T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

For those wanting to keep their bike the way the factory made them.

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argo1974
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by argo1974 »

Here we have few scans from the book:
http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/b ... g-816b.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/b ... h-69cb.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/b ... i-bbf9.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Argo
1x T500 Cobra (1968)
4x T500K (1973)
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greasemonkey
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by greasemonkey »

the spare frame I've got here is T500-107835
I've got 2 spare t500 engines, 1 is T500-64278 the other one doesn't have the lip in the back any more
spare wheels are 7C 103 gt front and 2J 103 back.
the one that drives and is intact has both engine and frame in the 107*** range.

seems the parts that I got thinking it was a complete bike was a missmatch of GT500 an T500. :mrgreen:
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

Scott B wrote:I am trying to figure out what exactly my Dad's bike was, I have the original Bill of Sale with frame and engine numbers which are matching #11352 and the Bill of Sale says it is a 1969 Suzuki T500/5. I have also attached a photo of the bike in either 69 or 70 and yes, that is me as a boy in the picture. I have some great memories of riding with my Dad.
Welcome aboard Scott ! :up:

I'm going to assume that you have already checked the spreadsheet with the frame and engine numbers listed previously in this thread ? The frame number you mention should be for a 1968 Mk1 Cobra, and so it is unlikely to be an actual 500/5. There were very few of the 500/5 actually made, but it did look a lot like the MK1 Cobra - mainly having a different swing arm and slightly different mufflers. The photo supports it being a Cobra based on the style of seat, the side covers and the fact the gauges are painted, and that colour (Candy Red) was offered in 1968 - some Cobras were registered as 1969 models so it seems to fit.

There is another thread on this board listing recent prices for bikes including this model which might be useful and they do come up on a regular basis - happy hunting ! 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
ericsattic
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by ericsattic »

Greetings, it sure has been a while since I have been on here; great to be back. To begin with a board member by the name of "Whit" either had a 1969 T500 for sale or I found out somehow he had one and he sent the frame number to me - it's 21168. This number falls within the bracket that's been established on the spreadsheet so it does not provide any new information about the number of Mark II models built. But each number we gather is an important piece of information. I may have more frame numbers that I gathered since last fall and I will have to get back on here about that. But on a related matter a job well done must go to "oldjapanesebikes" regarding the web page he has built with all sorts of information to include the air pumps, signal lights, took kit schematics, etc.... I am planning on taking some pictures of old Suzuki tools and posting them on the board as there are variations. THEN, I will have to post some photos of a "melted" spark plug elsewhere related to a pre-ignition problem I am apparently having with my T500-III. Regards, Eric
1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1970 Suzuki T500 Mark III [rebuild project]
1970 Kawasaki 500 Mach III - H1
1975 Kawasaki 750 Mach IV - H2
1970 Yamaha R5 350
1984 Yamaha RZ350L [acquired September 2015]
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

Thanks Eric - as per my post over in the 'General' thread, I've gone ahead and made the page public at this link - as always comments and corrections are appreciated.

And again, for those late to the party, the page where we are tracking frame and engine numbers for the T/GT500's can be found here. What we are interested in are additions that extend the model ranges up or down as the objective is to better bracket the production numbers. Comments and corrections (with supporting documentation) are greatly appreciated. 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
argo1974
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by argo1974 »

As Scott's bike, my candy red Cobra #12351 was actually sold in 1969 as well. According to rim codes, etc. it's build date is Feb. 68.
I wonder if the Cobras sold that bad back in the day?
1x T500 Cobra (1968)
4x T500K (1973)
ericsattic
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by ericsattic »

argo1974 wrote:As Scott's bike, my candy red Cobra #12351 was actually sold in 1969 as well. According to rim codes, etc. it's build date is Feb. 68.
I wonder if the Cobras sold that bad back in the day?
I think I know what you mean, and it's a good question. Part of the problem may have been they built lots of Cobras, as well as some competition from the Kawasaki H1 500. I also have some additional frame number information I have gathered the last few months so I will just post it here for now - I have not checked to see if these numbers add any critical information to the data we already have:

