My T500 just like I remember...

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

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, Suzsmokeyallan

Post Reply
User avatar
Fritz500
To the on ramp
Posts: 495
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:12 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suzuki TS90, TS250, T500 (4), GT750
Location: Perth, Western Australia

My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Fritz500 »

I used to own a new T500K when I was young. Decided to shop around for the same model & colour I had way back then. I am a bit embarrassed to say it is not the basket case that many of the forum guys tackle (I have a Ducati GT750 basket case that I have been buying bits for 7 years...) but this one was too good to pass up.

It was missing correct indicators, toolkit bracket (a kind fellow forum member [merckid] ran around and got me one of those); and there are a few minor chips and scratches. The rubber bits are a bit patchy and some will be replaced. The tires don't need air they are so rock hard. The chrome is mostly good; I need to recoat the inside of the tank. I have ordered new crank seals and will pull the motor down and send the crank off for them to be installed. I'll fix the gearbox oil level issue then too.

I have bought a set of slightly narrower handle bars. I also want this to be a non showroom finish rider - I have a sports bike and the wife doesn't like the seating...so this should be more comfortable to ride to the coffee shop etc

I am also buying bits to do up another T500 which I have been advertising for but have had few bites. I want to make a cafe racer like the one I could never afford when I was young. I have a complete GT750 drum front end to go on it.

I can't describe how good it feels to be tinkering with "my old bike" again.

Cheers
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by Fritz500 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:33 am, edited 2 times in total.
73 GT750 Ducati - 20%
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%

“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
merckid
Around the block
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:10 am

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by merckid »

looks good! i was going to try and take mine out for a ride today...Then all this white crap came we call snow. I guess i will be waiting a few more weeks :cry:
User avatar
Fritz500
To the on ramp
Posts: 495
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:12 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suzuki TS90, TS250, T500 (4), GT750
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Fritz500 »

merckid wrote:looks good! i was going to try and take mine out for a ride today...Then all this white crap came we call snow. I guess i will be waiting a few more weeks :cry:
Can't you ring the weather bureau and ask them to flick to fine weather mode?

I saw snow once on holiday in China. Mmm.

Must be hard only having a few good months a year to ride. I used to ride my Suzi T500/GT750 to work every day for about 10 or so years. Got wet a few times but that's part of the fun.

Cheers
73 GT750 Ducati - 20%
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%

“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
Digger
To the on ramp
Posts: 253
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:41 am
Country: UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500M, GT380, MTS1200S
Location: Yorkshire Dales

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Digger »

Fritz500 wrote:I used to own a new T500K when I was young. Decided to shop around for the same model & colour I had way back then.....I am also buying bits to do up another T500 which I have been advertising for but have had few bites. I want to make a cafe racer like the one I could never afford when I was young. ........I can't describe how good it feels to be tinkering with "my old bike" again.

Blimey!!! Image

Are you sure you're not me? Image

Great feeling, I agree. 8) 8)
Digger

1975 T500M
1977 GT380
2011 MTS1200S
User avatar
H2RICK
AMA Superbike
Posts: 1659
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:07 am
Country: CANADA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550A, GSF1200SK6 currently
Location: Cowtown aka Calgary, Canada

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by H2RICK »

Nice score, Fritz. I hope your resto goes smoothly.
At least you got the blue one and not that hideous reddish-pink coloured one. Blechhhh...... :lol:
GT550A Mint & Original
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
User avatar
Scorch
Born to ride
Posts: 437
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:10 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1975 GT380
Location: Houston, Texas
Contact:

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Scorch »

Way to go, Fritz! My GT380 is the same bike I owned 36 years ago, I know what you mean.
Suzuki: '18 V-Strom 1000, '75 GT380, '85 Madura 1200
User avatar
Fritz500
To the on ramp
Posts: 495
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:12 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suzuki TS90, TS250, T500 (4), GT750
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Fritz500 »

Blimey!!! Image

Are you sure you're not me? Image

Great feeling, I agree. 8) 8)

I could be you, have you got a scar on your bum? If you have you're me. Or I'm you. Now I am confused.

Cheers
73 GT750 Ducati - 20%
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%

“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
User avatar
Fritz500
To the on ramp
Posts: 495
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:12 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suzuki TS90, TS250, T500 (4), GT750
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: My T500 just like I remember...

Post by Fritz500 »

H2RICK wrote:Nice score, Fritz. I hope your resto goes smoothly.
At least you got the blue one and not that hideous reddish-pink coloured one. Blechhhh...... :lol:
Blechhhh! I agree. I had a second hand T500J (green) and would have settled for one of those but none turned up that were well priced. When I was deciding to get the T500K back in '73 I was also looking at a Kawa Mach3. I still have the sales brochure for it. Glad I didn't get the Kawa.

I have a habit of starting projects and not finishing them for a (long) while but this is all going to change...

Cheers
73 GT750 Ducati - 20%
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%

“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
Post Reply