My Intro and 74' Suzuki GT250

[Domiken]

Hey guys, just acquired a 74' GT250 and I am currently rebuilding it.

My build thread is here:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=45624.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am looking to contribute and learn and lot from you guys, I love this little bike already and I have never ridden it. Ill have a few questions from you all, but will make sure I search first. Cheers.

[titan performance]

Hi Dom....

That looks like a GT250M to me. I had one in 1976, and it was a lovely little bike. Typical Suzuki stroker really, very usable spread of power, and not at all peaky.
What on earth has occurred in that cylinder? That looks like a mess !
Good luck with it, and keep the pictures coming, don't save it all for DTT.

[Craig380]

Welcome onboard, Dom!

Looking good -- judging by the carbon deposits, the previous owner was running it on motor oil, not 2-stroke!

[Domiken]

Thanks guys, I was under the impression it was a GT250L (ruby red), the title says 1974.

Oh no way, is that going to be bad for the rest of the internals? We are rebuilding it now, I hope there's nothing else wrong in there.

Anyway, glad to be part of the board, ill keep updating the thread and checking up on you guys.

[jabcb]

The SuzukiCycles.org website has a good history of the two stroke Suzukis.
Their info on the GT-series is here: http://www.suzukicycles.org/GT-series/index.html

Based on the tank & fork gaiters, looks like you have a 74 GT250L.

[Scorch]

Welcome to the site

[Craig380]

Oh no way, is that going to be bad for the rest of the internals? We are rebuilding it now, I hope there's nothing else wrong in there.

No, it's a good sign that at least SOME oil has been going round the motor

The carbon deposits look a little heavy, is all, but those kind of deposits were also quite common with the 2-stroke oils that were available in the 70s. Modern semi-synthetic oils burn way cleaner.

[Domiken]

The SuzukiCycles.org website has a good history of the two stroke Suzukis.
Their info on the GT-series is here: http://www.suzukicycles.org/GT-series/index.html

Based on the tank & fork gaiters, looks like you have a 74 GT250L.

Thanks for confirming, that's the site I used to get info on the bike.

Welcome to the site

Thanks!

Oh no way, is that going to be bad for the rest of the internals? We are rebuilding it now, I hope there's nothing else wrong in there.

No, it's a good sign that at least SOME oil has been going round the motor

The carbon deposits look a little heavy, is all, but those kind of deposits were also quite common with the 2-stroke oils that were available in the 70s. Modern semi-synthetic oils burn way cleaner.

Phew! Good. The kickstarter kicked freely, there was so much oil in there...just puddled. Once we clean all the lines and get everything in order I will update. I just bought some new Avon tires, im looking for chain and sprockets next (any suggestions?), I run pricey x-ring chains on my SV1000S but I think I could go with something cheaper, I also wouldn't mind going with a 520 conversion.

Does anyone know where I could buy the GT250 badges? The website I bought them from (easily found on google) just canceled my $100+ order of badges, tank badges etc... I know there is Ebay, but the GT250 emblems are hard to find. I also need some new faux airflow covers for the side covers as I tried repainting mine and they came out horrible.

[titan performance]

Yep...apologies, I stand corrected, I didn't notice the fork gaiters, that is indeed an L. The gaiters were done away with on the M. I think it's pretty much the same machine though. Big changes occurred with the introduction of the A model.

[Bloop2]

Does anyone know where I could buy the GT250 badges? The website I bought them from (easily found on google) just canceled my $100+ order of badges, tank badges etc... I know there is Ebay, but the GT250 emblems are hard to find. I also need some new faux airflow covers for the side covers as I tried repainting mine and they came out horrible.

Not sure if you have tried these guys, they pretty well have every badge/emblem for Suzuki's :

http://www.reproductiondecals.com/defau ... .html~main" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Domiken]

Does anyone know where I could buy the GT250 badges? The website I bought them from (easily found on google) just canceled my $100+ order of badges, tank badges etc... I know there is Ebay, but the GT250 emblems are hard to find. I also need some new faux airflow covers for the side covers as I tried repainting mine and they came out horrible.

Not sure if you have tried these guys, they pretty well have every badge/emblem for Suzuki's :

http://www.reproductiondecals.com/defau ... .html~main" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like ill have to give them my business... $45 per emblem plus shipping is a killer.

Is the GT380 tank relatively similar to the GT250? It sure looks like it, I will be buying the 1976 black decal from the GT380 for my tank, hopefully it fits.

[yeadon_m]

The GT550 tank is the same as the GT380 tank but I believe both are different from the GT250. So decals sold for 380 and 550 will fit though they were actually different (depends on whether you care about originality). Cheers, Mike

[Domiken]

The GT550 tank is the same as the GT380 tank but I believe both are different from the GT250. So decals sold for 380 and 550 will fit though they were actually different (depends on whether you care about originality). Cheers, Mike

Thanks for clarifying that Mike, I don't want to spend $60 on those decals anyway.

I had a small epiphany yesterday (if I should even call it that) while walking through Grand Central, I remembered my best friend has a decal machine back in Florida, you input the specs, and it prints out whatever you want on the proper vinyl you color reel you install.

So...

I was thinking of using my red tank, tracing a similar outline (in black only) as the 1976 gold suzuki color:



Sending him the specs so he can upload onto his computer, and have him print me out the decals. The only thing is, I don't have the tank at the moment. So this will take a good week or two. Sucks because I leave to FL this Thursday so it would have been good to take care of.

[Domiken]

On to good news, I got my nice Avon AM26 tires today, they look great. I'm looking forward to installing them, but I need to spend some good time on cleaning up the factory wheels.

[Domiken]

Update:
-Ordered chain & sprockets
-Front brake pads
-Speedo, Tach & Clutch cable (piece of mind)
-New grips
-Clubman bars
-Fork seals

Ill eventually get some steel braided front lines, headlight bucket, badges, redo wheel bearings etc...

Ill update the thread with pictures soon, still waiting on painted parts to come back along with getting the engine started.