1976 Suzuki GT750 Smoker

Mid-Ohio this year was a good time. I loaded up the GT and rode over for Wed thru Sunday. Covered about 700 miles for the trip.



Set up camp in the Vendors section to sell my original 1972 GT 750


1972 GT 750 California blue sold....


Entitled. "Dumb Focker's Riding Towards Storm". Blackness over the track ahead at 7AM, I was the only one with rain gear!


Rained hard on Saturday morning until around 1PM, but still managed the AMA vintage show.

AMA vintage show in Vintage modified


Sweet Resto/Mod KZ 1000 Amidst the rain drops


My buddies Suzuki RE5 took Best In Show. 4000 original miles, runs, rides what more can you ask for out of the Rotary time capsule?


Saturday Morning storm brewing


First to arrive and last to leave, too much fun. With my GT sold my buddy from New Zealand had enough room for his newly purchased Can-Am 125 and DT 360 in the back of the truck. The weekend went too fast.
 
So I got back from Mid-Ohio and decided to install my new performance clutch and do some annual maintenance. The original from 1976 had done its job, but was beginning to slip in the power band over 6000 RPM. The plates were glazing and the cork/fiber was breaking down. The new Barnett clutch DOES NOT, and probably will not slip ever. Initial engagement is easy and lock up sure. Of course the new springs and clutch pull is for real men.

Complete Clutch Kit


For all you home gamers out there this is my handy clutch plate pulling tool. Great for popping Beer caps too, which is most important.


Curved tip is perfect for reaching back of basket to pull clutch pack forward


After install
 
Looks like a paint can/bottle opener/clutch plate puller!! Nice idea! 8)
 
Thanks for continuing to share your exploits on your Buffalo. I have found the stock clutches work even with more HP if you bead blast the steel plates. Once the steel plates glaze they lose grip. Also bead blasting makes them a little thicker as well helping them grip more. Measure them out and use the thickest for blasting.

Using the Barnett give you Popeye arms as they have heavier springs and usually and extra steel and friction plate. Making the clutch lever on the engine longer will make it easier to pull as well.
 
zooke581 said:
Thanks for continuing to share your exploits on your Buffalo. I have found the stock clutches work even with more HP if you bead blast the steel plates. Once the steel plates glaze they lose grip. Also bead blasting makes them a little thicker as well helping them grip more. Measure them out and use the thickest for blasting.

Using the Barnett give you Popeye arms as they have heavier springs and usually and extra steel and friction plate. Making the clutch lever on the engine longer will make it easier to pull as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks Eric! I really got the Barnett to satisfy my curiosity and to compare to the stock clutch as the steel plates were glazed and slipping badly over 5500 RPM. Even though they measured out fine and looked like they could be scotch brited I opted for the newer setup to see if I was missing anything. The clutch pull is really not bad as I am use to Barnett's from using them over the years in my other bikes. I am curious to see how it will stand up in the GT over time though. I think the bead blasting is a great tip as I usually just clean them up with a scotch brite wheel on my DA. Jury is out on the Barnett for now, but I will put it to the test. ;D
 
So I tidied some things up last week.

I rechecked the NewTronic Ignition timing after running it for a year. Flawless! This is definitely the way to go for anyone wishing to upgrade from a points based system. There are a couple of good electronic ignition choices for these bikes. I chose the Newtronic because it was plug n' play and because it was available when I wanted it. It installed in under an hour including setting timing. There are simply no more issues with timing to worry about and it is very adjustable. The motor lights off every time. And the timing lights in the top of the box are a nice feature. Next stop Moto GP Indy!

Newtronic brain mounted in the tail



Timing Plate. The mounting screws have a dab of silicone on the heads to prevent them backing out which I have seen happen first hand



I fab-ed up my chain slider this week out of Zytel since the GT likes to stretch a chain

 
Those Re5s come up around here every once in a while. The rolodex instrument cluster is just weird.
 
