RODH2 wrote:
Had a '68 T500, (and early H1). The Suzuki had the same handling traits as all those early bikes - under-damped at both ends and over-sprung, and while not a bad frame, it could have used those extra tubes. Having had both bikes, I would say the H1 handled better, considering it was quite a bit quicker! (I don't believe the early H1's handled quite as badly as legend would have us believe! They wallowed a bit , due to lack of damping in the rear shocks, and a bit of loose assembly, which could be tuned out.)
WHAT !!!
(j/k)
I tend to view the characteristics of the old bikes in relation to their time. And you right...they all had weak shocks and tubes.
I drove the crap out of a friends 68 500 back then and when i finally got my hands on an H1 I was impressed by the engine (sorta) but greatly disappointed in the handling.