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GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:36 am
by jabcb
Starting a new topic because of the Photobucket mess.

Have a GT380 mix-and-match project: 72 frame + 74 motor + 74-77 Higgspeed.

For the 74-77 models, Suzuki made changes to the frame + exhaust for more cornering clearance.
So I have the early frame, and the late motor+Higgspeeds.
Have little adapter plates to attach the exhaust to the frame. Cut the right-side centerstand bracket off so I could raise the pipes up more.

Went with wider rims & bigger tires.
Rear: stock T500 rear wheel + Avon RR 110/90-18
Front: GT550 rim + Buchanan’s spokes + Avon RR 90/90-19

Replaced the junk 300mm shocks with CLMoto 320mm shocks.

Cornering clearance with the stock sidestand is horrible.
My old topic on this is: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12841

There was a number of reasonably easy solutions. The one I settled on uses a combo of available parts. This combo located the stand foot & tab behind where the exhaust starts to kick up.

Used an 1/2” thick aluminum spacer to lower the stand. (Edit - had the wrong spacer thickness.)
Used a T500 stand bracket that has a second set of holes drilled to move the stand closer to the center of the bike.
Used a TS250 stand with a tab created by welding on a rod.
Added few washers to the exhaust mount to move the pipe out a bit for clearance with the stand.

Pic of T500 stand bracket with second set of holes:
ImageGT380_0596 by jabcb, on Flickr

Pic of tab welded on the TS250 sidestand:
ImageGT380_0597 by jabcb, on Flickr


Pics showing the result:
ImageGT380_0599 by jabcb, on Flickr

ImageGT380_0599 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:58 pm
by jabcb
GT550 4LS now installed. The old topic is: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11181
ImageGT380_0603 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:47 pm
by Alan H
Slightly longer rear shocks will give a tad more ground clearance.
Just done a 4ls for the 550J resto. Lovely brakes when set up properly.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 4:00 am
by jabcb
I also needed the longer shocks + slightly larger tire OD to get a better lean angle when on the sidestand.

I bought this one years ago for what seemed like crazy money at the time. But it was a good deal in retrospect.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:40 pm
by jabcb
Done! (Except for bar end mirrors & plate)
ImageGT380_0609 by jabcb, on Flickr

ImageGT380_0610 by jabcb, on Flickr

ImageGT380_0611 by jabcb, on Flickr

ImageGT380_0613 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:43 am
by Micron
That is smart, really nice :up: 8) 8)

It looks like new, well done, great job 8)

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:01 pm
by jabcb
First test run of completed project.
ImageGT380_0614 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:02 pm
by Alan H
Great news. How did the shakedown go?

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:12 pm
by jabcb
Didn't have time today. Will have to wait for a few days.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:54 am
by kb75ts250
Great looking bike - congratulations!

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:34 am
by jabcb
Thanks.

This was a much bigger project than I would have dared to try a few years ago.
The cumulative effect of the tips I’ve gotten from this forum over the last few years have helped a lot.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 12:44 pm
by sportston
That looks awesome! I love the fatter rear wheel and tyre. A nice tidy special bike. I'd love to hear what it sounds like with those higgspeeds. I've heard them on youtube, but the sound is very poor quality and never anything like the true reverberation of a 2-stroke in real life.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:13 pm
by jabcb
First test ride today went well.
Just need to raise the idle & switch to an LED headlight.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:52 am
by jabcb
Upgraded to a 5-3/4” LED headlight & kept the stock headlight rim+bucket.

Used headlight ring (HL retainer) part # 35127-29610. Its used on some TS-series & small GS-series bikes like the 1980 GS450L.
Used the Rivera Primo 5-3/4” LED headlight, 1116-0201.

Pic of headlight installed in the ring. The headlight is the shallowest one I found & it wasn’t easy to get in the ring.
ImageGT380_0660 by jabcb, on Flickr

I made little adapters out of aluminum let over from the GT250 cafe project.
Adapters are 20mm wide with two centered 5mm holes. And are 31mm long with holes centered & 17mm apart.
Pic of installed adapter.
ImageGT380_0662 by jabcb, on Flickr

And installed in the GT380 rim.
ImageGT380_0663 by jabcb, on Flickr

And the result is …
ImageGT380_0664 by jabcb, on Flickr

I didn’t wire up the yellow lights yet. They can be wired up as turn signals or running lights. The GT250 cafe project has the same headlight. We had the GT250 out last night & its definitely a good upgrade over the dismal stock headlight.

The stock headlight on the 72 GT380 is part # 35121-33610. This headlight also fits some early T500/T350/T250s. I provided the details incase someone else wanted to try this upgrade.

Re: GT380 project - new topic

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 12:23 pm
by ConnerVT
$200+ for a headlamp? No thanks. Too rich for my blood.