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Offline TMKIWI

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RM500 Refresh
« on: August 09, 2014, 05:50:54 AM »
Finally got round to doing something with this bike.
Over the last few months I have ordered what I need to rebuild her.
Have so far new plastics, V-Force reeds, seat cover & graphics, throttle & brake cables. new rims & tyres.
I managed to pick up NOS exhaust system locally which will hang on the wall.
I have a cone pipe being made in Aussie that should be here in a week.
I also bought a new cnc billet conrod as these are no longer made by Suzuki.
These are made in NZ.



Some are still available if anyone knows someone who may want one.
I purchased a disc brake front end off a Kawasaki that is legal here so I can stop.

I started stripping the bike last week and realised that I have a genuine barn find.
I knew the bike was pretty good by just looking at it but the more I removed the more I realised that this bike has done bugger all work.
The pro's.
The footpegs are still sharp, all bearings are still in good condition, it has original brake pads and the drums have no wear, cylinder still has cross hatch marks, original rear rim that all the spoke came undone with no force. For a 30 year old bike I was amazed. So I changed my mind and instead of striping completely I will only replace what is needed to ride.
The con's.
This may be a biggy but will wait and see. When I pulled the airfilter covers I found no airfilters. :o
I quikley pulled the pipe and reed cage and the inside of the motor looked mint. I have no idea if it has been run without the filters but it looks good so will wait until I start it.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline TMKIWI

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2014, 06:00:10 AM »
The strip down.







Farmerized exhaust mount. :P





Inside of engine.



I think I need these.



New rims laced up.



Disc brake front. Need to make some spacers for the hub tommorrow.







New plastics and graphics
Will fit new tyres next week and sort the jetting.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline Coop

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2014, 01:41:38 PM »
Looks great man.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline _X_

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« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2014, 01:52:32 PM »
Cool
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline citabjockey

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2014, 11:26:16 PM »
Cannot wait for the ride report! Looks like you snagged a great example!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Yamaha CT3, RT3, MX125, SC500, Toy Prius, Diesel F250 (it all balances out)

Offline opfermanmotors

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2014, 05:07:39 AM »
Looks great!  Will be a fun ride and not too many RM500's around as Suzuki got out of big bores first.

Looking at the pictures though seems that the powerband is prolly rusted, I'd take them out and replace them.  Should be able to find some NOS power bands on ebay, you can use 2 from an RM250 if you can't find an RM500 one.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Modest beginings start with a single blow of a horn, man.

Offline Stusmoke

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2014, 05:30:32 AM »
What a beauty! Nice work mate.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2014, 07:46:05 AM »
Thanks for the words guys.
I have got lots done the last couple of days.
Machined up some spacers for the front wheel. Fitted new tubes & tyres. Fitted new bars and clutch perch.
Refitted tank.
Fitted new Clutch & Throttle cables.
Carb stripped and cleaned. Jetting is as recommended.
New front & rear guards fitted. I have a new seat cover but the original is still in good nick so have kept that.
Things to do to finish off.
Pick up rear sproket and new throttle housing tommorrow. Fit new chain.
Need new front brake banjo.
Drain and flush gearbox.
Pick up plastics which are getting my race numbers fitted. Friday.
Waiting on new exhaust to arrive. Hopefully next week.
Will be working all weekend so won't be able to test run untill the following weekend.



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline eprovenzano

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« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2014, 07:51:31 PM »
Can't wait to see the ride report
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
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2001 KTM 380 EXC
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Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline _X_

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« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2014, 08:26:31 PM »
Can't wait to see the ride report
this.  All I can think of is vroomans.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2014, 09:56:32 PM »
Can't wait to see the ride report

Will do. I do have a problem coming up. The new race series has been posted and there are new classes this year. If I were to race my 125/250/500 that would be 11 races for the day.
Don't think I can do that. May have to lend 1 bike out. That would still leave me with 8 races.
I will deffenetly be on the 500.

This is the proposed classes.

Proposed race order for each Rd
R1 eNZed series Pre 70 and over 60s
R2 eNZed series Pre 78 500cc , Evo 500cc, Linkage 500cc
R3 eNZed series Pre 75 500cc , Pre 75 250cc
R4 eNZed series Pre 78 250cc , Evo 250cc, linkage 250cc
R5 eNZed series Pre 91 , 4 stroke, Enduro
R6 eNZed series Pre 75 185cc , Pre 78 185cc, Evo 185cc , Linkage 185cc
R7 eNZed series Pre 70 and over 60s
R8 Regional Pre 75 (classics ) all in 10 min race duration
R9 Regional Twinshocks all in 12 min race duration
R10 Regional Linkage all in 15 min race duration
R11 eNZed series Pre 78 500cc , Evo 500cc, Linkage 500cc
R12 eNZed series Pre 75 500cc , Pre 75 250cc
R13 eNZed series Pre 78 250cc , Evo 250cc, linkage 250cc
R14 eNZed series Pre 91 , 4 stroke, Enduro
R15 eNZed series Pre 75 185cc , Pre 78 185cc, Evo 185cc , Linkage 185cc
R16 eNZed series Pre 70 and over 60s
R17 Regional Pre 75 (classics ) all in 10 min race duration
R18 Regional Twinshocks all in 12 min race duration
R19 Regional Linkage all in 15 min race duration
R20 eNZed series Pre 70 and over 60s
R21 eNZed series Pre 78 500cc , Evo 500cc, Linkage 500cc
R22 eNZed series Pre 75 500cc , Pre 75 250cc
R25 eNZed series Pre 75 185cc , Pre 78 185cc, Evo 185cc , Linkage 185cc
R23 eNZed series Pre 78 250cc , Evo 250cc, linkage 250cc
R24 eNZed series Pre 91 , 4 stroke, Enduro
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline dogger315

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RM500 Refresh
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2014, 10:44:41 PM »
Sweet ride!  Should be a hoot to ride/race.

You don't see many open class Suzukis these days, so the
cool factor is over on the "way cool" side of the scale.

dogger
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2014, 05:04:51 AM »
Sweet ride!  Should be a hoot to ride/race.

You don't see many open class Suzukis these days, so the
cool factor is over on the "way cool" side of the scale.

dogger

Your right about not many around. There is one other in the big bore class and he has no problems keeping up with KX's. He does win most classes tho. There are a few 465's floating around.
I have found parts hard to get as so few were made. And typical Suzuki, most parts are not interchangable with other models.

Looks great!  Will be a fun ride and not too many RM500's around as Suzuki got out of big bores first.

Looking at the pictures though seems that the powerband is prolly rusted, I'd take them out and replace them.  Should be able to find some NOS power bands on ebay, you can use 2 from an RM250 if you can't find an RM500 one.

I was going to get a red powerband as they are the most powerful. But since I am a fat old man
( as racer would say ) I decided on getting a grey one. Match my hair. ;D

BTW. Got nothing done on the bike today as my Ducati parts finaly turned up.
Since I have not riden it in months and it was a beutiful winters day I put it together and went riding instead. Made me feel young again. 8)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline _X_

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« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2014, 02:05:36 PM »
Yeah rub it in kiwi,  beautiful winta's day.  Sheesh.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2014, 05:05:30 AM »
It lives.
Fired it up today. 2 kicks and it runs. ;D
Waiting on front master cylinder and throttle assembly. The one they sent was wrong so borrowed the one off the 125 to start it.
Can't wait to ride it.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough