T500 looking for GT750 Forks

[evol02]

Alright, I've finally had it with these T500 forks.
I've had the bike for about 15 years now and I've always said 'I like the appearance of the stock forks' whenever someone has has told me how much better the GT750 forks are. Back in the early 2000s, I was part of the sundial 'improved fork spring' group buy. They're still on the bike and I'm not noticing much improvement if any.
Well now I think I'm ready to trade up. I just got back from a 750 miles ride in the mountains, and the suspension was truly the Achilles Heel of this poor monster.
I am thinking that while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and put one of my GT750 4LS on the bike at the same time.

So I've got a couple of questions for y'all with the GT750 knowledge.
I'm figuring that my best course of action is to get my hands on a set of 1972 GT750 forks with triple clamp, so they are setup for the 4LS already. (Anyone got a pair for sale with triples and fender or even without?)

Has anyone put a GT750 4LS on a set of disc brake forks? How was the mounting of the brake stay arm?

For those of you that have put the GT750 forks on a T500, could you use the existing stem, or did you have to press it out and swap in your T500 stem?

How rare are the 1972 GT750 forks? I should snap up the first pair I find, even if they are slightly damaged?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190726605409?_t ... 97.c0.m619" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[evol02]

Well, I bought those ebay forks and it turns out the seller, who seems to be a great guy, also had a top triple clamp for the '72 GT750. Looks like I'm looking for a stem and bottom triple clamp from a 1972 GT750, in case anyone has an extra.

[evol02]

And i think nobody ever reads this section anymore.

Received my GT750 forks, they are lovely and plush compared to my disasterous T500 forks. The difference is SO great I think I might have rebuilt my T500 forks incorrectly. I would LOVE to hear from someone else that installed those custom forks springs that we (the forum) had manufactured about 8-10 years ago...

So I've got the 4LS, the forks and the top triple clamp. Still looking for that bottom triple, but I can't access te workshop for a couple weeks anyway. Might replace the 4LS wheel bearings in the meantime while I prepare, and work on designing a fender mount for my custom fender.

[oldjapanesebikes]

I would LOVE to hear from someone else that installed those custom forks springs that we (the forum) had manufactured about 8-10 years ago....

I admit I'm curious also - what was special about them ?

[evol02]

A very knowledgable forum member up in Canada (sorry, so long ago I forgot who set it up) brokered a deal with a company up there that was able to make new front fork springs (external on the T500s) from a thicker/stronger gauge of metal to replace our stock springs. I have two pairs and installed one pair in my running T500. I think there were between 8-16 members that ordered the springs as well, but perhaps I'm the only one left.

Now that I've got my stock springs out of the bike, perhaps I should compare the original and the custom spring resistances.

[evol02]

Forks are here, lines up nicely with the 4LS.
Homemade fender has decent proportions, but need a brace/mount.
Clips ons from my Honda 350 fit after de-sleeving them (1mm metal sleeve for the 33mm forks)
I'll need to get some new ones, as the Titan needs more leverage than the 350.
Still looking for a decent lower triple.

[parksie]

I bought 2 pairs of those springs way back then, they were much stiffer than the originals. Trouble was that the t500s were oversprung and underdamped in the front ens and these springs only made the problem worse. I reverted back to the original springs and have got used to (put up with) the front end suspension as it is.

Bob

[AFRetired]

On the topic of GT750 forks to a T500 frame, I have a set of forks from a disc brake 750 I want to use. Exactly what will I need to do to fit them? I'm looking to put a tapered bearing set on, any machining required to put this together??

PS never mind a search provided the answer.

"GT Tim wrote:

-Can a complete '72 GT550/750 front end be put on T500 frame? W/ tapered bearings?

diamondj replied

YES! Use All Balls kit 22-1005 for the GT series Suzukis. You'll have to add/modify steering stops to the lower triple "

viewtopic.php?p=76959" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mal]

Hello ... my first post on here so here goes ...

Yes you can fit a GT750 front end onto a T500 frame using tapered bearings.

I'm currently building up a track bike and have done just that.

[Alan H]

And those 4ls brakes - properly set up with Ferodo racing linings will outstop the discs of the same era.
Expensive way to go on a 500 though - why not fit a double disc fork from a GS550? Just keeping the looks of the era?
When I've finished the 550K, my next is a 550M which will have GS discs all round. The swing arm is a straight swap except for the rear master cylinder mount.

[evol02]

I'm still looking for a 1972 GT750 lower triple with stem, if anyone happens to have one!