OJB

I have a small number of these starter relays which I think may have been made by Nippon-Denso, and even after almost 50 years, they are very nearly indestructible (just ‘click’ on any image to see a larger copy). This style, with the metal clip cover, was used on Suzuki machines having electric start beginning in about 1971 through to perhaps late 1973 when they switched to having a plastic…

GT380 (and other) Ignition Coils

I’ve been busy with ‘honey do’ items the past week, as in ‘honey do this and honey do that’ ! 😉 All things that needed nice weather, so it is all good. Here and there I have been able to slip away and spend a small amount of time in the shop, plus a few items have been arriving by post.

This Covid problem has really impacted deliveries, but things seem to slowly be returning to some semblance of…

Spent a bit of time sorting out the oil injection system on the GT380 project today. I’ve written previously about using the Kawasaki oil injection valves to repair the Suzuki oil distribution loom so I won’t go over that again here. If you are curious, then just go to my web site and do a search for ‘oil injection’. The Kawasaki part number is 16128-009 and I normally buy them from the USA as…

The 1975 GT380 rebuild story continues. Looking at the old cylinder head gaskets, it was obvious the centre one had blown, and had been run that way for a while. I’ve included a photo to the left. The mating surface on the barrel was cut as could be seen using a machinist’s square. As I had to repair what looked like cold chisel gouges in the aluminium anyway, I also filled the cut marks and then…

GT380 Engine and Neutral Brake

I’ve torn down the GT380 engine and split the case to take a closer look at the gear clusters and the crankshaft. This engine came to me loosely put together, and when I pulled the clutch cover there were indications of rust, so it seemed the prudent thing to do. I know most people first try to get an engine running before deciding whether to do any open heart surgery, but most of the bikes I…

GT380 Round Things and Rolling

I find lacing (of the wheel variety) to be quite relaxing ever since I stopped using a dial gauge while constantly fretting about the run out, and started just using an old spoke clamped to the wheel building stand. If it rubs – that spot is wrong, and if it rubs all the way around then you are good. I actually use old two spokes – one to measure the side to side, and one for overall roundness.…

1972 GT750 “J” Gauge Shells

After clearing the last of my stock in 2019, I continued to receive requests for the plastic GT750 J gauge shells from many owners from around the world. I have to admit, that I was hesitant about commissioning another order, as it took six long years just to recover my investment the first time ! While there are still quite a few of these machines on the road globally, it seems that outside of…

VIN’s and Things

I recently received another small batch of headstock or VIN labels from Jerry Ure in the USA (contact details are on my web site in the ‘Sources’ section and I believe he also sells on eBay – just do a search for ‘headtube tag’ or seller ‘jure’). I’ve ordered from him a couple of times previously and the quality is excellent and the cost is quite reasonable.

The headstock labels for Canada and…

I’m frequently reminded of just how small the world has become since the arrival of the internet. Yesterday Ian Beardsley from the UK dropped in for a short visit, a long chat, a few cups of tea and a sandwich. Ian is one of many people that I’ve known and chatted with via various internet boards, web sites and email over the years and who, like me, shares an interest in old Suzuki motorbikes.…

Suzuki Locks and Latches – Part 2

As mentioned in the last article, the GT750 tank filler cover lock as used on the 1976 and 1977 GT750 is a different animal. Unlike the other locks used by Suzuki, this one has a crimped bezel which retains the lock tumbler, making it a real pain to deal with. For this reason, a number of people (including myself) will suggest that you try to find a tank cover lock complete with key because it is…

Suzuki Locks and Latches

I’m still waiting for the exhaust to be re-chromed on my 1972 GT750 project, and so rather than just stand around, I’ve decided to do a but more fiddling with the next project, which is a 1975 GT380.

One of the (many) little jobs to be done is to assemble a working set of locks and latches and for them to all be keyed alike. For the GT380 I have collected together a set of latches to be worked on…

Piping Hot – Addendum

A small follow-up to the exhaust pipe situation for my 1972 GT750 J rebuild. Although I did say in the previous post that I was finished with cutting open any additional pipes, I lied ! Given the cost of having these re-chromed, I decided that the small pipes I had available needed a closer look just to be certain the internals were all sound.

This photo (just click or tap to see a larger…

I need a set of exhaust pipes for the current project (see this link) and NOS or excellent condition ones are not easy to find for the 1972/1973 model Suzuki GT750’s. Mark Read did a very nice write-up on how to rebuild the original pipes, which he graciously allowed me to post on my web site at this link. However, I am not as skilled as he is, so I wanted to look at other options. Delkevic…

I have been saving a new pair of Suzuki GT750 J/K style fork tubes (or stanchions if you prefer) for many years in anticipation of using them on a restoration, and the time finally had arrived. When I first looked at the old ones on the current project that I refer to as ‘Big Blue’ (see more on my web site at this link)  the chrome in the areas that the seal contact actually looked quite good and…

I have been lounging in a warmer place than Southern Ontario this past couple of weeks (in Southern California to be exact !).  In between carrying parcels as SWMBO’d shopped, acting as a tour guide to my daughter-in-law who was able to join us both here, and also entertaining my in-laws Judy and John, I have also managed to do a few updates and additions to the OJB web site. Some will already…

Big Blue In Progress

Elsewhere in OJB land, I have been working on my next 1972 GT750 restoration. This one will be blue and like the previous red one I did a couple of years ago it is in really rough shape. However, it is the next consecutive frame number to the red one and I like the idea of former assembly line mates being returned to their former glory. Currently I have completely disassembled it, and the engine…

I know this will make my friend Wade happy, but the Kwakification of my Suzy’s continues ! I had always been curious where places like DiscountBikeSpares in the UK or GTReiner in Germany were sourcing the mechanical seals for the GT750 water pumps. Obviously someone was making them, and while these places provide excellent service I decided to do a bit of research. Terry at Wolf Worx here in…