Topic: any problems or issues with the t500?

[fuzzybutt]

i have a chance to get a suzuki t500, a 72. all i have to do is drive to ohio to get it. are these worth a 16 hour round trip? it needs a new barrel and head. other wise complete

[mattcb350f]

I just looked up some pics of the bike, it looks like a pretty sweet model to have in the collection Fuzzy. I didn't find any info on that model but being an aircooled 2 stroke I would be looking at the engine......which you say it needs a barrel anyway.

I bet Bill might have a better idea about this one..

 Matt.

[mark]

I had a T350 way back when and it was a blast. dunno about parts nowadays but there aint much to one anyway.

a quick look at flebay shows barrels, heads, NOS piston sets, and gaskets - now all ya need is bucks.

 

[bill440cars]

       Fuzzy, I've never had one, but I've also never heard a bad thing about them myself. I think there's a pretty good following of them, although no where near what the Hondas have (as a rule). Personally, I think it'd be a good addition too. Here's some stuff on it, in case you hadn't already checked it out.

       

      "1972 Suzuki year code: J
In 1972 the T500J was gaudier than ever with large chrome plastic sidecover ornaments. This model was probably the most attractive of all with Candy Vedoro Green or Pearl Orange petrol tanks. A noticeable change for this year was the adoption of a larger tail-light lens which would remain standard on the GT range as well.
Suzuki T500L T-500 LT 500 J 1972
Overall Length: 2,195 mm (86.4 in)
Overall Width: 870 mm (34.3 in)
Overall Height: 1,125 mm (44.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Weight: 187 kg (412 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 47 hp/ 7,000 rpm, 5.3 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm."


         They built the T500 from 68'-75' and here's a link to the history, if you'd like to check it over. I would think that there would be several, if not most of the year model parts could be used on any one model. That would just have to be checked out p/n by p/n on a place like crotchrocket.com. Don't know if any of that helps or not, hope so. Are there any photos to be had, that you can check out? 
 
       Whoops, I forgot to put in the link. Sorry bout that.

        http://www.suzukicycles.org/T-series/T500_models.shtml

[grumburg]

Have been looking for a T500 since the x6 is done. Was the hot setup in 68-69 before the 750-4. Parts are available and cheaper that other Suzuki 2-strokes. Seem to have a growing following. I'm in Ohio if you if you decide against it! 

[Geeto67]

the only real problem with the t500s is that early ones are known to have 4th/5th gear failures. The T500 engine (up to 1972) holds 1200ccs of gear oil and this left 4th and 5th aprtially exposed to air. Over time they would loose their hardening and fail. Suzuki changed the engine case capacity to 1400ccs in 1973 and this fixed the issue, they also issued a manditory service fix for earlier bikes but it is hit or miss if this was actually done on your bike. Most guys use a beer can to do the mod but you can buy the part to make the engine case hold extra oil also (it is just a matter of filling a small barrier inside the case). YOu have to crack the case to do the mod but these bikes are stone simple to work on. Really it makes working on a SOHC 750 feel like working on the space shuttle.

Like any old two stroke if it has been sitting then you are also hit or miss on the engine seals. If it were me I would split the cases and have the crank rebuilt and check if the case was modded (and mod it if it needs to be).

Once in good shape they are excellent riding bikes. Not hooligan like the kawasaki h bikes, just a smooth two stroker with good handling. I own two '71s and just traded my 1970 for a kz900. One of mine has an ex AHRMA race motor, wiseco forged pistons, and decked heads and screams when you come on the pipe, the other was just a nice commuter until 5th gear failed and now is just a nice pile of parts in the garage. 

[Bodain]

I used to want one of those as a restoration project. They can be very cool. Then I had a chance to ride a restored one. That ended my desire to own one.

The vibration coming up through the handle bars even with the proper rubber mounts is simply unbearable.

[voxonda]

Hi,

I owned a 500 Titan. Had a lot of fun with it. Was my first bike back in the early seventies.

Hope my wife won't see this pic, this is one of my earlier girlfriends!  Pipe was a 2 into1 Reimo, did not too much good to the bike but sounded awesome. Later changed into seperate chambers and some Daytona tricks.

Cheers, Rob

[Geeto67]

I used to want one of those as a restoration project. They can be very cool. Then I had a chance to ride a restored one. That ended my desire to own one.

