Wanted- T500 under $1500

[MikGsxr]

Gday, just joined today. I have been riding Suzuki's for years and years. I have decided to sell the Gsxr and get a T500 (or similar). The only problem is that here in Western Australia they are as rare as rocking horse crap. it is cheaper for me to import one from the USA, hence the want ad here. Thanks for reading and love the site!

[Fritz500]

Gday, just joined today. I have been riding Suzuki's for years and years. I have decided to sell the Gsxr and get a T500 (or similar). The only problem is that here in Western Australia they are as rare as rocking horse crap. it is cheaper for me to import one from the USA, hence the want ad here. Thanks for reading and love the site!

I'm based in Perth and have been looking for just over 15 months for one. Have had two responses to all my ads locally. One was a goer but the guy decided to stop responding to my calls.

Looked at another one today. The guy has a Cobra in bits - only able to see a bit of the frame. Also had a T500J that needs a lot of work. Going to think about an offer over Xmas.

How much are you wanting to spend - are you after any particular year?

Cheers

[titan performance]

We've seen the "funny money" being asked in Oz.......what does shipping cost from Blighty? Is it a practical option? If it is....Tim and I could help source and send from here for a minimal fee!

.................I'm serious !

[MikGsxr]

Thanks for the responses guys. My budget for a bike after I finish it is $3000. I can spend only about $1000 for a bike from USA or England as shipping and duty costs around $1500. I can spend up to $2000 for one in Perth but people here want that for a pitted frame and non running engine! The England option is mighty nice of you, might have investigate further. Thanks!

[titan performance]

Obviously price is relative to condition, but as a rough guide, £1500 GBP should buy a half decent ready to go bike.

Nice clean ones probably start a little bit dearer.

Is there any scope for taking it to bits, boxing it, and sending it as parts?

[Fritz500]

The USA has bikes a bit cheaper than the UK. Shipping from the USA to Perth was quoted as $1700AUS with the shippers doing most of the paperwork.

It'll cost up to $6000 to restore one depending on the starting quality and the level of finish. The one I just looked at really only had the frame and engine worth salvaging. But I'll end up with a damn fine copy of my first T500 (except for the bits I must change like putting on the GT750J front end and alloy rims).

Ah the joys of retirement.

[voodoocld]

I have a 1975 suzuki t500 for sale.
it runs good, and i have an american title for it.
I want $1000 for it, and i would be willing to do a small ammount of work to help get it to you.

here's a link to my ad

http://stillwater.craigslist.org/mcy/2723610191.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

let me know

[MikGsxr]

Fritz- this is sort of what I want it to look like, I think this is achievable for $3000 depending on cost of donor bike. I know for some this look is awful but for me it is beauty.

[MikGsxr]

voodoo- will let you know, that is about what I am looking for. it is a hard time now because of the holidays- most shipping companies are not responding to inquiries as they are probably closed. will have to wait until after new years it looks like.

[MikGsxr]

here are a couple bikes for sale in Australia, what does everyone think? they are little bit expensive for me but?

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/p ... 3AEF9BE996" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.justauto.com.au/justbikes/bu ... position=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[titan performance]

Mik.....US$ and AU$ have a similar value don't they? around 1.5 to the £GBP ?

Those couple of mint 500s at over 6k AU$ come to around 4kGBP. and you still have the cost of cafe'ing it.....
I had a quick look at shipping costs, and it would come to about 1200 GBP. but a bike could be bought much cheaper..........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Motorcycles-S ... 6.c0.m1538" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love the look of your inspiration bike pictured above. Take a look at a bike from our gallery that looks similar....... .http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzuki_gt5 ... hotostream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

check out our photostream for a number of cafe racers....

[MikGsxr]

titan performance- yeah, the aussie dollar and us dollar are about the same these days. those prices in pounds are a bit exxy when I did the conversion. almost the same as buying one for 5000 here when you factor in shipping and the 10% gst. i think the only way i can do it is if i buy one for $1000 or less (or ~700 quid?). or i can convince the wife to let me refinance the home loan

[MikGsxr]

Alright, got updates. Picked up a T500 with 9000 original miles from a guy in Portland! should be here in 5 weeks. beautiful bike.

Also picked up a 1972 GT550 (black and gold) from someone in Seattle. beautiful bike as well. the GT550 will be cafe'd out and kept, will probably sell the T500 depending on what I can get for it. this one needs to be kept original.

Will update with photos when they both arrive in about 5 weeks. the GT550 has the dual disc brake setup.

Go Suzuki!

[titan performance]

Like your style Mik.....you don't mess around. Last week you wanted a T500, this week you've got one plus a 550 ! Good work mate. I'll be interested to hear your comments/comparison of the two similar capacity strokers when they show up......

PS.....what GSXR have you got?

[MikGsxr]

Thanks Titan,

I love Suzuki's and could not resist these two bikes in the same area. the import shipping company I used operates out of portland so I saved heaps on shipping internally as well. I spent a lot more than I originally want to but will keep one and sell the other after they arrive. the big dilemma- which one to keep? the 550 will cafe up really well and is not original (72 bodywork on a 73 bike, dual front discs etc) where as the t500 is original as. Maybe Fritz will by the T?


I had a K5 Gsxr1000 but sold it last month to free up the cash for a classic. I am getting old to be riding a 1000cc sportsbike and have two little kids to think about. riding classics will keep me out of trouble.