Rare Japanese Market Kettle

[RING_DING]

Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I am a "resurrected" two-stroker of old (owned Yamaha YAS1, CS3, R5 at various times back in the '70's). I recently acquired a non-running "kettle" which as it turns out is a rare Japanese Market model, a 1974 GT750 B-4 (equivalent to the 1975 M elsewhere). I will be taking my time with the restoration, but will be posting updates as I go. I am sure I will be looking for missing bits as well, although the bike is complete (and original) except for missing rear turn signals, choke lever and MPH speedo. The engine is free, and appears to have good compression. Lots of surface rust, but nothing corroded right through. Fun times ahead!

[oldjapanesebikes]

Welcome aboard Roy ! You may want to post the photos of the warning light and the headlamp bracket for folks !

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Welcome to the forum Roy and thanks for introducing yourself. Concerning your recent GT acquisition, thats wonderful news to know its in the hands of a new owner whos willing to restore it. That bike was in the Carolinas and posted here recently by fellow member Ian aka oldjapanesebikes.
Its definately worth saving as only a few of that Japanese domestic model were made, less than 1200 to be exact for that year you have, so its rare and can probably be considered 'ultra rare' since not many of the original lot have survived.
Its actually called a B series model and you will do it justice with a restoration.
The information Ian has compiled shows 14513 onwards for a frame number is a B4 (74) and 15633 onwards as a B5 (75) and as yours has a 75 paint work it should be 15633 or in that frame series.
The thing you will have a hard time finding is the model specific speedometer with the blue plastic face and raised markings since its been replaced by a J model version on your bike.
Reproduction decals actually have the CCIS decals such as the one hanging from the right side cover, something I was surprised at given the rarity of that decals use on models.
Please keep us posted on how you get along on it and with pics if possible.

[tz375]

Allan,

What year do you think that bike is? If I understood your post, it's a B4(L).

We tend to call the 74 the L model and the M is 75 but of course that's not the year of manufacture necessarily. That bike appears to have what we would call M fork dust seals, but you know that detail better than I.

It looks like an M that may have been manufactured in late 74. IS that what you say or is JDM numbering different? Or does that "odd" numbering only apply to split head bikes and not to regular one piece heads?

[malky]

I have a strange frame number on my GT750A model registered here in the UK in 1976 the frame number is GT750B 165** its had this frame from its original registration as i have a copy of all the paperwork- no one seems to be able to tell me what exactly his bikes origins are but according to Ians info this also seems to be a Japan home market frame number

[oldjapanesebikes]

I have a strange frame number on my GT750A model registered here in the UK in 1976 the frame number is GT750B 165** its had this frame from its original registration as i have a copy of all the paperwork- no one seems to be able to tell me what exactly his bikes origins are but according to Ians info this also seems to be a Japan home market frame number

Correct - it would be a Japanese local market model - likely a B6, although I don't have the documentation to prove it. The engine number would be as per the General Export E1 numbering o it can be narrowed down from that - if I were to guess, it would be in the GT750-76xxx or higher range, but of course I have been wrong before Does it have the 80 KMH warning light, and the additional bracket on the left side of the headlamp ?

[oldjapanesebikes]

What year do you think that bike is? If I understood your post, it's a B4(L)

Richard - there was no L model in Japan - they went straight from the K as we know it to the something like an M which in Japan was released in 1974. Roy's bike has the 80 KPH alarm lamp, the Japanese language decals and the headlamp aiming lock bracket on the left side of the headlamp bucket. He has a fairly unique example.

[Scorch]

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[two-stroke-brit]

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ditto

[Suzsmokeyallan]

You know Ian, you will never finish that database for GT 750s, theres always going to be something popping up out of the blue to add, a work in progress forever..
There was a a 74 model with the split head, or at least it has a 74 paint scheme AND the split head, so were these also considered domestic market model bikes?
Roys bike looks like a 75 if you check the front forks on that factor alone, since they do not use the chrome fork seal covers.
Speaking of 76 models, I definately have the right engine and frame number for that year but at the rear it does not carry the 76-77 specific fender or frame mounts.
The factory seemed to throw on left overs, or use up whatever was around to get units through the door, but my frame number is not all that early for a 76 so they must have had a lot of left over pre-year units to build,,,LOL

[oldjapanesebikes]

You know Ian, you will never finish that database for GT 750s, theres always going to be something popping up out of the blue to add, a work in progress forever..

Indeed !

[malky]

Hi Ian, the engine has been changed at some time but it did originally have a number of 72365- it hasnt got the lamp or bracket but does have a cut out profile on the bottom of the left hand headlamp bracket I assume this was to give clearance for the extra metalwork.
Mal

[oldjapanesebikes]

Hi Ian, the engine has been changed at some time but it did originally have a number of 72365- it hasnt got the lamp or bracket but does have a cut out profile on the bottom of the left hand headlamp bracket I assume this was to give clearance for the extra metalwork.
Mal

Probably should start a new thread rather than hijack Roy's but that engine number looks about right. This is a photo of Roy's headlamp where you can see the Japan market bracket I'm referring to.



This is the parts list from the Japanese language parts manual.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Thanks for that information, especially the one about the LH ear with the cutaway. I have a few of those ears and always wondered why it was cut back slightly there for no apparent reason.
Now I can see why its made that way for the domestic model bracket to clear the edge.
I had bought some off of ebay as NOS items and they had the cutaway, along with some others I also have, so I'm now wondering if Suzuki made the alteration to the original stamping that didnt have it and then continued to make it altered until the end of production.

[RING_DING]

Thanks to all for the posts so far.
Interesting history....bike was purchased by a US serviceman in Okinawa. The Owner's Manual (in English) says GT750M on the cover.
Engine GT 750 - 64687
Frame GT750B - 15193

I'll post some pics of the Japanese language decals and the warning light on the instrument panel when I get to a fast connection tomorrow.