Suzuki T500
2ls drum Rear: drum | |
Tyres | Front: 325x19 Rear: 400x18 |
---|---|
Weight | 187 kg (412 lb) (dry) |
Footnotes / references [1][2][3][4] |
The Suzuki T500, variously known as the Suzuki T500/Five, Suzuki Charger, Suzuki Cobra and the Suzuki Titan during its model life, is a 492 cc (30.0 cu in), two-stroke, twin-cylinder motorcycle produced by the Japanese Suzuki company between 1968 and 1975. The model was developed as a larger version of the Suzuki T20 which was intended to compete with the large-capacity British twins in the American market. When introduced it was Suzuki's largest displacement machine.[5] Overengineering of the engine led to the bike gaining a reputation for reliability,[1] and being virtually bulletproof.[6] A total of over 100,000 units were sold during the model's production.[7]
History
1968 | T500 |
1969 | T500 II |
1970 | T500 III |
1971 | T500R |
1972 | T500J |
1973 | T500K |
1974 | T500L |
1975 | T500M |
Source:[8] |
There was a generally held view in the 1960s that an
The T500/Five, which was introduced in 1968, suffered handling problems.
In 1969 the bike was restyled and the carbs reduced to 32mm from 34mm which gave better fuel economy. The barrels had revised porting and now had 11 fins instead of the previous 10 and new pistons were fitted. After some machines suffered piston failures, stronger pistons as used on the GT 750 were fitted.[2]
A MK III was introduced in 1971 which had a revised tank with a luggage rack mounted on it. There were also gearbox updates and the swinging arm was again lengthened bringing the wheelbase up to 59 in (1,500 mm).[3]
Some failures of fourth and fifth gears had occurred. To overcome this gearbox oil capacity was increased in 1973[5] on the T500K model.[8] The engine's bottom end was also strengthened in 1973.[2]
GT500
In 1976 the bike was restyled and designated as the GT500 to bring it in line with the rest of the Suzuki range. The sporty
Emission regulations, especially in the US, made it difficult for two strokes to comply with the requirements and Suzuki changed its focus to
Racing
The T500 became popular in production racing,
A Grand Prix racing version of the bike was developed, the TR500. In 1968 the racer was capable of 135 mph (217 km/h) and development raised the top speed to 147 mph (237 km/h) the following year. Suzuki gained its first 500 GP at the 1971 Ulster Grand Prix in the hands of Jack Findlay,[6] who also won the 1973 Senior TT.[15] In 1973 the racer gained water cooling and had a top speed of 160 mph (260 km/h).[6]
Technical details
Engine and transmission
The T500's engine was developed from the T20's unit. The 180° piston ported two stroke twin was of unit construction and had alloy head and alloy barrels with cast iron liners. The engine was over-square with a bore and stroke of 70 mm × 64 mm (2.8 in × 2.5 in) giving a displacement of 492 cc (30.0 cu in).[2] A built-up crankshaft sat in horizontally split crankcases. To keep width down, the cylinders were rotated outward so the exhausts exited outside the frame's twin downtubes.[3] The engine had a compression of 6.6:1. Claimed power output was 47 bhp (35 kW) @ 7,000 rpm, giving the machine a top speed of 105 mph (169 km/h).[2]
Fuel was delivered by twin 34 mm
Primary drive was by helical gears to a multi-plate wet clutch and five speed gearbox. The gearbox has a 'safety feature' that prevented downshifting from second to first unless the machine was stationary,[2] although this was dropped in 1971.[3] Chain drive took power to the rear wheel.[2]
Cycle parts
The
References
- ^ a b c d e Hewitt, Sam (22 December 2018). "1968 Suzuki T500 & GT500 - Old Bike Mart". Old Bike Mart. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Siegal, Margie (6 August 2010). "The Suzuki T500 Titan". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g UK (24 July 2012). "Road Test: Suzuki GT500". Classic Motorcycle Mechanics. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Suzuki T500 1968-1975". www.suzukicycles.org. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d Cooper, Steve (30 April 2013). "Buying Guide: Aspirational artefacts: Suzuki T500". Classic Bike Hub UK. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Wilcox, Lee (7 December 2012). "Motorcycle Classic: Suzuki T500- The Best Bike (Almost) Nobody Remembers". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b Wacker, Tom (11 January 2017). "Do You Remember? 1974 Suzuki T500". Bike-urious. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Suzuki T500 model history". www.suzukicycles.org. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Suzuki T500/Five advertisement". Suzuki. 1968. Retrieved 25 September 2021 – via www.curbsideclassic.com.
- ^ "Suzuki GT500 model history". www.suzukicycles.org. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Frank Whiteway race image race number #41 at Bray Hill iomtt.com Retrieved 16 September 2021
- ^ Suzuki and Manx National Heritage special summer exhibition easier.com, 28 May 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2021
- ^ "TT 1970 Production 500cc Race Results". www.iomtt.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "TT 1972 Production 500cc Race Results". www.iomtt.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "TT 1973 Senior TT Race Results". www.iomtt.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
External links
- 1974 Suzuki T500M on YouTube
- 1976 Suzuki GT500 on YouTube
- Suzuki TR500 GP Bike on YouTube
- Road tests