T500 Electronic Ignition

General discussion about Street two-stroke Suzuki motorcycles.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

LexPaul
On the main road
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:23 am
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by LexPaul »

Does anyone have a recommendation for electronic ignition for 1970 T500 Suzuki. Thanks
1970 Suzuki T500 Titan Twin
1971 Yamaha HS1B 90cc Twin
1975 Suzuki TS125 Rolling Project
1974 Yamaha DT250 Rolling Project .5
h2okettle
On the main road
Posts: 166
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:14 am
Location: Panama City, Beach Florida

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by h2okettle »

Newtronics makes one... http://www.newtronic.co.uk/newtronic/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have used them on my GT750,GT550..... GT750 has over 50K trouble free miles on the ignition..
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by jabcb »

Am also a fan of the Newtronic ignition system, but they don't currently make one for the T500.

Several choices are listed under this topic: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4824

Two options for the T500 are:
Marel's: http://www.suzukitandgtparts.nl/hotpartsen.htm
Powerdynamo: http://www.powerdynamo.biz/eng/systems/ ... 61main.htm

Powerdynamo is more expensive but the T500 kit also includes a higher-output alternator.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Oilburner
On the street
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:43 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: M50 T250 T350 T500
Location: Brisbane Australia

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by Oilburner »

I purchased a Newtronics system for my T500 here in Oz a few months ago. Had to swap the sensors around on the backing plate as they were installed incorrectly but after that the bike has run like a dream.
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by jabcb »

Oilburner wrote:I purchased a Newtronics system for my T500 here in Oz a few months ago. Had to swap the sensors around on the backing plate as they were installed incorrectly but after that the bike has run like a dream.
Was under the impression that the Newtronic system for the T500 was no longer available.

The company's website doesn't list the SU7 kit for the T500. But it also doesn't list separate kits for the GT750/GT380 & GT550.
http://www.newtronic.co.uk/newtronic/system/index.html

HVCcycle, the US retailer for Newtronic no longer sells them.
http://www.hvccycle.com/ignition-newtronic.html

An Austrailian retailer lists the T500 kit as well as separate kits for the GT750/GT380 & GT550. Don't know if the T500 kit is old stock or new.
http://www.motorcycle-ignition.com.au/m ... ei_kit.htm

Oilburner, was the T500 backing plate metal or circuit board material? Was the kit labeled SU7 for the T500?
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Oilburner
On the street
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:43 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: M50 T250 T350 T500
Location: Brisbane Australia

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by Oilburner »

The backing plate is metal. I can look at the packing box and get the model number tonight.
User avatar
tz375
Moto GP
Posts: 6204
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:47 am
Location: Illinois

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by tz375 »

How hard would it be to modify the points backing plate to take a DYNA S system?
Oilburner
On the street
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:43 pm
Country: Australia
Suzuki 2-Strokes: M50 T250 T350 T500
Location: Brisbane Australia

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by Oilburner »

I have a friend that races a honda 500/4 sidecar and he is on his third dyna ignition system. i had a look at the failed units and could see that the encapsulation had lumps in it that indicated something had burnt out. Personally i would go with the Newtronics.
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by jabcb »

Looks like Newtronic might be making the T500 kits again. Of what I've seen, older Newtronic kits use circuit board material for the backing plates, & updated/new kits use metal backing plates.

Newtronic would probably sell a lot more kits if they made it easier to order. Their website directs you to eBay & they don't list all their kits there. The US retailer (HVCcycle) stopped selling them.

Anyone know of Newtronic retailers other than the Austrailian company (motorcycle-ignition.com)?

A suggestion for the Honda 500/4 racer & anyone else going with modern ignition systems...
Upgrade to a modern voltage regulator or modern rectifier/regulator -- they control voltage much better than vintage voltage regulators.
Some vintage bikes, like the T250 & T350, don't even have voltage regulators.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
LexPaul
On the main road
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:23 am
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

T500 Electronic Ignition Modification

Post by LexPaul »

I meant to share this information some time back, so here we go..

The Newtronic SU7 Kit is available, you have to call the guy and ask him to make you one. They don't advertise it because the kit is not ready to go! You have to do a slight modification.

The first thing you do is drill out the sensor eye plates, so that they can be adjusted back and forth to get your timing correct on the fire. The second modification you need is the shown below. I had these "washers" machined from steel bar - you drop one under the Newtronic Rotor, so that the arm will pass through the sensor eyes without hitting them. Works like a charm. Bike never ran better.

I have a couple of extra washer mods if you want one. $10.00 each, to help cover my post and shipping.


http://www.newtronic.co.uk/newtronic/system/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Image
1970 Suzuki T500 Titan Twin
1971 Yamaha HS1B 90cc Twin
1975 Suzuki TS125 Rolling Project
1974 Yamaha DT250 Rolling Project .5
r3tro74
On the main road
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:25 am
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 GT550
Location: Michigan

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by r3tro74 »

jabcb wrote: Anyone know of Newtronic retailers other than the Austrailian company (motorcycle-ignition.com)?

.
This place dosen't look like it currently has the T500 kit. They do list all the GT series bikes at what seems to be a reasonable price. I am contemplating ordering the gt500 kit for my bike. Anyone have any experience with this company?

http://www.thunderroadbikes.com/newtron ... suzuki.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1974 Suzuki GT550
1983 Honda XL250
2002 Yamaha Bear Tracker
1959 Lone Star Malibu
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by jabcb »

LexPaul, for future reference by forum members would help if you provide:
1) a sketch with dimension of your "washers"
2) a sketch or pic showing how you drilled out the sensor plates.

Did you also upgrade to a modern regulator/rectifier?
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
diamondj
Road race school
Posts: 785
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Wharton, NJ USA

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by diamondj »

Lex,

I would be interested in two of the washers - I have a SU7 kit and an SU2 which was for the T250 but physically the same as the SU7. Please PM me with your info.

Also, you may want to consider having the stator rewound to provide more watts which will allow you in turn to upgrade to a higher watt headlamp bulb. There's a shop in Colorado that does this:

Mayers Motorcycle Electrical Service
77 Hoosier Ct
Nederland, CO 80466
303-258-0213

Kevin Mayer
kevin777motorcycles AT yahoo DOT com

I think they used to charge about $185 to do this which is still cheaper than a powderdymo system particularly since you've already got the Newtronics in and working...

Jim
User avatar
desmocat
On the main road
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:09 am
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500, TS250, B105P, GS250T
Location: Southfield, MI USA
Contact:

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by desmocat »

I've run the Newtronic on my TR500 race baike for 8 seasons and have had no trouble with it. It was originally a kit for the GT250 so I had to modify a few things as related above. Once set, you never have to fiddle with adjusting again.
Ralph Spencer
Spencer Motoworks LLC
Southfield, MI USA
www.spencermotoworks.com
AHRMA #798
User avatar
evol02
On the main road
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:57 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:

Re: T500 Electronic Ignition

Post by evol02 »

I'm running the German-Czech Power-Dynamo system.
I'm definitely bent out of shape due to the fact that the rotor was not properly marked with a timing mark, but after getting it set up, everything appears to be working fantastically. I'll update with another message when I have more miles on it.
-------------------------------
1969 T-500-II Candy Gold
1969 T-500-II Project Roller
Post Reply