TR500 replica build

[Zunspec4]

I took the Seeley to a Llandow track day on Saturday, great weather and the Seeley went well. A good deal of progress was made on engine and chassis set-up, mostly thanks to my new tame international standard rider a Mr Gary May and his dad. Much twiddling went on with suspension at both ends and I think I now know why the engine holed a piston at Snett last September. Something as simple as an inadequate breather hole in the tank cap, it was not up to the job of compensating for the prodigious rate that a 2-st with 38mm carbs can drink fuel at full bore. The fuel starvation causing a v/weak mixture and bang went the piston. Subsequently rectified by going at the breather hole a with small screwdriver



A short video clip, Gary leading these bikes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zunspec/13061748143/

What a test day is all about.

Cheers Geoff

[ChrisK]

Great to hear you have had some success Geoff, must remember the breather trick! Those pipes you have there, are they partly hydroformed? If so who did that for you?

I love the magnifying glass on the seat - can totally relate

[Zunspec4]

Hi Chris,

The test session has revealed a serious fault with the yolks/forks unfortunately. That's what testing is all about I guess.

Yes, the pipes are hydroformed, I don't know who made them however.

Cheers Geoff

[Zunspec4]

Infamy, we had a piece on Bike Sport News:

http://www.bikesportnews.com/news-detai ... wsid=11392

Just hope it goes OK at Pembrey over Easter.

Cheers Geoff

[garry55]

Hi Geoff

let me know when / if you are racing at Cadwell Park and I will drop by for a nosey at your bike.

[Zunspec4]

Hi Garry,

All going well we should be at the CRMC Cadwell meeting on the 6th & 7th September. CRMC run an open pit so you are free to roam around, drop by for a cuppa if you make it.

Cheers Geoff

[garry55]

Thanks Geoff - dates in diary and hopefully I'll get to Cadwell for that cuppa !

[ChrisK]

Hi ChrisK,

That crate seems pretty sturdy and well packed. I hope your build goes well when everything arrives in Aus. Glad you never mentioned "The Ashes" the pain is already too much to bear .

Cheers Geoff

I am pleased to report that said crate has indeed made it to the Antipodean shores and is currently sitting in a warehouse in Melbourne awaiting pickup for it's transport across the country to Perth. I should have here Friday of next week

[Zunspec4]

That's great news, Chris. I hope it makes through with no damage.

[ChrisK]

That's great news, Chris. I hope it makes through with no damage.

Happy to report that the crate full of goodies has arrived and duly unpacked. Everything in tip top condition, thanks to New England Motor Freight (Vermont), Cheetah Imports (Melbourne) and Watson's Express (Perth) and my Vermont neighbour, Ken Lavallee, for helping me build the crate and coming up with the idea to mount the motors. Left in -21 degrees C and arrived at +28!
Now the hard work starts. First on the list is to erect another shed to keep some of the other bikes in while the current workshop is cleared out to make room for this project.

[ChrisK]

Some small progress, I have had the wheels built up by a local wheel builder here in Perth using Akront rims. Can't believe how heavy these things are compared to a modern wheel!


Also my ignition system has arrived from Europe, a very neat setup by Zeeltronics.


Some serious engine work is next on the list. Will keep you posted.

[Zunspec4]

Hello Chris,

Good progress. I like the Zeeltronics kit, something I considered when looking for an ignition. Keep us posted on how it installs and performed.

Cheers Geoff

[stevebee]

wheels look great

[ChrisK]

We are starting to get serious with engine design now and one of the questions I have is can you convert a T500 motor from the old style thrust washer at the big end to what they did on the TR500 II and place it at the small end and have the big end floating? Looking at the service bulletin that Suzuki sent out on this mod it seemed like they supplied different cranks and pistons for the mod. However, I believe the GT750 has this arrangement and the Wiseco catalogue lists the same pistons for both motors, so I am guessing that the small end is the same. Can the standard crank deal with a swapped arrangement? Any advice appreciated.

[Alan H]

What calipers are you intending to use and are they Suzuki forks? I just can't make out what they are on the pics.
I'm looking to do twin discs on the GT550 A next on the list and have a twin disc Alloy GS550 front wheel. It should be OK with a disc left fork 750), but I'd like some better calipers if poss. I've been recommended a Bandit 1200 master cylinder too.