Suzuki T500: history, specs, pictures

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Suzuki T500
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

1968 Suzuki T500 in Red
1968 Suzuki T500 in Red
1968 Suzuki T500 in Red
1968 Suzuki T500 in Red



1970 T500III

1970 Suzuki 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

1972 Suzuki T500J
1972 Suzuki T500 in Green
1972 Suzuki T500 in Green
1972 Suzuki T500 in Green
1972 Suzuki T500 in Green
1972 Suzuki T500 in Green
1972 Suzuki T500
  • 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

1974 Suzuki T500L

  • FRAME #: T500-68083
  • ENGINE #: ..... T500-68083
  • ENGINE TYPE: . . . 492cc Two-stroke Twin
  • MODEL CODE: . . . 153
  • COLOR: Gypsy Red
  • Gold tank stripes


1975 T500M

1975 Suzuki T500M
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue
1975 Suzuki Titan T500 in Blue



  • 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




Suzuki T500
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

Clutch: Wet multi-plate
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

1968 - 1975 Suzuki T 500 1968 - 1975 Suzuki T 500 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.


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