T500 Crankshaft Rebuild Kit

[Vintageman]

Anybody have experience with this->

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-T500-GT5 ... f9&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[oldjapanesebikes]

These are quite a new listing and a recent product from them - like you I'm still waiting to hear from someone that's actually bought a set. His other items have been fine and I've bought quite a number of items from him - no issues so far, with the exception of the carburettor bits.

[Vintageman]

Are the crank bearings themselves included and seals installed? looks to me like it is and thus why so much money considering the seller items is typically very low cost

I found his parts always have something different (like a physical dimension) versus OEM. Yes his carb stuff not even close (e,g. T350 kit is for neither early or late version and some bits don't work).

Don't think there is too much tolerance for error on such items for the crank. Looks like 3 sold so far and was wondering if someone here bought them. Be real nice if good stuff. Got to appreciate the effort!

Be nice if someone made con rod for t500

[oldjapanesebikes]

Be nice if someone made con rod for t500

Someone does - his name is Pete O'Dell, and his web site is:

http://tr500.co.uk/index.htm

He posts on this board occasionally.

[Vintageman]

contacted a few times in past with no reply.

I have since acquired new rods as spares to do another crank but taken me years. I am not sure anymore out there. There is the KTM rod option but not exact

If he does sell readily T500 rods (USA etc.) that would be nice particulary if your rods have had damage due to moisture.


Any idea of what they cost?

Maybe he was out of stock and one should try again.

[oldjapanesebikes]

Pete's shop looks to be going through some organisational changes. Try the new site contact info at this link, although I suspect a phone call would be the fastest option.

http://www.themotorcycleworks.co.uk/contact.html

[Vintageman]

When i was looking a couple years bac I saw that would not sell to USA.
I emailed a few times and just supposed the advice was true.
Back then on eBay UK only and $345 USA minus shipping really not that bad at all
If I still needed some i would call now I have a number.

I need to find a good big end rod bearing. I hear GT750 can be used, but others say really not a good part for T500 and reference another bearing http://www.dinogt.fr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ala htt-> viewtopic.php?t=8426&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

states "The Big End bering 750 and 500 are differents, the 750 is thinner, it is not good for guiding.
The T500 BE bearing is 24/30/22 and we can put a new BE bearing (PROX) for 250 2 stroke if I remember, expensive BE bearing but very good for T500 with origin con rod."

anybody know about this BE bearing? If no reply maybe this reply is getting too long and later I'll do another new post on this topic

[oldjapanesebikes]

I need to find a good big end rod bearing. anybody know about this BE bearing?

Renewing the loose roller needles and re-using the old cage for me at least has worked fine on two machines - although the cage is no longer available the rollers are under 09261-03009 from Suzuki. The crank pins are also still available so the only question mark might be the rods themselves. So far I've been fortunate, but if I need rods I will talk to Pete.

[akendall1966]

I am planning to pay Pete a visit this week to drop my crank off for an assessment & overhaul (hoping I'll get away with outers and seals). I can ask about rods if you like, obviously hoping he has everything available in case my crank needs it.

[Vintageman]

The cage is a high point of failure too( I suppose why Ultralight flyer's run cage less). I take it yours looked OK. I may do as you.
As you said the connecting rod, big end cage, and crank bearings are N/A from Suz

Or, I think Bune and Miller's Crank guy uses the GT750 Bearing. Why would that not be a good thing.... what's bad about it in a T500

At this point you have to do what you need to do to get er running. The risk will be how many miles will it last and factor in a little aggressiveness to that equation

I suppose the person to contact about BE bearing is DinoGT


akendall1966

Ask if he has rod kits and ship's to USA if you like. Old 2 T500 fans would appreciate it. If not I may have to have someone in Canada buy for me Our other ally for many years

Can you also ask his opinion about stock big end bearing replacement GT750,


I am planning to do a slightly modified engine (winter project). I hear Pete's rods are stronger than OEM.

Else I'll use my OEMs and make a decision on bearings.

Maybe we will have somefeed back on crusingimage new product.

[akendall1966]

Dropped off my crank only a brief chat as I was running late due to traffic. He had got rods made in Spain but is working on a new source who h would be cheaper. Spanish rod are machined from solid ~£200 ea.

He did mention in his experience small ends of the rods wear faster than big end.

[Suzukidave]

He did mention in his experience small ends of the rods wear faster than big end.

Isnt that strange as the small ends just rock back n forth .. not the 360 deg wear the big ends get but i guess the big ends get better lubeing .

[Vintageman]

A viable source for T500 con rods maybe WISECO. Their web says they do custom rods.

Anyone ever contact them for such a task?

[Vintageman]

I called Wiseco and the one service guy I spoke to said the min quan. for custom rod is 500 pcs. Ouch.

He is hard mailing me some information on their brand rods and ProX which supposedly show full dimension of each rod.

From old post I think we want 136mm c-c, 22mm wide, 30mm ID big end, and 23mm Id small end for T500 rod?.

I do have one NOS rod free and will check if this is correct but using calipers to do so.

I think if we find all but width thinner by 1-2mm may be OK?

[akendall1966]

I read your post this morning suggesting Wiseco and what came to me over tea & toast was....

I wonder if crowd-funding would work? As you said 500pcs MOQ is a big ask for anyone to risk on there own. But collectively between the T500 owners and business serving this niche worldwide it might be possible there is enough demand to reach a MOQ where a supplier would take it on.

How would it work.

If there was a price on the table for nn pairs of rods at $$ + shipping taxes etc that gives an amount of money to raise.
Set up a crowd-funding project and publicise it, it enough people are willing to invest in the project, and it raises sufficient funding the order goes in. If not everyone get there money back.
If it goes ahead they get a share of the rods proportional to the investment made and any cash left over get divy'd up proportional to the investment made.

Would have to be done through a proper crowd funding organisation cash held in escrow etc until target is reached, open book on the quotes obtained for the parts. Nobody make a profit, everyone shares the risk, everyone benefits from there being a supply of parts again, and hopefully everyone benefits from a decent price because the collective volume is higher.

Flying a kite on this but there is no cost to try it, most crowd sourcing site take a % of the funding raised as a fee, but only if the target is reached.