My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan
-
- On the street
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:00 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, YZ250
My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Hello all! Firstly I would like to say I'm a first time poster, but a long time reader on this site. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful information, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am with with my T500 if it wasn't for y'all. I uploaded a couple of photos of the bike and a lil vid to show that it is indeed running after it was in pieces not very long ago. It gives a good idea of where I'm at currently with the bike. I'm a total hobby mechanic and this bike has been very encouraging to work on every step of the way
The custom parts I put on were mostly from Titan Performance; rear sets, clipons, exhaust, all went on with little trouble, great products! My plans are to go for a TR replica style bike, once I get some money together I plan to get the fairing, tank and seat from Airtech. I went with pod filters and the bike seems to be running quite well with stock jetting, I plan I trying out the different jetting recommended for pods or possibly trying to get my hands on a nice set of racing carbs. I would really like to run this bike with no battery or a small battery but would like to keep it running with a headlight and tail-light, which seems to be "legal enough" here in Los Angeles. Any suggestions? I don't really know anything about points vs electronic ignition and the pros cons. I just want to open up the area where the big ol battery is for aesthetic reasons and shave a lil weight. Please let me know what you guys think. THANKS!!!!!!
T
The custom parts I put on were mostly from Titan Performance; rear sets, clipons, exhaust, all went on with little trouble, great products! My plans are to go for a TR replica style bike, once I get some money together I plan to get the fairing, tank and seat from Airtech. I went with pod filters and the bike seems to be running quite well with stock jetting, I plan I trying out the different jetting recommended for pods or possibly trying to get my hands on a nice set of racing carbs. I would really like to run this bike with no battery or a small battery but would like to keep it running with a headlight and tail-light, which seems to be "legal enough" here in Los Angeles. Any suggestions? I don't really know anything about points vs electronic ignition and the pros cons. I just want to open up the area where the big ol battery is for aesthetic reasons and shave a lil weight. Please let me know what you guys think. THANKS!!!!!!
T
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:25 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550L, PE250B, RM250N
- Location: Southern California
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Welcome to the forum! Glad to see another Southern California resident working on these great old bikes. I have no experience with the T500's, but have been rebuilding a gt550, you will find a wealth of knowledge from the more senior members here however. As far as points vs electronic ignition, points will work fine if timed correctly, electronic is definitely a good upgrade however. Electronic ignition is more reliable, very low maintenance once installed, and often gives you the option to run a small or battery less charging system and can be fully programmable from some of the manufacturers, all just depends on how much you want to put into it. One day I would like to invest in one of these systems, but its currently not in my budget for the 550..
What is your plan/usage of this bike? Daily rider, vintage racer? I rarely see any of these old 2 stroke street bikes in the LA/Orange county area so it's cool to see another nearby!
If you care to post more photos I'd love to get a few more angles of your bike. Once again welcome to the forum and have fun with your build!
What is your plan/usage of this bike? Daily rider, vintage racer? I rarely see any of these old 2 stroke street bikes in the LA/Orange county area so it's cool to see another nearby!
If you care to post more photos I'd love to get a few more angles of your bike. Once again welcome to the forum and have fun with your build!
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:25 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550L, PE250B, RM250N
- Location: Southern California
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
video is just a picture
- tz375
- Moto GP
- Posts: 6204
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:47 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Just a quick heads up on the naked midriff idea. That bike has to keep its oil tank and is not easy to convert to pre-mix, so it's probably easier to leave the stock oil tank and matching side cover.
There are other oil tanks that could be centrally located, but none are as tidy or as pleasing to the eye as a stock tank IMHO.
There are other oil tanks that could be centrally located, but none are as tidy or as pleasing to the eye as a stock tank IMHO.
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4241
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
From a safety point of view, its a good idea to keep the turn signals.
Don't know California law, but here in Pennsylvania it depends on the year of manufacture -- typically if the bike came with turn signals, then they are required.
