with its cap and strainer. Rear Arm (D10-D11) – the swingarm with the pivot shaft and bearings. Rear Suspension (D12) – the linkage and shock hardware. Steering (D13) – the steering stem bearings and race set. Front Fork (D14-E2) – the entire fork assembly including damper rod, springs, and dust seals. Fuel Tank (E3-E4) – includes the petcock and mounting brackets. Seat (E5-E6) – the foam, cover, and latch components. Front Wheel (E7), Front Brake Caliper (E8), Rear Wheel (E9-E10), Rear Brake Caliper (E11) – all brake pad and caliper pin numbers. Steering Handle – Cable (E12) – the throttle and choke cables with their routing guides. Front Master Cylinder (E13), Stand – Footrest (E14-E15), Rear Master Cylinder (F2-F3) – the brake system is covered with reservoir and hose part numbers. Cowling 1 (F4-F6) – the iconic full fairing panels and windscreen. Generator (F7), Flasher Light (F8), Meter (F9), Headlight (F10), Taillight (F11) – every bulb and socket. Handle Switch – Lever (F12), Electrical 1 (F13-F14), Electrical 2 (F15) – the wiring harness connectors and switch assemblies.

7 Key Systems Detailed in the Catalog

1. Engine (Cylinder, Crankshaft, Water Pump, Oil Pump)
2. Fuel & Induction (Intake, Carburetor, Exhaust)
3. Drivetrain (Crankcase, Clutch, Transmission, Shift Cam/Fork)
4. Chassis (Frame, Fenders, Side Covers, Oil Tank)
5. Suspension (Rear Arm, Rear Suspension, Front Fork, Steering)
6. Brakes (Front/Rear Calipers, Master Cylinders)
7. Electrical (Generator, Lights, Switches, Meters)

Use the Correct Part Numbers – Avoid Aftermarket Confusion

Aftermarket catalogs often use superseded numbers without telling you if the new part fits all model years. This factory catalog gives you the original part number as Yamaha released it. If a part was changed during production, the individual spec sections (for Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria) list the alternate components. For example, the headlight assembly for Swedish models uses a different reflector housing – page G8 spells out the exact number. The Numerical Index starting at L2 lets you cross-reference any part number back to its diagram page. That means you can take the part from your bike, look up the number in the index, and verify it against the exploded view.

Regional Variations: Norway, Sweden, and Beyond

Yamaha homologated the RD500LC differently for each European market. The individual spec sections cover alternate chassis components for Norway (G3), Sweden (G6-G8), Finland (G10-G11), Denmark (G13-G14), and Austria (H2-H3). If you’re restoring a bike imported from one of those countries, you need these pages. The catalog even includes an alternate headlight for Norway with a different relay. Without these sheets, you’d order a standard part that doesn’t fit.

Understanding the Index System

Pages L2-L6 contain a comprehensive Numerical Index of every part number that appears in the general spec sections. Page M2 does the same for the individual spec sections. This is how you locate a part when you only have the number from the casting. The catalog is organized by assembly location (engine, chassis) rather than by part number, so the index is your most-used reference after the diagrams.

For other Yamaha models, check out the Yamaha YZF-R1 2002 Parts Catalog – OEM Factory Part Numbers and the Yamaha GTS1000AE 1993 Parts Catalog – Factory Microfiche PDF. Also available is the Yamaha V125 Parts Catalog – OEM Factory Part Numbers & Diagrams. If you want to understand the engineering behind the RD500LC’s unique V4 two-stroke, see Internal Combustion Engine basics. For a broader look at the motorcycle industry timeline, the Automotive Industry Overview provides context.

FAQ

Does this catalog cover the crankshaft assembly?

Yes, pages B5-B6 show the left and right crankshaft halves, connecting rods, and bearings with separate part numbers.

Can I use this parts catalog to find torque specs for engine bolts?

No. This is a parts catalog, not a service manual. It lists only part numbers and assembly diagrams. You need the factory service manual for torque values and procedures.

What do the page letters and numbers mean (B2, C7, etc.)?

The letters indicate the major section: B for Engine, C for Engine components, D for Chassis, E for Chassis continued, F for Chassis electrical, G/H for individual specs. The numbers are sequential page IDs within that section.

How do I find a part number I already have on a sticker?

Use the Numerical Index starting at page L2. It lists every part number alphabetically/numerically and tells you which diagram page it appears on. That’s how you verify you have the correct number.

Stop ordering wrong parts and waiting weeks for returns. Get the exact factory breakdown – Access the Factory Manual now.