The Alpina 500

[titan performance]

The time has come to refurbish my old T500M.
I fully appreciate the fabulous work some members have done restoring bikes to better than new condition, but that's not for me. I want my bike to look how I would have wanted it to look back in the day. I have had this bike since 1977, but haven't really used it since the mid 80's. I refurbed it back in 85, and painted it that nasty blue, before touring through nine countries, ending in Italy, in 1986. The trip took me across the Swiss Alps, and consequently the bike has been affectionately known as the Alpina ever since.
Sadly, after the trip, the bike was unused, and spent far too long in a damp garage, where it became furry, and somewhat corroded.
For the last three years, it has been used as a mule for trial fitting parts in our workshop, but now it's time has come.
For me, the identity of the T500 is the distinctive tank, and the Maui blue colour, so I shall be keeping that. I will be fitting one of our cafe seat units, also painted to match the tank, and I will be incorporating T500 ALPINA in the graphics on the seat. The side panels are gone, and I shall be using an alloy keg style oil tank across the frame. It will have the finished version of the prototype pipes it is wearing in the picture below, and rather than a full cafe look, I'm going to use flat, Vincent bars mounted to one of our custom top yokes. Titan rearsets naturally, though changed a little as there will be no pipe on the left to worry about. Instruments will be the mini polished stainless style, and I have ordered a full set of grey cables from Paul Miller.

[titan performance]

The wheels in the above picture are Borannis that I have had for over 30 years, and they are lovely. I have had them polished, and relaced with stainless spokes, and have ordered a pair of Avon Road Riders.
The frame has been media blasted bare, and powder coated metallic grey. I've added the frame brace more for the balanced look it gives to the frame, than necessity, and also added a little cross mount to hang the new oil tank.

[titan performance]

The tank has been blasted too, and been thoroughly cleaned inside. There are a couple of minor dents, and some rust pin holes low down on one side. I shall get these lead filled, and seal the inside of the tank to be sure. I have cut off the fastenings from the neck of the filler that mount the stock cap, as I shall be using a beautiful 2.5" Monza cap.

[titan performance]

Overall it's surprisingly good considering it's age, though there has been a previous repair around the tap area.

[titan performance]

This is the yoke we have had made......the T yoke is quite different to the GT, and needs some counter boring to make it fit over the legs and the stem. I have some nice Yam handlebar clamps which will drop through the M10 holes. The smaller M6 holes will support a stainless clock mount that I will design, and have water jet cut from 2mm sheet.

[stevebee]

This is the yoke we have had made......the T yoke is quite different to the GT, and needs some counter boring to make it fit over the legs and the stem. I have some nice Yam handlebar clamps which will drop through the M10 holes. The smaller M6 holes will support a stainless clock mount that I will design, and have water jet cut from 2mm sheet.

very nice work are you selling these?

[Alan H]

On the early 550 yokes (J,K), the handlebar clamps were rubber mounted.
The 500 would benefit from that I reckon - or some 'fat grips'!
After that the bars were mounted direct to the top yoke and the bottom clamps were part of the top yoke.

[titan performance]

The 500's were the same Alan. The T's were almost notorious for the rubber mounted bars, as, in conjunction with the crosser style bars, the movement at the grips must have been all of six inches. My first tank slapping experiences were gained thanks to the T500.
They are a vibrant old beast to say the least, so I was planning to use the chubby Beston style grips to reduce the numbing effect a bit.

[titan performance]

Steve, we have been selling a yoke for the GT for some time, (see web site), although this is the first T yoke we have had done. The T will come a shade more expensive due to the additional boring required. We have the yokes cut by water jet, so any design is possible....

[Suzukidave]

The Suzuki 1200 Bandit have a good rubber handle bar mounting system http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-GSX1200-BA ... cb&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Alan H]

That looks a much better idea than the early GTs. That consists of a diabolo shaped rubber that was a tw@ to get in and out of the diabolo shaped holes!!

[titan performance]

The oil tank needs a few bits of welding, and a polish, but this gives you the idea.....

[titan performance]

This is how the top yoke looks.......no provision for rubber mounts, just chubby Beston grips. Hope I've not made a mistake!

[Cragdog]

Wow! Looking really nice

[titan performance]

Got a call from our polisher/plater today, to say that some of my parts were ready for collection. I know it's not to everybody's taste, but personally, I like shiny stuff. I picked up some NJB road shocks for the rear, which are close to Girlings, and I managed to fit the new Avons to my polished Borannis....though must confess, it was a hell of a struggle, and I pinched the rear tube....doh !