New here

[noahjar]

Hello! I am Noah I'm from Iowa!
I have a 1980 GS850GLT I am working on restoring to a nice and appreciable bike.
It has 4 into 1 pipes, some aftermarket oe style grips, and some aftermarket round mirrors but other wise im trying to return it to stock so it can be a shining example of UJM simplicity.
However as much as I love my bike the 750 from 79 and before has stolen my heart. I really love the simplicity of my bike but the vacuum operated petcock and shaft drive are a few downsides for me. Rather I prefer chain drive. As both my bikes I've owned (the gs and then my first bike a 1985 Honda Goldwing Interstate) were both shaft drive. I want to know what you guys who own 77-79 750s think about your bikes whether they're rice burners or Ls. Thanks for taking the time to read my gobbledygook!

[Rob S.]

I prefer chain drive.

Finally, another sane person here!

[Grimly]

Finally, another sane person here!

Misery loves company.

[Big Block]

Welcome. The 750's are a classic in my eyes. 850's are great too.

[rphillips]

In younger sportier yrs. it was chain only... After ageing a little, and riding some shafts, today the quieter, less vibration, less maintenance, waaaay cleaner shafts are pretty dang nice. Very minor pros and cons for both.... "77" Suzuki GS750, the faster red one, was my first real motorcycle, great bikes and I still have a soft spot for them. But remember those things are now antiques, real dinosaurs compared to todays bikes as in power, handling, brakes, wgt.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Like many riders here I have owned chain and shaft drive bikes and my 82 GS1100G was one of my favorites and to this day was the most comfortable to ride, great seat and riding position, no messy chain and ultra reliable. However, the trade off is weight, the 1100g is a heavy hitter and that is by design to meet its functionality as one of the best bikes made by Suzuki. I clocked up over 420,000 km on my 1100G without a problem so it will always have a spot in my heart.

These days I am not doing 2,000 km weekend rides so an all weather long range machine isn't high on my must have list. Shorter sportier point and shoot rides are my thing these days and for that chain drive suits me just fine. Sure, there is the care and maintenance that goes with having a chain however, the advantage for me is the much lighter weight of the chain compared to the shaft.

Both drive systems have their place and are solutions to different issues, one isn't better than the other, it depends on what it is you want to do.

[Big Block]

Welcome: The only shaft bikes I have owned were Yamaha and Honda and I can say I really prefer the chain drives and the 750 is certainly a winner function wise and aesthetically. DSC03854.jpg

[salty_monk]

This thread is useless without pics.... Welcome!