Suzuki 2 Strokes

Ok, finally got the t500 going after many months as well as I can, was thrown off for a long time with faulty condenser. Have replaced or repaired just about everything, and this is probably as good as it gets on current specs. Problem now is I am disappointed with it. Have been doing 70s 2 strokes for a while and always wanted to do one of these, was not expending another mach3, but just does not have any performance at all. I have read a blog on how to enlarge ports etc but am not willing to do it. Have tried with sleeves instead of the very restrictive baffles, no difference. Would cobra barrels give more juice? I am not worried about fuel consumption. Are they available, I suspect not. Any links or ideas would be great. At moment I may just respray and sell it as I am not excited by riding it. steve.

There's something seriously wrong if there is 'no performance'.
A T/GT500 isn't a firestorm compared to a modern bike, but should top 100mph easily.
I would suggest you start with checking timing, then carbs.
Make sure the carb slides are in the correct carbs - cutaway to the filter or carb inlet.
Does it idle well?
Is there a flat spot?
Are the pistons in the right way (arrow to exhaust port)?

I suppose it depends what you are expecting as well.
Check the original performance specs and see how it compares.

I have checked all those things many times. I have tried about 20 different settings regarding mains/needle clip/plugs/ carbs are set up exactly as per specs. Rebored, good compression, replaced and checked all electricals, pods, original mufflers etc. Can`t think of anything not checked and double checked over 8 months. Must be something in setup. Just have to start again with settings and work from there I guess. Plugs show just the right brown.

Alan H wrote: A T/GT500 isn't a firestorm compared to a modern bike, but should top 100mph easily.

I'm going to disagree with you slightly, Alan.

Performance is a very subjective thing. The personality of the T500 (especially stock) is a bit different than 2-strokes of the same era from Kawasaki or Yamaha. The power band is *so* much less peaky than either of those, and I found that you really need to have the revs to see much eye opening power. But it makes up for that with the low rev torque, making it much more streetable.

When I had my first T500 (and was about 75lbs/34Kg lighter), If launched correctly, the bike could shoot from 0-85MPH as fast as I could get through the gears. The 85 to 95MPH would take it a bit longer, and then it was a slow climb to a ton. It takes my current bike a bit longer to do all of these things, but seems correct for the extra passanger I carry with me at all times.

Before I bought my T500, my previous 2 stroke had been a 350 LC - 70lbs lighter and 2 hp more powerful.

Given the similarity in specs. the difference in feel between the two is huge, the T500 has loads of torque and no powerband to speak of. The 350LC would crawl upto 5000rpm or thereabouts and then take off like a scalded cat (God help me hitting that powerband leant over in the wet). The LC felt the quickest by far.

I think, as Alan has suggested, the only way to check is to compare the performance of yours with the spec. The timing on mine was out by a couple of degrees, and adjusting it more accurately did make a big difference in liveliness.

0-60 should only take a tad over 5 seconds

http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictures/ ... -1972.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And if that is not quick enough, you could work your way through this

http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/t500_ ... /grant.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although some say there may be a few errors in that article

ConnerVT wrote:

Alan H wrote: A T/GT500 isn't a firestorm compared to a modern bike, but should top 100mph easily.

I'm going to disagree with you slightly, Alan.
When I had my first T500 (and was about 75lbs/34Kg lighter), If launched correctly, the bike could shoot from 0-85MPH as fast as I could get through the gears. The 85 to 95MPH would take it a bit longer, and then it was a slow climb to a ton. It takes my current bike a bit longer to do all of these things, but seems correct for the extra passenger I carry with me at all times.

Yes we all tend to carry an extra passenger as we get er, more senior, shall we say. Nothing to do with all the beer and food that we had over the years of course!
Well, a good mate has a T500 and we have done quite a few miles together on his and my (K GT550) and there's hardly anything in performance. Although he's a bit smaller than me and I'm now about 195 pounds and 5'8". The 500 is a bit more torquey if throttles are snapped at mid revs and high gears, but the traffic light GP, there's nothing at all in it.
When I was 21 and had my first GT550J (in 1972) I weighed in at about 140lbs tops and was a typical racing snake physique.
Pity I can only remember it nowadays.
I'm 150% of the man I was though, so that must be good for something - built for comfort not speed now I suppose!!

Get a set of cylinders from a 69 -72 T500. That's it. Everything else can be stock from your 1974.

