I'm setting up to build another T500 as a winter project and am wondering if the cases I want to use are rubber bushed. Serial number is in the 63xxx series i.e. 1973 era and the cush ID is 12 mm. This is not a great picture but the inner sleeve appears to be encased in rubber or rubber-like material.
I built one of these bikes before and it vibrated so badly at high revs I swore I'd never race one again (my hands would literally want to vibrate off the bars) but these are giving me hope! Pic below - thanks for your comments and advice! (edited to resize pic)
Thanks for the info - I've read about conversions using the GT750 rubber bushings and was hoping the later cases made a change. I didn't realize the OEM setup used some rubber in the engine mount area, I guess they're not that effective, lol.
I should update the Profile description, haven't noticed that for awhile! My '76 GT550 broke a con rod one day years ago, so I turned it into an e-commuter. 6-7 years ago I decided to drag race it so reworked it again for that purpose. This is what it looks like now. I've run 5.7/127 mph in the 1/8th mile (at 70% power). It needs a fairing and a wheelie bar to do much more.
Sorry, I can't find any pics when the bike was used as a commuter. It looked pretty stock except I had some batteries in rear saddlebags.
The first iteration as a drag bike used a smaller motor but stock seat, wheelbase, with struts replacing the rear shocks so it also looked close to stock. That only works for so long though when you start going faster.
I did see that link and the reference to 14 mm engine mount bolts is what made me wonder if Suzuki had upgraded later cases as they use 12 mm.
The use of GT750 12mm engine bolts and bushes is "almost" a Red Herring. I believe it has been done but the benefits are marginal for the work involved. You should still be able to get T500 bushes direct from Suzuki (BUSHING P/N 09319-12006 Qty 6 required).
Be advised that there is an important spacer fitted between each pair of bushes. The bushes front and rear are reasonably easy to get out and replace. The pair under the engine are a PITA
T500 Casing Bush1 by Frank, on Flickr
