1973 T500 cafe build
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- jabcb
- Moto GP
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- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Test fit of custom seat.
cafe-T500-0774 by jabcb, on Flickr
Next up is decision on rear fender: no rear fender, or cut it down & powder coat black. This will impact frame detabbing decision.
cafe-T500-0774 by jabcb, on Flickr
Next up is decision on rear fender: no rear fender, or cut it down & powder coat black. This will impact frame detabbing decision.
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
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
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Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Looks well sexy!
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Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Hello jabcb,
Love the seat, it has really nice lines .
As rear mudguards are like the proverbial rocking horse poo I would be very reticent about cutting a good standard one up. I might look for an alternative set-up if I could and make a few bucks selling the std. item.
Cheers Geoff
Love the seat, it has really nice lines .
As rear mudguards are like the proverbial rocking horse poo I would be very reticent about cutting a good standard one up. I might look for an alternative set-up if I could and make a few bucks selling the std. item.
Cheers Geoff
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4246
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Did a rather spiffy job with rear wheel. (We cheated & had forum member Sandman do the work.)
cafe-T500-9050 by jabcb, on Flickr
Decided to go with the early motor covers that have the cast-in “S” rather than the cheesy decals.
But the down side was that these early castings have some flaws in the aluminum casting that can not be polished out.
Looks better in person than it does in the pic. Should be largely unnoticeable when the bike is completed.
cafe-T500-8387 by jabcb, on Flickr
I asked RaceTech about options for my fork tubes. They warned me to be aware that the alloy blends they used back then could result in an inconsistent appearance with lighter & darker areas. So the slightly dirty appearance of my polished covers is just one of the quirks of dealing with vintage parts.
cafe-T500-9050 by jabcb, on Flickr
Decided to go with the early motor covers that have the cast-in “S” rather than the cheesy decals.
But the down side was that these early castings have some flaws in the aluminum casting that can not be polished out.
Looks better in person than it does in the pic. Should be largely unnoticeable when the bike is completed.
cafe-T500-8387 by jabcb, on Flickr
I asked RaceTech about options for my fork tubes. They warned me to be aware that the alloy blends they used back then could result in an inconsistent appearance with lighter & darker areas. So the slightly dirty appearance of my polished covers is just one of the quirks of dealing with vintage parts.
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
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
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1120
- Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
- Country: England, UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
I've noticed that about different shades of grey on the alloy blends too. Its a bummer when you're trying to polish something and find it impossible to get it looking like new.
- ConnerVT
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- 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: 1973 T500 cafe build
This is true about many of us vintage folks. I rather refer to them as character, rather than flaws.jabcb wrote: But the down side was that these early castings have some flaws in the aluminum casting that can not be polished out.
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- Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
- Country: England, UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Thats a great way of looking at it. I like it!ConnerVT wrote: I rather refer to them as character, rather than flaws.
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4246
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Making decisions.
Buchanan’s SS spokes & shouldered Excel rims: front 2.15x18 & rear 2.5x18. Metzeler Sportec Klassik tires.
Frame will be gloss black powder coat. Fork outer tubes also black powder coat.
Same oil tank & twin-piston caliper as used in GT250 cafe build: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12998
Rear fender will be powder coated black & cut to end just after the seat mounting bolts.
Brake rotor & tank “S” badges in gold. Matching gold stripe on gas tank & seat bump.
cafe-T500-0808 by jabcb, on Flickr
Now to pick the color for the gas tank, seat bump, headlight bucket & front fender.
Maybe something light, like gray. Any suggestions?
Buchanan’s SS spokes & shouldered Excel rims: front 2.15x18 & rear 2.5x18. Metzeler Sportec Klassik tires.
Frame will be gloss black powder coat. Fork outer tubes also black powder coat.
Same oil tank & twin-piston caliper as used in GT250 cafe build: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12998
Rear fender will be powder coated black & cut to end just after the seat mounting bolts.
Brake rotor & tank “S” badges in gold. Matching gold stripe on gas tank & seat bump.
cafe-T500-0808 by jabcb, on Flickr
Now to pick the color for the gas tank, seat bump, headlight bucket & front fender.
Maybe something light, like gray. Any suggestions?
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
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
- 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: 1973 T500 cafe build
Gray? With aluminium and chrome, gray would seem a bit washed out, don't you think?
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- Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
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- Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
+1 on that.ConnerVT wrote:Gray? With aluminium and chrome, gray would seem a bit washed out, don't you think?
How about a sparkly metallic burgundy? It would work well with your gold pinstripes. Sexy and regal!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1L-2K-RED-ME ... SwtDdaeyVz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or if you prefer a little less sparkle
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1lt-RFU-WHIZ ... Swal5YE2Qr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4246
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
The project is back in business.
Frame is back from the powder coater. I got a 1970 gas tank. The Titan Performance exhaust is here.
Need to get moving on the forks & wheels.
My 69 T350 is blue & has the same gold winged “S” badges. I’m thinking about going with that color combo.
T350-1969_0708 by jabcb, on Flickr
Frame is back from the powder coater. I got a 1970 gas tank. The Titan Performance exhaust is here.
Need to get moving on the forks & wheels.
My 69 T350 is blue & has the same gold winged “S” badges. I’m thinking about going with that color combo.
T350-1969_0708 by jabcb, on Flickr
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
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
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4246
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Picked a large DOT-approved cats eye tail light. Added an extension to the seat bump that is like a stock tail light bracket. Picked a light blue & a gold to match the other parts.
Am quite pleased with the results.
cafe-T500-0948 by jabcb, on Flickr
Am quite pleased with the results.
cafe-T500-0948 by jabcb, on Flickr
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
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
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1087
- Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:37 am
- Country: UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R, SV1000S, TS125, Seeley T500
- Location: Trowbridge UK
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
Nice work, jabcb and super looking paint/design
Cheers Geoff
Cheers Geoff
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- Expert racer
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- Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
- Country: England, UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S
Re: 1973 T500 cafe build
That looks yummy, and very similar to the colours I have bought for my GT380.... Damn it man, now I'll have to change so I don't look like a copy-cat.