New Guy, New Bike - '75 GT250
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, Suzsmokeyallan
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- On the street
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:37 am
- Location: Greenville, SC
New Guy, New Bike - '75 GT250
Afternoon folks...
I've been without a bike for ~3yrs now (previously cb350) and only recently picked up a '75 GT250, ~2500 miles.
Low-bars, grips, seat, side-stand, and signals are the only non-stock items I have picked up on.
I plan to replace the grips, side-stand, signals, front pads, and tires in short order.
The issues I have seen with the bike include a finicky "F" light between the gauges, flashers not flashing, and suspected crank seal leakage.
I truly enjoy the bike thus-far, but look forward to learning the in's-and-out's of it (which brings me here).
--billyM
I've been without a bike for ~3yrs now (previously cb350) and only recently picked up a '75 GT250, ~2500 miles.
Low-bars, grips, seat, side-stand, and signals are the only non-stock items I have picked up on.
I plan to replace the grips, side-stand, signals, front pads, and tires in short order.
The issues I have seen with the bike include a finicky "F" light between the gauges, flashers not flashing, and suspected crank seal leakage.
I truly enjoy the bike thus-far, but look forward to learning the in's-and-out's of it (which brings me here).
--billyM
[img]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m264/williammattison/Automotive/Random/gt250ghettoSig.jpg[/img]
-
- On the street
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:37 am
- Location: Greenville, SC
I have gotten to meet and or chat with, online, a few very nice local folks, and I'm hoping between them and this forum, I can learn a few things, acquired a few bits and pieces, and take part in a few meets and such. Did I come to the right place?
...and a few more photos.
--BillyM
...and a few more photos.
--BillyM
[img]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m264/williammattison/Automotive/Random/gt250ghettoSig.jpg[/img]
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- To the on ramp
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- Location: Calgary, Canada
Billy.
That is a beautiful survivor, based on one of Suzuki's most important historical bikes, the '66 T20 Hustler. That bike took the world by storm when it was released. My first bike was a 1968 version, the year they introduced the factory signal lights to their product line, at least here in Canada. That brings me to the subject of your flasher issues. The system is designed to function with all four lights in place (the flasher requires the resistance of two signal bulbs and one dash light to operate correctly). If you install a set of correct signals on the rear of that beauty, both of the problems should go away. After that much down time over the years, I would go through the entire wire harness and make sure that all connections are clean and free of corrosion, and apply a dab of di-electric grease on each to keep them happy and resistance free. If the flasher unit does prove to be failing with age, then any good aftermarket HD flasher from your local car parts store will do the job nicely, and cheaply. NOS could be tough to find, and expensive.
What symptoms is your bike giving you to make you suspicious of your crank seals? I would be tempted to service the carburation and ignition very carefully first, put a few test miles on with everything set right, and hopefully the crank seal issue goes away. If it doesn't, then this is the place to be. There is more expertise available here than at most bike shops combined. You did well to unearth that beauty, and I wish you good luck with it's resurrection. Cheers.
Fred
That is a beautiful survivor, based on one of Suzuki's most important historical bikes, the '66 T20 Hustler. That bike took the world by storm when it was released. My first bike was a 1968 version, the year they introduced the factory signal lights to their product line, at least here in Canada. That brings me to the subject of your flasher issues. The system is designed to function with all four lights in place (the flasher requires the resistance of two signal bulbs and one dash light to operate correctly). If you install a set of correct signals on the rear of that beauty, both of the problems should go away. After that much down time over the years, I would go through the entire wire harness and make sure that all connections are clean and free of corrosion, and apply a dab of di-electric grease on each to keep them happy and resistance free. If the flasher unit does prove to be failing with age, then any good aftermarket HD flasher from your local car parts store will do the job nicely, and cheaply. NOS could be tough to find, and expensive.
What symptoms is your bike giving you to make you suspicious of your crank seals? I would be tempted to service the carburation and ignition very carefully first, put a few test miles on with everything set right, and hopefully the crank seal issue goes away. If it doesn't, then this is the place to be. There is more expertise available here than at most bike shops combined. You did well to unearth that beauty, and I wish you good luck with it's resurrection. Cheers.
Fred
Suzuki GT 750s
Ducati 750 GTs
2007 Duc 1000 GT (the clone)
2002 V Strom 1000 (lives again)
Suzuki RE5s
CBXs (18 cylinders, 72 valves)
Ducati 750 GTs
2007 Duc 1000 GT (the clone)
2002 V Strom 1000 (lives again)
Suzuki RE5s
CBXs (18 cylinders, 72 valves)
- Suzsmokeyallan
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Welcome Billy thats a beauty of a 250 you have there, not many survive in that shape today unless they are stuck in a museum or become a pampered trailer queen.
There are many knowledgeable persons here on this board very familiar with the 250s to answer any questions you may have.
I'd follow up Freds recommendations and then see what the situation is after on the points you raised.
There are many knowledgeable persons here on this board very familiar with the 250s to answer any questions you may have.
I'd follow up Freds recommendations and then see what the situation is after on the points you raised.
Two strokes, its just that simple.
69 Suz U70
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69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
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I appreciate the warm welcome and comments on the bike, but I can't say I take any credit for it, as all I did was (over?)pay for it and give it a good home.
...but for now, since I don't have miles of riding stories, I'll have to make-do with pictures near-by.
Original paint...
Close-up...
Overall...
Thanks again,
--billyM
Excellent! I was hoping that would be the case, but don't know these old bike electronics as well as I would like.Buffalo-guy wrote:...your flasher issues. The system is designed to function with all four lights in place
Drinking gearbox oil while running and filling the pipes up (rust inhibitors), and leaking out when set on the left side stand (tranny seal?). I have started a repair thread HERE and look forward to wrenching (with the knowledgeable help on this board).Buffalo-guy wrote:What symptoms is your bike giving you to make you suspicious of your crank seals?
...but for now, since I don't have miles of riding stories, I'll have to make-do with pictures near-by.
Original paint...
Close-up...
Overall...
Thanks again,
--billyM
[img]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m264/williammattison/Automotive/Random/gt250ghettoSig.jpg[/img]
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I don't have any reason to believe it is a repair weld, as most of the other welds on the frame are similarly terrible or "era correct" if you would prefer. I've only put a handfull of miles on the bike (~50) as the original tires worry me, as well as this tendency to sip down the gearbox oil...
Thanks,
--billyM
Thanks,
--billyM
[img]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m264/williammattison/Automotive/Random/gt250ghettoSig.jpg[/img]
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Weld Repair
Judging by my frame before I fixed up the welds and ground them smooth, that downtube left the factory that way.
Good to see another GT250. Mine was that same gold before I powder coated the frame gray and painted the rest blue.
Good to see another GT250. Mine was that same gold before I powder coated the frame gray and painted the rest blue.
Kevin R. Walsh '75 Suzuki GT-250 Cafe Racer