Suzuki GT380?

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

I'm eyeing up a project bike, gt380 1976. Wondered if anyone has/had one? I know I'll need to spend a lot on it, but are they a usable every day bike? Are they easy to rebuild? I just lost out on a xs400, should i stick with 4 strokes or is the 380 a good shout?

And yes, I'll be doing what everyone seems to be doing, a scrambler type build. Not an OEM parts restoration
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

ThatDippyTwat · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :

Crap, Heavy, needs a lot of work to be anything special. I wasn't a fan, flogged it off quickly when I had one 20+ years ago, and I love 2T bikes.

Regardless of bike used, Scrambler/cafe racer build are almost always some fuckwit slapping a flat "seat" covered in a shitty brown vinyl on a subframe with birdshit welding, mounting holes wallered out by the blunt masonry bit they used to drill it, and poundlands finest gloss black, sans primer (or any prep at all). Well done ones are few and far between.

If you want a 2T, then why not something rare, unusual, or barking mad?
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Blau has one i think.

Unfortunately he's not speaking to us cool kids in whatsapp so I can't tell him about this thread.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

It'll look fucking awful and a nasty abomination of a bike done as a scrambler.

I'd restore it to original as it'll be worth a fair sum if done well and in correct colours, pipes etc. Will be a ton of money to spend though on parts and chroming etc.

Or if it's not all 90% there, then I'd possibly consider doing a really good authentic cafe racer build, but with the emphasis on performance not style as even a great Triton style cafe bike, won't look as good as an original bike.

Do sensible changes and upgrades that'll make it ride better, more reliable, faster, or brake better etc.

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

I’ve ridden most things but the GT380 remains about my favourite bike of all time. Comfortable, mega torque from Idle, super reliable and stunning looks. Also pioneered the gear position indicator and pass light. It’s bizarre and quite special to ride an amazing grand tourer that is also a 2T. I wouldn’t use one as a base for anything other than a standard bike though, too heavy and wrong engine characteristics to make sense as anything else.
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Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

Ok thanks. So they sound reliable and fun enough? I'm not concerned with how crap people think budget builds look. I just want a project to do to my own taste. Preferably something i can buy cheap. Not fussed about making money on it. I'll see what it goes for.

I'm bored of my SV as i don't get to use it's power 90% of the time, and my wrists and back could do with a rest.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

yen_powell · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Karma :

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

blurredman · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

- · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Oct 2013 Karma :

Very low tune, at around 35bhp and were really designed as a bit of a tourer, hence the GT badge.

reliable enough as a 2T, but a tad boring compared to anything liquid cooled 250cc plus. The 550 may be a better bet with over 50bhp. Neither have proper expansion chambers, so can be tweaked up with a decent set and a bit of fuelling setup.
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chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

ART-ADS · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 Feb 2018 Karma :

eh just rebuild it using whats there, and what you dont have find genuine period parts, ebay and autojumbles. then ride it
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98' RZ50, 92' H100S2, 03' VT125, 59' Jubilee 250, 05' varadero chop,

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

Mr Rhyno said try a MZ or Jawa/CZ .
I’ve been looking for a CZ 250 twin or a MZ 250 at a reasonable price for a long time.
A cheap/ reasonably priced runner is almost impossible to find in the UK.
There are certainly a one or two broken old nails about onThief-bay, but a mechanicaly sound item at a good price, not at chance.
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reavsie · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 15 Jun 2017 Karma :

I had one briefly in my late teens, many years ago,

As a first foray into the big bike world I loved its power and the exhaust note. Gear indicator was neat.

Swapped it for a trials bike for the girlfriend.

In hindsight, I should have swapped the girlfriend instead as the bike was much more of a keeper.