GT750L: Opinions Please

[MikeH1A]

Hi Guys,

My annual Buffalo hunt has begun again . There is currently a very tidy "L" model for sale on our local equivalent of ebay. I'm not very familiar with this particular year. Could some of you more experienced folk enlighten me to the good and maybe not so good aspects of this model?

Many thanks, Mike

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Mike the 74s had a few 'one offs' for that year, other than that its basically the same bike as the 75 model.
The main things that are dedicated parts for the L models are:
The Front forks are a one year design with the noticeable chrome top caps on the lowers
The front fender has clamp straps on the stays
The Airbox and its chrome covers are one year specific items
The Seat cover logo is specific for that year
The Outer exhaust pipes and centre headpipe had the cross overs.

I'm sure theres other minor small stuff but I cant recall it right now.

[pjmcburney]

Hi Guys,

My annual Buffalo hunt has begun again . There is currently a very tidy "L" model for sale on our local equivalent of ebay. I'm not very familiar with this particular year. Could some of you more experienced folk enlighten me to the good and maybe not so good aspects of this model?

Many thanks, Mike

Hi Mike,

As a current L owner (and restorer) I'd be glad to pass on what I've found out.

The L is the 'transition' model in the range as it has elements of the two year models either side of it - fortunately, to its advantage.
Plus, minor changes were made through the year aligning it with the later models.

Adding to what Allan has already listed:
Port timing is the same as the J/K, i.e. torque lower in the rev range (and therefore absolutely unique barrels as they had 'water cooled' decals but earlier internals),
Same compression ratio as J/K,
First year fitted with CV carbs but with specific jetting,
Lower final drive gearing than subsequent models - less gear changing required, especially at highway speeds,

There's more, but that (plus Allan's list) gives you a fair idea.

There aren't any major bad points AFAIK. The CV carbs may have been a step back, but they work fine in standard trim. They probably will surge on the over-run, but that's easily fixed.

Parts can be problematic as there are particularly unique aspects to some for the L, but at last glance on fleabay, there's still stuff out there.
NOS or superseded parts can bring you undone, best to quiz the forum if you run into that issue - some new stuff will not fit at all...

The L IMHO really is the best all-rounder of the lot. You get the later styling with the early engine characteristics.
They're a little rarer than either the J/K or the A/B to boot.

If you're on to a good one (with everything in place that we've listed), grab it!


Cheers
Paul

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Thanks Paul as you have such a great looking L model i was hoping you would step in and add the extra bits and pieces.
AFAIK all the BS Buffalo CVs had the surging issues unless later ones were updated at the factory. Its annoying and a real pain especially on slight downhills where its near impossible to ride in 5th gear coasting.
The 74 L carbs also had the 1/4 turn fuel screw setting as stock, thats not much usable range there at all out from fully closed if you need to make a slight adjustment inwards.
Mike for the sake of sanity if the bike is not going to be a concours model and the 'one year' airbox is in really bad shape especially the side covers, fitting a 75-77 one isnt going to be a problem, BUT it will be easier to find and the covers too.
So i hope you do buy it if its in good shape and send lots of photos so we can see what you got.

[rngdng]

The L model is my personal favorite because of it's uniqueness.



Lane

[MikeH1A]

Thanks guys, as always very useful information. I rang the owner today but he was at work so I've arranged to ring him this evening.

I'm guessing that he will want too much for it - sounds like his pride and joy from what the wife said. Still, I shall give it a go.

Here's a link to the bike if you are interested. let me know if she looks original.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =275877671

As ever, Thanks heaps,

Mike

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Well Mike it looks very good and as usual the price is more or less in the ballpark for a buffalo in that condition in your neck of the woods.
I see a few things on it needing looking into but they are minor and thats always going to be found on any bike unless its concours.
Whats the deal with the gauges, a 72 J model knob on the trip reset and the tachs got damper fluid on the face which means it was once stored on its side or upside down.
If those are 's' mirrors on the bike which they seem to be, thats good news.

[pjmcburney]

Thanks Paul as you have such a great looking L model i was hoping you would step in and add the extra bits and pieces.
AFAIK all the BS Buffalo CVs had the surging issues unless later ones were updated at the factory. Its annoying and a real pain especially on slight downhills where its near impossible to ride in 5th gear coasting.

