air cleaner boot

[watervlietarsena]

just started taking my 1969 T500 apart so far so good the air filter boot from the cleaner to the carbs is pretty soft but has some very small cracks near where they attach to the carbs. i see one on ebay seller sez it fits 1970-1975. is the 69 really different then the 70? this is my first Suzuki 2 stroke so much simpler than the Honda,s i have thanks for your help Ron

[ConnerVT]

What the seller said can't be 100% correct.

The Air Cleaner Hose (13881-15000) is the same part from 1968 to 1972 models. In 1973, Suzuki changed the air cleaner assy (foam to paper), extended the carb intake boot length, and moved everything rearwards by a good bit (to accommodate the longer intakes). The part number changed at that point, and the rubber air cleaner hose is shaped a bit different.

I picked up a reproduction one on ebay from the seller dija (CSM Restoration Parts) who has some nice parts for a reasonable price. Doesn't look as he has one listed at the moment, but you can always email him, and if has one, I'm sure he'll put it up for sale.

The boot goes fairly far up on the carb's spigots, and the original boots are fairly sturdy. How big are the cracks, and are they all the way across the rummer, or just on the surface?

[watervlietarsena]

Fred thanks for your reply! MY frame no is T500-21103 does that sound like a 69? Because my filter is paper not foam. The air box has no 13700-15071 then 14000-069-3 then dry type 12F made by Nippondenso my boot only has minor cracking not all the way thru. i am amazed how complete it is. thanks Ron

[Bloop2]

In 1973, Suzuki changed the air cleaner assy (foam to paper),

It's the other way around, first paper and then foam.

MY frame no is T500-21103 does that sound like a 69?

That would make it a 69

[ConnerVT]

In 1973, Suzuki changed the air cleaner assy (foam to paper),

It's the other way around, first paper and then foam.

Yep. My bad. Was too busy looking for the part I had bought on ebay, and not paying attention to the other details.

[oldjapanesebikes]

1969 models are quite rare - that's a good find ! We have been tracking the model boundary (start/stop) numbers on this link - yours is right in the middle of '69 production.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

The 69 air box boot is asymmetrical while the later version is symmetrical. With age and abuse the first parts to fail, usually splits and cracks, are where the clamps fit on the carb bellmouths.
Claus Studios in Ca was reproducing them for a short while but I noticed his mold didn't quite line up on the witness lines 100%. This is a minor flaw that even plagued Suzuki on some items as well and for an item thats very rare to find its a minor issue.
I was wondering who will be the first to find a 69 with a number lower than mine, seems I'm still in the game,,,for now.

[watervlietarsena]

thanks for the info my boot is ok for now i will try that place that did the repo. in case anyone cares my other bikes are Honda S90 2 CB160 1 CL160 3 CB450 2 71,s 1 73 305 Srambler 305 Super Hawk 3 XL350 FT500 CX500 2 XS650 i had a PE250 but sold it not too long ago almost forgot ZRX1100 i will try to post some pics of the T500 soon