Topic: Suzuki GT500: pulled out of the woods, where to even start?

[Hush]

Hey Sporky I thought you said it was a wreck?
Heck give it a wash, scare the squirrels outa the airfilter, mow the seat and it'll probably start!
That is gonna be an easy rebuild mate, them things are piss easy to work on after Hondas.

[Sporkfly]

Well Hush, I'll get around to getting pictures of the cylinders up... Might change your mind. Looking at a nasty amount of rust in there. Carbs are completely seized up along with the forks, rear shocks and both brakes. Like I said, it was in a barn for 10 years and the woods for 16 or so. Around 300 inches of snowfall a year, it's been 100% buried in snow for 16 years in a row. Luckily it was nowhere near a road so it didn't get hit with the rock salt over the years.

[bikermike]

Hi i just got a 1976 gt500 blue. i need a few things to complet the bike,I am curintly restoring it but im having problems finding parts, any suggestions
I live in Ontario Canada

[The_Crippler]

Different vintage, I know, but this thread made me miss my '83 GS850GL.  First bike.  Pulled it out of a shed in the woods.  Ah, memories.

[Hush]

I thought only bears #$%* in the woods!
Nah I still say that is doable Sporky, soak everything in some form of liquid solvent, the carbs will come right they are sooo basic and jammed brakes etc are just time spent to get them cleaned and working.
I will admit a few seals and O rings are gonna be needed, but sounds like if it's too much of a mission for ya there are people lining up for parts so you could part her out and get some other guys 500's running.

[Terry in Australia]

Without wanting to sound overly negative, it's probably not worth your time and effort to get that thing back into a useable condition.

To "unstick" everything you'll virtually need to lower the whole bike into a vat of PB Blaster, and leave it there for a year, and when it comes out it'll still be a clagged T500 (not a particularly collectable bike, even in "mint" condition) in need of a heap of parts, most of which will be hard to find in good condition.

Is there a "bitten off more than you can chew" smiley? Best of luck mate, if you're serious about returning that thing from the long dead, you're really, really gonna need it........ 

[johnyvilla]

Hey Sporkfly. Don't let that Titan go to waste! I have had mine for six years and would never get rid of it. It is a little quirky, but when its running well, I enjoy it more in the twisties then my CB750. The crank seals can be hard to source and replace on these bikes. Parts in gen are hard to find and there is virtually no aftermarket for Titans.

Sundialmotosports is a pretty good forum, but I no longer frequent it due to the two viruses I contracted from it.

Let me know if you have any questions or need any parts.

[kluts]

Hi there. Not sure if you can punch the bore out to 750 from 500.  It's unlikely there is sufficient metal.  Not to worry!  Titans were and are successful hooligan bikes when ported and jetted properly, and with some new (off ebay) Toomey or Denco collector exhausts you'll be finding lots of power out of it.

Get the 500 rear swingarm.  The 250 may be inadequate unless the tubing is the same size and strength.  A new front end is a great addition, like a good set of forks, brakes and wheel from a mid-90's GSXR or the like.  A rear disk is not necessary.  But the rear end can use a good set of S&W's and/or Koni's.  You'll be surprised at what this bike can do when set up, and the conversation it will bring.

[johnyvilla]

Yea, what Klutz said. Paul Miller sells rear shocks for around 100$. Night and day difference.

I don't think your going to be able to put 750 slugs in your bike. If your serious about performance get some Jemco expansion chambers.

[Hush]

Here Sporky check out what those old Titans go for here in New Zealand.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=231722482

[manjisann]

Here Sporky check out what those old Titans go for here in New Zealand.

But what's the conversion rate again??   

Brandon

[Retro Rocket]

3890 USD......You guys should be holidaying in NZ......good value for money and a great place as well.

Mick

[manjisann]

3890 USD......You guys should be holidaying in NZ......good value for money and a great place as well.

Mick

I would, but the sheep scare me! 

Brandon

[Sporkfly]

I hate to give this update, but I'll need a new engine if this project is to go anywhere...  I'll be starting the restoration of my Goldwing this winter, hopefully it will be in a riding state for the summer. It was an inherited bike and I want to take it out west for my uncle; it was one of the last things he wanted to do, but he didn't get the chance to. I want to make that trip for him and visit my brother (and maybe some of you lot) while I'm at it.

[The_Crippler]

Sorry to hear that...I was actually curious to see where this project was going to head.

[grumburg]

Nice project! I have a '67 Suzuki T20. It would be nice to have a 500.

Good luck with the project!

How far along is your T20? I finished my 66 last year and have had a lot of fun ith it.

[patricke9]

Sorry to hear that...I was actually curious to see where this project was going to head.

Me too, a buddy of mine picked up a '75 GT500 cheap for us to work on & sell to make some extra $$ to put into my CB550.  I hope to have some pictures & get it up for sale this weekend- It's been sitting in a garage since '81 & has 2600 miles on it.