This will give you a noticeable performance increase.

You have said you are way down on performance, but you haven't given any figures.....what top speed can the bike attain for starters?

Fantastic guys, that sort of confirms what I was thinking....it is probably just about as good as it gets, maybe I can squeak a little bit extra out by refining the setup. It`s sort of what I read before I bought it. On the other hand I suppose I am unconsciously comparing it to the Kwaka triple which is hardly fair. I will check out the links supplied, thanks. I like the idea of the early barrels and the comment that they can be installed without other major mods. Thanks again. As for performance...I can`t exactly quote figures really, so I won`t try. Whilst I have an interest by people who seem to know what they`re talking about, what would be the best option for changing the front end? Like most of us I prefer standard/original, but I will mod for performance within the Suzi family and I don`t like the forks. The drum I can live with, but those forks and the external springs and the way they bolt through the top yoke of triple clamp is dodgy. So I know the gt500 will fit, which of the 380, 550 and 750 will fit. I am aware I will need the upper and lower triple clamps. Can I retain the front wheel/axle? etc. Steve.

I don't know about front ends... but people here should. My front end is stock, works well for me even in the twisties.

The H1 was 60 hp

The early T500 was 48.7 if I recall, The later T500 was 44 I think but it also lost its breadth too soon.

I find my 75 T500 very exciting and quick now it has early cyls. Before it had no top end at all. Still pulls low rpms well too. I had already put on JEMCOs chambers. Both cases early/late cylinders had fresh bore with later NOS piston. I wish I used cast like wossners for it will now go well past 7K and I let off for afraid piston skirt fracture.

I understand what you're talking about. I also have a '74 T500 and as a bit underwhelmed by the perceived lack of performance. I'm used to Yamaha RDs and the T has a completely different kind of feel to it. Stock they aren't really "sporting" although they are capable within their limits. The biggest limit I've found is the front fork, it is too soft. I have since changed it to a GT500 front end with disc brake and I'm much happier with the bike now. The internal spring forks are easy to stiffen with replacement springs and the disc brake is also much better.
I'm fairly certain the GT550 triple used the same triple clamps as the GT500 so the 550 front end should work.
The power band really doesn't exist. The bike seems to have a steady power delivery through the revs, which for me is limited by vibration. It is a fun bike to ride, just don't expect it to be like an RD400 or a Kaw triple.
Here are two discussions about my T at the Deals Gap meet this year.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=12308" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=12372" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vintageman wrote:I also have a '74 T500 and as a bit underwhelmed by the perceived lack of performance. I'm used to Yamaha RDs and the T has a completely different kind of feel to it.

I also have RD400 /350 Yams.... When I got my 75 T500 even with Jemco I also "underwhelmed"... The change I keep preaching about fixes that for me. The T500 is a relatively fast bike... until 1973. There is also some periodic reviews that compare early against late T500 stating the same thing.

I only changed cyls. I have the shorter intake, earlier air box (etc) as well, but the cyls alone fixed things . I did even bother trying the other items. No need and bike is 100% stock other than earlier cycls (who would know by looking at it). T

he T500 bike is quick and exciting. My fork springs work well (NOS). My only complaint is bike too long versus the 400/350... I think T350 swing arm fits? But I am happy as is and can use it for sporty riding or touring.

You need to be happy with your bikes!

fun stuff

Ok thanks vintageman I just can`t find any early barrels yet, will be keeping an eye out for them. I agree the wossners I have in the H1 are great pistons. I would have gone them too and still may if I keep it.
mgmark thanks for the fork info, I just rode a different road with lots of twisty bits and the front end is truly woefull. New oil and seals. I will almost certainly try to source some gt500 or gt 550 forks. Maybe even the 750 for the twin discs. I put twin discs on the H1e as all the attachments were there and it brakes so well and balanced. Incidently, with standard everything else what mains are you using. I tried the manual`s 97.5 but obviously too lean. Went up by increments to now 110 and pretty good although still no real top speed and moderate acceleration, colour on plugs suggests getting very close. May go bigger main and drop (raise) or lean off the jet needle. See if I can`t get it a bit crisper on the midrange and get rid of the slight hesitation just when getting on the throttle. Thanks. Anyone else out there with a decent set of early barrels.....I`m keen, even with postage as I will end up shipping from US probably anyway.