Topic: Added a 1972 Suzuki GT 750 water buffalo to the collection

[arncruz]

I recently added this 1972 Suzuki GT750 water buffalo to my collection. I know next to nothing about 2 stroke engines. This bike has been sitting for a while in a basement in kansas. It have about 3,000 miles. I was thinking that this is a pretty strange color for 1972, but apparently this is a stock color.
I was trying to find out some info about restoring this bike. If anyone has any advice or suggestions on how to get this motorcycle prepped for starting, let me know.

[ekpent]

 Looks like a very nice find and the first year makes it even a better score.Have seen GT750'S with some big miles on the odometer,strong reliable engines. Came in that lavender and a teal green in 1972. I've got 5 GT750's kicking around. Cranks seals on the engine are something to watch for, not as delicate as the Kaw triples. You may be able to tell their condition more when its fired up and the way it smokes. One part or parts I see missing that are hard and expensive to find are the black cones and gaskets that fit to the end of the mufflers,two different sizes. May want to check back with the seller to see if those are stashed away somewhere if you do not have them. I know a guy in Atlanta who is a GT750 parts guru if you need his contact info sometime.
  Good luck on it, looks to be a very worthy project. Is the engine free and turning ?
PS- Check out sometime how much just that 4 leading shoe front brake is selling for sometime on E-bay    Racers need them in a certain class.

[arncruz]

Thanks for the quick reply.  I know nothing about 2 stroke engines. I have not tried to crank the engine till I know what I'm doing. In sohc engines I usully put oil in the cylinders for several days and the top end before I try to manually crank the engine. What would you recommend to prep a 2 stroke prior to trying to manual crank the engine.

[arncruz]

These dreaded seals that I hear about that can dry out if the engine has been sitting for a while, if this was the case with this bike, What would be the cost of fixing these cylinderseals?

[jag767]

If you ever decide to sell that front drum, message me.

[arncruz]

I was planning on keeping the bike for my collection but if things change, I'll let you know for sure.

[Stev-o]

These dreaded seals that I hear about that can dry out if the engine has been sitting for a while, if this was the case with this bike, What would be the cost of fixing these cylinderseals?

I have a few [Kawasaki] Triple two-stokes and have been throught the bad seal nightmare.  Prett sure the Suzi's are like the Kaws, the seals are pressed on so it is not an easy task to change them out. I opted to have the crank rebuilt by a specialist, cost was around $300.
I would suggest doing a pressure test, here is a good write up...

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/mc-how-to/pressure-check-a-2-stroke-engine

And here's a thread on advrider...

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/suzuki-gt750-crank-seals-bad-how-do-you-replace-them.1031736/

Two strokes can be great bikes if you dont mind sinking a little money in them for a motor rebuild.  They are getting highly collectible. I would like to add a GT550 to my collection!

Good Luck!

[Desert-SOHC]

I had a buddy that had one and we went EVERYWHERE with it.  I had a worked 72 CB450 DOHC and we roamed all over the southwest with em.  It was very reliable and FAST!!

[grcamna2]

Stev-o,you got a Great deal to have your Kaw. triple crank rebuilt by someone who knows for that price 

[ekpent]

 Pour a little two stoke oil in the cylinders to give it some lube for the rings, remember there are ports or holes in the cylinder that it may run out depending on piston position  so move the pistons  after putting some in to get a good coating.  There are some good threads out on the internet where guys have brought these bikes back,I had some saved but must have purged them cleaning the favorites. For now my advice would be to get a good manual and just read up on two strokes, search for GT750 threads and topics and get a feel for what your getting into. A good friend just started one up recently that had laid dormant for a very long time without too much hassle. He had to send me some pics of his very nice shop that was filled with smoke.    Victory !

[Stev-o]

Pour a little two stoke oil in the cylinders to give it some lube for the rings...

Good advice.   Eric - are any of yours runners?

[ekpent]

2 are runners a teal 72 and a 73, another, a lavender 72 is a basket case from a crash and engine seized I will probably just part out. Another lavender 1972 I have not touched but engine is free and the 1973 seen on my lift in pics is another project in waiting. Having a hard time getting motivated to dig in on the smokers for some reason.
   I think the original poster stands a pretty good chance on his bike if it was stored nicely in a basement.

[MikeSimon]

As there are no valves and cams in these, an easy thing to do is take the heads off and look inside the cylinders, if you are concerned to start them up. I did that on my Kawi 500 Triple when I first got it.

[arncruz]

Thanks guys.  I'll try all your suggestions and update as I go along.  I'm having surgery on my knee in 2 days so I won't be tackling this project any time soon.  I wanted to get an idea of the work that will be involved with the GT750.  I'll try to download an online manual.  Any other suggestions, pictures, videos would be appreciated. 

Thanks
aRnold

[ekpent]

  Here as an interesting read to get you started. Pulling the head may be fairly easy but being water cooled not as easy as a typical 2 stroke, its the cylinders on these that can be a problem with corrosion etc. I would take a compression check first before I started taking anything apart. Another major problem area on these if you plan on taking things apart are the bolts that hold on the exhaust pipes on to the cylinders. Very common for them to break unless care is taken. Start soaking them now. Yours fortunately looks like it has minimal rust from being stored well from what pics you posted.  http://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/1973_GT750/page-1

[arncruz]

Thanks for the link!  Looks like a nice write up. I'll post my progress as I go.

[Don R]

 I'm not a big 2 stroke fan except the power. I met a guy with a GT750, he put the hard sell on it but it's stuck and there are parts in two different barns. Most of what he had is apart to some degree.
 I liked the Z1 and the GPZ1100 kaws a lot better. It wasn't a good day for buying since I brought a friend that insulted his price on a 650 Yamaha first thing in the door. After that I couldn't get prices.

[Lostboy Steve]

I've always liked the water buffaloes but I've never seen one running in person. Good luck. Post progress here and I'll be sure to follow.


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[ekpent]

 Here take a little spin around Malibu   

[Lostboy Steve]

Here take a little spin around Malibu   

That's awesome!


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[Johnie]

I know the VJMC mag had a good article on the water buffalo a while back. Looked through some issues and I could not find it. It is a neat looking bike. Good luck with it.