The Suzuki "dog bone" tail light

[Evans Ward]

Just wandering about the history of the unique Suzuki "dog bone" tail light. Did it begin in 1972 with the GT Series line? I know that the Titan 500/ GT500 used it but not sure what year that started either? RE5 in 75/76 used it too. GT line up used it exclusively from 72-77 in US. Any other models use it? Looking for some history here. Also in the SE US, we referred to it as the "peanut" tail light with the shape like a peanut probably since peanuts were and are a huge cash crop in this area.

[jabcb]

It started with the introduction of the GT-series bikes in 1972. Was used on lots of models.
Early triples has two taillight bulbs. All others have one taillight bulb.

For history & lots of pics see: http://www.suzukicycles.org

[joolstacho]

There are variations in the 'dogbone' rear light assembly too, though they may look the same, there are size and structure differences.

[Evans Ward]

There are variations in the 'dogbone' rear light assembly too, though they may look the same, there are size and structure differences.

That's interesting! Maybe someone savvy can post up pics with differences.

[joolstacho]

Here's a variation for a start:
The one on the bike is for a single double filament globe (bulb) -it's about 185mm wide - Note flat back on housing.
The one in the hand is for 2 separate globes (bulbs) -note the 2 round convex shapes moulded into the back of the chrome housing. -It's about 215mm wide.
The internals, -reflector, globe holders etc are obviously different too.



(And the final GT500B dispensed with the 'dogbone' style and had a rectangular shaped rear light).

[Evans Ward]

Now that I think of it, the 1977 GT750B also had a rectangular shaped rear light....

Thanks for the pics and write up!

[jabcb]

Another variation was that some taillights included the side reflectors and other bikes had the side relectors mounted separately. Some side reflectors were mounted as shown in joolstacho’s pic & others had them mounted on the turn signals.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

A lot of the TS enduro bikes in certain markets used the single filament dogbone tail lamp up to around 76 as well. To date there are three styles of dogbone tail light each with its own specific parts. The double bulb type as seen on J model GT750s, the dogbone type with single bulb and integrated side reflectors which means the lens and backing parts have half of the reflectors curve shape moulded into them. Finally the regular dogbone type with single bulb as is found on GTs from K to A models.
Even the little MT50 Trailhopper minibike had a massive dogbone tail lamp fitted to it at some time in its lifespan. For 77 Buffalos they got the same rear light as was used on the early GS750s and the tail light bracket was also year specific for the 77 Buffalos.

[Evans Ward]

^ cool stuff Allan!

[Suzsmokeyallan]

I would have added some photos to my reply but I'm not near my PC files to do so at present. I will try to sort some out for you in the near future Evans.

[Evans Ward]

Looking forward to those reference pics Allan in the future!

[johnakay]

T500J model was different again with 2 side reflectors..

[Madbuffalo]

To further expand the conversation the 'dogbone' tail light was also used on Suzuki snowmobiles from 1972 to 1973. Interestingly in 1974, their final year, Suzuki snowmobiles were equipped with a rectangular tail light.

[argo1974]

I bought a NOS T500 dog bone tail light with chrome bracket from Holland few years ago. I also asked the seller, an elderly man, about his T500, but he told he never had one.
As the story goes, at teenage years, he fall into love with the newly launched T500. Since he couldn't afford the bike, he just ordered the tail light at local Suzuki dealer. For him, the dog bone tail light symbolized T500's character the best. So he had the tail light laying in the cupboard in the living room over 4 decades. He just unwrapped it from time to time for creating himself positive emotions.

[joolstacho]

WOW! That is AMAZING!