A Field Guide to the Suzuki T/GT500
Specifications
These are as listed in the Service Manual for the T500-II model - changes were made in each year and are covered in those sections. See also the Country Specific Versions section for additional data possibly specific to your location.
Dimensions and Weight
- Overall length : 2172 mm (85.5 in)
- Overall width : 835 mm (32.9 in)
- Overall height : 1125 mm (44.3 in)
- Wheel base : 1452 mm (57.2 in)
- Road clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in)
- Tire, front : 3.25 x 19
- Tire, rear : 4.00 x 18
- Dry weight : 187 kg (412 lb) (same as the GT550)
Performance
- Maximum speed : 176 - 192 kph (110 - 120 mph)
- Braking distance : 12 m (39.4 ft.) @ 50 kph (30 mph)
- CLimbing ability : 25 degrees
Engine
- Type : Air-cooled 2-cylinder two-stroke
- Piston Displacement : 492 cc (30.01 cu-in.)
- Bore & stroke : 70 x 64 mm (2.75 x 2.52 in)
- Cylinders : sleeved aluminium, forward inclined
- Corrected compression ratio : 6.6:1
- Compression pressure: 8-9 kg/cm2 (114 - 128 lb/in2) @ 1200 rpm
- Maximum horsepower : 47 hp @ 7000 rpm
- Maximum torque : 5.3 kg-m (37.5 ft/lb) @ 6000 rpm
- Starter : kick
Fuel System
- Carburettors : 2 Mikuni VM32SC
- Air CLeaner : Resin processed fibrous tissue
- Fuel capacity : 14.0 litres (3.7 US gal, 3.1 Imperial gal) including reserve of 2 litres (4.2 US pt or 3.6 Imperial pt.)
- Fuel consumption: 5.3 l/100 km (44 miles/US gal or 53 miles/Imperial gal)
Lubrication SYstem
- Engine : Suzuki Posiforce
- Engine oil tank capacity : 1800 cc (1.9 US qts or 1.6 Imperial qts)
- Gear box : 1.2 litre (1.3 US qts or 1.1 Imperial qts.) Important note: this was changed to 1400cc
Ignition System
- Type : Battery ignition
- Ignition timing : 24 degrees (3.4 mm in piston stroke) BTDC
- Spark plug : NGK B77 HC
Power Transmission
- Clutch : Wet, multi-disc
- Gear box : 5-speed, constant mesh
- Gear shifting : left foot operated
- Primary reduction ratio : 2.5 (65/26)
- Final reduction ratio : 2.2 (33/15)
- Gear ratios (Overall reduction ratios)
- 1st : 2.5:1 (30/12)
- 2nd : 1.56:1 (25/16)
- 3rd : 1.16:1 (22/19)
- 4th : 0.95:1 (21/22)
- 5th : 0.87:1 (20/23)
- Overall reduction ratio in top gear: 4.79:1
Suspension
- Front suspension : Telescopic forks with hydrualic damper
- Rear suspension : Swinging arm with hydraulic dampers
Steering
- Steering angle : 40 degrees (right and left)
- Castor : 61 degrees
- Trail : 130.5 mm (5.14 inches)
- Turning radius : 2.3 m (90.6 in.)
Brakes
- Front brake : Right hand internal expanding 2LS drum (1968 through 1975 MY), Single caliper hydraulic disc (subsequent MY)
- Rear brake : 1LS single panel drum
Electrical Equipment
- Generator : Alternator 12V
- two types used: Nippon Denso = 28A @ 6000 RPM, and Kokusan = 15.5A @ 6000 RPM
- Battery : 12V 17 AH
- Fuse : 15A
- Head lamp : 12V 35/25W
- Tail/Brake lamp : 12V 7/23W (3/32 cp)
- Indicator lamps : 12V, 3.4W
- Turn signal indicator lamp : 12V, 1.7W
- Turn signal lamp : 12V 23W (32 cps)