GT750L Restoration - tuning in on the spots that need work

Suzuki GT750L Restoration Project

This page will introduce you to the latest restoration project,
The GT750L Water Buffalo that I imported to Sweden from California.

Looks like no restoration is needed ??

A splendid motorcycle ! I've sent this seat
now to Eldorado (Tony O'Connor, Australia)
for restoration ! It will get a L style cover with
Suzuki GT logo at the back.

The bike runs well mechanically so in a way it doesn't require much restoration at all.
But it is very tempting to restore it cosmethically. So that's what I'm going to do this year. I'm sure it won't be long until NOS parts for this model will become more difficult to find, so I wanted to get going as soon as possible. I have made heavy investments in some key parts vital to returning the former glory. New handlebars, a complete NOS instrument assembly, found a good KM/H speedometer from Germany, new front fender, new timing cover, new throttle cables, New rear lamp assembly, yellow rear flasher lenses/reflexes, NOS chrome air box covers, GT750 emblems, Fuel petcock, etc. I will do a full strip down to repaint the frame and build it up from there. Lots of painted parts does not need replacing but can be restored by sandblasting/repainting. Several special bolts/axles I can zinc plated myself so they look good. Lots of the ordinary metric bolts/washers/nuts can be bought at low cost from a local hardware store.
For some special bolts where originality matters I am getting NOS parts. I'm still amazed at what odd new parts for the GT750's are still available.

But here comes the Fun; a closer look at typical details that I will restore. Below are a few shots that take away a few of your illusions !
Haha, this isn't the type of page people produce if they plan to sell a bike :-) And I will keep this one.
Remember if you look at photos of nice bikes for sale the below details can often be the shape of a bike that look good in overall photos like those of my bike above. A restorer like myself says, 'No problems at all - Piece of cake'. And that's exactly the case here. A very easy restoration object with great potential. I can't dream of a better object :-)
Now all I have to find is time to do the job and recover financially from the ruthless parts gathering.

Before Restoration = Now
Current Progress/Plan

Brake hose #2 + boot
New brake hoses + boots located, SuziParts in Australia

Faded Liquid Cooled emblem
Paul Miller is sending me a pair of new ones, $25 !
These are vital parts for that final touch. These emblems are almost impossible to locate as new replacements. I will polish cylinder block sides + engine side covers to original finish and clearcoat them. I will not split the engine on this bike so I will only do a compromise job on refinishing engine cases.

Dull fork leg finish
Will disassemble front end and polish fork legs.
Will refinish entire front end brake system, and disk rotors
Spoke set on order from Paul Miller. Various chromed brackets and bolts from SuziParts/Australia. Expensive NOS chromed fork covers from Vintage Parts. Many zinc plated metric bolts directly from a local construction warehouse in cases where the identical original appearance is not important.

Carb linkage corrosion
Will disassemble carbs for total cleanup. Have three CV carb kits.
Bead blasting of carbs.

Head nut closeup
Will replace head nuts with the old ones I removed from the J. Most of these look like new where neighbours can see. I have complete replacement washer sets from a local hardware store.

Corroded head nuts
See above

Rusted chrome on horn
Will replace with a better used horn of the same type

Radiator Bar has been in close contact with Mother Earth. I'm sure the bike would have an interesting story to tell if only motorcycles could talk . I'm not sure I want to know.
NOS radiator crash bar from Vintage Parts !

Ray told me an earlier owner spilled brake fluid on the tank so the paint stripped off.
Total overhaul of fuel tank. Emblems can be restored due to their very simple paint scheme in silver grey/matte black. These are the same tank emblems as on the RE-5 so they are a bit expensive to buy as NOS.

Alternator cover road rash...
Found a good original cover on Ebay that will polish up OK.
The old cover is beyond rescue, wonder at what speed it hit the pavement :-)

Fuel tank work will requires dent filling and repainting.
The plan is : Blasting, dent filler + Blue Flake repaint + stripe kit + clearcoat. I hesitate to do the paintjob myself.

Intriguing evidence of road contact that likely shaved off the entire plastic container at the time. Who cares. No issue, will polish the master cylinder housing.

Chrome pieces of the throttle cables are cosmethically beyond rescue.
I was lucky to find a NOS throttle cable pair so I get new chrome pieces. I will also completely restore the switch housings (blasting, new satin black paint and orange paint for the text). Will polish master cylinder and use new bolts.

Other parts

I was looking for a good KM/H calibrated speedometer and finally found one I can use. During the search I came across several gauges that I couldn't resist adding to the collection. Some will probably be passed on to other restorers once I settle for a suitable combination.

