1975 Suzuki T500 IT IS ALIVE! First start video 5/7/11

[Titan performance]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Those standard side panels look ok with the stock tank and seat, but they just don't go with the cafe look Mark.
Any plans in that area?

 

[HerrDeacon]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

I'm really struggling to keep up with everyone's builds here and just came across this one...glad I did. Looking beautiful. That tank and tail combo looks great! Nice work so far, keep it coming.

 

[teazer]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Wingspan,
I'm really liking that oil tank. OEM tanks and side covers often look out of place, but those look good. It looks more like a cafe racer that way than say a race track refugee. It's a different, more sophisticated look.

BTW imagine how good it would look with an extra frame tube from the swingarm area to under the fuel tank - right in front of the oil tank. The oil tank would look like it was styled to fit there and the extra brace would make the frame look more "complete". Did we cover this ground before. ;-)

 

[sparkymoto]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

I agree with teazer. My first glance at the new combo of tank/tail/oil tank was that it made for a nice, compact arrangement of body work...and when the seat is upholstered, it will look even better. The frame brace will look slick in there.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Those standard side panels look ok with the stock tank and seat, but they just don't go with the cafe look Mark.
Any plans in that area?

I know the "cafe" thing to do would be to ditch the stock tank and battery cover, hide everything in the tail and make that area of the frame as open as possible. The problem is, I don't care for that look and I like the stock tank and cover. Nor am I into the beer-keg sort of oil tank you guys are using on your current build, at least not for a bike like this. To my eye, that sort of tank looks more at home on a chopper/bobber type bike, more 50's hot rod than 70's two-stroke. Most of the T500 cafe's on your site have the stock covers and I think they all look great.

I'm really struggling to keep up with everyone's builds here and just came across this one...glad I did. Looking beautiful. That tank and tail combo looks great! Nice work so far, keep it coming.

Thanks. I have trouble keeping up with all the content here too.

Wingspan,
I'm really liking that oil tank. OEM tanks and side covers often look out of place, but those look good. It looks more like a cafe racer that way than say a race track refugee. It's a different, more sophisticated look.

BTW imagine how good it would look with an extra frame tube from the swingarm area to under the fuel tank - right in front of the oil tank. The oil tank would look like it was styled to fit there and the extra brace would make the frame look more "complete". Did we cover this ground before. ;-)

I agree with teazer. My first glance at the new combo of tank/tail/oil tank was that it made for a nice, compact arrangement of body work...and when the seat is upholstered, it will look even better. The frame brace will look slick in there.

Thanks guys. I think it'll work fine. The stock parts are also going to give me some area for color, which the bike will be sorely lacking if I went with the open frame look.

Here we go again with these friggin' frame braces. Can we beat a dead horse any more?

Guys, I think you've forgotten that there are a pair of carbs right where the braces would have to run with the stock oil tank in place. I've tried to work out a way to do it that looks good and doesn't create more problems for me later on and I've decided that it's just not worth it to me. Yes, the frame could be stiffened. Yes, that has obvious benefits. However, it just won't matter to me for the way this bike will be ridden. Again, this build is mostly just a styling exercise for me. Stock motor, stock suspension, etc. I'm just trimming some weight and making something I think looks cool to cruise around town on. I really don't care what the bike will do at the track and Sparky can back me up on this one...we have NO twistie roads here.

I cut a piece of tube a while back to try an mock up some braces that would work. I just don't see a way to do it that I like. The most workable solution and most functional solution would be an"X" style brace through the center of the frame, but that cuts right across the carb intakes and as they'd be totally hidden behind the body work wouldn't add anything to the look.

Note that in the last picture I'm holding the tube against the OUTSIDE of the frame rails, and not centered with them as you would actually want to attach it. Even in this outermost and unworkable position the tube is firmly against the carb at the inlet and top cap.

 

[sparkymoto]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Ah. Sorry. No frame bracing. Noted.


Roger that on the "no twisties" around here. Usually have to "commute" an hour or so before they get decent...or at least less populated.

 

[Titan performance]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

I agree, if you are just using the bike on the road, the bracing is not needed, as the 500 is not a bad handling bike for a 70s stroker. All the classic race boys insist on it, but then that's a different degree of riding. As you say, there's no way of getting the brace in there with the stock oil tank anyway, we tried it too !
Doing away with the battery carrier, and air filter box, and losing the side panels is my own preference, purely because they tend to look very bulbous with narrow waisted tank and seat, but then, keeping the stock items can still give a very handsom look, as my pal Tim's bike illustrates.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

I agree, if you are just using the bike on the road, the bracing is not needed, as the 500 is not a bad handling bike for a 70s stroker. All the classic race boys insist on it, but then that's a different degree of riding. As you say, there's no way of getting the brace in there with the stock oil tank anyway, we tried it too !
Doing away with the battery carrier, and air filter box, and losing the side panels is my own preference, purely because they tend to look very bulbous with narrow waisted tank and seat, but then, keeping the stock items can still give a very handsom look, as my pal Tim's bike illustrates.

