1974 Suzuki GT750 L *Sold £8,500*

MAKESuzuki
MODELGT750 L
REGISTRATIONRCH 685M
ENGINE SIZE738
TRANSMISSIONManual
CURRENT V5
COLOURBlue
LOCATIONCossall, Notts NG16

1974 Suzuki GT750 L *Sold £8,500*

In stock

  • In Candy Blue
  • Rare L Model
  • Imported in 2016
  • Photographic restoration
  • Paintwork original except for one side panel.
  • UK registered
  • This 1974 Suzuki GT750 L sold for £8,500

Description

  • In Candy Blue
  • Rare L Model
  • Imported in 2016
  • Photographic restoration
  • Paintwork original except for one side panel.
  • UK registered

Somebody put the kettle on…a water-cooled, 750cc, two stroke, triple. In the 1970s that meant one thing; a Suzuki GT750. They are considered to be one of the all-time classic Suzuki’s and when they come to market there is always a queue.

Background

Launched in 1971, the GT750 was the brainchild of Etsuo Yokouchi, who constructed the T250, T500, and the 1974 Grand Prix racer RG500. The first GT750 to appear in the UK was the GT750 J in 1972.

The inline triple engine, bright paint scheme and a liquid-cooled engine meant the GT750 was destined for iconic status

The bike was powerful and designed as a comfortable sports tourer, happily reaching 110mph and would contentedly cruise at high speeds with ease. Innovations such as a 5-speed gearbox, three-into-four exhaust and styling to die for meant that the public could not get enough of them.

History

The Suzuki GT750 L model like this one here, was launched in August 1974 and featured a number of upgrades. Amongst other things, the Mikuni carbs were enlarged to 40mm. The air box had chrome-plated sides and a helpful gear position indicator was installed. The twin front discs were enlarged to cope with the extra power of the GT750 L, which was upped to 70bhp.

  • It was imported into the UK from America in August 2016
  • Our vendor has since been restoring it to the condition you see here
  • It was essentially a lockdown project for our vendor and his grandson. What a job they made of it!
  • Dating letter from The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

Mechanicals and condition

The Suzuki GT750 did not need to be kept on the boil. The bike was engineered as a smooth and torquey sports tourer, a true two-stroke GT alternative.

The in-line triple shared a bore and stroke with the 500 twin Suzukis, but it was far less frenetic, tuned for torque rather than power with plenty spread across the range.

In the 70s the GT750 was seen as a big bike, but put it next to a modern 750 and it’s positively diminutive. The seat is relatively low too.

Once moving, the GT750 is surprisingly tractable around town, 2500rpm means 40mph in fifth.

Twin front discs give reasonable stopping power, the rear drum provides nice control. Switchgear and instrumentation is exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese bike of this era, with the addition of a temperature gauge.

The Suzi is happier at higher speeds. There’s none of the peakiness or raw bursts of power you expect of a Japanese two-stroke though, just a surge of acceleration. The seat is wide and comfy and the bars give a relaxed riding position. At 60mph, the two-stroke triple is burbling and popping along at a smooth and unruffled 3750rpm. The crackly exhaust note adds to the fun.

The pictures tell their own story and we hardly feel we need any words here. We’ll just point out a few of the many highlights.

  • £2,000+ engine overhaul by JMC restorations
  • Electronic ignition installed
  • The wheels were overhauled by Central Wheel Components in Birmingham. New tyres are fitted
  • New rear shockers from Hagon on Essex
  • New hoses, thermostat and radiator re-cored
  • New exhausts from JMC
  • The tank has had age related marks removed by a paintless dent magician. Inside it has been treated and coated
  • Fully stripped down
  • The frame was blasted then powder coated
  • Except for the front mudguard, all parts have been re-chromed
  • New wiring loom
  • Clocks and instruments restored
  • Front forks rebuilt by Brook Suspension, West Yorkshire
  • New Hagons at the rear from Essex
  • A new battery has been fitted

Our vendor tells us “Invoices come with the GT750, it starts and runs well but does want some fine tuning now. An MOT although not legally required would be recommended”.

When you look through our Image Gallery it is the attention to detail that stands out; the stickers, the foot rubbers, the seat logo, the list goes on.

Our view

There is always a queue when these come to market. In this condition, for this Suzuki GT750, the queue is going to be more like a Six Nations rugby scrum. Don’t leave it until the last minute, you may well find there’s been a turnover and the other side has run off with the ball!

Good luck bidding. Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Cossall, Notts NG16 it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Suzuki GT750? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important and we are here to help and also answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

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As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Two final comments on images and photos.

The vast majority are supplied by vendors. Camera technology has and continues to improve significantly, but please note and understand that image and sound quality does vary. If you would like vendors to provide more images please ask us and we will contact the vendor for you.

If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Finally, finally, finally. Please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired at auction.

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