Suzuki T500 steering races

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Vintageman
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suz, Yam, Honda, Kaw.
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Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by Vintageman »

My T500 steering races I suspect were rusty and now pitted out after running it. I forget, doesn't the steering system contain 4 races total all the same part #?

One race on the lower part of triple tree, two in frame neck upper and lower ?and fourth where ? Partzilla shows these obsolete so can't see quantity used. I have a couple (somewhere) but if I tear it down want all I need. PIA Want to stay stock so why I am asking.

Thanks
Current Bikes
74 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
76 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
71 T350,
70 T350,
74 GT380,
75 T500,
73 GT550,
75 GT750,
72 Yamaha DS7 (R5 upgrade),
77 Yamaha RD400 (Daytona Cyls),
dollydog
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by dollydog »

hi vm, i think you'll find the 2 races that sit inside the top and bottom of the steering head of the frame are identical and are deeply dished, they have high sides. the top and the bottom races are very shallow. the top/bottom shallow races have the same o.d. but the top one has a smaller i.d. the ones in the frame are easy enough to drift out and replace. the very top one will pull off easily. the very bottom one is a b*stard to get off the steering stem - believe me, it will be tight. if you're replacing it anyway, you could try grinding a groove in it, then try splitting it with a large hammer and cold chisel. all this done as carefully as possible so as not to damage anything - including yourself :D hope that all makes sense?
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
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Vintageman
Expert racer
Posts: 1483
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:38 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suz, Yam, Honda, Kaw.
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by Vintageman »

DD or anyone please

If there are two different parts does anyone know Suz part numbers for frame at least?
Current Bikes
74 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
76 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
71 T350,
70 T350,
74 GT380,
75 T500,
73 GT550,
75 GT750,
72 Yamaha DS7 (R5 upgrade),
77 Yamaha RD400 (Daytona Cyls),
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jabcb
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
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Re: Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by jabcb »

An old printed parts manual for the T500 is here: https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_ ... s/index.php
It lists:
1 of bottom race (not listed)
2 of middle races: 51611-16500
1 of top race: 51621-08000
36 steel balls: 06111-08004

Partzilla 75 T500 lists:
1 of bottom race: 51621-08000 NLA/ see part # 25
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/suzuk ... front-fork
2 of middle races: 51611-33002 / see part #1
1 of top race: 51621-08000 NLA / see part # 2
36 steel balls: 06111-08003 / see part # 4
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/suzuk ... trol-cable


FYI if you decide to go with tapered roller bearings.
The AllBalls website lists their tapered roller bearing kit for the 75 T500 & 75 GT550 as 22-1005.
https://www.allballsracing.com/ymmsearc ... hfromhome/

That AllBalls kit # is not correct for the T500. Per posts about this issue, you need to use a kit for a Kawasaki H-something or other.
The T500 has a steering damper & the GT triples don’t. They need different kits because the steering stem ODs are different.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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dorT500
To the on ramp
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: '75 T500M since '93 Ridden it over 100,000 mi
Location: Galveston County, Tx.

Re: Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by dorT500 »

I just recently ordered the outer races (top and bottom 51621-08000) for my '75 from Discountbikespares UK. CMSNL has them also but not practical ordering from CMSNL unless you are ordering a lot of other parts because of what amounts to a large minimum shipping charge as far as I'm concerned. I have used them for larger orders in the past and been very happy with them.



EDIT: Wait a minute.... :? Might be available under a different part number from Suzuki here in the states.


Edit: From Discountbikespares I didn't see this before.....I've canceled the order for now....I hope it takes. :|

Image

Partszilla....

Image

:?
and Alpha Sports usually show when a part number has been superseded but not in this case.
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Vintageman
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Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:38 pm
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suz, Yam, Honda, Kaw.
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Suzuki T500 steering races

Post by Vintageman »

jabcb,

Thanks for the effort looking at Partzilla. I missed :oops: the Handle bar fiche. I remember the All BAlls issue. prefer stock regardless when I can. This was fine when I redid bike several years back... suspect any rust stains I overlooked have eroded away

dort500 yes discountspares... shipping was not too bad for these little items in the past

Bought 2 NOS inners off ebay nos = $16.

Bought outers from Discount spares ~$34 shipped. They have none left tried to buy 4 and only had the 2.

the little rollers 89 cents each x 36 ( wait for my next order to Partzilla, to get that free shipping discount)

Tearing down the front end of my beautiful running T500 and installing all priceless. Too many project going not enough time.... Get to it before next season.

Thanks everyone. All three guys were great help!
Current Bikes
74 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
76 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
71 T350,
70 T350,
74 GT380,
75 T500,
73 GT550,
75 GT750,
72 Yamaha DS7 (R5 upgrade),
77 Yamaha RD400 (Daytona Cyls),
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