I'm not!!

[johnakay]

buy this off Rick Brett. side panel is missing etc.
it depends how much he wants for it.

[johnakay]

I might have to let it go £1650 is what he might ask for.
wont know till it lands here and tax and duty to pay.
I was hoping I might get it for £1200.
but he paid over a £1000 for it

[johnakay]

this why I'm having doubts to buying an old two stroke.
prices are getting silly over here.
and you can buy a better bike for less. example
this gpx 750 3 owners,16500 miles imac/condition.£1495.

gpx 600 £1095 looks like 27,000 miles on the clock.
there is another on eBay from another dealer that has 16500 miles on the clock £895 but open to offers.

I'm thinking of selling my new bike ,just cant get use to the seat.
numb bum syndrome
I've only done 3128 miles since I bought it new in 09.
granted the 1st year I just ran it in when I was struck down with a chest infection that lasted most of our summer,had x ray and found that I had cancer in my left kidney. so that year was out!
last year it did nowt but rain most of the summer.
so far this year I've manage about 800 miles.
its the seat that's a bummer and it puts me off.
had re-upholstered but still no good.
I was considering a w650 but they to shot up in price £3000/4000 for a 10 year old bike! no way.
I'll just have to keep looking.

[diamondj]

Well John,

I would say you have to remember all the reasons you liked your T500 before you sold it. Balance the likes against all the reasons you had to sell it. If dislikes out weight the likes, then you shouldn't get the '72.

As an aside I will tell you I think I have the left side chrome bit for the side panel. I'm not looking to sell it but for you I would make an exception. Then Pedro can sell you a side cover. And there's a bloke on the cafe board named Tony in Bridlington, East Yorkshire that paints vintage motorcycles and I'm betting he could match up a new side cover nicely.... Not to add undue influence or anything....

Truth be told, you CAN buy a lot more bike for the money getting something newer. So it comes down to what would please you.....

Jim

[johnakay]

thanks for your tip jim.
as for running the T500 .
1/power/speed I was happy with it.
2/comfort I was happy with it.
3/braking that was a bug bear but I think that was due to me running a modern bike along side it. so as I approach corners yikes!!!!
I suppose if I just have the one then I would get acustom to it.
4/ this what helped me decide to sell the bike beside the brakes.
chrome was wearing off the indicators,rust started to appear here and there. it was disheartning to see this after spending so much money on it.
if I do get this one, I will not go the full hog in restoring it thats for sure.
of course I'll do it up a little as I go along but thats it.

[mick 63]

Hi John, just my 2 cent worth i think you would have more fun/enjoyment out of the old 500 than you would out of the Kawas , cheers Mick.

[tz375]

Not that you were considering it, but we had one of those 750s. Nice enough bike but handling was crappy and it's the only Jap bike that left me stuck on a street corner waiting for a friend and trailer to get home. Of course it was 95 degrees and 99% humidity that day and there's me in black leather jacket, boots, gloves, helmet etc.

Problems on that model are handling and Vee belt driven alternator to keep it slim. Ate belts and ran batteries flat -we were not amused.

[Joiseygirl]

buy this off Rick Brett. side panel is missing etc.
it depends how much he wants for it.

What do you mean, you might? Just do it! That 500 is beautiful!

[alanr]

I looked at the photos and the 500 is the only one that looks like a motorbike.

[johnakay]

here's some more pics.






















it would take or cost much to get it up and running legally.
indicators,cables etc.
it look like its never been dropped, no mark on the silencers or scraped clocked.
it will need registering here so that's probably cost another £100.
the good thing is that it being a 72 bike I wont have to pay road tax ,saving a whopping £47 .50!!!!!!
insurance under classic will be about £100.
I'll add more later. john

[oldjapanesebikes]

John - if you want to swim, at some point you will need to get wet ! Just go for it.

[johnakay]

well its look like I'm buying it. will send Rick a cheque or paypal deposit.
my son is moving out soon into his own house with his partner.
so there will be two push bikes less.. more room!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll take your offer on that badge Jim once I get the bike.

are these still available? quite a novelty.

oh and this cable tidy.I got one off Eric but that went with my old bike.


oh and I'm paying to have our leather settee and chairs redone in a different colour so my lass can take a run and jump if she moans about the new old bike

[rbond]

As much as I hate to admit it, that '72 looks a lot better than my '76. I am still working on improving the mechanicals before I start on making it look pretty. I have new spokes, bearings, chain, sprockets, drive cushions, all to do at one time. There is maybe one thing to do about the brakes. There have been several people here who took their brake shoes to a truck brake specialist who relined them with liners for trucks, be sure to bring the wheels too so the linings can be formed to fit properly. Benefits are supposed to be better stopping and longer wear. Something worth checking into if it will make your decision easier on getting the bike.

[oldjapanesebikes]

John - I'm assuming you are talking about the fuel gauge ? Reiner did have some a while ago - also for the GT750. I thought about getting a couple, but decided to take a pass - just something else to break

[Suzsmokeyallan]

just something else to break

It cant really break, unless you count the chain that holds the float to the lever. Those AD gauges are well made, but not really that useful as bumps and leaning make the needle fly all over the dial when riding.
Its a pity its not battery powered with a damped needle.