Another Noob with T500 questions

[Fearless]

Hello all. Avid enthusiast here with a recently acquired '75 T500. Seems to be all original and shows a little over 15K on the clock. However, with it being the first two stroker in my stable, I'm a little bit out of my element. I did a some researching in the archives here and elsewhere and got a little familiar with it before starting any work, but now I could use some guidance from those in the know.

The history on the bike is vague at best, but near as I can tell it was last run 10-15 years ago out in California. First inspection showed the tank is surprisingly clean, most the exterior bits are dirty but in reasonable shape with little pitting, and the engine spinning freely with good compression. I went ahead and put it on the lift, drained everything but the top end oil, cleaned every electrical connection I could find, and did the usual "pre-op" preparations. Carbs looked to have been drained before storage (I only opened one up, but assume the other is in equal shape) and everything seemed to be in order, so with fresh fluids, I test fired it.

IV line hooked to the carbs and a shot of either and, to my surprise, it hit 4th or 5th kick. Only ran it for about 20 seconds or so just to see where I was with it. Overall, everything sounded good. The two most obvious items: the left side had a fair amount of white/grey smoke and it didn't seem to be hitting every stroke (incidentally, left side is the carb I had pulled and inspected). The other item was: had movement of the 2 stroke oil through the lines, but it was obvious that it was pushing (or pulling) air. Everything else with the bike seemed to be up to snuff.

So, of course, my first concerns are with the 2 stroke oil... for the moment I will assume the left side white smoke to be from sitting. The pump appears to be working 'cause there is movement in the lines, so I would think they are breached or the check valves are non functional, or both.
Questions:
Should I have/Is there a way to prime and bleed these lines?
If compromised, Are these items still available (lines and check valves)?
If not, what's the workaround?
If its the actual pump at fault, how is it checked and is it serviceable? (research shows it may not be)

Once I feel confident that this system is functional, I'll be moving on to other aspects.... the bad diaphragm in the petcock, broken gas cap, checking wheel bearings, dried rubber bits.... The usual suspects for a 40 year old bike.

I am excited to put this puppy back on the road and looking forward to gleaning some Knowledge from those in the know. I'm kinda known around here as the guy with the unique bikes and this one certainly fits the bill.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Alan H]

Hello. A bit of an introduction would be nice. I'm Alan and I have GT550s, I live in the UK, in Yorkshire.
Lots on here have experience with 2 strokes, but we tend to like to know a bit about who we're talking with.
But anyway, welcome to the madhouse and good luck with the bike. Folks will be along soon with 500 experience.
Personally, I would put some 2 stroke oil in the tank and get the engine running better before anything else, so the bearings and pistons get some lube. If the oil tank contents are old, drain and refill with fresh oil to give the engine a fighting chance.
You are at the bottom of a steep learning curve that we have all been climbing for some time, but it's worth it in the end.
Pics would be nice, but you'll have to post them on photobucket or similar and link to them so that we can see what you've got.

[Fearless]

Sorry about that. I'm on so many boards I sometimes forget that not everybody knows me, and I'm not always clear on protocol on each board.
As to an introduction, I'm an avid enthusiast living in the southeast US. I've logged well over a million miles on two wheels and will ride at the drop of a hat.... do most of my own work on them. My current stable of tagged bikes include
70 Honda CL350
70 Norton 750 Commando "S"
75 BMW R90/6
00 Cagiva Gran Canyon
05 Honda GL1800 GoldWing (w/250K on the clock)
In the wings awaiting lift time:
76 Honda CB750 HondaMatic
75 Triumph Trident T160
83 GL1100 Goldwing Interstate
84(?) Honda CM400T project bike
and of course the T500

And you can find me under the handle "Fearless" on most boards.... ADVRider, GL1800Rider, Gran Canyon riders, AME, OldBrits, OldsCool, etc.

Back to the 500, I think it wise to have all the systems functioning before i start "tuning" to run better... just doesnt make sense to me to get it timed right or dialed in if there is an issue elsewhere. There is clean oil in the tank, and it is pumping, just has air bubbles. I was hoping to find out just how critical the air bubbles are and how to correct it before I move on. Also, It was my understanding that this system carried over to the Water Buffalo and other GT models, which brought me to this forum. Once I'm comfortable with the lubrication, the rest should come fairly easy.

Obligatory Pic of it when it arrived:


Again, Thanks in advance for any input on this.

FEARLESS
"I got a motorcycle for my wife.... Best darn trade I've ever made".

[titan performance]

Welcome Fearless.....the bike looks pretty sound. The accepted method of priming the oil lines, is to run the engine...let it idle, and hold the oil pump operating arm forward in the WOT position. I have never had a pump stop pumping, but I have had seals fail, and oil leaks from a pump. The lines are difficult to find now, but there are check valves available should you need them....in fact someone on the forum was selling them not so long ago.

[Fearless]

Excellent. And thank you. Yes, the bike seems to be reasonably tight and all there. A rare occurrence for the bikes I usually get....
And thats exactly what I was hoping to hear. I'll fire it back up and use your method to get the oil flowing and see where I stand. I see now how the operating arm controls the amount of oil pumped.... actually a pretty nifty system for the day. Makes the Norton lube system from back then look like it was chiseled out of stone.

I'll probably search for the check valves too as My gut feeling is that I'm going to need to replace the lines.... with my grey hair, I know how things tend to break down with age.... and I assume that any line, the right diameter, and impervious to the oil will suffice as a replacement?

[titan performance]

I don't think you need to manufacture your own lines....I believe you can simply replace the valves in your existing lines.

[Coyote]

and I assume that any line, the right diameter, and impervious to the oil will suffice as a replacement?

I'd be careful there. I am sure Suzuki used hard line to eliminate any possibility of kinking

[Fearless]

Excellent points I will take under advisement. If I do need to replace the lines I thought about brazing up some copper ones like those used on the old Nortons but dont really like the idea of not being able to see inside the lines. Did try the Priming method and its a no go.... constant air bubbles in 3 of 4 lines. Had planned on pulling them next morning when a storm blew a tree down. Bad news is Garage is inop for a while, Good news is T500 and lift appear to have escaped undamaged. I guess I'll chainsaw a path to it while I wait for the check valves to arrive....