My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.

General discussion about Street two-stroke Suzuki motorcycles.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

tonyb
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.

Post by tonyb »

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
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Cragdog
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.

Post by Cragdog »

Welcome to the forum! Glad to see another Southern California resident working on these great old bikes. :up: 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! 8)
If you like it, then you should ride it.

1974 Suzuki GT550
1977 Suzuki PE250
1992 Suzuki RM250
1988 Yamaha YZ250
1970 Honda CB750 K0
Cragdog
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.

Post by Cragdog »

video is just a picture :|
If you like it, then you should ride it.

1974 Suzuki GT550
1977 Suzuki PE250
1992 Suzuki RM250
1988 Yamaha YZ250
1970 Honda CB750 K0
User avatar
tz375
Moto GP
Posts: 6204
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:47 am
Location: Illinois

Re: My T500 project, coming along, lots o questions.

Post by tz375 »

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.
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
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.

Post by jabcb »

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.
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
User avatar
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.

Post by Coyote »

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.
+1 Make that 2 opinions.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
Cragdog
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.

Post by Cragdog »

was everyone else able to view the video somehow??
If you like it, then you should ride it.

1974 Suzuki GT550
1977 Suzuki PE250
1992 Suzuki RM250
1988 Yamaha YZ250
1970 Honda CB750 K0
User avatar
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.

Post by ConnerVT »

Cragdog wrote:was everyone else able to view the video somehow??
Nope. It posted as an image file (.PNG)

I don't believe this forum software is configured to upload video files (too big) or embedded YouTube videos (not configured).
User avatar
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.

Post by ConnerVT »

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
titan performance
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.

Post by titan performance »

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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Keeping old 2 strokes alive !
Cragdog
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.

Post by Cragdog »

I like it Titan :up:
If you like it, then you should ride it.

1974 Suzuki GT550
1977 Suzuki PE250
1992 Suzuki RM250
1988 Yamaha YZ250
1970 Honda CB750 K0
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
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.

Post by jabcb »

I like the way your oil tank conforms to the shape of the frame gusset. :up:
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
tonyb
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.

Post by tonyb »

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.
User avatar
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.

Post by Coyote »

This is the keg style tank I am using on my current 500 build.
Cool! You can tell the clueless its a boiler 8)
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
titan performance
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.

Post by titan performance »

A steam driven 500? There's a thought !
Keeping old 2 strokes alive !
Post Reply