Tims Titan is still the most beautiful T500 I've seen.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Another non-update...

Sorry I haven't made any progress lately. Went in to the Dr. last week for the ol' snip-snip so I've spent the past week sitting around with bags of frozen peas on the boys instead of working out in the garage. Mega fun...let me tell you. It'll be nice not to worry about potential babies though.

I have ordered a few parts I need most notably a new set of Tarozzi clip-ons and a steering damper. The Roc City bars I've got now are fine, but the pinch bolts are in the perfect place to put a big dent in my tank at anything approaching full lock. I may end up loosing some lock even with the Tarozzi's but I decided to go for them anyway. I've also got some square tubing to do the new seat mounts. Hopefully if I survive our big winter storm this week I'll get some work done in the garage this weekend.

 

[Titan performance]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Have I misunerstood your last post?

You have had the snip snip, but have ordered a set of Tarozzi clip ons ?

Do they work as a replacement? LOL.!!!

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Have I misunerstood your last post?

You have had the snip snip, but have ordered a set of Tarozzi clip ons ?

Do they work as a replacement? LOL.!!!

Hmm...I'll have to try! Think the wife will notice?

 

[t500cafe]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Hi Mark. Tim from Titan here,many thanks for the pleasing comment you made on my T500 , i too am a fan of the side panels as i have kept them on my own bike, kinda gives it that 70,s identity. i think you are doing the right thing and your bike is looking the bogs dollocks ,which after all is what cafe racers are all about ....individuality ,there is no set formula if it feels right ,then it most probably is .keep up the great work ,there are some real cool looking cafe's on this site and its really good to see so many people getting into cool looking ,FUN affordable machines with a massive emphesis on Fun

 

[Titon]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Hey Mark, how did you like the fitment of the Roc City bars with your stock tank?

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Hey Mark, how did you like the fitment of the Roc City bars with your stock tank?

They just barely touch the stock tank at full lock.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Looks like just a little filing will fix that issue!

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 New mock up pics 1/08/11

Looks like just a little filing will fix that issue!

Yea, it wouldn't have been an issue with the stock tank. The new tank contacts a bit more. I might have been able to gain clearance by removing stock from the Roc City bars, but rather than cut on a new set of clip-ons I decided to go with the Tarozzi's and offer up the Roc City bars for sale to someone else who might be able to use them.


Baby steps forward...

Made the new seat mounting rails. I haven't decided if I'm welding or bolting these on. Either way is doable, but I don't have welding equipment at home. Pretty simple, just 1" square tubing cut to fit. I'll drill the tail mount holes once the rails are mounted securely.

Next I decided to tackle my seat upholstery problem. I had Sean @ Roc City go ahead and cover the seat when I ordered it. That was fine until I hacked 5" off the front of the tail section. I figured that I might as well try to shorten the seat myself and if it didn't work out I could take it to the shop and pay to have a new cover made. The existing seat cover was held to the pan with rivets. I marked the cut line on the pan, then pulled the cover loose enough to trim the pan:

Next I trimmed the foam to match and folded the cover back around the front of the seat. Then I riveted the cover back on as it was before, pulling as needed to eliminate wrinkles. After that, all I had to do was trim off the excess cover and it was finished. The job turned out to be very easy and I'm pleased with the results.

The T500 come stock with a friction type steering damper that screwed through the steering stem. I didn't want a big knob on top of the triple spoiling the lines so I decided to fit a hydraulic damper. A while back zooke581 sent me a few pics of his Cobra with a damper. Turns out all that was required was drilling two holes and the job was done. The damper is mounted securely and I have full steering travel lock to lock with no interference.

 

[sparkymoto]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Steering damper installed 2/5/11

That's a perfect fit of elements. Looking forward to seeing the new wheels, polished cases and chambers mocked up. Great progress.

 

[Kanticoy]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Steering damper installed 2/5/11

That is beautiful Wingspan. Gonna be a helluva bike my friend.

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Steering damper installed 2/5/11

Amen gents. Im looking forward to this one for sure!

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Steering damper installed 2/5/11

Thanks for the support guys. High praise from this company.

I decided to black out the cylinders to break up all the siver/gray that was going on at the front of the bike. Not original to Suzuki...but that concept went out out the window a long time ago. Pulled the tape off the jugs this morning and set the engine cases together to have a look. I'm still debating whether to leave the cases bare or repaint them with the cast aluminum spray I used before minus the clear.