Will 72 T500 air box fit a 1969 T500

Whit · Post by **Whit** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:11 pm

I bought a 1969 T500 and in the box of parts I received I found that I have the rectangular air box which looks to be for a 1972 model (according to pictures at bike bandit). I held it up to the frame and the rear mount seems to be ok, but I don't see where the front bracket would connect too. Hopefully I can make this fit since I have a $45 air filter for it coming any day in the mail.

GT Tim · Post by **GT Tim** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:58 pm

'68 to '72 are the same.

Part # = 13700-15071
Part Description = CLEANER ASSEMBLY,AIR
Model Count = 5
T500-2 1969 492 T500 TITAN STREET
T500-3 1970 492 T500 TITAN STREET
T500 1968 492 T500 COBRA STREET
T500J 1972 492 T500 TITAN STREET
T500R 1971 492 T500 TITAN STREET

If you have an airbox with a filter frame that looks like this one below you have the wrong airbox for a '72. Mind you this is the internal frame, there is a external airbox which I don't have a pic of. :

This is for '73 on up.

Hope this helps.

Whit · Post by **Whit** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:42 pm

I guess that what happens when you buy something that had parts in a box. I have the wrong air box and seat. Oh well I guess I need to head back to ebay. Thanks for the info.

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:46 pm

Seat???? you must be joking, you will not find a 69 Titan seat on fleabay, however pm me and ill get you sorted out on an exact replica cover. You will have to use a 70 or later seat pan and shave on the sponge a bit to create a masterpiece.

frappy · Post by **frappy** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:01 pm

Here's a pic of the '74/75 airbox...

diamondj · Post by **diamondj** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:55 pm

Whit wrote:I guess that what happens when you buy something that had parts in a box. I have the wrong air box and seat. Oh well I guess I need to head back to ebay. Thanks for the info.

The seat for the '69 T500 is unique in that it has a diamond pleat pattern. The '68 seat looks a bit like suede and has chrome buttons along the side. Then from 1970 to 1975 the seats all looked the same with parallel pleats running from side to side.

Whit · Post by **Whit** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:43 pm

Thanks everyone for the pictures. I now know I have the 74-75 airbox. It does appear that I also have the boots for the 74-75. I will put the carbs back on Saturday and then see if the airbox will fit on the 69. I think the only problem is the forward bracket has no where to attach, but the back bracket looks as though it will line up ok.

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:33 pm

There was a whole bunch of design changes that took place on the bikes from 68 to 77 one being the switch from flanged/rubbered intake tubes that bolt to the block to simple rubber couplings and a block spigot redesign. This later setup caused the carbs to move backwards on the bike because it was longer, and made it necessary to change the airbox in some way cause it was now closer to the bellmouths
The 69 airbox is the correct thing for your bike and they do show up on ebay since they fit more than one model.
To locate the skewed carb to air box boot on the other hand is another issue.
Heres the list of basically 69MK2 hard to find hens teeth items:
front fenders, gauges, air box boots, grey cased cables, rear wheel adjusters, side cover badges, handlebars with the square cross brace, 4 position ignition switches, hand grips, tool pouch holder, tank badges, grab rail, and the always highly sought after, ultra rare seat.

rngdng · Post by **rngdng** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:15 pm

The later model carb flanges also caused the carbs to run rich, so the jetting was lowered. I put the short intakes on my (now Dofin's) GT500 and it eventually toasted the pistons due to running lean.

Lane