The 2013 Indianapolis Moto GP was a special year for our beloved Suzuki's celebrating 50 years in the US.

My father flew in from CA to ride my GS1100 G Cooley Custom while my son rode my Katana 1000S, and I bombed along on my GT 750 Sport Cafe. We rode roughly 500 miles for the trip. We watched practice and did the track lap Friday on our three vintage Suzukis. On Saturday we were at the Cycle World Rolling Concourse with 150 other vintage bikes. We had 3 generations riding my Suzuki's for the weekend, Grandfather (66), father (44 me) & son (21).

My classic Katana ready at the show after Rolling.


82 1100G Cooley Custom AKA ViperG that I have had since I was 19. I finished the mods in 1997.... 40,000 miles later...


Bad Buffalo flexing some Suzuki Smoker muscle in the modified class.


Bad Buffalo getting the once over.


A guy from Suzuki asked us to bring the bikes down to the Suzuki Tent to put in the USA Suzuki 50th anniversary historical time-line for Sunday.


My 1976 GT750 Water Buffalo. As many of you know my GT750 representation "Bad Buffalo" is slightly different from the original 1972 J model on the time-line wall. I have owned both and assure you my current set-up is more fun to ride and just as reliable (more so) than the original. My buddies original, low milage, running RE5 next to my Buffalo. His exact model represented on the Suzuki wall behind the bike with Cycle World cover pictorial.





 
SUZI girl sat on my buddy's Rotor.... errr.... I mean Rotary at Moto GP! Bad Buffalo longingly looks on.

 
I have a 73 GT 750 smoker, complete, but completely in baskets- a true basket case. And squirrels nest sharing the space in the baskets. I have decided In am going to pop for the TR 750 frame, swing arm and tank, and go from there! Beautiful Smoker, absolutely stunning. Inspires me for certain!
 
zooke581 said:
Hey, your bike made Superbike Planet.
Click to expand...

Hey that's cool Eric, thanks for the heads up. People love the sound of your motor where ever it goes.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2013/motogp/indianapolis/army/4/g.htm
 
seviston said:
Indy Moto GP 2012 Cycle World Rolling Concours
GPSunriseGSHeadlight.jpg


Far from ready but one version before final iteration
IMG_0324_zps9075ee2b.jpg


GSXR Swingarm dual shock weld up
PICT0253_zps0ded5456.jpg


Tarozzi rearsets custom bracket
IMG_0777_zpsdee86069.jpg


Box O Carbs! Keihin 34mm Oval slides
IMG00074-20091210-1735_zps3b6d9724.jpg


Tail box welded up. Cut out from rear third of an extra Suzuki RE5 tank. The lines flow perfectly from tank to tail.
Tailbuild_zps5339be4f.jpg


Beginning of seat pan taking shape
Seatpanbuild_zpsaa6bdc91.jpg


Frenched in tail light into the RE5 tail
FrenchTail_zpscbbc7e4a.jpg


Tail light bucket
TailLight_zps323f033f.jpg
Click to expand...
Is that a Shinko drag radial on that rear wheel?
 
1fasgsxr said:
Is that a Shinko drag radial on that rear wheel?
Click to expand...

It WAS a 190 Shinko drag radial that has long since been shredded into tire heaven!
 
1976 Suzuki GT750 Smoker @ Kentucky Kickdown

So my riding buddy and I went to the inaugural Kentucky Kickdown. Louisville was crawling with vintage cafes, bobbers, choppers and many classic two wheeled machines.

XS650 Rat in foreground with Bad Buffalo. The XS650 was one of the most interesting bikes at KKD


Coyote BSA with a nice original Benelli in background


One of the many fine Hondas present


Harris Framed KZ1000 racer


Fine 750 chopper


Another prime XS


Seeley Honda Cafe


My personal favorite of the show... Triumph


1975 RE5 in background
 
Kentucky Kickdown walk around. Awesome event with so many vintage/custom bikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj7IL8kZthY
 
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