NEW T500 CENTRE MAIN BEARINGS

[tz375]

I have never had to buy a 500 main bearing so I don't have a frame of reference, but 250 quid sounds like a heck of a lot.

Isn't there a cheaper/better solution?

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Just to shed some light on costing for making 'runs of parts',,, its extremely expensive for anything resembling an original item right down to the last detail.

For example i was trying to get a costing for having a mold made up to remanufacture a GT750 part, and yes it was in plastic, not even metal.
So far i have not been able to find anywhere that can make the actual two-piece mold block for under $3,500 USD and thats not even including the actual price per piece for the minimum order start-up.

FWIW 250 quid sounds high at first glance for the main bearing, and naturally the price would come down if Pedros order was doubled or even tripled on production run amounts.
However how long would it take him to sell lets say 500 of these bearings at a slightly cheaper cost than the 250 quid.
Then you need to look at the outlay of money for this quantity, only to sit and look at them slowly sell, which will take YEARS.

[johnakay]

OKEY DOKEY Pedro I'll bit the bullet these these sort of things do cost quite a lot of cash to set up etc.
and manufacturers require certain amount cash before they will even look at,
soo my apologies .
yes I was wrong as regards to crooks bearings.
when they said obsolete part I understood it to mean main bearing as Suzuki have discontinued it.

[tz375]

I understand about short run economics and limited markets etc - I spent enough years as a cost accountant in manufacturing companies. 250 quid is a huge amount for a bearing.

I'm not casting aspersions about Pedro or his business ethics, I'm simply making an observation.

With the volumes he projects, that may well be the best he can do. It just makes me wonder if there isn't a more cost effective alternative. I'm not familiar enough with that item to provide much meaningful input, but would it be possible, for example to use a crank bearing from a different bike with an inner or outer sleeve as necessary?

In the UK, racers often convert their T20 / X6 cranks to use Yamaha mains. Is something similar possible for the T/GT500.

Just trying to think outside the box as they say.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Richard on the T500 the seals sit in the large bearing itself held in by a clip in front of each seal. The only easy solution as was noted is to make a case to hold a modern bearing with the correct ID and press it into this case then fit the seals and clips into it.
Pedro is basically having a complete unit made and they are a lot of bearing when you see one for the first time, looking somewhat in size like a double row bearing as found on many FWD cars at first glance.
I can see his reasoning for this proposal but for the basic Titan owner whos not really going to dump 250 quid for a bearing its an expensive thought.

Pedro i am fully aware of your ideas for this bearing but when you think about economies of scale theres still quite a few T500s out there, AND most persons will buy an old crank and pull it for parts at a pittance of the cost of one new bearing.
For example the other day i bought a T500 crank for about $30.00 dollars (a steal) off of fleabay that had one rod seized on the lower end. Upon inspection the main bearings and the other rod are perfect, so i got 80% of the parts in good shape for spares all for $30.00 dollars.
Its only when this market finally dries up that some people will be willing to do whats necessary to keep a bike they REALLY LIKE running.
If not they will just sell it for parts and move on to another model.

A set of T500 bearings showing the seal recesses, this photo was sent to me by a member a while ago but i cant remember who it was. The centre bearing, in the middle, has this design on both sides as its lubed by g/box oil and not the CCI system.

[tz375]

Allan,
Thanks for the pictures. Thanks for the information.

I can see why it could be an expensive short run job and I can also see that it makes no sense (to me) to replicate that bearing the same way.

Pedro thinks there's a business opportunity and he could be right. I don't know the market that well , but if I were racing a GT and needed a new center main I'd be adapting a stock bearing and getting a sleeve made up.

Comes for living in Scotland of English parents. I wouldn't say I'm tight but if you hear squeaking as I walk down the street you know why.

British humor for anyone that doesn't get it.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Richard some will say that squeaking sound you speak of is a relic of the last war with having to save everything and such like.
HOWEVER, i wish him luck with his project and that its productive for those who need that bearing.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Pedro i dont doubt your credentials in any shape or form, its just the market you are trying to tap into is limited and the pricing structure you quoted is another limiting factor as well to the average person.
Not that I'm trying to compare things here but a lot of people just want to be CHEAP when it comes time to foot any bill.
I for one have noticed this only too well all my life with work i've done whether it be custom or just plain restorative etc.
Recently i started up some gauge restoration work again as a sideline for mostly GT750s, and the results are interesting.
Lets just say it this way, I hope your bearings are more sought after than the results I've been seeing.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Oh you're killing me here,,LOL,,,, so now i wish you would make some GT750 parts then for fun.
How about some squish band heads and a 1000cc cylinder, since you seem to be in the mood for making stuff again.
So what do you expect the conrod kits to cost??, is this just the rod or is it with both pins and bearings/thrust washers etc.
Did you take a look at my gauge website, if not just hit the little www icon on the bottom of my posts. theres plenty of images in the 'photo gallery' section.