1970 T500 Mark III, sold on eBay February 2012, auction deleted, I just sent message to seller with frame # request
1970 T500 Mark III on eBay February 2012, frame #25405, no build date given
1968 Cobra, red, for sale April 2012 on eBay, frame #11964
1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1970 Suzuki T500 Mark III [rebuild project]
1970 Kawasaki 500 Mach III - H1
1975 Kawasaki 750 Mach IV - H2
1970 Yamaha R5 350
1984 Yamaha RZ350L [acquired September 2015]
SliderNH
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by SliderNH »

Hey guys, in the process of researching my engine number....its #101726. From what Ian's link (the google.doc) shows I have a 1976 T500A engine...But the case is stamped with a 1200cc (oil capacity stamp)...I thought they switched to the 1400cc in 73.. I am confused. Someone please straighten me out. Thanks

Brad
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

It was 1400cc from the 1974 models onward, but the case stampings were not changed till late in 1976. And even then the overflow screw on the side cover never did change. Strange but true ! 8)
Ian

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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

Thanks Bloop - noted.

Did you see my PM ?
Ian

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h2viking
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by h2viking »

My T500 is produced April 1970 Vin 27737 engine 27737,picked it up today...a basket case.... imported from USA to Norway in 2006
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

h2viking wrote:My T500 is produced April 1970 Vin 27737 engine 27737,picked it up today...a basket case.... imported from USA to Norway in 2006
Thank you - noted.
Ian

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argo1974
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by argo1974 »

I recently acquired genuine 68" T500 owners manual.
On the pictures, I can identify frame #10014 and engine #10020.
The manual represents photos taken from different bikes as shown on fine differences: kmh/mph tachs, fuel petcocks, etc.
I could identify only one picture not showing T500/Five - the one with newer type petcock known from Cobra/Titan.
The bike is called just "T500" in the manual without any extensions.

There is also an interesting feature on T500/Five's cables as they have inline grease nipples for clutch and front brake cables.
1x T500 Cobra (1968)
4x T500K (1973)
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oldjapanesebikes
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

argo1974 wrote:I recently acquired genuine 68" T500 owners manual.
On the pictures, I can identify frame #10014 and engine #10020.
The manual represents photos taken from different bikes as shown on fine differences: kmh/mph tachs, fuel petcocks, etc.
I could identify only one picture not showing T500/Five - the one with newer type petcock known from Cobra/Titan.
The bike is called just "T500" in the manual without any extensions.

There is also an interesting feature on T500/Five's cables as they have inline grease nipples for clutch and front brake cables.
Argo - I took a closer look at the two I have and confirm the frame (page 54 - could also be 10004 rather than 10014 - the second last digit is indistinct on mine) and engine number (page 51) as well as the other points you make. Thanks ! I'll update the list.

It would be nice if these owner's manuals had a printing date stamped somewhere on them. I have an original, and a reproduction from PM, and they differ in several areas - I'm going to stick my neck out and say that PM's reproduction is copied from one that was printed before the second, well weathered, original that I have:
  • - PM's doesn't have the 'Posi-Force' logo on the front cover
  • - on page 17 it appears to have the same petcock as on page 19 which I'm assuming is the older style - my original seems to show two different types
  • - on page 22 the arrows pointing to the settings on the rear shock are numbered incorrectly - this is fixed in the original I have
  • - on page 44, FIG 39 the filter/strainer has four pieces to it rather than three shown in the same fig in my original
Did you also notice that the underside of the crankcase on page 46 doesn't seem to have 'ISO' stamped on it ?

And yes - all the grips are slim. 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
argo1974
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Re: T500 Frame and Engine Numbers

Post by argo1974 »

Ian, I checked once more the frame number in the owners manual and it shows clearly 10014.
The manual I have has a 'Posi-Force' logo on the front cover. Also I can confirm the pages/figures you mentioned are the same in mine.

BTW, does your manual have corrections made on page 33?
What I have seen, early T500/Five's had grease nipples on brake cams. Any hints in PM reproduction manual?
1x T500 Cobra (1968)
4x T500K (1973)
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