Don't know California law, but here in Pennsylvania it depends on the year of manufacture -- typically if the bike came with turn signals, then they are required.
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
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
- Coyote
- Moto GP
- Posts: 3404
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
+1 Make that 2 opinions.There are other oil tanks that could be centrally located, but none are as tidy or as pleasing to the eye as a stock tank IMHO.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:25 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550L, PE250B, RM250N
- Location: Southern California
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
was everyone else able to view the video somehow??
- ConnerVT
- Novice racer
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
- Location: North of Albany, NY
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Nope. It posted as an image file (.PNG)Cragdog wrote:was everyone else able to view the video somehow??
I don't believe this forum software is configured to upload video files (too big) or embedded YouTube videos (not configured).
- ConnerVT
- Novice racer
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
- Location: North of Albany, NY
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
For some thoughts on the oil tank question, the build thread from imquatro's GT550 project covered this pretty well. All 23 pages of the thread have great ideas, many which can translate to a T500.
Link jumps you to page 13, discussing oil tanks: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5351&start=180#p116980
Link jumps you to page 13, discussing oil tanks: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5351&start=180#p116980
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1306
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:55 pm
- Country: England
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: TS100, T200, GT250, T500, GT500, GT550, GT750, GS750
- Location: Southeast England
- Contact:
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
I like the idea of getting rid of the stock oil tank......in my opinion a special is more of a special if you can change as many items as possible.
But that's the beauty of a forum, everyone has different ideas and preferences, and we get the opportunity to air them !
This is the keg style tank I am using on my current 500 build.
But that's the beauty of a forum, everyone has different ideas and preferences, and we get the opportunity to air them !
This is the keg style tank I am using on my current 500 build.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Keeping old 2 strokes alive !
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:25 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550L, PE250B, RM250N
- Location: Southern California
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
I like it Titan
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4241
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
I like the way your oil tank conforms to the shape of the frame gusset.
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
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
-
- On the street
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:00 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, YZ250
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Wow thanks for all the replys! Cragdog, great to know there are other 2 stroke enthusiasts here in so cal. I have a 76 gt550 that I'm stealing the forks off of, let me know if you need any parts! Also like the keg tank! Looking sharp! Yesterday I took out the battery and put a capacitor in its place, works great and was glad to get the battery out of there! I think I'll be getting the seat that has the oil tank in the back which will solve that problem. The bike is running great with point so I'll leave that for now.
I'll post some more pics when I can and will keep updating with progress. Should have started earlier because we've done so much! For example the oil line broke from the tank to the oil pump.. After seeing how much they were (one went for over $50 on eBay) just used some tubing and and safety wire and fixed it for about $1. This bike is so much fun to work on that I'll prolly eventually go down to the frame and send the engine in for porting. Anyone know someone who could do the porting in so cal?? Also am thinking of keeping the drums and getting them relined. Not sure if these brakes could ever be sufficient though. They are really bad even rebuild w new pads.
I'll post some more pics when I can and will keep updating with progress. Should have started earlier because we've done so much! For example the oil line broke from the tank to the oil pump.. After seeing how much they were (one went for over $50 on eBay) just used some tubing and and safety wire and fixed it for about $1. This bike is so much fun to work on that I'll prolly eventually go down to the frame and send the engine in for porting. Anyone know someone who could do the porting in so cal?? Also am thinking of keeping the drums and getting them relined. Not sure if these brakes could ever be sufficient though. They are really bad even rebuild w new pads.
- Coyote
- Moto GP
- Posts: 3404
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
Cool! You can tell the clueless its a boilerThis is the keg style tank I am using on my current 500 build.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1306
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:55 pm
- Country: England
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: TS100, T200, GT250, T500, GT500, GT550, GT750, GS750
- Location: Southeast England
- Contact:
Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.
A steam driven 500? There's a thought !
Keeping old 2 strokes alive !