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History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:57 pm
by smokin_blue
I have a question regarding the Suzuki factory road race bikes. I have seen the Team Heron bikes in color pictures that were from the end of the TR500 racing days but what I can find is did Suzuki have factory team colors for their bikes in the 1960's decade. I have not been able to find any description to better describe what I am seeing in the black and white photos. Does anyone know details for that time?
thanks!
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:54 am
by A.Holley
During the 60's , a lot of the smaller factory bikes had a silver frame, and a metallic blue tank/ fairing .
Have seen a few bikes done in those colours for post classic racing here in Aus.
The Tr500's were most often seen with black frame, white tank with horizontal red stripes and a red seat.
Andrew
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:38 am
by old racer
A.Holley wrote:During the 60's , a lot of the smaller factory bikes had a silver frame, and a metallic blue tank/ fairing .
Have seen a few bikes done in those colours for post classic racing here in Aus.
The Tr500's were most often seen with black frame, white tank with horizontal red stripes and a red seat.
Andrew
I'll go with that.
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 6:25 pm
by smokin_blue
Thanks! I am slowly going to get started on my T500 Suzuki Lyster special and I am kicking around what I want to do for paint when the day comes. I have plenty of time to decide but I thought I would ask since it had been bouncing around my head.
Do you know was the metalic blue a dark color or light or kind of in the mid? How does it compare to the Titan Performance bikes
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/suzuk ... b.jpg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ultimately I think it will end up with a style roughly like this but with the Lyster frame in a natural silver/gray metal (clear coated).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/suzuki_gt ... 4715082377" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also it will not have the side covers and be very minimalistic through the build. More along these lines but I am thinking of running the Duc SS fairing rather than the full fairing.

Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 6:33 pm
by Zunspec4
A half fairing would look great, shows off the engine

Which is a T500 feature, but then I'm biased
Cheers Geoff
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:18 pm
by smokin_blue
Agreed! and I don't want to hide the Lyster frame.
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:40 am
by Zunspec4
Have you posted any photos of your Lyster frame, S_blue. I would be interested to see what it looks like.
Cheers Geoff
Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:00 pm
by smokin_blue
Zunspec, as requested here are the pictures.
The frame from what I have researched was a model he imported to the US and sold. It was originally designed to hold a CB450 twin or a Triumph 650 twin engine. From what I can determine I am guessing it is around 1970.
The frame was very rusted when I got it.
I had it carefully blasted to preserve the beauty of the bronze welds. My plan is, if I am successful getting it titled then I plan to have it lightly blasted again to clean everything up and I plan to clear coat it to protect it and show off the craftsmanship. The pitting is very uniform so it almost looks like a hammered finish. I would love it to look like a brand new frame without the pitting but it is 45 years old and the frames are rare to start with. I just thought it would make such a great custom to drop a T500 engine into.

Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:32 am
by garry55
Suzuki's factory racers of the '60's had blue frames with silver tanks, blue seat units and blue/silver fairings. Like this one..........

Re: History question on Suzuki factory racing
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 5:03 am
by smokin_blue
Thanks! great photo by the way.