Suzuki 500 2 stroke Cafe Racer
Discussion
this looks like it is going to be good ,great choice of bike as well. you can get alloy tank knocked up ridiculously cheap in the philippines . if you knew the exact dimensions you wanted i could get my father to see if he can get you one made up when he is out there in the new year for a couple of months to renew his residency permit.
buzzer said:
Well the rebuild continues... I am waiting for some engine seals and gaskets to finish the engine, so while I wait I turned my attention to the front and rear hubs as I will be taking the wheels to have them rebuilt next week.
I spent a pleasurable couple of hours turning the hubs on the late, although I did have to visit my mate as my own lathe is not big enough! I will be polishing the outer surfaces later, but leaving the inside ribs a nice bead blasted matt finish.
Colchester lathe, if I'm not mistaken, isn't it? Nice work, nice machine.I spent a pleasurable couple of hours turning the hubs on the late, although I did have to visit my mate as my own lathe is not big enough! I will be polishing the outer surfaces later, but leaving the inside ribs a nice bead blasted matt finish.
Bit of an update. I have been doing a few cleaning up jobs and made a start on making a tank, not its final shape, but its coming on. I have also made some clip ons and fitted them on to make sure they clear the tank. I have also added a couple of extra tubes to the frame as I think it looks better on a Café Racer. Just tacked into place at the moment as I am sure there will be other brackets that need to be welded on the frame as I continue with the dry run build. Wheels should be back with me tomorrow!
buzzer said:
Bit of an update.
I have also added a couple of extra tubes to the frame as I think it looks better on a Café Racer. Just tacked into place at the moment as I am sure there will be other brackets that need to be welded on the frame as I continue with the dry run build.
The 'open cradle' style of the frame was always the concern on these and the GT250 - the later X7 had frame tubes going up & forward of the swinging arm mount too.I have also added a couple of extra tubes to the frame as I think it looks better on a Café Racer. Just tacked into place at the moment as I am sure there will be other brackets that need to be welded on the frame as I continue with the dry run build.
Your's looks very TR750 style now.
I especially like the 2 radiators in the workshop. That must make it more pleasant. My garage is unheated with a metal door (cue world's smallest violin) and between November and March I spend more time putting clothes on to venture out there than I do actually mending things.
(Note to self - buy a radiant heater and dangle it over the bench)
(Note to self - buy a radiant heater and dangle it over the bench)
battered said:
I especially like the 2 radiators in the workshop. That must make it more pleasant. My garage is unheated with a metal door (cue world's smallest violin) and between November and March I spend more time putting clothes on to venture out there than I do actually mending things.
(Note to self - buy a radiant heater and dangle it over the bench)
yea, its nice and warm (Note to self - buy a radiant heater and dangle it over the bench)
And it was 2 years before she spotted them 
Thanks for the complements guys
Have to say I am enjoying building this!
I picked up the wheels today, then took them to have the tyres fitted and balanced. Here it is on its wheels (well almost) for the first time in over 30 years! The intention is to do all the fabrication work before I paint the frame.
Have to say I am enjoying building this! I picked up the wheels today, then took them to have the tyres fitted and balanced. Here it is on its wheels (well almost) for the first time in over 30 years! The intention is to do all the fabrication work before I paint the frame.
D-Angle said:
Lovely! I'm building a Suzuki stroker of my own so I'll be watching this with interest. Good luck with it! 
keep an eye on my blog as well.... Www.jtccc.wordpress.com
Corpulent Tosser said:
Wacky Racer said:
A 500 two stroke Suzuki would make a very poor basis for a café racer, (imo),...... the seals will probably be knackered after being in storage so long.
Do the job properly and make yourself a nice pre unit Triton.
Fortunately Eddie Crooks thought differently.Do the job properly and make yourself a nice pre unit Triton.
I also owned what I think is the ultimate factory classic Café Racer for 30 years… I sold it a while ago as I had stopped riding it.
Another update. Who would have thought it would be warm enough to work in the garden in a sweatshirt in December! The tank is now to a shape I like... I guess it may not be to everyone's taste though... here it is ready as a mould.
here are the carbs after cleaning, one of the float bowls is cracked so will need replacing.
The clutch lever was worn on the pivot, so I made a bush and pressed it in.
here are the carbs after cleaning, one of the float bowls is cracked so will need replacing.
The clutch lever was worn on the pivot, so I made a bush and pressed it in.
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