Description
Additional photos of this 1974 Suzuki GT750 are available here for your perusal.
When Honda released the CB750, other Japanese manufacturers had no other choice but to respond. Kawasaki made the choice to develop a little bit more power than the CB750 with the Z1, but Suzuki chose to stay with their specialty of two-strokes and in 1972 they released the GT750.
The prototype Suzuki GT750 was shown at the 17th Tokyo Motor Show in October of 1970 and launched in Japan in September 1971 as a sports tourer. Developed from the Suzuki T500 with an extra cylinder and liquid cooling, it was marketed as the Le Mans in the US and Canada. Looking at the success of the 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine, it was actually pretty bold from Suzuki to keep their 2-stroke engine. But the major innovation Suzuki added to their machine was liquid cooling, which lent itself to the international nickname of “Water Buffalo”. Indeed, the GT750 was the first mass production bike from Japan that featured it.
The ’74 model was called the L, and it was differentiated with thinner side panels that only said “GT750” – the Liquid Cooled badging was now displayed on the cylinder barrels. The forks no longer had gaiters, the carbs were now 40mm Mikunis, the dash got a gear position indicator, the airbox had chrome-plated covers, and the radiator got a plastic grill.
In addition, the exhausts were redesigned to allow for more ground clearance and the engine was slightly hopped up so it made 70 horsepower. Available color options were Flake Blue and Flake Orange.
This example is VIN: GT750-42532, Engine #: GT750-46138.
The odometer shows 43,906 kilometers (27,281 miles).
The seller notes that it’s a one owner example that got a full engine rebuild with a new crankshaft in 2017. It has less than 1,000 kilometers on it since the work was done. The carbs, exhaust, rear rack, crash bars, and indicators are all original.
It is upgraded with Ohlins shocks (the originals are included).
It got new tires in 2017 and a recent gel battery.
He adds that there are no mechanical issues. He notes one cosmetic blemish – a “small discoloration mark on the right side of the tank.” The bike was repainted in 2017 as well.
Currently located in Pretoria, South Africa, this Suzuki is offered on a Bill of Sale only. The seller is letting it go to keep growing his collection of 2-stroke Aprilias. Have any GT750 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
