Suzuki RGB 500 Square Four & Franco Uncini - world champion MotoGP 1982 - photo

Description

WE
ARE
CLEARING OUT OUR ARCHIVES!
A superb and rare image of
1982 500cc world champion
Franco Uncini
and his world championship winning
Suzuki RG 500 Gamma Square
Four
works Grand Prix racer in action during the
Grand Prix of Great Britain
, which was ridden on the circuit of
Silverstone
on
the 1ST of August, 1982
.
Franco Uncini
was born at the Italian town of
Recanati
in the
province
of
Macerata
. He made his debut as professional motorcycle road racer in the 750cc class with Laverda, moving later to Ducati, with whom he earned various titles as Italian champion. His first year in the Grand Prix World Championship was with Yamaha in
1976, in
both the 250cc and the 350cc classes. The following year he continued to race in both classes, this time with the Harley-Davidson team, winning two Grands Prix in 250cc (Grand Prix of Nations and Czechoslovakia) and finishing second in championship behind Mario Lega. However, his quarrelsome relantionship with teammate Walter Villa forced him to move back to Yamaha. After some disappointing years with a privateer Yamaha team, in 1979 he bought a Suzuki and launched a private team of his own in the 500cc class. He was the top-ranking privateer both in 1979 and 1980, with 5th and 4th place finishes. Accidents hindered his 1981 season, but after Marco Lucchinelli left Suzuki to join Honda, Suzuki offered Uncini an official factory-sponsored race bike run by Roberto Gallina's team. Finally, with a competitive vehicle, Uncini won the World Championship in 1982
(see photo!)
, scoring five victories (GPs of
Austria
,
Netherlands
,
Yugoslavia
,
Great Britain
(see photo!)
and GP of Nations). He was the last Italian rider to win the 500cc crown until Valentino Rossi won in
2001. In
1983, he was severely injured at Assen when he fell off his bike and was struck in the head by competitor Wayne Gardner's bike. He went into a coma but, eventually recovered. He retired from motorcycle competition after the 1985 season. Today, Uncini acts as Rider's Safety Representative in MotoGP.
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 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 12" (ca. 20 x
30 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.