1975 Suzuki T500 IT IS ALIVE! First start video 5/7/11
- Thread starter Wingspan
- Start date
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11
The parts arrived today, thank you again. With the rear axle spacer in hand the little Suzuki actually rolled around for the first time in a long time and felt the sun on her face...
I probably won't make any real progress this weekend. Riding season is here and I have some catching up to do in the scheduled maintenance department on my primary ride. The V-Strom was due for it's 30k mile checkup. Checking the valves is really no big deal...if you didn't have to disassemble half the damn bike to get to them.
zooke581 said:
The parts arrived today, thank you again. With the rear axle spacer in hand the little Suzuki actually rolled around for the first time in a long time and felt the sun on her face...
I probably won't make any real progress this weekend. Riding season is here and I have some catching up to do in the scheduled maintenance department on my primary ride. The V-Strom was due for it's 30k mile checkup. Checking the valves is really no big deal...if you didn't have to disassemble half the damn bike to get to them.
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11
Undecided. I really like the no-fender look...but they do have advantages. I'll put the fender mount/fork brace back on even if I don't run a fender.
I finished all the work I needed to do on my V-Strom. It got a valve check, TB sync, oil/filter change, chain adjustment, new plugs, etc, etc, etc...plus her yearly bath. Now I can devote more time to the Titan.
johnu said:
Undecided. I really like the no-fender look...but they do have advantages. I'll put the fender mount/fork brace back on even if I don't run a fender.
I finished all the work I needed to do on my V-Strom. It got a valve check, TB sync, oil/filter change, chain adjustment, new plugs, etc, etc, etc...plus her yearly bath. Now I can devote more time to the Titan.
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11
Wingspan,
Thanks for posting your link on ADV. Glad you documented the build, great stuff, I'll be following the rest of the way!
I am also planning to run my T500 forks (have too many anyway) and shave my backing plates on my 4LS, despite the number of people that have given me hell about it.
I am very curious about how happy you are with your new electrics, and I have been toying with the idea of getting that kit as well.
Until I finish doing my framebracing and get pictures up, I just wanted to throw a few photos up to contribute..
Here's a shot of while out riding my '69 T500:
Wingspan,
Thanks for posting your link on ADV. Glad you documented the build, great stuff, I'll be following the rest of the way!
I am also planning to run my T500 forks (have too many anyway) and shave my backing plates on my 4LS, despite the number of people that have given me hell about it.
I am very curious about how happy you are with your new electrics, and I have been toying with the idea of getting that kit as well.
Until I finish doing my framebracing and get pictures up, I just wanted to throw a few photos up to contribute..
Here's a shot of while out riding my '69 T500:
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 new chassis mock up pics 3/11/11
Glad you decided to come over here and have a look! ADVrider is a great site, but this is the place for cafe builds. There are several T500's going together here at the moment. Have a look around and start a build thread for your project. Can't wait to see it.
Modding the GT drum for the stock fork is really easy. Measure the width of your drum and fork then subtract to find the difference. Machine half the difference off each backing plate. I took 0.160" off each of my backing plates. Grind the stock drum locating tab off the left fork leg and fab up a set of brake stays for the GT drum. It looks like I'll be able to use the stock GT stays with just a bend or two.
There are limitations to what the stock fork can do, but it's all relative. The GT forks are better, but still not great. I've been pretty upfront from the beginning that my bike is just about have a cool looking toy to cruise around with on the weekends. A lot of the things you "have to do" to be a cafe in the eyes of many simply won't make that much difference to my overall enjoyment of the bike. The lack of "required" performance mods will make the bike a poser machine in the eyes of some, but I really don't care.
It's funny, a lot of people are all-or-nothing. If you say you're restoring a T500 people say "GREAT, don't touch a thing it's a great bike...leave it stock". But if you say you want to add a bit of cafe styling to your bike suddenly you just HAVE to change forks, brakes, brace the frame, port and polish the engine, etc, etc, etc. You just HAVE to or your bike will be a hideous machine to ride and you'll be DOOMED!!!!!
I tend to take a more moderate view. Also, projects like this are never really "done"...you just decide to stop working and ride it for a while before starting the next round of mods. Anything can be changed later if I find I need to.
Glad you decided to come over here and have a look! ADVrider is a great site, but this is the place for cafe builds. There are several T500's going together here at the moment. Have a look around and start a build thread for your project. Can't wait to see it.
Modding the GT drum for the stock fork is really easy. Measure the width of your drum and fork then subtract to find the difference. Machine half the difference off each backing plate. I took 0.160" off each of my backing plates. Grind the stock drum locating tab off the left fork leg and fab up a set of brake stays for the GT drum. It looks like I'll be able to use the stock GT stays with just a bend or two.
There are limitations to what the stock fork can do, but it's all relative. The GT forks are better, but still not great. I've been pretty upfront from the beginning that my bike is just about have a cool looking toy to cruise around with on the weekends. A lot of the things you "have to do" to be a cafe in the eyes of many simply won't make that much difference to my overall enjoyment of the bike. The lack of "required" performance mods will make the bike a poser machine in the eyes of some, but I really don't care.
It's funny, a lot of people are all-or-nothing. If you say you're restoring a T500 people say "GREAT, don't touch a thing it's a great bike...leave it stock". But if you say you want to add a bit of cafe styling to your bike suddenly you just HAVE to change forks, brakes, brace the frame, port and polish the engine, etc, etc, etc. You just HAVE to or your bike will be a hideous machine to ride and you'll be DOOMED!!!!!
I tend to take a more moderate view. Also, projects like this are never really "done"...you just decide to stop working and ride it for a while before starting the next round of mods. Anything can be changed later if I find I need to.
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Engine assembly begins 3/20/11
Many thanks for the pic, she's a beauty. Do you recall, or have any suggestions on fork oil level and weight for this set-up?
It'll be worth the wait.
zooke581 said:Finally found the pic of my Historic Production Racer to let you know I raced with a GT750 4LS on a stock front end.
Many thanks for the pic, she's a beauty. Do you recall, or have any suggestions on fork oil level and weight for this set-up?
CobraRad said:Looks great man... can't wait until I get there. Bill Bune is going to have my cranshaft for at least another week, their business has picked up significantly due to this time of year...
It'll be worth the wait.
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Engine assembly begins 3/20/11
Very nice bike that's my fav colour of all the T500's then the orange and white.
zooke581 said:Finally found the pic of my Historic Production Racer to let you know I raced with a GT750 4LS on a stock front end.
Very nice bike that's my fav colour of all the T500's then the orange and white.
Re: 1975 Suzuki T500 Engine installed 4/2/11
No way could I paint over that tank. Thanks.
Rear brake ready to go:
New rear sprocket ready, chain is on order, Just waiting for a bit of paint to dry on the rear axle spacer, then the rear wheel can go back on and I can set up the rear brake linkage.
CobraRad said:
No way could I paint over that tank. Thanks.
Rear brake ready to go:
New rear sprocket ready, chain is on order, Just waiting for a bit of paint to dry on the rear axle spacer, then the rear wheel can go back on and I can set up the rear brake linkage.
