I want another old Suzuki...how are the 70 T500's?

undertheradar

I LOVE my 67 Hillbilly, but it's made me realize that I'd like to finally get a bigger bike. I found this guy, and am quite interested. Is there anything I should look for in these bikes? Problem areas etc? Guy wants $2000 for it, along with a 72 parts bike. It runs, but the throttle cable is broken and he says a turn signal wire is grounding out.
Any input is appreciated!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 2:49 pm Post subject:

If you don't buy it I will! They are very reliable bikes.

undertheradar · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:28 pm Post subject:

That's good to hear. I love the lines of this bike.

dorT500 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:17 pm Post subject:

As tempting as it would be to buy it.....I sure would want to take it for a ride...getting well into the higher gears which can be worn out or even chewed up. I am assuming you have seen the well documented problem about the pre-74 T500's and the higher gear oiling problem. Ask him how much tranny oil he has been putting in it before you tell him about the design problem. How many miles on the bike? Does he have the front fender assembly? If he does not and you want one....figure on the cost of a nice, 'chromable' entire used fender assembly and that it would cost around $300.00 to have all the front fender pcs. chromed. The chrome rack on the tank and the grab bar behind the seat, if original, are rare...especially the gas tank rack. The 70 T500 (47 horsepower) has larger intake ports than the '74 and 75 T500. This is a tuffy.....I am not sure what is the most I would give.....I would really have to 'be there' What is the '72 parts bike?...another T500?

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject:

Dor you better send me a PM I have a T500 rear fender complete with Brake light. Chrome is good. Honestly I am shocked at what the prices go for this stuff.

Qingdao · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:13 pm Post subject:

I LOVE mine. It is just a cool bike. It has a charm and class that the hondas just don't have (I think its the big 'S's on the side. lol).

I like the stock bars on my T500. Which is odd cause usualy I like to be hunched over, but my buddie convinced me to stay stock on this one so I did.

dorT500 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject:

Russell · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:29 pm Post subject:

Not so sure that I'd say the 2 stroke Suzuki twins had a class and charm that the Honda's lacked. I owned several of the T350 and T500 variants and loved them. Also a CB450 which I loved enough to go 25,000mi on in a year. I feel that the Suzuki twins of that time had the same' no frills value for money' ethos that you can still see in the Bandit 600S and the V-Strom DL650 that are in my shed now. You can quibble about aspects of their finish and ultimate refinement in design but you can't escape the reality of how much you get for relatively so little cost.

Steve Searles · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject:

$2000 for a ripped seat, no front fender, no stock bars T500 is getting near the unreasonable mark. I wonder if there is rust in the gas tank, broken fins, cracked engine covers or cracked side covers, etc. ?? Mint condition is one thing and when buying old bikes you are really buying condition. I am just sayin', be careful you don't have into it more than it is worth.

Qingdao · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:36 pm Post subject:

dorT500 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:05 am Post subject: Rule of Thumb

I am just too frugile to put $3000 into a $1200 motorcycle. But...I know alot of people who do because it is a labor of love and they get satisfaction out of the restoration. I would say it is a Steve Searles general rule of thumb, not an actual law. You have been pardoned dorT500, you may stay in "the club" for now but I am putting you on probation. Any more two stroke smoke in the neighborhood and you could be banned. Laughing

undertheradar · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject:

Well....as you can probably tell from my last project, I don't have a problem putting a little work into a project to get it where I want it to be. As for no fender, stock bars, etc.....the cafe look is what I want, so it's already off to a good start. The seat will be replaced anyways, so no biggie there either.

Obviously, I will check it out as closely as I can before I buy anything, I just wanted to get an idea if these are reliable bikes once tuned up and properly maintained.

Thanks for the advice guys. Trying to sell my motor swapped Honda scooter to finance the new bike. Very Happy

Russell · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject:

In good order and maintained they were as reliable as an anvil.They certainly dispelled notions of 2 stroke fragility.

dorT500 · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Rule of Thumb