GT500 first timer saying hello

DavidL · Post by **DavidL** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:44 pm

Hello, I'm David a brit who has lived in florida for the last 18 years.

I have a 1977 GT500 (I think it is a GT as opposed to a T)!! It has a 5 digit frame and 5 digit engine number is that means anything?

It was a UK registred bike but I shipped it to the US back in 2002 and am now only finding time to work on it. Was last fired up around 12+ years ago. I am the 4th owner from new. It has 33k miles on it. I also have a few other bikes which I have worked on and sadly this one has taken a back seat up until now.

A few issues I have been dealing with (front brake caliper seized on, carbs both bunged up, fuel/gas tank pretty corroded inside, front tire was rotted etc) and I know it will need new crank seals and a bunch more.

While doing the front tire. I noticed that the fork gaiters are a little worse for wear and so I figured I would replace the front fork seals. I have a GT500 parts catalogue and it doesn;t show the gaiters but dust covers and so I am not sure if the last owners put the gaiters on or if they came as standard. I know the fork dust seals p/n 51557-34110 ws discontinued by Suzuki sometime ago and I am unable to find the genuine parts on line. My questions - 1) It is a simple case of removing the gaiters once dissasembled and having replaced the oil seals in the forks to use a dust cap instead of a gaiter? 2) What would be a decent aftermarket part to use for a dust seal OR is another Suzuki dust seal model (GT250, GT500, GT750) interchangeable? Thanks for reading, David

karl pa · Post by **karl pa** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 2:29 pm

Welcome.
The GT500 would have came with dust cover rather than gaiters, The GT500 dust cover is NLA but the GT550 will fit, the only difference between the 500 and 550 cover is the GT500 had grooves or ridges around them,and the 550 are smooth, I can't tell for sure, but I don't think your gaiters are attached at the top, they are just slipped on.

DavidL · Post by **DavidL** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 2:57 pm

karl pa wrote:Welcome.
The GT500 would have came with dust cover rather than gaiters, The GT500 dust cover is NLA but the GT550 will fit, the only difference between the 500 and 550 cover is the GT500 had grooves or ridges around them,and the 550 are smooth, I can't tell for sure, but I don't think your gaiters are attached at the top, they are just slipped on.

Thank you. You are correct, my gaiters are not fixed as such at the top.

joolstacho · Post by **joolstacho** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:21 pm

I wonder if the UK market GT500 might have had gaiters instead of dust seals because of the winter salted-roads.
I searched for fork dust seals for some time without luck when I refurbished mine, but ended up repairing (bodging up!) the split ones I had using black cable-ties and black RTV.
I like the idea of using gaiters though, it shouldn't be hard to find something that'll fit.
You've got a nice project there. That'll be tasty!

karl pa · Post by **karl pa** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:56 pm

The downfall to using gaiters is, if they are not sealed at the top, they will collect water, and moisture will attack fork tubes.
Just curious, Most 77 GT500 has black headlight bucket, and black side panels. But early and late in model years kinda mix.

joolstacho · Post by **joolstacho** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 7:00 pm

You just seal 'em up top with a smear of RTV and a Cable-tie.

Post by **Alan H** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:20 pm

Well that's different - shipping them over ther rather than t'other way! Welcome in.
Have a look at https://alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for good blown up details. Also http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/suzi/ ... engnos.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for engine/ frame dating stuff.
And there's this https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for everything else.

joolstacho · Post by **joolstacho** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:29 pm

The ( first) GT500 A came with chromed headlight shell and mount 'ears'.
The (second, final) model GT500 B had black headlight shell and 'ears'.
(I don't know about market variations though).

Post by **Alan H** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:59 pm

Model variations here - http://www.suzukicycles.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DavidL · Post by **DavidL** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:54 am

Thanks for the replies.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot different from the 76 to 77 model which will make life easier

titan performance · Post by **titan performance** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:28 am

Hi David....nice project. I'm still here in the wilds of Kent, feeling jealous of you enjoying the fine weather !
I've used these guys a few time for non essential items such as dust seals and gaiters....may be of use to you.
https://www.cruzinimage.net/category/it ... rk-suzuki/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

GT500 first timer saying hello

GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello

Re: GT500 first timer saying hello