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Allegro40
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Posts: 8
Location: St More
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 Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject: 1967-68 Suzuki t500 |
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1967 t500 project
need some pics of this bike to restore it, if anyone has any tips and trick as well as info I would appreciate the help. I have 2 numbers off the frame one is a 14621 and the other 1482 don't have a year stamping and am trying to find a motor number.
Thanks in advance
Last edited by Allegro40 on Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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MR.CHocko
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Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2050
Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| When restoring any antique bike never go by pictures of someone elses bike. Saying this because sometimes the pictures may have incorrect parts for that year or wrong parts for that model. Most bikes were always modified by previous owners,etc. What I would suggest is that you try to get a hold of a parts book, an owners manual, and a shop manual. Now there are times where pictures will help you, during the restoration process but that is another subject entirely different.
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Rizingson
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Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 611
Location: Parker, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:13 am Post subject: |
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I would also look for ads, dealer brochures and magazine period correct articles such as road tests (December 1967 issue of Cycle World did the first ever road test for that model). If you have a '67 it would be a very rare find indeed, as I believe there's only about 250 ever made. None were to be registered as such in the US or Canada. Let us know the frame and engine number. A '67 would have the short wheel base (52.7" instead of 57.3" for the '68 Cobra) as well as 10 fin barrels/heads rather than 11. Also no turn signal blank notches on bars. The first ads called the model a Suzuki 500/FIVE instead of Cobra's.
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Allegro40
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Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Posts: 8
Location: St More
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:05 am Post subject: |
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| MR.CHocko wrote: | | When restoring any antique bike never go by pictures of someone elses bike. Saying this because sometimes the pictures may have incorrect parts for that year or wrong parts for that model. Most bikes were always modified by previous owners,etc. What I would suggest is that you try to get a hold of a parts book, an owners manual, and a shop manual. Now there are times where pictures will help you, during the restoration process but that is another subject entirely different. |
I am aware of that but subtle differences can be found in pics. 
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Allegro40
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Joined: Sep 24, 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:09 am Post subject: |
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| Rizingson wrote: | | I would also look for ads, dealer brochures and magazine period correct articles such as road tests (December 1967 issue of Cycle World did the first ever road test for that model). If you have a '67 it would be a very rare find indeed, as I believe there's only about 250 ever made. None were to be registered as such in the US or Canada. Let us know the frame and engine number. A '67 would have the short wheel base (52.7" instead of 57.3" for the '68 Cobra) as well as 10 fin barrels/heads rather than 11. Also no turn signal blank notches on bars. The first ads called the model a Suzuki 500/FIVE instead of Cobra's. |
Now you are talking !!!
this bike has the long wheelbase, will check engine and frame number and check fins. they don't stamp a year number on these bikes?
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Bentwheel
Commuter
Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 275
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:38 am Post subject: |
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| Rizingson gave excellent advise. These are indeed rare, and even if you find the real deal, make sure the parts that make this bike special are actually correct, and not replaced Titan parts.
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MR.CHocko
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Joined: Oct 02, 2006
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Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:21 am Post subject: |
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| What you want to do in this case is to find an actual parts book for that model along with Cycle Gear's review of that bike for that year. Pictures of the bikes in the ads weren't always the bike that would end up in the show room. The manufacturers would often have two different versions of the same bike. One for the United States and another for Japan and the rest of the world. In some cases they would take pictures of the international version and use that in their press releases,etc. Not to mention a lot of Cobras do show up with Titan parts. I am saying this as someone who is often times called to judge bikes. It is very disappointing to someone to tell him that his bike is not right for that year and model. It is extremely disappointing when their sole source of information is a picture or sales brochures.
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Allegro40
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:24 am Post subject: |
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| Bentwheel wrote: | | Rizingson gave excellent advise. These are indeed rare, and even if you find the real deal, make sure the parts that make this bike special are actually correct, and not replaced Titan parts. |
I can see that, parts being year specific is a priority. I have a guy whom has been in the parts business for many years and has some of these for parts. Is there someone on the board that is familiar with this bike enough to be a guide?
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Allegro40
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Joined: Sep 24, 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| MR.CHocko wrote: | | What you want to do in this case is to find an actual parts book for that model along with Cycle Gear's review of that bike for that year. Pictures of the bikes in the ads weren't always the bike that would end up in the show room. The manufacturers would often have two different versions of the same bike. One for the United States and another for Japan and the rest of the world. In some cases they would take pictures of the international version and use that in their press releases,etc. Not to mention a lot of Cobras do show up with Titan parts. I am saying this as someone who is often times called to judge bikes. It is very disappointing to someone to tell him that his bike is not right for that year and model. It is extremely disappointing when their sole source of information is a picture or sales brochures. |
I can see that, most of my bikes until late have been customs or salvaged. But this bike was a 4 year project of me pestering the owner to sell it to me. It was a good thing too he wanted to chop it ........(no comment) It is rough but nearly all there I have some fellow enthusiasts sourcing parts. I know Paul Miller has the excact same looking bike on Ebay right now. But like I said on he previous posts. vin number is posted and a respectable Suzuki guide would help whether he is a member or a link.
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butch8231
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Joined: Mar 13, 2011
Posts: 169
Location: Ocala,fl
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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HOW ABOUT SOME PICTURES!!!! 
_________________
MY BIKES: 1967 YAMAHA YL1E, 1980 HONDA CB900C, 1982 SUZUKI GS1100GL(project bike), 1975 KAWASAKI Z-1 903 . |
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MR.CHocko
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Joined: Oct 02, 2006
Posts: 2050
Location: New Britian, CT
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:47 am Post subject: |
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| One of the best things to do and I have been trying to do this for a very long time is try and find a lot of the original parts, books,etc. for the ancient Japanese bikes, with the ultimate goal of making this stuff available for everyone. What I do have which may help you is a dealer's motorcycle collosion damage estimating guide for Suzuki which does have the T-500 Titan listed. This may help you in identifying any possible Titan parts that are on that motorcycle. Trust me actual dealer repair manuals, and parts books for the Cobra are out there but very rare. I am looking on almost a daily basis and I am not using EBAY.
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68Smoker
Welcome New Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010
Posts: 2
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:35 am Post subject: |
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| I've got two '68 Cobra's. Among other things, I've found the following link helpful http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/t500_files/tech.htm Their description of how to modify the oil level in the 68's was particularly helpful. The following link should help you with the year of your bike based on the VIN. A VIN in the fourteen thousands is certainly a 68. One of mine is in the 14's as well and it is a '68. Good luck and enjoy....
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Allegro41
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butch8231
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Location: Ocala,fl
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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that looks like a lot of work. but I think that bike could be a real show stopper. with the rarity of that bike, that it is going to be nice! NICE FIND!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT FINSHED! 
_________________
MY BIKES: 1967 YAMAHA YL1E, 1980 HONDA CB900C, 1982 SUZUKI GS1100GL(project bike), 1975 KAWASAKI Z-1 903 . |
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Allegro41
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| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| butch8231 wrote: | | that looks like a lot of work. but I think that bike could be a real show stopper. with the rarity of that bike, that it is going to be nice! NICE FIND!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT FINSHED! |
This kind of work is easy for me if I could just find the time there are 5 bikes ahead of this one
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