The vibration coming up through the handle bars even with the proper rubber mounts is simply unbearable.

there is a pretty simple mod you can do to put GT750 silentblocks in the engine mounts, but the engines are rubber mounted already (it is solid rubber where as the buffalo silent block is corrigated). They do vibrate though, not much more than any other 2 smoke but some people can hack it and some can't. The GT750 mounts make a big difference.

[fuzzybutt]

oh well the deal fell through when i refused to buy a gun and bring it to him.

[Retro Rocket]

WTF.....

Mick

[fuzzybutt]

the guy i was going to get the motorcycle from has a felony on his record. cant buy guns with that. i have a permit to carry and i dont want to risk that permit or my right to bear arms.

[bill440cars]

the guy i was going to get the motorcycle from has a felony on his record. cant buy guns with that. i have a permit to carry and i dont want to risk that permit or my right to bear arms.

      Understood fuzzy.   Too bad, but there'll be another deal that will be more on the up and up. Good thing that you found out about the felony.

[fuzzybutt]

i have a line on an h2 with loads of spare parts down in orlando. trying to figure out where the 500 is going to come from now, i may sell my tokarev military pistol.

[fuzzybutt]

my buddy in ohio called me last night and told me if i drove up i could have the thing after all. all it needs are cylinder and a head. i'm thinking i'll dismantle it and put the parts in the back of the ol' saturn

[crazypj]

If you beat on them they lose second gear. The later GT500 didn't have the problem for some reason (don't know if it was modified?)
I had a GT500 but don't remember owning it (my brother keeps telling me I sold it to him though?)
The heads crack if spark plugs are overtightened (from plug hole to one of holding down studs, usually front 'outside) common as people don't normally use torque wrench on spark plugs. swing arm bearing wear out, but that's 'normal' 
PJ

[fuzzybutt]

what kind of hopups can i do on this bike? i've never owned a 2 stroke before. it already has expansion chambers from, i think he said something like gemco maybe? i think the gearboxes up to 72 had alot less oil capacity, as i understand it it's easy enough to mod the earlier cases for the extra capacity. as it's been sitting a while i'm going to assume that seals will have to be done. from what i learned about 2 strokers at AMI, the labarynth (sp?) seal is the most important one. wheres a good place to get parts for these? it also has a dunstall tail and 1/4 fairing.

[crazypj]

There should be quite a lot of information available, depends how deep your pockets are
Bike was raced for a number of years (probably still is in pre72? vintage)
 You can get plenty of power to get you into trouble, port it anywhere from (aircooled) RM250 spec to full roadrace spec (RM had a broader powerband)
 I have a friend in Britain who may still have factory road race specs.
 If so, I'll PM you about it
PJ

[fuzzybutt]

are there any decent forums dedicated to these motorcycles? anything close to the calibre of this one even? 

[bwaller]

Google suzuki 500 fanatics and it will lead to gads of hop-up ideas.

[Trevor from Warragul]

http://www.motorcycleracer.net/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1

[fuzzybutt]

thanks a bunch for the suggestions folks. i joined that forum you sent me to morini

[Trevor from Warragul]

It's a great forum!  I have a Kawasaki H1A Mach III 500cc triple.  You'll either LOVE the T500 or HATE it.  I LOVE 2 strokes.  They're just so mental!  I wouldn't want to have it as my only bike, but it's great for the occasional blast (reminds me of being 20 years old & irresponsible).

Trevor

[fuzzybutt]

well in a few short hours i leave for ohio to get my suzuki. getting more and more excited.





damn i thought it was friday, not thursday. i leave around 4 am saturday. getting a car load of sohc 750 parts too!

[hoodellyhoo]

Good Luck! Remember, we love pics

[fuzzybutt]

heres the pic leo just sent me. it has a dunstall tail and tank coming with it as well. its ALOT nicer than i expected it to be.

[fuzzybutt]

ok, this bike isnt as nice as i thought it was. this is both good and bad. bad because theres going to be ALOT more work involved but good as it's far enough from being original that this one is going full on cafe racer, frame, body and motor mods. pics tomorrow when i get all the bits and pieces out of the car.

[fuzzybutt]

ok, the motor anyways is a 73 or later model as the gearbox is stamped 1400cc's. i havent gotten the load of parts out of  the car yet so i havent had a chance to look at the frame yet.