My T500

[PaulD]

Sorry if you’ve seen this before but I did a short walk around of my T500 resto during the first lockdown. Hope you like it

https://youtu.be/4AOQqDeZkuk

[karl pa]

Very nice

[blue.titon]

what a pile of junk, you should get a cobra thats a proper T500.

[PaulD]

what a pile of junk, you should get a cobra thats a proper T500.

Trust you Richard

[Alan H]

[Zunspec4]

Two fabulous machines guys

Cheers Geoff

[Cdn850T5NT]

Beautiful machines, gentlemen.

Now I have a question... as I am considering trying to acquire a T500: what is the story as regards engine vibration? I am assuming that the rubber-mount bushings are replaced, or at least are in good nick. I have read that vibration comes-in at about 4000 rpm's... and soon becomes pretty acute, buzzy. Is this accurate? Do you have to generally try to keep the rpm's low unless you really need to accelerate?

TIA!

[Zunspec4]

Hi Cdn850T5NT,

The T500 does vibrate but it is not usually too intrusive. The condition of the isolating rubber engine bushes, and their set-up, will minimise the effect. The front and rear engine bushes are relatively easy to replace. However replacing the central ones in the bottom mounts is a real PITA . The bushes are not easy to source, fortunately you will probably find those already fitted are still good.

Cheers Geoff

[PaulD]

As Geoff says make sure the rubbers are good. Also check the central bush in the rubber mount is proud of the outer otherwise the bush won’t work as intended.

[Alan H]

The main trouble with the 500s is that they only fire on 2 cylinders.
I do love my 550s - a J and an A.
Oh, and the hippo 750 too.....

Paul's short walk is ok though - short because he has little legs, I guess.
Excellent bikes though, all the 500s.

[Cdn850T5NT]

Thank you, gents, re the vibration pointers. Do any of you have a favorite supplier of conn rods, crank bearings and seals, big end and small end bearings, crankpins, piston pins, etc...? I should mention that I have an E Mail out to GTReiner (and I will get hold of Astrax and Blue Smoke Baz). Actually, if any of you could confirm the E Mail addresses or websites for same (or others) - it'd be most appreciated.

Do any of you find that that the crank centre-pin wears, that is to say, if the centre-main loses its interference fit with same (i.e. spins, inappropriately)?

Oh, one other thing: do the crankpins (and/or centre crankshaft section) ever tend to broach the flywheel-halves... requiring replacement of same?

What about a source of 3rd and 4th gear replacements (I know that adding the weir and adding-in 1400cc of oil, soonest, is the immediate answer)?

[Zunspec4]

Hi Cdn850T5NT,

Crank Seals should still be available from Suzuki, always good to use OEM seals. Small ends - Suzuki. Crank Pins - Suzuki (same as GT750 pins). Crank bearings, Rods, Big ends I would source from Peter Odell of "The Motorcycle Works", in Peterborough, UK. He also does crank re-builds but a crank is a heavy lump to send to the UK .

any of you find that that the crank centre-pin wears, that is to say, if the centre-main loses its interference fit with same (i.e. spins, inappropriately)?

Very unusual, the outer face of the crank bearings are prevented from spinning because they are pinned in place. If the crank pin, in between the centre main bearing, is spinning within the inner part of the race there is something weird going on.

Oh, one other thing: do the crankpins (and/or centre crankshaft section) ever tend to broach the flywheel-halves... requiring replacement of same?

Nope, if they are the crank has been assembled incorrectly.

I general terns the T/GT500 crank is a very robust unit. Very often all that is required for a crankshaft re-condition are the seals and O-rings (and someone who can do the re-build competently). Get your crankshaft out of the engine and assess it's condition before dashing off to source ALL parts, you probably won't require all of them.

Cheers Geoff

[Cdn850T5NT]

Thanks, Geoff!