Looking for some opinions on moving forward with resto

[sonnyjim]

Hi all,

I picked up at 1974 with 25000 miles. It looks like it was repainted in the 80s, and not ridden much since the 90's/2000's. I bought it because it seems to have good bones and was complete. I plan to "restore it" to make it a presentable rider. It may or may not be a good candidate for a concourse restoration, but I don't have the inclination to do a concourse anyway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSUpWdFVMp0

A second reason I bought it was because it came with a bunch of high dollar NOS parts that were still in the box. Namely, a NOS seat, rear fender, rims, and spokes, (and many small parts). All Suzuki OEM.

I see the seat was 900 euro when it was available. I was originally going to put this seat on the bike, but I am thinking it might be better for someone doing a concourse restoration. I can instead buy foam and seat cover, as my bike came with a seat with a good pan.

I'm just not sure if it makes sense to sell the seat and put the money towards needed parts to make the bike road worthy, or just run the NOS seat on my otherwise ratty bike... Maybe the NOS seat isn't even worth very much because reproductions are so easy to get.

[Alan H]

900 euro for a seat? I think someone's lifting your leg. Currently the dearest on ebay is £250.
At the end of the day, people will pay what they like for parts, but considering we normally don't use classics as much or as fast as 'back in the day', then most after market parts are just fine.

[sonnyjim]

900 euro for a seat? I think someone's lifting your leg. Currently the dearest on ebay is £250.
At the end of the day, people will pay what they like for parts, but considering we normally don't use classics as much or as fast as 'back in the day', then most after market parts are just fine.

An authentic new Suzuki seat. Which very well may not be better quality than a Thai reproduction.

So, if someone was doing a concourse restoration, an authentic Suzuki seat would be very important. However, although there are lots of very nice restorations of these bikes, perhaps few are truly concourse.

[karl pa]

Looks like a nice project.
A couple of things I noticed on the video, the rear signals are not original, and the exhaust on the 74 should have connector pipes connecting the 3 header pipes together,they were a one year only pipe. most people won't even know, it should make a good rider.

[sonnyjim]

Looks like a nice project.
A couple of things I noticed on the video, the rear signals are not original, and the exhaust on the 74 should have connector pipes connecting the 3 header pipes together,they were a one year only pipe. most people won't even know, it should make a good rider.

I did notice afterwards they aren't original. Though, the bike did come with 4 original signals. The bike came with some polaroids of it from the early 90s. so the exhaust must have been changed in the 80s. Unless it is late 74 versus early 74 exhaust change?

[karl pa]

It could be a late 74, early and late in model years can vary.

[sonnyjim]

It could be a late 74, early and late in model years can vary.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I guess I could go off the vin?

[karl pa]

Suzuki models vary early and late in model year, If the assembly line ran out of a part they would use a part from the next year model, And if they had parts left over after they switch model year the would use up the leftover parts on the early made bikes,

[sonnyjim]

Suzuki models vary early and late in model year, If the assembly line ran out of a part they would use a part from the next year model, And if they had parts left over after they switch model year the would use up the leftover parts on the early made bikes,

I find suzuki has a real "get 'er done" attitude. And not in a bad way. Thats how they keep their prices low compared to the other Japanese manufacturers yet maintain the same reliability/function.