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

[sparkymoto]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Frame powdercoated 3/7/11

I now have a goal to get this bike back on the road:

http://www.rockersreunionindy.com/

Rockers Reunion is two months from now. I'm not 100% sure I can get it finished in time, but that's my hope. I'm going to have to speed my game, that's for sure!

Hey, that's my scoot in the header photo Good to give yourself "a deadline." Finishing touches came the night before last year's show on my beemer. I threw on a tail light, license plate, gassed it up and headed down. it was a good time. Hope to see you and the "Wingspan T500" there. Let me know if there is anything i can do to help.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Tires mounted 3/11/11

Hey, that's my scoot in the header photo Good to give yourself "a deadline." Finishing touches came the night before last year's show on my beemer. I threw on a tail light, license plate, gassed it up and headed down. it was a good time. Hope to see you and the "Wingspan T500" there. Let me know if there is anything i can do to help.

I thought that was your BMW. Beautiful bike. Hope to see you there.

A few days ago the Fedex guy dropped off a set of Avon Roadriders and I popped them on this morning:

 

[johnu]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Tires mounted 3/11/11

Those wheels look excellent, are they standard T500 hubs laced to alloy rims? I think my next bike will be more old school and have drum brakes it's a great look for sure.

 

[Wingspan]

1975 Suzuki T500 Tires mounted 3/11/11

Thanks. The rear hub is the stock T500, the front is a 4LS drum from a GT750. Both hubs are laced to 18" shouldered alloy rims with new stainless spokes from Buchanan's.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Tires mounted 3/11/11

Mock up pics?

I put the rear wheel on to help align the tail section while drilling the mounting holes in the tail. I have several sets of spacers made so I can raise the tail as needed to match the bottom line of the tank. The tail is a bit low in these pics but that's only a matter of adding another spacer to fix. After staring at it for a few minutes I just had to put the fork up to get a view of the thing. Hopefully it'll be an actual rolling chassis soon!

I haven't received the steering bearings yet so the triples are only held roughly in position in these pics by a rather conveniently sized roll of tape serving stand in for the upper bearing. So, don't get too critical of the front end...it's only in a very approximate position and the wheel isn't attached to the fork.

 

[marclucarelli]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Damn! I'm not sure what else I can say. I'm in awe. I can't wait to see it when its done. You are a big inspiration. I think you have swayed my decision on which bike to get. What you've done with that titan is amazing. I'm sure you'll make that event.

 

[Titan performance]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

I like the look of that BIG front drum.......shame they are so rare, and expensive !
Do you have a colour scheme in mind for the bodywok yet?

 

[teazer]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

They are not that rare or expensive, though they are certainly going that way. They sure are heavy though ;-)

I have bought two and modified them and then decided they were still too heavy so I sold them. The trick is to be patient to watch and they do come up from time to time at reasonable prices.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Damn! I'm not sure what else I can say. I'm in awe. I can't wait to see it when its done. You are a big inspiration. I think you have swayed my decision on which bike to get. What you've done with that titan is amazing. I'm sure you'll make that event.

Thanks. I'm not so positive it'll be done in time. I can do the work in that time, but I'm certain I'll be waiting on various parts here and there and it'll only take one missing piece late in the game to mess it all up.

I like the look of that BIG front drum.......shame they are so rare, and expensive !
Do you have a colour scheme in mind for the bodywok yet?

The plan right now is red bodywork...but that could change if something else strikes my fancy. A dark blue would be good also, but I think you guys have the blue Titan cafe market covered!

They are not that rare or expensive, though they are certainly going that way. They sure are heavy though ;-)

I have bought two and modified them and then decided they were still too heavy so I sold them. The trick is to be patient to watch and they do come up from time to time at reasonable prices.

All true. It's a heavy biatch, but there's just something about a big drum that does it for me. Heavy, but cool. ;D

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

The new bearing kit came today and fit perfectly. ;D The triples are in and the steering damper installed. Had to slip the forks back in just to say it was a roller, but they've got to come back off for cleanup. The chrome on the lower legs is getting pitted and rusty. I'm going to try and clean them up but I may end up blacking them out at least for the near future.

I gave the engine cases a good final flushing today, then couldn't resist setting them in the frame. Mock ups are a bit of a time waster at this point, but they're good for morale. I also started working out the mount for the Acewell gauge. I've got a bracket roughed out. I'm still exploring headlight mount options, it's got a set of cheapies on it for mock up. Not sure if I'm using them on the final build or not.

 

[Erskine]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Sweet
Nice top line.
Definitely good for morale!

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Fantastic man. Fantastic.

 

[VonZipper]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Looking great Wingspan, I'm hoping mine is ready for the Rockers Reunion too, I have an extra set of KZ headlight mount/forksleeve covers if you want to try them, it looks like they might just work. I got new ones for my bike but the old ones would work if you blasted and painted them black, just a thought. PM me if you are interested. VZ

 

[JoeTee]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

damn man, that looks great. The motor paint scheme looks real good with the black frame and the polished tank. Cant wait to see the bike running.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Looking great Wingspan, I'm hoping mine is ready for the Rockers Reunion too, I have an extra set of KZ headlight mount/forksleeve covers if you want to try them, it looks like they might just work. I got new ones for my bike but the old ones would work if you blasted and painted them black, just a thought. PM me if you are interested. VZ

Thanks for the offer, but that style (which is similar to the stock T500 ears) of ear won't work with my clip-ons.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Finished up the speedo bracket. Just needs polishing.

 

[Wingspan]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

After looking at what seems like a million options...and actually purchasing then rejecting two...I finally have a tail light I like. 2.25" round LED unit from Custom Dynamics.

 

[CobraRad]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

man... your bike looks fantastic! I can't wait to see it with the engine mounted and fresh paint... wow!

 

[CobraRad]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

I love everything you've done with your bike so far. I'm thinking that I may just quit on mine, and have you build it when yours is finished!! 8) Afterall, I keep taking your suggestions and "stealing" your ideas. Keep it comin' !

 

[johngofast]

Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11

Lookin' good man! What tires are those? I really like them, can't wait to see your 500 with an engine on it. Where are those rearsets from and how easily did they mount up?