1972 T500 vs 1975 GT550

[Srxburns]

Hi,

Maybe this has been touched on before. I am looking at building a Cafe style bike and have an opportunity to buy one or the other. I am looking for general opinions about these two bikes, what one is a better bike in general. It seems like there is more information about upping the HP on the T500 and has more companies that sell café style parts then the GT550. The GT550 is a bit newer and I would think a bit more modern tec. Is one more reliable than the other, Which one is more collectable. They both have nice looking engines can’t decide what route to go.

Thanks
James

[yeadon_m]

James,
I don't have a 500 but have had several smaller twins. The 500 is I think a half-generation older tech than the 550. The 550 has more bits in it being a triple so costs could well be higher. I do have a 550 and its a very sweet, smooth and powerful beasty. I heard the 500 twin was vibey but its all relative and they have a loyal following also. Both are toughies.
I used to say 'there's not many 550s about' but they do seem to be being revived in numbers these days!
Cheers,
Mike

[jabcb]

All things being equal (condition, …), both of these bikes are typically worth more when they are 100% stock.
But you add value if you take a beat-up rusty stock bike & turn it into a spiffy cafe.

The GT550 is a good bit heavier & wider. Has better forks & better front brake (except when it rains).

Both can be turned into rather nice cafe bikes.
Your best bet might be to take a look at cafe builds for both, decide what you want to do, & then make your selection based on that.

[titan performance]

Lots of modified 500's to give you inspiration in our Flickr gallery.....www.classic2strokesuzuki.com

[tz375]

a 550 is arguably a "better" bike with slightly newer tech, but not by much. As a basis for a Cafe Racer, the 500 twin probably looks more like the many singles and twins which were turned into Cafe Racers back in the day.

Lots of companies make and sell parts for the 500 twin and less so for the 550. Chambers from Higgspeed, Jemco and Titan among others. Rearsets from almost anywhere now. Clip ons for any ebay supplier. Tanks from Airtech, rims from Central or Buchanans or China.

As for value, neither reaches very high prices and cafe converted are likely to be lower than stock as a rule.

Someone made the excellent suggestion to search on line and see what talks to you.

[Vintageman]

Srxburns

Sounds like you at a candy store staring at a case full of 1972 T500s and 1975 GT550s, told you can only choose one and can’t make up your mind which one to buy. Well, if you have access to both (is it that easy for you?) Buy both!
Stock, they are very different experiences.

I have 75 T500 and 73 GT550 neither cafe, both have expansion chambers (T500 Jemco’s - loud) and (GT550 Bassani’s mellow) with stock exhaust hanging in the attic gathering dust. The chambers made a little difference in power but, not to the power band characteristics.

T500 has earlier jugs now. That change alone woke up my bike and suspect it would be like a 72 now. In fact I very recently had a chance to hot the porting but, resisted since it is actually pretty quick. The power is almost linear but, does peak at the higher rpms. I back off at a top RPM before the engine does (not the case when 75 jugs). Maybe I do so for it feels stressing too much or just because I have heard that engine really should not be revved at 8000 rpm or above for it will break a factory piston! (should have used a forged Wossner versus cast oem piston maybe)

My GT550 is slightly ported now. Almost 2mm Ex (38mm height) for example. It did give a little more top RPM but, kept its same personality. The bike's power band is more like gentle hill. It climbs, peaks in the middle and tapers off as you come down the other side. The engine tells you when to back off rpms and shift. No need to keep revving, nothing to gain really. It never feels stressed. I wonder if Jemcos, 3 into 3 would shift the power band more so then Bassanis’? (Hmmm) Well many cafes like the 3 into 1

Stock neither are quick around corners (not easy to do and therefore I just don’t try too hard) but, The T500 is better at twisty roads for lighter and narrower between your legs. Both bikes are long but, the T500 seam proportionally too long. I think people shorten the swing arm (T350 swap?)

The GT550 is a little stouter but, it’s still just a mid-size bike that could be lightened ala café. After riding my 1975 GT750, I then ride my GT550, it feels light compact and much more manageable and sportier than the 750 for sure

I can ride either for hours and not be uncomfortable but, the 550 is softer touring minded than the more raw sportier T500. As tuned I can ride either relaxed or exploit its power characteristic in a more aggressive manner.

I am always looking for both. But, at this instance if mom said I could choose one more and only one it would be the GT550. It's a brilliant air cooled 2 stroke triple. Triple now that’s cool. Café is about minimal, one up, unique bike

They (tiny triples) sound faster than they are lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CxeFGs5MfY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y5jY76bqp4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Coyote]

I love the look of the T500. The forward aggressive looking jugs and the overall leaner look. However, the GT550 has a little more under it's belt and by nature of 3 vs. 2, it naturally offers more bank for the buck. They are soother by a pretty good margin and not really peaky at all. The power band is long and smooth as it was originally designed to be a touring bike, not a hot rod.
Personally I am a 550 man. I'm now on my third one. The cafe parts are out there if you look hard enough and have a little patience. The one I am building now will be mostly stock, but my last one wasn't. It won first place Peoples Choice trophy on it's first time out at a local vintage meet. Why?

[Srxburns]

Well thanks for all the help sorry it has taken a while to get back but I ended up getting a 1974 GT550 form my buddy for free. It will need a full rebuild one of the pistons blew up. Crank doesn't feel the best, I will know more when i split the case. I will try to post some pics when i can. It doesn't look like much right now pretty rough but that is what i wanted and when I’m done I will know the engine will be as good as or better then new. Started to shop around for parts working a build plan looking at updated folks/mono shock, solo seat route. If I get a T500 someday I would go more vintage racer looking as they look better to me that way. I can’t picture them with GSXR folks but the GT550 looks great that way.

[Alan H]

During the engine strip, photograph EVERYTHING. It will help during thevrebuild.
GT550 is a good choice.

[Srxburns]

Will do!

This will be my 3 2stroke engine rebuild this yr none have blowen up yet fingers crossed. The nice things about them there easy to work on and satifying when you fire them up and they run great. I have came across a few Manuals online so that will come in handy also.