Topic: New Toy- 1971 Suzuki T500

[Zunspec]

Hello ekpent,

On my std road bike I cheated and used a magnetic stand/DTI set on top of the barrels before the heads went on

Cheers  Geoff

[Terry in Australia]

Here you go Eric, see if you can find one of these, great quality, made in the US and most of them were rarely used. Cheers, Terry.

[ekpent]

 I will just 'borrow' yours Terry and then never return it. Works for me   

[Terry in Australia]

I will just 'borrow' yours Terry and then never return it. Works for me   

No worries Eric, I'll drop by and borrow one of your GT750's and drop the gauge off, then when you're ready to return it just let me know and I'll bring that Suzy back..............

[Zunspec]

Here is the 3rd (engine wise) incarnation of my Seeley T500 replica.  This is the "race" spec. engine which hopefully will make in the region of 65 bhp at the rear wheel.  When the all up weight is 121 Kg it should fairly hustle along.  I have included a short bit of video on it's first start but apologise for my recording skills as I had to hold the bike up and manage the throttle at the same time.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/zunspec/35808508652/in/dateposted-public/

Cheers  Geoff

[grcamna2]

Geoff,
Watched the video and noticed you titled it "running on choke for extra oil"..., that's why it was so Rich     

[scottly]

Here is the 3rd (engine wise) incarnation of my Seeley T500 replica.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/zunspec/35808508652/in/dateposted-public/

Cheers  Geoff

What do you mean by "replica" Geoff? It's not a real Seeley??
BTW, what does "Zunspec" mean?

[Zunspec]

Hi grcamna2,

The engine has new pistons, rods, big-ends/mains etc.  As these runs were only heat cycles prior to some dyno time I wanted plenty of oil getting to the new surfaces.  You should have seen the smoke billowing from my garage door, I was lucky no one called the Fire dept.   It has now been run "chokes off" an there is far less smoke.

Hello scottly,  The chassis is a reproduction of the Seeley T500 frame produced by a chap in Peterborough, hence "replica".  I did have an original back in the day (1980/81), wish I had kept it of course.



"Zunspec" is the name of the 250cc Starmaker engine special that I started racing on which used a Zundapp frame hence Zundapp Special.  I have used it as a moniker ever since.



Cheers  Geoff

[ekpent]

 Awesome creation Geoff, Thanks for sharing and please keep us update in the future on the dyno runs and hopefully race victories if it goes to the track.  Eric

[Zunspec]

Hi ekpent,

The bike already has race victories under it's belt with Gary May at the controls.



The proper race engine should mean he doesn't have to try so hard 

Cheers Geoff

[Stev-o]

The engine has new pistons, rods, big-ends/mains etc.  As these runs were only heat cycles prior to some dyno time I wanted plenty of oil getting to the new surfaces.  You should have seen smoke billowing from my garage door, I was lucky no one called the Fire dept.

Funny!   The bike sounds awesome, thanks for sharing.

[Zunspec]

We were out with the CRMC at Brands Hatch at the weekend. A meeting that had a very sad event.

Here's a photo of my rider Gary May swooping around Paddock Hill bend:



Cheers  Geoff

[Stev-o]

Hey Geoff....sorry to hear about Fran, how tragic.  RIP Fran

http://www.crmc.co.uk/news-blog/racing-accident-at-brands-hatch-07-10-2017/

PS. Great photo of Gary!

[ekpent]

 So sorry to hear of one of your friends or acquaintance having her terrible accident Geoff. My condolences.
  Your bike looks great out on the track,good luck on your endeavors.  Eric

[Zunspec]

Thanks Guys. 

I did not know Fran Fletcher personally but she was obviously a person that live life to the full.  I believe she was the Mayor of her home town at one point so a multi talented lady.  At the previous CRMC round at Cadwell Park she won all three of her class races so a talented rider too.

Now back to a naked frame for a bit of winter fettling for next season 



Cheers  Geoff

[grcamna2]

A Very nice frame   

[Zunspec]

T500 Race Engines - Hmmmm, which one should I use today .



Cheers  Geoff

[Stev-o]

T500 Race Engines - Hmmmm, which one should I use today .



Cheers  Geoff

Middle one looks a little cleaner!

[seanbarney41]

If it would help you decide easier, just send one of 'em to me...less decisions then

[Zunspec]

If it would help you decide easier, just send one of 'em to me...less decisions then

You wouldn't want one, nasty 2-smokes, nothing but grief

[Terry in Australia]

I suppose I could put one in my lawn mower............

[ekpent]

 Little soldiers all lined up ready to go off to battle   

[Zunspec]

I suppose I could put one in my lawn mower............

The main race engine puts out 60+bhp/46 lbs/ft torque at the rear wheel Terry so should pep up your lawn mower quite effectively

Hi ekpent,  I hope next season is as smooth as silk engine wise, blow ups are expensive and sourcing replacement parts is a challenge .

Cheers  Geoff

[ekpent]

  Wish you lived closer Geoff. Am probably going to try and sell this 1973 sometime in the near future. Just too rough and expensive to refurbish to where I would want to go with it but a good core for a racer or custom. Second pic shows its first start in many years a little while ago when I pulled it out of storage and tinkered a little bit.

[vfourfreak]

Looks like your canary had to temporarily find alternative lodgings.

Kev