New Member

[Larry710]

Hi everyone,

I picked up my 1977 GT500 a few weeks ago. It wasn't/isn't even a rolling chassis yet, and have 3 boxes of part to reassemble.
I have started with the front end, and came to an abrupt halt. The previous owner took it apart to install taper bearings that were new still in the package that was marked for a Kawasaki?!?! I gave it a go and the bearings fit. But when I went to install the stem it seem I have conflicting information with the parts I have.
I am building from a t500 manual that appears to be as old as the bike itself and the detail is vague
http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/197 ... #sch270332" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/197 ... #sch269714" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It appears to me that I have a stem from a t500 with two (different sized) threads at the top, yet my bike is a 1977! I am missing the washers and want to buy new parts to get the front end together, but even the dealer is baffled.

I am hopeful that my latest ebay purchase will help --> (it is being shipped now) http://www.ebay.com/itm/172711433615" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought I might try here to shed more light on my situation.

Thanks
Larry

[titan performance]

Hi Larry, always glad to see another guy saving a 500. The bigger thread on the stem is for a lock ring that needs a C spanner to tighten, and the smaller is for the top nut.
The GT and T have different front ends, and forks and yokes are not interchangeable unless complete.

[Dave West]

Greetings from Oklahoma from a fellow Canuckian.

[bugspray]

Where are you in Canada. I am in the Montreal area, I am building 3 GT500 cafe racers and have a whole slew of parts so maybee I can help
you out.
I also have beautiful hand made Aluminum tanks and fenders if you want to go the cafe route....works of art they are.

Remove the big GT tank, seat and fenders and underneath you will find one of the most fitting frames for a cafe racer Move the top mounting
points of the rear shocks ahead to the threades holes that are already there and use a 12.5 in. shock. The shocks
now have the same angle as the front forks,cut the frame off and Voila, just needs dressing up.

[Larry710]

Hi Larry, always glad to see another guy saving a 500. The bigger thread on the stem is for a lock ring that needs a C spanner to tighten, and the smaller is for the top nut.
The GT and T have different front ends, and forks and yokes are not interchangeable unless complete.

Yes, however the parts diagram for the 1977 GT500 does not show the bigger thread or the lock ring/nut.

[Larry710]

Where are you in Canada. I am in the Montreal area, I am building 3 GT500 cafe racers and have a whole slew of parts so maybee I can help
you out.
I also have beautiful hand made Aluminum tanks and fenders if you want to go the cafe route....works of art they are.

Remove the big GT tank, seat and fenders and underneath you will find one of the most fitting frames for a cafe racer Move the top mounting
points of the rear shocks ahead to the threades holes that are already there and use a 12.5 in. shock. The shocks
now have the same angle as the front forks,cut the frame off and Voila, just needs dressing up.

Great to hear, I am in BC. A cafe is what I have in mind, but first I have build it and get it running.

As you see I am having difficulty determining the parts that I have vs the parts that are on the diagrams I have.

[old t500]

Hey Bugspray!!!

Welcome (belated now for sure...). Thanks for nudging me with an email message. Neat that you're in the St. Saveaur area....we ski at Tremblant quite often.

Is there a build thread going here??

[bugspray]

Well feel free to give a call on your way through and don,t forget there is good skiing in St-Sauveur too.
Warren
450 227 8972

[titan performance]

How are you getting on with the steering head Larry? My GT front end has two different sized threads at the top. Not sure of the dimensions without measuring, but from memory the smaller is around 18mm...use of Kawa head bearings is a well recognised method.