T500 won’t start

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Monkey man
Around the block
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:47 pm
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T 250 t500 gt 550

T500 won’t start

Post by Monkey man »

Hi guys I’m back with more woes on my newly acquired t500

I had to take the carbs off to give the oil lines some attention as they were leaking but the bike will only fire up on one cylinder . It was running fine before I took the carbs off but can’t fathom out why it won’t start


I’ve tried all the usual tricks but it’s got me stumped

There seems to be signs of oily black residue coming out if the silencer that doesn’t fire so I’m concerned it might be crank seal issues . Any clues ?

I’ve tried bump starting and revving hard on the cylinder that fired but it still won’t fire on two 😬
Monkey man
Around the block
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:47 pm
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T 250 t500 gt 550

Re: T500 won’t start

Post by Monkey man »

Someone sent me a link saying T500 s are nortoriusly difficult to start on the RH Cylinder and suggested charging the battery?
Surely not ? The battery seems fine anyway
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Evans Ward
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Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 76 GT750, 72 H2 750, 84 RZ350
Location: Macon, GA. USA

Re: T500 won’t start

Post by Evans Ward »

The simple/ obvious questions first.. have you verified spark on the cylinder in question? Also, check the HT leads at both the coil and at the boot. Is the suspect cylinder plug clean with appropriate gap?
1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
User avatar
Evans Ward
To the on ramp
Posts: 326
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 12:35 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 76 GT750, 72 H2 750, 84 RZ350
Location: Macon, GA. USA

Re: T500 won’t start

Post by Evans Ward »

I’d also pull that exhaust baffle to check if it’s oil soaked. If so, clean the baffle off and repack.
1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
karl pa
Yeah Man, the Interstate
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT
Location: southeast pa

Re: T500 won’t start

Post by karl pa »

For some reason Suzuki twins do loose a cylinder if the battery gets low, I can't explain why only one stops firing but it has happened to me several times when my charging system wasn't working.
If the charging system is working, the voltage should come up to fire both.
I wouldn't worry about crank seals yet, is the plug oily? it will run with bad seals unless they are really bad and then the plug will be covered with oil.
76 GT185
77 GT250
77 GT380
76 GT500
73 GT550
73 GT750
74 GT750
71 T250 scrambler
75 T500 cafe
Monkey man
Around the block
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:47 pm
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T 250 t500 gt 550

Re: T500 won’t start

Post by Monkey man »

Thanks guys - will carry out checks as recommended and will order new plugs just in case
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