Suzuki RG 500cc Gamma Square Four Marco Lucchinelli 1981 Grand Prix motorcycle

Description

A superb and rare image of the
Suzuki RG 500 Gamma Square Four cylinder works Grand Prix racer
of
1981
and road racing ace and
1981 500cc world champion
Marco Lucchinelli
, photographed during the
1981 Grand Prix season
.
Marco Lucchinelli
is seen riding a
Suzuki RG500 works square four 500cc GP racer
. In the 1960s Suzuki had gathered a wealth of two stroke technology knowledge and expertise. This became very useful in the 1970s, when the factory decided to seriously attack the 500cc road racing world championship. Using the successful 1960s square four engine design as a base, they developed a bike that would change the motorcycle racing world: the RG 500 square four! This magnificent racing machine debuted during the 1974 French Grand Prix. In the hands of Barry Sheene it finished 2ND behind the MV Agusta of Phil Read. A magnificent debut for the new machine. Within 3 years it would give Suzuki its first 500cc world title, and as an over the counter production racer it would become the first choice for many privateers. No wonder Suzuki gained another seven manufacturers' titles in succession!
Marco Lucchinelli
began his road racing career in 1975 on a Laverda in Endurance racing. His riding impressed the Yamaha factory enough to earn him a sponsored bike in the Italian National Championship as well as a ride in the 1975 Nations Grand Prix in the 350 class.
In 1976, the year the photo was made, he rode a Suzuki in the 500cc World Championship earning fourth place in the championship with 2 second place finishes along with a third and a fourth place. He earned the nickname “ Crazy Horse “ for his wild riding style that attracted many fans. This fearless riding style also meant that he crashed quite often. In the 1977 season, he would drop to 11th place in the 500 World Championship on a Yamaha.
Lucchinelli returned to Suzuki for the 1978 season and in 1980, he won his first 500cc Grand Prix at the West German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. He would finish the season in third place behind Kenny Roberts and Randy Mamola.
He had his best year in 1981 when he took 5 victories aboard the Roberto Gallina backed Suzuki, battling Randy Mamola to the final race of the season before winning the 500cc World Championship. For 1982, Lucchinelli accepted a job offer from Honda to race their new three-cylinder NS500 alongside Freddie Spencer and Takazumi Katayama. He would have a lackluster season in which ironically, Franco Uncini would win the championship for the Roberto Gallina-Suzuki team for which Lucchinelli had won the title the previous year.
After another lackluster season with Honda in 1983, he joined the Cagiva team for the 1984 and 1985 seasons before he retired from Grand Prix racing. He tried his hand at car racing, competing in the Italian round of the 1986 Formula 3000 season in a Lola-Ford. In 1988 he joined the Ducati Superbike team where he won two races during the year before taking on the role of Ducati's team manager.
The Japanese
Suzuki
company started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better part of the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two- stroke competition was the East German Grand Prix racer Ernst Degner, who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two- stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ. Suzuki hired Degner, and he won the 50cc World Championship for them in 1962.
However, it wasn't until 1976 when Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400 and GS750. Since then, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well- engineered sport motorcycles. Suzuki's racing machines have become legendary.  From the 1960s small capacity 50cc and 125cc two strokes to the magnificent RG500 Square Four two stroke, a machine that played a vital role in the 1970s world championship roadracing scene. In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000's Suzuki wrote history with riders like Kevin Schwantz and, more recent, Kenny Roberts Jr.
We have more photos listed on Ebay of Suzuki, the RG 500 Gamma Square Four and other brands with various riders.
This is your rare chance to own this
non period
photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle and Suzuki ‘s glorious history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26 cm).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.