1978 GS750C......My First Suzy

[WDHewson]

I've never owned a Suzy before, but have had about 20 bikes over the years. I remember hearing good things about the first generation of GS750 Suzys.

It looks like the 19 000 kilometers on the odometer are correct judging by grip and foot peg wear. So in 35 years she hasn't rolled very far. The question is, why was it so little used. And the owner registration information shows about 10 owners (formally) so informally it may have been in even more hands.

The GS750 looks pretty complete and seems to have been always garaged. It does run, but very badly. And I don't know if it has the burned up stator problem.

I'm in the process of rebuilding the front and rear hydraulic brakes, and they are both very messy. I suspect that the low use of this bike was its bad brakes.

I'll keep at the old girl and see if there's life in her.

 

[allojohn]

Looks like you have a '77, maybe registered in '78 - there are subtle differences so beware! Welcome to the nuthouse, enjoy!

 

[tkent02]

Things that usually result in low mileage... They don't adjust the valves, next one valve burns and the bike sits.... Or maybe they don't pay any attention to the electrical system and it sits.... Or maybe they lose the key and the bike sits.... Then the carbs get gunked up so it sits longer.... Then kids come along and the bike is forgotten.

It's usually something like this. All easy to fix as long as you don't mind getting in there and fixing it. Hopefully you will get it all whooped into shape and enjoy a lot of good riding.

 

[OleDirtyDoc]

Nice find.can't wait to see it finished

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Good luck to the site. Good luck with the cycle.

*edit* Welcome to the site. Good luck with the cycle.

Cleary, my thoughts got jumbled

 

[GSXR7ED]

Always a pleasure to welcome a 750.


Ed

 

[tkent02]

Something looks a little funny, can you please post a few closer pics of both sides of the engine??
Thanks!

 

[allojohn]

Something looks a little funny, can you please post a few closer pics of both sides of the engine??
Thanks!

Are you thinking '78 550?

 

[GSXR7ED]

The side casings look a bit off for a 750.

Ed

 

[tkent02]

No, I was thinking I can't see the clutch cable in the place it goes on a 750, or the little cover over the clutch helix adjustment, perhaps some PO installed a 1000E engine in the 750. If it is you scored big time. I have done two of these, planning another as soon as I build an 1100cc 1000 engine with the D port head. The 750/1000 is a wonderful mod, a lot lighter, quicker, more nimble in the twists and turns than the 1000, a lot more torque than the 750, it is exactly what Suzuki should have done in the first place.

 

[allojohn]

The sprocket cover looks more 550 than 750 or 1000. More photos needed!

 

[WDHewson]

Looks like you have a '77, maybe registered in '78 - there are subtle differences so beware! Welcome to the nuthouse, enjoy!

Thanks for your reply John. The headstock plate is still intact and shows a manufacturing date of March 1978. So it seems to be a made in 1978 and a model 1978.

What did you spot that would identify it as a 1977? Who knows what may have happened to this bike in its lifetime.

 

[WDHewson]

Something looks a little funny, can you please post a few closer pics of both sides of the engine??
Thanks!

I'll see if I can find a better picture of the engine. On the right hand engine case it does have the GS750-74016 stamped.

What you may have noticed is the case badge has had the paint removed.

 

[WDHewson]

Things that usually result in low mileage... They don't adjust the valves, next one valve burns and the bike sits.... Or maybe they don't pay any attention to the electrical system and it sits.... Or maybe they lose the key and the bike sits.... Then the carbs get gunked up so it sits longer.... Then kids come along and the bike is forgotten.

It's usually something like this. All easy to fix as long as you don't mind getting in there and fixing it. Hopefully you will get it all whooped into shape and enjoy a lot of good riding.

With points fired from the crank rather than a cam, I expect that 19000 km is about as far as one ignition adjustment will take the bike. So I'll be sure to reset the points.

I did drain the carbs, and each bowl did deliver fuel with black specks equivalent to three shakes of a pepper shaker. I've done lots of carb quartets over the decades, so those are on the to do list. Winter project.

 

[WDHewson]

Something looks a little funny, can you please post a few closer pics of both sides of the engine??
Thanks!

I'll see if I can find some engine pictures. The right hand side crankcase does read GS750-74016.

What you may have noticed is that a PO removed the paint from the engine cover badges, which I may renew

 

[allojohn]

Thanks for your reply John. The headstock plate is still intact and shows a manufacturing date of March 1978. So it seems to be a made in 1978 and a model 1978.

What did you spot that would identify it as a 1977? Who knows what may have happened to this bike in its lifetime.

Wire wheels and single front disk usually indicate '77. Looks in great shape - apart from the seat!

 

[tkent02]

I'll see if I can find some engine pictures. The right hand side crankcase does read GS750-74016.

What you may have noticed is that a PO removed the paint from the engine cover badges, which I may renew

OK, that's a 750. Sorry about that!

 

[tkent02]

With points fired from the crank rather than a cam, I expect that 19000 km is about as far as one ignition adjustment will take the bike. So I'll be sure to reset the points.

I doubt it would go that far without any attention at all, at least not without some poor running along the way.