Suzuki 2 Strokes

Working on the T500 cafe build & looking for suggestions on rim, tires & shocks.
The first set of shocks we bought for the GT250 cafe didn’t work out, so I figure that I should ask before buying parts.

The T500 currently has GT500 forks & I’ve decided to go with GS550 fork tube assemblies. (Both use 35mm inner tubes.)
The GT500 forks have 4.25” travel & the assembly length is ~29”. The GS550 forks have 5.9” of travel & the assembly length is ~30.5”.
Deltas of 1.65” & 1.5”.
Am going to use a 1” lowering kit & possibly slide the forks up in the triple tree a bit. This worked out quite nicely on my GT750 with GS forks.

Am considering an 18x1.85 front rim, Metzeler Sportec Klassik tires in TBD sizes, and slightly longer shocks.
Tire size options: front: 100/90-18, 110/90-18, 100/90-19 & 3.25-19 , and rear: 120/90-18 & 4.00-18.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Will an 18” front rim + 320mm shocks cause handling problems?

If you fit an 18" front rim, you will only have to drop the forks through the triple tree 0.5" - or even less with a lower profile tyre. Check comparative heights with the two wheel/tyre comparison sizes.
Also, if you fit a speedo - it'll read fast as the circumference of the wheel is less, so it will spin faster at any speed compared to a 19" wheel.

Suffering from a bit of brain freeze. You post reminded me about rim widths.

Metzler doesn’t list the minimum rim widths, but Avon does for the RR. I’ll use the Avon RR #s as proxies.
Minimum front widths are:
100/90-18: 2.15”
110/90-18: 2:15”
100/90-19: 2.15”
3.25-19: 1.85”
Minimum rear widths are:
120/90-18: 2.50”
4.00-18: 2.15”

Stock rims are 19x1.85 & 18x2.15. So the only Sportec Klassik choice is 3.25-19 & 4.00-18

Max widths that I know of for Suzuki chromed rims are:
Front with disk brake: 19x1.85 (stock) & 18x1.85 (TU250X & a few others)
Rear with drum brake: 18x2.50 (TU250X)

That doesn’t leave much of a choice unless I use Sun aluminum rims or something similar. Or use different tires & a 90/90-18 front tire.


Still could use info about the shocks.

I'm using Avon Road Riders on my 500, and I would fully recommend them. On the rear I fitted some NJB shocks, which are built in the UK, and very reasonably priced. I opted for a slightly taller look on the rear, so I'm using 330mm units.....they're brilliant, my bike was transformed.[*][*]

I found a topic were a member used 325mm shocks & ran into interference with the stock exhaust. He thought that 320mm likely was also a problem but 315mm would be OK.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11907&p=158471&hil ... ks#p158471

Your pic doesn’t work because of the Photobucket policy change. Am I correct in assuming that your T500 has your Titan Performance exhaust?

I have the RoadRiders on a few bikes, and was thinking about mixing it up a bit by trying out the Sportec Klassik. Am all ears if someone knows how the tires compare.

My current thinking is:
Front: GS550 forks with 1” lowering kit, emulators & Racetech springs. 18x2.15 black anodized Sun rim + SS spokes + 100/90-18 Sportec Klassik.
Rear: 18x2.75 black anodized Sun rim + SS spokes + 120/90-18 Sportec Klassik. Aftermarket shocks but haven’t decided which ones.

I’m fairly short so I’m going to pick the shock length after I have the seat & wheels mounted. 330mm is likely a bit much for me. Probably will end up with around 315-320mm shocks & your upswept stainless chambers.


Another topic you might have missed & may find interesting…
I found new aftermarket springs for the 69 T350 that should also fit a T500. They work nicely on the T350.
Some time ago there was a topic about custom springs for the T500 that were stiffer than stock — they didn’t work out very well.
For the T500, more preload + a softer spring might be the best possible solution.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12982

Hi

I race a T500 in the Spanish classic championship and I work for Fox the suspension company. I built some custom shocks for my T500 from our classic twin shock range and did some custom valving and fitted 1.8Kg springs and they work fantastic also build some for other competitors. I made mine 330mm for better turn in on the track but I run expansion chambers so no clearance issue. I can make you 320 or 315 if you are interested.

Cheers
Suspensionking

What do you do to the forks for T500 racing?

jabcb wrote:What do you do to the forks for T500 racing?

Replace them with something better

I used early TZ 250/350 forks

Anyone mounted a 4.50x18 on their T500 rear (stock rim) found a firestone deluxe champion here but 4.50 looks like it may be a little tight..