Suzuki 2 Strokes

Test fit of custom seat.
cafe-T500-0774 by jabcb, on Flickr

Next up is decision on rear fender: no rear fender, or cut it down & powder coat black. This will impact frame detabbing decision.

Seat looks good Jab, nice fit.

Looks well sexy!

Hello jabcb,

Love the seat, it has really nice lines .

As rear mudguards are like the proverbial rocking horse poo I would be very reticent about cutting a good standard one up. I might look for an alternative set-up if I could and make a few bucks selling the std. item.

Cheers Geoff

Did a rather spiffy job with rear wheel. (We cheated & had forum member Sandman do the work.)
cafe-T500-9050 by jabcb, on Flickr

Decided to go with the early motor covers that have the cast-in “S” rather than the cheesy decals.
But the down side was that these early castings have some flaws in the aluminum casting that can not be polished out.
Looks better in person than it does in the pic. Should be largely unnoticeable when the bike is completed.
cafe-T500-8387 by jabcb, on Flickr

I asked RaceTech about options for my fork tubes. They warned me to be aware that the alloy blends they used back then could result in an inconsistent appearance with lighter & darker areas. So the slightly dirty appearance of my polished covers is just one of the quirks of dealing with vintage parts.

I've noticed that about different shades of grey on the alloy blends too. Its a bummer when you're trying to polish something and find it impossible to get it looking like new.

jabcb wrote: But the down side was that these early castings have some flaws in the aluminum casting that can not be polished out.

This is true about many of us vintage folks. I rather refer to them as character, rather than flaws.

ConnerVT wrote: I rather refer to them as character, rather than flaws.

Thats a great way of looking at it. I like it!

Making decisions.
Buchanan’s SS spokes & shouldered Excel rims: front 2.15x18 & rear 2.5x18. Metzeler Sportec Klassik tires.

Frame will be gloss black powder coat. Fork outer tubes also black powder coat.
Same oil tank & twin-piston caliper as used in GT250 cafe build: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12998
Rear fender will be powder coated black & cut to end just after the seat mounting bolts.

Brake rotor & tank “S” badges in gold. Matching gold stripe on gas tank & seat bump.
cafe-T500-0808 by jabcb, on Flickr

Now to pick the color for the gas tank, seat bump, headlight bucket & front fender.
Maybe something light, like gray. Any suggestions?

Gray? With aluminium and chrome, gray would seem a bit washed out, don't you think?

ConnerVT wrote:Gray? With aluminium and chrome, gray would seem a bit washed out, don't you think?

+1 on that.
How about a sparkly metallic burgundy? It would work well with your gold pinstripes. Sexy and regal!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1L-2K-RED-ME ... SwtDdaeyVz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or if you prefer a little less sparkle
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1lt-RFU-WHIZ ... Swal5YE2Qr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The project is back in business.
Frame is back from the powder coater. I got a 1970 gas tank. The Titan Performance exhaust is here.
Need to get moving on the forks & wheels.

My 69 T350 is blue & has the same gold winged “S” badges. I’m thinking about going with that color combo.
T350-1969_0708 by jabcb, on Flickr

Picked a large DOT-approved cats eye tail light. Added an extension to the seat bump that is like a stock tail light bracket. Picked a light blue & a gold to match the other parts.
Am quite pleased with the results.
cafe-T500-0948 by jabcb, on Flickr

Nice work, jabcb and super looking paint/design

Cheers Geoff

That looks yummy, and very similar to the colours I have bought for my GT380.... Damn it man, now I'll have to change so I don't look like a copy-cat.