These pictures shows a pair ot GT750 L/M/A/B type MPH speedo and tachometer in NOS condition.

Here is a comparison photo, NOS MPH speedo .vs. a used KM/H speedo from a German Ebay seller. The ring of the KM/H one has a knick in it but I think I can have it look ok. Otherwise very good condition.

I also have coming in a complete NOS L model instrument panel with tacho and temp meter and under chrome plates but where the speedo is missing. My plan is to use the KM/ speedo with that assembly, photos later when/if it ever arrives.

Looks like no restoration is needed ??	A splendid motorcycle ! I've sent this seat now to Eldorado (Tony O'Connor, Australia) for restoration ! It will get a L style cover with Suzuki GT logo at the back.
The bike runs well mechanically so in a way it doesn't require much restoration at all. But it is very tempting to restore it cosmethically. So that's what I'm going to do this year. I'm sure it won't be long until NOS parts for this model will become more difficult to find, so I wanted to get going as soon as possible. I have made heavy investments in some key parts vital to returning the former glory. New handlebars, a complete NOS instrument assembly, found a good KM/H speedometer from Germany, new front fender, new timing cover, new throttle cables, New rear lamp assembly, yellow rear flasher lenses/reflexes, NOS chrome air box covers, GT750 emblems, Fuel petcock, etc. I will do a full strip down to repaint the frame and build it up from there. Lots of painted parts does not need replacing but can be restored by sandblasting/repainting. Several special bolts/axles I can zinc plated myself so they look good. Lots of the ordinary metric bolts/washers/nuts can be bought at low cost from a local hardware store. For some special bolts where originality matters I am getting NOS parts. I'm still amazed at what odd new parts for the GT750's are still available.
But here comes the Fun; a closer look at typical details that I will restore. Below are a few shots that take away a few of your illusions ! Haha, this isn't the type of page people produce if they plan to sell a bike :-) And I will keep this one. Remember if you look at photos of nice bikes for sale the below details can often be the shape of a bike that look good in overall photos like those of my bike above. A restorer like myself says, 'No problems at all - Piece of cake'. And that's exactly the case here. A very easy restoration object with great potential. I can't dream of a better object :-) Now all I have to find is time to do the job and recover financially from the ruthless parts gathering.
Before Restoration = Now	Current Progress/Plan
Brake hose #2 + boot	New brake hoses + boots located, SuziParts in Australia
Faded Liquid Cooled emblem	Paul Miller is sending me a pair of new ones, $25 ! These are vital parts for that final touch. These emblems are almost impossible to locate as new replacements. I will polish cylinder block sides + engine side covers to original finish and clearcoat them. I will not split the engine on this bike so I will only do a compromise job on refinishing engine cases.
Dull fork leg finish	Will disassemble front end and polish fork legs. Will refinish entire front end brake system, and disk rotors Spoke set on order from Paul Miller. Various chromed brackets and bolts from SuziParts/Australia. Expensive NOS chromed fork covers from Vintage Parts. Many zinc plated metric bolts directly from a local construction warehouse in cases where the identical original appearance is not important.
Carb linkage corrosion	Will disassemble carbs for total cleanup. Have three CV carb kits. Bead blasting of carbs.
Head nut closeup	Will replace head nuts with the old ones I removed from the J. Most of these look like new where neighbours can see. I have complete replacement washer sets from a local hardware store.
Corroded head nuts	See above
Rusted chrome on horn	Will replace with a better used horn of the same type
Radiator Bar has been in close contact with Mother Earth. I'm sure the bike would have an interesting story to tell if only motorcycles could talk . I'm not sure I want to know.	NOS radiator crash bar from Vintage Parts !
Ray told me an earlier owner spilled brake fluid on the tank so the paint stripped off.	Total overhaul of fuel tank. Emblems can be restored due to their very simple paint scheme in silver grey/matte black. These are the same tank emblems as on the RE-5 so they are a bit expensive to buy as NOS.
Alternator cover road rash...	Found a good original cover on Ebay that will polish up OK. The old cover is beyond rescue, wonder at what speed it hit the pavement :-)
Fuel tank work will requires dent filling and repainting.	The plan is : Blasting, dent filler + Blue Flake repaint + stripe kit + clearcoat. I hesitate to do the paintjob myself.
Intriguing evidence of road contact that likely shaved off the entire plastic container at the time. Who cares.	No issue, will polish the master cylinder housing.
Chrome pieces of the throttle cables are cosmethically beyond rescue.	I was lucky to find a NOS throttle cable pair so I get new chrome pieces. I will also completely restore the switch housings (blasting, new satin black paint and orange paint for the text). Will polish master cylinder and use new bolts.