Difference between revisions of "Suzuki T500"
(expanding) |
m (minor fixes) |
||
Line 290: | Line 290: | ||
[[Category:1970s motorcycles]] | [[Category:1970s motorcycles]] | ||
[[Category:Motorcycles needing images]] | [[Category:Motorcycles needing images]] | ||
[[Category:Multiple Infoboxes]] |
Revision as of 17:54, 23 May 2019
Manufacturer | Suzuki |
---|---|
Production | 68-75 |
Successor | Suzuki GT500 |
Engine | 492cc |
Bore / Stroke | 70mm x 64mm |
Compression ratio | 6.6:1 |
Top speed | 108 mph |
Horse Power | 46 bhp @ 7,000 rpm '68 47 bhp '69-75 |
Fuel system | 2x Mikuni VM34SC 34mm '68 2x Mikuni VM32SC '69-75 |
Sparkplug | B7HS '70-75 |
Battery | 12N7-4A '70-75 |
Front Tire | 3.25-19 '70-75 |
Rear Tire | 4.00-18 '70-75 |
Wheelbase | 56.1 in |
Seat height | 31 in |
Weight | 403 lbs |
Fuel capacity | 3 gallons |
Related | Suzuki TR500 (Race version) |
Competition | Norton Manx Matchless G50 Triumph T100T Kawasaki H1 Honda CB450 |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos |
When the Suzuki T500 was unveiled in 1967, the experts hedged their bets. While it was along with the 650 Kawasaki W1 the most powerful Japanese production bike, it was also a two-stroke. Could it swallow all that power? What would be its consumption of gas, oil and spark plugs? Most importantly, would such a machine prove reliable?
Saved by Careful Design
Certainly, if the T500 wasn't the first large capacity two-stroke -there had been a 650 Scott previously -it was the first to flirt with such levels of performance. Attention was given to cooling, with the exhaust pipes splayed outwards to allow cool air to play directly on to the cylinders, and the importance accorded to lubrication (with a more highly developed pressure lubrication system than that of Yamaha) allowed the T500 to establish itself as a genuinely sporty bike beneath its excessively sober raiment.
The Long-Legged Look
Suzuki had been particularly careful to set the engine well forward in the frame to limit the chances of doing wheelies when accelerating; the long-wheelbase gave the T500 a particularly appealing look. After a natural period of mistrust, the career of the big Suzuki two-stroke really took off -until the arrival of even more spectacular competitors. Despite its conservative bottom-end design, the T500 even enjoyed a certain amount of success: it finished second at the Daytona 200 in 1969 and --above all-- became World Championship runner-up in 1971. A modified version was the first two-stroke to win an AMA National Road Race.
1968 T500
1970 T500III
- FRAME #: N/A
- ENGINE #: N/A
- ENGINE TYPE: . . . 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: . . . 151
- COLOR: Corporate Blue, Lime Green
- Tank rack
- S tank emblems
1971 T500R
- FRAME #: 1500-30846
- ENGINE #: T500-30846
- ENGINE TYPE: 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: 151
- COLOR: California Burgundy, Newport
- White tank stripes
- Headlight flat at bottom
- Flip-up gas cap
1972 T500J
- FRAME #: T500-46463
- ENGINE #: T500-46463
- ENGINE TYPE: 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: 151
- COLOR: Summit Copper, Cascade Green
- White tank stripes
- Thin chrome ring at bottom of gauges
1973 T500K
- FRAME #: T500-59779
- ENGINE #: ..... T500-59779
- ENGINE TYPE: . . . 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: . . . 151
- COLOR: Coronado Blue, Wine Red
- Round headlight
1974 T500L
- FRAME #: T500-68083
- ENGINE #: ..... T500-68083
- ENGINE TYPE: . . . 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: . . . 153
- COLOR: Gypsy Red
- Gold tank stripes
1975 T500M
- FRAME #: T500-74162
- ENGINE #: T500-74168
- ENGINE TYPE: 492cc Two-stroke Twin
- MODEL CODE: 153
- COLOR: Coronado Blue
- Gold pin stripes on tank
See Also
External Links
|
Manufacturer | Suzuki |
---|---|
Also called | T 500 |
Production | 1968 - 1974 |
Class | Naked |
Engine | twin, two-stroke |
Bore / Stroke | 70.0mm x 64.0mm |
Compression ratio | 6.6:1 |
Top speed | 106 mph (170 km/h) |
Horse Power | 46.0 HP (34.3 KW) @ 7000RPM |
Torque | 36.88 ft/lbs (50.0 Nm) @ 6000RPM |
Fuel system | Carburetor |
Battery | 6.6:1 |
Transmission | Gear box: 5-speed Final Drive: chain |
Suspension | Front: Telescopic fork Rear: Dual shock absorbers |
Brakes | Front: expanding brake Rear: expanding brake |
Front Tire | 3.25-19 |
Rear Tire | 4.00-18 |
Wheelbase | 57.28 inches (1455 mm) |
Dimensions | L 86.42 inches (2195 mm) W 34.61 inches (879 mm) |
Weight | (dry), 187.0 kg (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 3.7 Gallon (14.00 Liters) |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos |
The Suzuki T500 was a twin, two-stroke Naked motorcycle produced by Suzuki between 1968 and 1974. It could reach a top speed of 106 mph (170 km/h). Max torque was 36.88 ft/lbs (50.0 Nm) @ 6000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 46.0 HP (34.3 KW) @ 7000 RPM.
Engine
The engine was a air cooled twin, two-stroke. A 70.0mm bore x 64.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 492.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a port control.
Drive
The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet multi-plate.
Chassis
It came with a 3.25-19 front tire and a 4.00-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Dual shock absorbers. The T500 was fitted with a 3.7 Gallon (14.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 57.28 inches (1455 mm) long.
1968 - 1975 Suzuki T 500
The T 500, being the bike that couldn't be built, was a sensation in 1968. A big two-stroke that ran faultlessly, didn't foul plugs, performed like a 650cc four stroke, but was light and cheap to buy. It had strange handling, the thirst of a cane-cutter and by today's standards woeful brakes. It looked kinda dumpy too, in typical 60's Japanese style, with a velour seat, a short wheelbase and a watermelon shaped petrol tank. One of the features we feel Suzuki has done an outstanding job on is the gearbox. Except perhaps for one thing. When downshifting, every time we would miss low gear. The transmission insisted on shifting into neutral and not go into low.