Thanks Allan - pictures do make things look better than they really are though .

Yep, the surging can be pretty annoying...
You can buy the air jets from a reputable mikuni jet supplier and fit them yourself to help stop the surging. All you need is a little time and a 4mm tap.

The 74 L carbs also had the 1/4 turn fuel screw setting as stock, thats not much usable range there at all out from fully closed if you need to make a slight adjustment inwards.

The L's run such a 'tight' pilot screw setting because the pilot jets are 47.5 instead of 45 for the later bikes - perhaps because of the cross-overs on the headers?
You can substitute the 45's and get more pilot screw adjustment - with those pilots the screw setting is 3/4 of a turn out (I think?).

Mike for the sake of sanity if the bike is not going to be a concours model and the 'one year' airbox is in really bad shape especially the side covers, fitting a 75-77 one isnt going to be a problem, BUT it will be easier to find and the covers too.

Absolutely correct - the L airbox looks externally identical to the later year models, so there's no issue using a later one - only you will know.

So i hope you do buy it if its in good shape and send lots of photos so we can see what you got.

BTW, from the pics on trademe, that looks like a great bike, especially for the price, I'd snap it up!


Cheers
Paul

[pjmcburney]

let me know if she looks original.

Ok...


It looks to be a fairly correct, late (in the year) L.

A couple of things:
Horn isn't right - looks like an earlier J or K horn,
Front guard stays appear to be later - attached from underneath instead of a saddle over the top,
Missing one upper hose clamp cover (not too hard to find).

But, I'm being really picky.

The chrome, alloy and paint looks very good. That ain't cheap to do so take that into account when haggling a price.

The seat has been (re) done well, the cover appears correct and the pan looks particularly good which is rare on a bike that old.


Good luck
Cheers
Paul

[tz375]

Great looking bike and my favorite year. The early J-K porting is much better because of the intake timing. That makes a huge difference below 5k. later MAB barrels had taller exhaust and ridiculously low intake with way too much duration.

So the L was probably the smoothest running nicest all round GT750 - especially after the jetting is fixed.

That bike looks really nice and claen. Looks like new footpeg rubbers too.

[MikeH1A]

Glad to hear you guys thought it was rather nice as well. Just spoke with the owner who apparently sourced it from a friend in England. That guy was a mechanic. Reportedly runs well but hasn't been used regularly for the last 6 months or so. He's selling as he's moving to a farm - doesn't want to ride her on shingle roads. Asked about a "buy now" but he wants to let the auction run. So, will have to wait another 5 days to see what happens. I'll keep you posted on the hunt
Mike

[water cooled]

I'm interested to know more about the electronic ignition. I didnt see a clear picture or explanation. It might be a Boyer Brandson but I would ask some additional details about that. Depending upon what he installed (and how well it was done) it might be a nice upgrade but check it out. FWIW, I am particularly partial to the '74's but prefer VM carbs over the stock CV.

[MikeH1A]

Well, I'm still hunting for the elusive Buffalo!

The bike got a lot of attention during the auction - mostly from the know-it-all brigade who weren't interested in bidding. As I expected, the guy's reserve was pretty high ($10500) but I thought this was too high for a later model 750. There were really only two bidders but I had a limit and stopped at this. Part of my reasoning was around the fact there was no real knowledge of work done (or not done) to the motor. The seller seemed honest but he described himself as having limited mechanical experience.

The bike eventually sold for $11,000 - which I thought was darn good for a 74 model. (A completely restored (fully rebuilt motor) "K" model recently sold for $10000.

On the plus side, the buyer lives in my city so we may be able to get him to come riding in our Clasic Japanese bike group - and I can drool over it but still have my money in the bank

Thanks for the advice anyway.

Mike

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Wow $11 grand Kiwi dollars, thats going up into the bigger money for a Buffalo, i'd have guessed $9,500.00 was high enough.
It was nice, but a smart man knows when to bow out at his limit. Who knows, you might end up with it in a few years if you just be patient and dont let him see you drooling.