When I was 20yrs old I bought my 1st new GT550, a Blue 72 and later to a Red 75 GT550. Then to the 78 GS750, a used 79 GS850G then back to a 77 GS750, didn't really care for the mass of the 850G. Got one heck of a great deal on the 77 GS750 in '83, other than the fork seals the 77 GS was a excellent m/c.
As the yrs went by the newer m/c's just weren't doing anything for me, didn't care for the style, so I just stopped buying and stop riding.
Every now and then I would get the bug for a motorcycle so I bought something used and made in the 70's, fix it up, ride it a bit, then sell it. Then things changed to the point where I no longer had a place to work on a project m/c so I just put everything on the back burner.
That was then, now I'm retired and now I do have the Time and the space but I couldn't believe the trouble I have had in finding a good used GT550. 380's/GT750's seem to be everywhere but the GT550 is another story, at least in the Southwest/Rocky Mountain States.
I kept a eye on Ebay for listings, found a few but they were way out of my budget plus I was looking for a fix- it - upper, to restore, most I was seeing on ebay were already restored and one was a true basket-case.
I found one a few weeks ago and bought it a few days ago, will need to fetch it next week and it is not in the 4 corners States but a good 800 miles 1-way from my home. Should be back here in NM with it next Wednesday/Thursday or so, being retired I get back home- well- when I get back home..
When I get back, I'll post a few Pic's and btw, I plan on keeping my old/new GT550.
