Just picked up a 74 GT750

[KraigG]

I've been trying to buy this bike for the last 15 years. The owner, the husband of a college friend, finally caved in a weak moment, and I got it delivered this morning.

Seems to be complete, but it hasn't run since 1986. Chrome is very pitted, which is strange, as it's been sitting in his garage, covered, for the duration. Tank looks good, seat has some tears, fenders are almost all rust colored. Bike looks to have never been dropped, and has only 16k miles.

What's the first thing I need to do? I'm aiming towards getting it running by next spring.

[Zunspec4]

Nice one KraigG,

A good place to start is to apply your favourite anti-sieze spray (WD40 etc.) to every nut/bolt/thread you can see, it will help come the strip down. I am sure others will agree that you are unlikely to just put fresh fuel in and get away with it as having been sitting since 1986 all the oil seals are probably well hardened and will need replacing. There is plenty of expertise on this forum to help you get a GT750 restoration organised and the bike in the picture looks like it deserves it. There is plenty that needs doing for a smart restoration but if you are just looking to get it roadworthy first you might just make it before next spring .

Good luck Zunspec

[oldjapanesebikes]

As it is fairly original, one thing you could do is take a few photos for me so I add them to the Guide - I can give you a list of what I'm looking for, and you'd be given photo credit. Just PM me to let me know if you are interested. The timing is good as I am about half way through doing a re-write with additional material.

[tz375]

Welcome to the mad house. Looks like a great place to start.

That WD40 suggestion is a good suggestion and if you can contribute to Ian's reference material that would be really good. I'm way north of Chicago, closer to 6 flags. Where are you? There are a couple of GT guys around Chi Town.

teazer

[KraigG]

Welcome to the mad house. Looks like a great place to start.

That WD40 suggestion is a good suggestion and if you can contribute to Ian's reference material that would be really good. I'm way north of Chicago, closer to 6 flags. Where are you? There are a couple of GT guys around Chi Town.

teazer

Hey, Teaser.

I'm in Gurnee adjacent, off of Rt 120 and Rt 41. Just moved back into the area from California two months ago. I'm telling everyone that it's because of the Buffalo

Picked up the bike from a garage near Hunt Club and Gages Lake Road. In your area?

Kraig

[jkevinlilly]

The chrome/rust issue depends on if it is just minor surface pitting, or goes plumb through to the underlying metal. Try some 0000 steel wool, you may be surprised with the results.

Kevin

[H2RICK]

Way to go, Kraig !!! You're a very fortunate guy to have found such a fine example for a resto candidate. Good luck with your project and there's TONS of knowledge on this board to solve any problems you run into.
Apparently, there are Buffalos STILL to be found lurking in garages all over the place.......with low mileage.....even at this late date. Who'da thunk ???

[tz375]

Kraig, that's probably 10 minutes from my place to where you are. I'm close to 21 & 176. Howdy neighbor.

[KraigG]

Kraig, that's probably 10 minutes from my place to where you are. I'm close to 21 & 176. Howdy neighbor.

Sounds like you're in Libertyville!

Ever get over to the Full Moon on Sunday mornings? Nobody there a few weeks ago had ever heard of a Buffalo before

And for those of you wondering: The things NOT original on the '74 are:

Grips
Sissy bar
Tires
Battery
Rear carrier
Plugs
Aftermarket "cruise control"

All else is as it came from the factory.

[tz375]

Full moon on 41 - is that the new hang out for bikes? I've been looking for a replacement for the old Highland House which was sold a few years ago. The crown there used to be terrific with every manner of bike from cruisers to Bimotas and lots of older stuff.

What is the Full Moon crowd like in terms of numbers or mix of bikes? I may have to zip over next Sunday am on the RZ just for fun.

[TLRam1]

Kraig, that's probably 10 minutes from my place to where you are. I'm close to 21 & 176. Howdy neighbor.

Sounds like you're in Libertyville!

Ever get over to the Full Moon on Sunday mornings? Nobody there a few weeks ago had ever heard of a Buffalo before

And for those of you wondering: The things NOT original on the '74 are:

Grips
Sissy bar
Tires
Battery
Rear carrier
Plugs
Aftermarket "cruise control"

All else is as it came from the factory.

The handlebars and front blinkers do not look correct.

Congrats on the bike, when are you going to get started?

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Nice 74 Buffalo and if its mostly unmolested you're in for a treat as those bikes are the 'oddball' buffalo when it comes to parts only used on that year.
The indicators on the front are Yamaha units and luckily you can get excellent repro buffalo units for a very decent price on ebay so that issue is solved.
Most of the chrome looks pretty bad but as mentioned some 0000 steel wool should let you know if anything can be made to look decent enough to work,, for now.
The airbox side covers you wont find NOS as 74s cover mountings were different to 75-77 airboxes so you will have to re-chrome them for sure, the other bits you can also re-chrome as time and funds permit.
The ft fender had external stays on that model which later ones didn't have, and they are hard to find, most people re-chroming them grind out the rivets and re-chrome the stays and fender, then use stainless cross head screws to replace the rivets.
The 74 specific seat cover can be gotten from TC on ebay (pitreplicas) at a decent price so that also an easy fix as well.
So whats your plan for getting it ready to attempt a startup.

[tz375]

Front fender has those external saddles but they are screwed on. I have one here and threw another one out.

And the airbox is another unique part as Allan mentioned, but the complete airbox can be swapped for a later one if necessary. We also know that all model changes did not take place at teh model change. Some were introduced earlier. We have for example seen 74's with early and late type disks, 74 and 75 style fenders and 74 & 75 airbox assemblies.

[KraigG]

I thought the handlebars looked a bit high, but the guy I got it from claimed he didn't change them (he bought the bike used in the late 70s).

The 0000 steel wool took the dirt and grime off great, but the rust spots on the pipes are missing the chrome, and the airbox cleans up to "pitted".

Will have to pull the fenders, disassemble them, and send them out for a re-chrome. Just glad I'm not still in CA, as that gets insanely expensive there.

Tank cleaned up beautifully, and looks brand new, as do the side covers. One of the front signals is missing anyway, so I'll look for a pair of the stock ones.

And Teazer: Yes, Full Moon has replaced the Highland House, but not nearly as big. Last day that was warm (in the 80s), there were perhaps 75 bikes there of all kinds. Nobody there had ever heard of the Water Buffalo before. They'll be shocked to see it there next year!

[tz375]

With any luck, I'll have one or other of my custom GT's there next spring to join you.