19sumthin Suzuki T-500 Senior Project Restoration

skyreep1

Okay so, here in NC we're required to complete a Senior Project for graduation. Sooo my girlfriend's father happened to have a motorcycle that had been sitting in his basement for 20 years. Oh and what was left of a parts bike.. including a new rebuilt block =]. So I tossed the bikes on the back of my truck drove it home and now it sits in my barn. Waiting to be fixed. Waiting for me to get people to help in fixing it . It has a brand new paint job... "Fire Mist Red"... But to be quite honest it looks pink lol.

Okay so far I've bought a new air filter assembly, and a new battery. Unfortunately my carburetors need a rebuild kit and I'm not sure where to get one (help me?) I'm sure I'll have many more questions but I figure I'll start it with the carbs =] thanks in advance.

My sidecover is cracked. Now I have all the pieces so a fiberglass copy is possible but is there any place I can go about getting a replacement? thanks =]

Also, the block that was on it has had a complete rebuild before it was put in storage. And it needs a new wiring harness. I have an electrical manual but is there somewhere I can buy a new harness?

Anybody?

Hoodellyhoo · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject:

we had to complete 36 hours of community service to graduate. I don't think working on a motorcycle would ahave counted.

skyreep1 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:50 pm Post subject:

LoL this is much more entertaining then doing community service. The parts that I really NEED right now are a new wiring harness and a Needle jet because apparently some fool took a screwdriver to mine like it was the spawn of satan... oh and a carb gasket

05c50 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

Welcome to vjmog. Sorry, but I won't be of much help with your project, but I'm sure that there's some guys here that will. A friend of mine helped his grandson restore a GL1100 last year for his senior project. It turned out great, I'll have to post some pictures. We'll be watching your progress....good luck.

..........Paul

skyreep1 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject:

Thank you =] the folks over at motorcycle forum told me to come here =]

Qingdao · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject:

ol55 · Commuter Joined: Feb 09, 2009 Posts: 391 Location: VA

Welcome to VJMOG. Looks like a great project bike.

I used http://www.siriusconinc.com/ for my carb parts.

Does the bike have a title which will show the year?

Larry

skyreep1 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:34 pm Post subject:

Working on getting a replacement title

Just realized that these carb kits don't come with needle jets... I think mine might be okay though... what kind of engine oil and trans flluid do I put in it? and since it's completely dry how do I prepare the pump etc for it's first crank? Also how much oil and trans fluid do I need?

Qingdao · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject:

skyreep1 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

Actually, title isn't going to bad. The PO just has to have jis name on the original title, then he can get a copy and I can have him sign it over to me. So how do I go about prepping the oil pump etc. for the first crank?

Bikegeezer · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

I think the first thing I'd do is find out why the bike has been sitting like this for 20 years. I'm sure he didn't pull it apart just for the exercise. The oil pump is bled after getting it to start. Just hold the pump cable pulled wide open with the engine idling till all of the air bubbles disappear. But based on the way that bike looks, I think you have a ways to go before having to worry about bleeding the pump. What year did you say you graduate? Razz

Stu

skyreep1 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:52 pm Post subject:

He took apart the engine to replace the kick start shaft when it broke. Then once he rebuilt it he stopped before he finished the carbs because he bought a new goldwing. Then it sat lol. Everything that you see in pics, I did today, last week it was complete minus finishing the tail light wiring. Sooo she's pretty much ready =]. I hope at least. I would graduate this year but since I go to an early college I won't graduate til next year.

dorT500 · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:53 am Post subject:

1400 cc's or (1400ml's) of gear oil if it is a later model T500 should be stamped by the oil fill plug. Careful, the oil pump bleeder screw should be a reverse thread, so unscrew it clockwise. Looks like a 1975 just at a quick glance and just going by the gas tank badge. If the headstock tag is stil attached, the month/year will be stamped on it. If stamped 7/74 or later within that year, it is a 1975. Just from what I can see the wiring harness looks like it is all there? ( aside from small harness in the headlight bucket that might be missing)If you need connections...try 'Vintage Connections'.

ol55 · Commuter Joined: Feb 09, 2009 Posts: 391 Location: VA

This link may help as a checklist. It is from the Hondatwins.net website by tpmusic (thanks!) but can be adapted to any bike that has been sitting.

http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=925

Larry

skyreep1 · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:34 am Post subject:

Awesome, thanks guys. I'm gonna take her outside put her back together and shine her up this morning, will get back to you with detailed pictures =]