New Third Bike: 1978 Suzuki GS750 Motorcycle.

Well, it came time to get my third motorcycle, a 1978 Suzuki GS750, in “good” condition.  

This motorcycle is credited with putting Suzuki on the map for four-stroke motorcycles. Suzuki was dominating the two-stroke motorcycle arena, but with the increasing pressures of the US EPA, two-stroke engines were on their way out.

2-stroke engines burn oil; it’s mixed in with the fuel since they are built without a lube oil system. These engines are simpler and have twice as many power strokes and explosions as their 4-stroke counterparts. However, as mentioned, 2-stroke engines burn oil, which is noticeable with the blue smoke in their exhaust and their smell.

With 2-stroke engines going away, Suzuki needed a 4-stroke motorcycle to enter the market. The GS was that bike. Built in the Universal Japanese Motor4cyle style, it is functional, practical, and powerful.

My GS750 Back Story:

I got the bike from a former co-worker. His son was taking a break from riding motorcycles and wanted a quick sale on the bike. The bike has several known problems.

The first was that the seller did little to improve the aging bike, which was short of the new rear tire and fork seals. He proudly added oil when needed. 😀

Second, the bike has lost some chrome due to surface rust, making it look ‘old.’

Neither of these two items was enough to scare me off since the good thing about the motorcycle is that its frame, tank, and rest are in good physical shape.

What did I buy?

1978 Suzuki GS750 Specs:

The funny thing about motorcycles is that manufacturers often list power without distinguishing if it’s at the rear Wheel or the engine crank. So, looking at multiple sources and copies of the original sales brochure, I found these specs:

• Engine displacement: 748cc
• Engine Cooling: Air-Cooled
• Transmission: 5 Speed
• Final Drive: Chain
• Horse Power: At Crank – 68 HP, At Wheel – 63 HP (“estimates?”)
• Weight: Dry – 232 kg, Wet – 253 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons.

Now, the most important question I get asked is about motorcycles.

What Is The 1978 Suzuki GS750 Top Speed?

The top speed of the Suzuki GS750 is 123mph or 198 kph, as listed.

I have no intention of testing this top speed.

What Is The 1978 Suzuki GS750 Value?

When deciding the ‘value’ of this bike, I consulted several sources, and here are my findings.

A bike of this age, model, and condition, some listed at about $1-2k, is listed on Facebook Market Place.

The 1978 Suzuki GS750 Nada guide lists a bike in similar ‘good’ condition at about $1900.  

Things I Know Is Wrong With My GS750 So Far:

The seller was very honest about what he fixed and didn’t fix and his concerns about the bike.

1. The bike lacks power. Yes, the GS750 lacks power for him, and his Dad, on another similar displacement bike, leaves him in the ‘dust.’
2. The tachometer only sometimes works. There is no further information; it’s just that the needle occasionally bounces up.
3. The rear brake lacks stopping power. Yes, the seller rode this bike with a sketchy rear brake. He is much braver than I am.
4. The Motorcycle Battery is dead, like dead-dead: no lights, no crank, nothing.

That is what was told to me.

What I Found With Test Start.

The seller started the bike with a jump-start from the cold, and it started, but it was a hard start.

As the bike warmed up, the engine wouldn’t come off the choke, or it would die.

I also learned that exhaust pipes 1 & 3 were cold, while 2&4 were hot to the touch.

The bike runs on half its cylinders, which explains the lack of power.

My Plans For My GS750 Now.

Well, keep it simple: new battery, getting the bike running, warm-up, and oil change. Then, test rides will be used to build a list of to-dos.   

I will keep a list of my repairs and upgrades to this bike for others to follow. Stay tuned.

BTW: If you have tips or tricks for this GS750 motorcycle, please leave a comment—I appreciate feedback.