American TR500 works driver at Daytona, 1971
The works mechanic look genuine.
Photo: Mick Woollett, from a 1971 bike magazine
Silver finish switch assemblies of preproduction GT750 at a motor show.
Photo: Mick Woollett, from a 1971 bike magazine
 Picture on left from the early 70's of a GT750 used for Swedish type approval. This particular vehicle shown equipped with special outer exhaust cones due to a regulation that the exhaust fumes had to go straight backwards. Seems this arrangement was abandoned on bikes finally sold. Click on image for better resolution. Thanks to Kristofer Johnsson <k.j.@telia.com> who scanned/provided this picture. The background seems to be 'Djurgården', a park area in central Stockholm. |
 Same type of outer exhaust cones on early 750 tested in swedish bike magazine MC Sport. Also a well dimensioned mud flap bolted on at the rear. Regulations seemed restrictive about the length of the rear fender. |
GT750J Picture GallerySee also brochure scans by Jaques Masse |
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 Early version with black color on tank badges and unpainted switch assemblies. |
 Stainless steel exhaust replica by Gazelle, a british exhaust manufacturer. £1200+VAT... |
Early example with speed warning lamp and speedometer
red mark from 80km/h. (Pictures from italian 'Motociclismo' magazine road test #03/1972) Sam Costanzo has told me the following about the warning lamp: "it was installed on GT-750 models sold in Japan. The indicator lamp lit up bright red when the speedometer reached 55mph. Suzuki thought this would be a good accessory option for other countries however very few were ordered outside of Japan and they discontinued offering this option and only used it in Japan."
Some early bike memories..
| Excerpt from Yamaha 1971 magazine advertising (AS2J) This one was one of my teenage dream bikes but I never saw one in real life, I still hold it as the most asthetically pleasing 125cc model ever built. The fuel tank paintwork/appearance is very sweet. According to magazine test reports it consumed more fuel than a GT750. I owned its successor, the 1972 'AS3' between 1974-76. Parts were extremely cheap. I got introduced to the fun of these bikes by watching the previous owner of my AS3 and his colleague (on a Yamaha AS1) do impressive road contests at blazing speed. |
My 2nd bike, when I was 14 years old in 1972 (little law enforcement existed where I grew up), was the above 1950 'Rex Telespeed', a Swedish bike with Villiers engine. Stiff rear frame, suspension in seat and rubber bowl operated air signal horn. A great bike that I used up not knowing better. The model name referred to the telescopic front fork, a new feature back in 1950.
My third bike, a 1972 AS3 I owned 1974-76, a 16hp 2-stroke twin. Note italian air compressor horn under tank, handy for scaring off cars who came too close. Air compressor fitted nicely between rear fender and oil tank. The fuel tank striping/paintwork style that was very characteristic for many 1970-73 models of bikes (including the GT750) where large white areas was very common as contrasting color. Contemporary Honda models had a similar paintwork too.
After the Yamaha I didn't ride a bike for 25 years..... I turned to cars which when/where I grew up was widely believed to be the true way to attract women..
2003-04-07: I was cleaning up at home and found another photo of the bike where the registration plate is visible. Out of curiosity I checked with the Swedish vehicle register and to my surprise found out both that the bike still exists, AND that the original owner (who I bought it from in 1974) has bought it back and is now the owner ! I think it was kind of fun to find that out.