Possible new owner of a 750E

[theconqueror]

A bike has been listed nearby for awhile now. It's a running 1981 750E with 20k miles on it and an asking price of $1k. I'm wondering if this sounds like a decent deal from a high and detail-less level. I just realized that this is not a model with the roller bearing crank. Would it be worthwhile to keep looking for another model? This would be my first street bike and I'm really just looking for something to ride right now. Getting my hands dirty doesn't bother me and I'd put myself at moderate mechanical abilities.

If I go to look at it and it runs well and the charging system has no issues is there anything else I should check?

 

[Guest]

Make sure the tank is not rusted thru. Check if the exhaust is rested thru as well, can be an expensive part to replace if you can find one. Check the chain and sprockets ($150 or a bit more to replace). check the tires and their age, $120 to replace or more depending on what you want. $1K for a decently running bike is a decent price for sure. Nothing wrong with the 81 750E, nice bikes. Difficult parts to find are gas tanks and exhausts. Everything else you can buy from Suzuki or another 3rd party. Lots of people say to expect to spend another $1000 in parts to get it up to snuff for safely riding but that's with doing everything.

 

[jdvorchak]

I have an 81 GS750E and it is an amazing bike. It runs so smooth and can be a very docile bike until you get "Happy" with the throttle. Then the beast comes out. It will easily run with 850s and out run most. I had no problem sourcing parts, as I bought it non running, and needed a few things. It uses the Mikuni BS32 carbs so parts are easy to find if needed, easy to rebuild compared to the Keihins found on Honda's.

There is a suggested oil pressure regulator (OPR) mod to boost the oil pressure and that is easy to do and costs about $.53 cents to buy the 4mm washers. I did a write up on performing that mod. Ask the owner if he knows if that mod has been done. It does require the oil pan to come off but pan gaskets are easy to find and cheap as well.

All in all the 750E is one of the best "first motorcycle" buys I can think of.

I'd take a look at the tires and chain closely. That can cost you a couple of hundred to replace them but you can use that to negotiate a better price.

 

[eil]

I had an 81 750E as my second bike and while I miss it sometimes, it never spoke to me as a good beginner bike. Much heavier than modern bikes, tall seat, quite a lot of "character" in terms of acceleration and handling for a new rider, etc. I ended up selling mine because I found I preferred bombing around town on my ratty 850GL a lot more.

So while the 750E is a fine bike, it is a muscle bike, therefore I would personally advise going a little smaller. Both in engine size and overall size unless you're a really big dude/dudette. If you had your heart set on a muscle bike, keep in mind that Craigslist isn't going anywhere and that good deals will always pop up from time to time.

 

[jprice90]

which model has that type crank?
1000's?