GT750 drum front end on a T500

[Fritz500]

I am restoring a T500J and am putting a complete GT750 (4LS drum) front end on it. I have found a source of tapered bearings of the right size in terms of diameter (48 x 25 top bearing and 48 x 27 lower bearing) and was wondering if there was a specific width I should be chasing?

Also I took some measurements and the T500 head bearings are spaced about 157mm apart but the machined surfaces on the GT750 stem are 162mm apart. I thought I may have to machine the top of the stem (where the upper bearing sits) lower down by 5mm which seems a real pain.

I looked through previous posts and couldn't find much on the topic.

Cheers

[Alan H]

Do a search for 'taper roller bearings'
or CLICK HERE

[Fritz500]

Do a search for 'taper roller bearings'
or CLICK HERE

Alan H,
Thanks for that. The diagram says it all. Now to find someone who can do the work...

Cheers

[Alan H]

A long piece of emery tape will do the trick - and a lot of pulling each end in turn.
It doesn't matter if you go a bit too far down, it's just the diameter that matters.

[Fritz500]

Alan,
I've used that emery paper trick on a few things but nothing like this. I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

Thanks for the tip.


Cheers

[Pete O'Dell]

It will handle like a bag of crap mounted on a dish of jelly sitting on springs with the 4 l/s fitted

[Alan H]

Is that why they fit them to classic racers then?
Why would it affect handling in any way, other than improving braking?

[Pete O'Dell]

because classic racers lighten them and use decent forks with std T500 road forks its too heavy and (unsprung etc) and bike trys to pivot round the brake.

[Pete O'Dell]

oops just spotted he is putting whole front end on lol, what a silly old sod I am note too self read properly

[tz375]

Pete,
The point you make is still valid with decent forks because that drum is very heavy and causes front end chatter when cornering hard. A mate of mine had one on his Kawasaki A7R race bike years ago and the faster I went (which was not that fast) the more the front chattered.

On a street bike that should not be a problem though and if the brake is lightened it's even less of a problem.

[Fritz500]

oops just spotted he is putting whole front end on lol, what a silly old sod I am note too self read properly

Yep I'm putting a whole GT750 front end on my latest 500J project bike. My other, a 500K is lovely to ride but the standard forks and brakes are not confidence inspiring. I used the emery paper trick and now the bearings fit the stem. Polished the top triple clamps today and now looking for a cafe type speedo. It's all going together at snail's pace but who cares? I have 3 bikes in various states of rebuild which is where I find the fun is.

[Fritz500]

I am in need of a short cam lever and rod end fitting to complete the set for my GT750 brake.

If you have the bushes for the cables that would be great too.

Any of you kind folks have any of this stuff laying around? I haven't seen any on eBay.


Cheers

[Alan H]

I don't have spares, but if you go to a breaker with the cam in question, they will have something to fit I'm sure.
It's the distance from the cam to the hole that's important and both sides MUST be the same. Anything will do until a correct one eventually surfaces. RegRding the bushes, just go to a local engineers - or someone with a lathe and tbey'll knock some up easily.

[Fritz500]

Alan H,
Thanks!

Been to a couple of motorcycle breakers but nothing suitable showed up. I've tried a few over the other side of Australia and no joy. I was hoping someone here on this forum had a few bits laying around. I've left a post on a few forums to see what turns up. I wanted to keep it original Suzuki in case I ever decide to sell it.

If nothing turns up in a few weeks I'll put on something temporary and keep searching.

Cheers

Geoff

[Fritz500]

I was going to fit GT750 fork gaiters but can't see how they attach at the top. I've looked at the parts diagram and it's not clear what holds the gaiter top in place. I see a chrome fitting that seems to hold the gaiter in place but I'm not sure how it works.

Any hints or photos appreciated.


Geoff