T500 M resto
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, Suzsmokeyallan
- malky
- On the main road
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:52 am
- Country: UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750A T500K T500L GT500A GT185A RV125L COLLE
- Location: south wales uk
Re: T500 M resto
stunning - it makes my t500 which is the same colour and year as yours look rather tired! just finished helping a mate of mine do exactly the same resto on a kettle its taken us 18 months but boy was it worth it!- we used nick in bristol for all the bzp and powder coating etc as well excellent service cant fault him.
Mal
Mal
-
- On the street
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:05 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: T500 M resto



- celt_rock
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:31 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, GT380, GS400
- Location: Northern Vermont
Re: T500 M resto
I just purchased a T500 in about the same shape as yours and am looking to do just what you did... probably with less re-chroming as I don't have pockets that deep. Was actually torn between making it into a cafe racer or going back to complete stock. I have SO many questions for you 

Slow and steady may win the race, but without loud and fast it's just a waste
- celt_rock
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:31 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, GT380, GS400
- Location: Northern Vermont
Re: T500 M resto
What did you do for wiring? Did you re-do it all yourself, buy a new wiring harness, have someone
re-furbish your old one? I think that'll be my biggest challenge, trying to figure out what wire goes
where...
re-furbish your old one? I think that'll be my biggest challenge, trying to figure out what wire goes
where...
Slow and steady may win the race, but without loud and fast it's just a waste
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1306
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:55 pm
- Country: England
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: TS100, T200, GT250, T500, GT500, GT550, GT750, GS750
- Location: Southeast England
- Contact:
Re: T500 M resto
Superb !!
Both of my 500's started their lives looking like that.
Not now though...........
Both of my 500's started their lives looking like that.
Not now though...........
Keeping old 2 strokes alive !
- Rustygt550
- On the main road
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:56 am
- Location: Northern Ireland
Re: T500 M resto
I removed all the old vinyl wrapping & used zip ties to hold the loom together. I drew diagrams of where each wire fitted into each connector block then removed the connectors from the connector blocks. I then cleaned the connectors with a dremmel fitted with a stainless brush. Any corroded / damaged connectors where sniped off & replaced.celt_rock wrote:What did you do for wiring? Did you re-do it all yourself, buy a new wiring harness, have someone
re-furbish your old one? I think that'll be my biggest challenge, trying to figure out what wire goes
where...
The complete wiring loom was resistance tested with a multi meter.
A new PVC sleeve was also fitted. Then all the connector blocks where cleaned with an old tooth brush in hot soapy water, left to dry then re-fitted. Finally the loom was re-wrapped in new PVC loom tape.
- celt_rock
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:31 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, GT380, GS400
- Location: Northern Vermont
Re: T500 M resto
Wow, that's meticulous! The problem I have is that the wiring was already all disconnected on this bike so there's wiring almost everywhere. I can probably
piece together what goes where but it sure would be nice to find a photo of the layout online. I look at the wiring diagram in the Suzuki manual and it makes
my head swim... maybe I should print it out and color code it myself! Thanks for the info, I think that wiring is where most of the challenge lies. I see pictures
of folks restorations with all kinds of wires sticking out of the headlight shell and I just don't have that on mine. There's a bit behind the headlight, obviously
pulled out but not as much as I've seen in other pictures. Fingers are crossed!
piece together what goes where but it sure would be nice to find a photo of the layout online. I look at the wiring diagram in the Suzuki manual and it makes
my head swim... maybe I should print it out and color code it myself! Thanks for the info, I think that wiring is where most of the challenge lies. I see pictures
of folks restorations with all kinds of wires sticking out of the headlight shell and I just don't have that on mine. There's a bit behind the headlight, obviously
pulled out but not as much as I've seen in other pictures. Fingers are crossed!
Slow and steady may win the race, but without loud and fast it's just a waste
- ConnerVT
- Novice racer
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
- Location: North of Albany, NY
Re: T500 M resto
Ask, and you shall receive.celt_rock wrote: I look at the wiring diagram in the Suzuki manual and it makes
my head swim... maybe I should print it out and color code it myself! Thanks for the info, I think that wiring is where most of the challenge lies.
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4743&p=117801&hili ... re#p117801" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- celt_rock
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:31 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, GT380, GS400
- Location: Northern Vermont
Re: T500 M resto
Wow! I LOVE this place! 

Slow and steady may win the race, but without loud and fast it's just a waste
- ConnerVT
- Novice racer
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
- Location: North of Albany, NY
Re: T500 M resto
Yeah, I wouldn't be anywhere close to kicking my T500 over, if it wasn't for the info I've found here. (Re-rebuilding my carbs right now, hope to hear her run by the end of the day).
The color coded wiring diagram (as well as the modified t500wire_tympanium.jpg for updating to a solid state rectifier/regulator) saved me tens of hours of frustration when I was going through the electrical system.
There are some good folks here, and there's info you will not find anywhere else. My thanks go out to all of those who contribute.
The color coded wiring diagram (as well as the modified t500wire_tympanium.jpg for updating to a solid state rectifier/regulator) saved me tens of hours of frustration when I was going through the electrical system.
There are some good folks here, and there's info you will not find anywhere else. My thanks go out to all of those who contribute.

- celt_rock
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:31 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, GT380, GS400
- Location: Northern Vermont
Re: T500 M resto
So how North of Albany is North? I'm in North West VT and haven't found anyone else around with one of these. Any local places where you've gotten help/parts?
Slow and steady may win the race, but without loud and fast it's just a waste
-
- On the street
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- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:09 pm
- Country: CANADA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT 750
- Location: ONTARIO / CANADA
Re: T500 M resto
WOW
Very nice !

Very nice !