73 Suzuki GT380

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Been Around the Block
I found this on CL and I am going to check it out on Saturday.

I am not familiar with Suzuki's or two strokes at all.

What kinds of things do I need to look for?

The motor is out and the top end is off.
 
Here is a pic...
 

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I dunno man... the guy drinks PBR. Walk away.
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BWAA-HA-HAA!
Seriously I'd snag it up before someone else does.
 
Fun bikes, but it could be a money pit if the crank is gone. You need to know when it last ran and what is wrong with the motor as well as making sure it's all there. Pipes are not readily available aftermarket.
 
Hoosier Daddy said:
I dunno man... the guy drinks PBR. Walk away.
.
.
.
.
.
BWAA-HA-HAA!
Seriously I'd snag it up before someone else does.
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Doesn't everyone in the midwest?
 
teazer said:
Fun bikes, but it could be a money pit if the crank is gone. You need to know when it last ran and what is wrong with the motor as well as making sure it's all there. Pipes are not readily available aftermarket.
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It last ran in 2000...If the motor turns out to be bad, could I not track down a running one? Possibly even a 550 motor? In the little bit of research I have done, it seems that alot of things are interchangable between the 380 and 550. I did track down chambers from Jemco. Reasonably priced compared to europe.
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
OK, now THAT is an exciting development. Are the new or used?
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Used but in very good condition...

I also have an email out to Jemco to see about the availability of new ones.
 
And let's not forget that the Barton 500 water cooled triple was based around a 380 motor. Google Barton Motors with Barry Hart and Graham Dyson (NOVA transmissions) or Sparton - Spondon frame with Barton motor.
 
Buy it, so that people like me may live vicariously through you.

I've been flirting with a Kawasaki H1 but I'd really like one of the Suzuki GTs or a Yamaha RD. There's just something amazing about those old 2 stroke screamers.
 
Sooo, Jemco got back to me and they DO have a three into three exhaust for $570 + $30 for shipping readily available. Stoked.

I saw the bike this weekend and I am picking it up for sure.

The bike comes with an extra front end, tank, cafe seat and he has a clear title.

We settled on $300...

What do you think?
 
Forward said:
What do you think?
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Score!

You are gonna have to spend a few hundred bucks on parts, but shouldn't be too much of a challenge. I just took a quick look on eBay, and parts seem to be readily available. There was a used cylinder set, standard bore, that looked good enough for a light honing for standard pistons for $127.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GT-GT380-Used-Original-Engine-Cylinder-Set-1975-/110709098796?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19c6c6c92c

I think its a very cool bike.
 
300 bucks - you stole it. :)

Enjoy and let's see your build thread with lots of pictures. Did you get a workshop manual yet? There's lots of triple guys over at Sundial if you need GT380 specific information.

BTW, there appears to be a lot of scope for performance upgrades with those barrels with some judicious porting.
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
Score!

You are gonna have to spend a few hundred bucks on parts, but shouldn't be too much of a challenge. I just took a quick look on eBay, and parts seem to be readily available. There was a used cylinder set, standard bore, that looked good enough for a light honing for standard pistons for $127.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GT-GT380-Used-Original-Engine-Cylinder-Set-1975-/110709098796?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19c6c6c92c

I think its a very cool bike.
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I have a list going...lol!

The big ticket items are going to be the chambers and rear sets, other than that everything seams pretty reasonably priced.
 
teazer said:
300 bucks - you stole it. :)

Enjoy and let's see your build thread with lots of pictures. Did you get a workshop manual yet? There's lots of triple guys over at Sundial if you need GT380 specific information.

BTW, there appears to be a lot of scope for performance upgrades with those barrels with some judicious porting.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip!
 
I spent 8 years building one of those... Fantastic little bike. Make sure to check the gear that drives the ignition off the crank. It's made of nylon and can get brittle. If there are any cracks, replace it or it will disintegrate. Usually at a most inopportune time. While you're at it, I recommend a Boyer-Brandsden electronic ignition. It's supposed to fit a Kawasaki KH250, but they supply instructions to fit the Suzuki triples. Also, the end crank seals tend to leak, and can cause transmission oil to pass into the crank case, as well as force oil out the little vent on the right just behind the cylinders on the clutch cover. Which will soak your right foot. As far as rearsets go, I just used the standard passenger pegs, and flipped the shift lever upside down. That gave me the desirable "gp" shift pattern. (1 down 5 up) The rear brake is cable operated, so you have lots of options there.
Good luck, and can't wait to see her going together!
 
teazer said:
And let's not forget that the Barton 500 water cooled triple was based around a 380 motor. Google Barton Motors with Barry Hart and Graham Dyson (NOVA transmissions) or Sparton - Spondon frame with Barton motor.
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I want a Sparton with lights on ;D
115bhp from 496cc sounds like fun
Barton engineering were based in an old chapel in North Wales
Anyway, if top end is off you can do a quick check of crank.
If you get it, use stock oil pump or it will need a crank re-build to remove oil slinger's around main bearings plus a few other mods
BTW, I fitted Kawasaki Boyer ignition to a 380
I made a new back plate to bolt into Suzuki case, there were no instructions at the time (around1988? I forget ;D )
 
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