GT500 back to life

Photos and progress of your restorations, even bikes you had but no longer own.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, Suzsmokeyallan

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joolstacho
To the on ramp
Posts: 391
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:55 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: AS50, GS500, GT500, ex GSXR750 slabbie
Location: Greendale Vic, Australia
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GT500 back to life

Post by joolstacho »

Here's mine, finally back to life after a pretty extensive resto/refurb.
First kick starter, and it hauls like a train! (Very impressed with it's low rpm torque, more like like a Norton Commando 850 than a jap 2-banger!).
Plenty of headaches along the way, even though at first it looked like a pretty straightforward job.
I haven't 'over-restored' it. Personally I'd rather see a little patina, and as much of the original factory finish as possible, so it's not super-schmick, but pretty clean and very authentic.
Got to admit they're a handsome machine eh?

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PHPaul
On the main road
Posts: 140
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:26 am
Country: United States
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1979 Yamaha XS650, 1974 Suzuki GT550
Location: Downeast Maine
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Re: GT500 back to life

Post by PHPaul »

VERY nice!

And I'm with you on the "over-restored" thing. I can't see spending the time (lots and LOTS of time!) sanding and buffing and polishing engine cases to a mirror finish (which they never had from the factory anyway) just so you're either A) scared to ride it and get it dirty or; B) spend the time (lots and LOTS of time!) cleaning and polishing it after every ride.

They're made to be ridden, not rubbed!
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