TT500 parts wanted for restoration

[Wired1]

I'm rebuilding a 1980 TT500 and need some bits for it:
- 2 x rear shocks,
- rear brake pedal & linkage,
- foot pegs,
- seat foam or spare seat,
- headlight, and any electrics
- decompression lever,
- exhaust pipe, even a crappy one to copy would be good,
- any workshop manuals pdf or paper (I've got the clymer one)
- spare set of wheels (for road tyres?)
- plus anything else gathering dust in the back of your garage under the baby cot full of motorcycle magazines.

Photos here on the resto thread: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=67865

[Wired1]

I think the seat foam is the same as the TT250 of the same era so I should be right for the seat. And I've bought foot pegs and the rear brake pedal off ebay so they're sorted. Still haven't decided about the rear shocks, I have had several recomendations for Hagon shocks, at about $400 a pair, or save up for a pair of Ohlins. I'll probably end up getting the Hagons for now then buy some fancy ones in a year's time when the bike is finished, unless someone out there has a set of something that is 14.5 inches long (370mm) to use in the mean time.

[FJRider]

were you the one with the electric's woes ???

[Wired1]

were you the one with the electric's woes ???

Yes I was but I got it sorted - dirty points was the problem. They looked clean but never made contact. I'm still after a wiring diagram if you have one.

[FJRider]

I would recommend buying a workshop manual for the bike. Or visit your Library and order it. They may not have it but should be able to get it in. ASK and see. Photo-copy required bits. Your very OWN is always BEST.

[FJRider]

YOUR VERY OWN WORKSHOP MANUAL IS WORTH EVERY PENNY (DOLLAR) YOU SPEND. IT ANSWERS A LOT OF SILLY QUESTIONS YOU DON'T NEED TO ASK. Or visit the local library, and get them to order it in. If they dont have a copy. They may have...ASK !!! Photo-copy the required bits.
Most bikes (TT's) of the various sizes, had similar, if not the same, wiring diagrams.

[Wired1]

Update:
Still looking for:
- 2 x rear shocks
- seat foam or spare seat,
- headlight, and any electrics
- exhaust pipe, even a crappy one to copy would be good,
- spare set of wheels (for road tyres?)
- plus anything else you know I need but have been too polite to mention.

[FJRider]

Update:
Still looking for:
- 2 x rear shocks
- seat foam or spare seat,
- headlight, and any electrics
- exhaust pipe, even a crappy one to copy would be good,
- spare set of wheels (for road tyres?)
- plus anything else you know I need but have been too polite to mention.

-Look at aftermarket shocks, unless the originals are rebuildable-any original shocks of that era you find, are likely to be just as bad.
-See an upolsterer, show a photo of what its supposed to look like (or what you want) and ask how much.
-Various bike mags list bike wreckers in NZ. E.mail them and ask.
-Look in the yellow pages under "exaust systems". They will build one that WORKS (Or include in list to wreckers)
-Include in list to wreckers.One with a few less teeth on the back cog to help at/for highway speeds

[Wired1]

Thanks, yes I have pretty much come to the conclusion that second hand shocks are a waste of time, other than as stand ins for the expensive one's I will buy at the end of the job. I'd like anything 14.5 inches long (370mm) - wouldn't we all - to use in the mean time.
I am going to recover the seat myself, it's not hard to do and I've done it before. You start with a replica seat cover for about $50 and go from there. I needed a new seat foam which is why I was asking for a spare seat or foam and I managed to get one today for free from a fellow TT500 enthusiast so all good there.
I bought a musket exhaust for my TT250 which is unbelievably good so I will probably end up getting at least the header pipe from them - I see they also list the muffler but the stock one isn't that impressive so we'll see what comes up.
Thanks also for the reminder re sprocket ratios. I am thinking about road registering this bike too if it isn;t too big a drama. I've done one once and it wasn;t too arduous but this bike might be more of a pain.

[FJRider]

Ask at a few bike shops about "old stock" items they have "IN stock" at cost,never know your luck.
The seat BASE is usually the hard to get / necessary bit to start the "seat building" process.Foam you buy by the cu/m.
Be careful with SMALLER mufflers than standard, as you may run into main-jet size issues. Ya gotta get it to BREATHE properly.
As long as axle sizes are the same,its amazing what RIMS may fit (super motard in the making)
Spending money isn't as big an issue or as important as spending it wisely, do it right the first time. Its YOUR body/life thats on it. I've always liked the big (old) thumpers.

[Bonez]

Have a gander at the EMGO catalogues

http://www.emgo.com/emgo_catalogs.html

I got a pair of shocks for my GB400 and GSX750EX just to keep the bikes servicable/rolling until I come across something better at a reasonable price. Around $150 pair. You can change the springs if you need to. Basic things with spring preload only, but do the trick. Any motorcycle shop should be able to get them in.

[FJRider]

Update:
Still looking for:
- 2 x rear shocks
- seat foam or spare seat,
- headlight, and any electrics
- exhaust pipe, even a crappy one to copy would be good,
- spare set of wheels (for road tyres?)
- plus anything else you know I need but have been too polite to mention.

does YOUR bike look anything like THESE ???

[Wired1]

Yes, well it would have once. Mine has the alloy swingarm like 1 and 3, and they all have the 36mm forks and clamps like the TT250 but with stepped fork tubes. Mine is considerably sadder looking than these unfortunately.
I see these two bikes? or one bike? has the Progressive Suspension rear shocks, I have seen another bike with these so they must be a common add-on.

I got a seat foam and base the other day but it was the pre 1980 one so about two inches longer than mine. I have been cutting it down and I think I will get it to fit eventually, the original must have been like the one in these photos so I'll follow them as a guide.