Suzuki 2 Strokes

Did the T500 have a steering lock? I see locks labeled as such but can't figure out where it would even be mounted or would lock to for that matter and it is in the parts lists so I guess it did?

My bike has a gt500 front end so the lock would probably not work or be installed?

The GT500 has the steering lock mounted on the lower triple tree.
See the GT500 frame for how the lock engages the frame: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114122977693

The T500 has the steering lock mounted on the frame.
See the T500 frame with the steering lock installed: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274462934927
The T500 lower triple tree is designed to engage that lock: https://www.ebay.com/itm/373562264782

The T500 frame could be modified to work with the GT500 lock.

Hmm a project for the winter then. I all ready tracked down a lock I think might work with the one-sided squareish type key... is there any difference between the locks on the T vs GT I can't see any based on pictures of what's on sale...

My frame doesn't have the mountings for a lock so that explains my confusion... no idea why they were removed...

I all ready made the T model steering damper fit on the bike by, well remaking most parts I think only the knob, friction plate and the flat spring are the original bits

The T500 & GT500 steering locks have different part numbers. You can get both new via eBay. Suzuki might still sell them new.
Per the eBay pics, the bolt on the GT500 lock has a longer stroke.

How did you make the steering damper work with the GT500 triple tree?

Even the locks with the same outside shape as the GT ones?

I made the metal friction plates from stainless washers and welded tabs to float on a stud threaded to a existing hole on the bottom of the triple tree and made the center piece the knob threads into to compress the stack from steel to fit into the GT steering head and I even nickel plated all new steel parts

Am working on a T500 cafe build with the GT500 triple tree & GS-series fork tube assemblies.

Have thought about adapting the T500 steering damper to it.
The T500 damper lock bolt, part 51781-08100, threads into the lower triple tree. It has M8 threads.

Which hole did you use on the GT500 triple tree?

I'll make a new thread for the damper so people can find it.
The triple tree has a spot for a lock but the frame has this weird thing...

You have European model T500 and you need Neiman style steering lock.
Frame headstock and lower triple tree are different to US bikes. Sadly I don't have any close pictures in hand. If needed, I can take pics in few weeks when visiting my garage. Around 20 years ago I bought 5x T500 (J and K) from Finland and they all came with Neiman steering lock.

https://www.bilder-hochladen.net/i/bfqr-qk-48e2.jpg

Huh that's interesting. I wonder why they had different locks

My bike has the GT front end with holes for a standard GT steering lock so I'll just modify the frame with suitable interface for the lock

GTReiner in Germany can provide steel tube piece to be welded to lower triple tree and Neiman lock.

I think I'll go with the GT lock I have on the way since I can for sure re key it to work with my ignition key.