Why is it that most 70's bikes look so much cooler than what we have now? Your bike, CB750's, H1 & H2, Water Buffalos, CBX, GS 1000, XS11 Special on and on. I have a blue Z900RS and love it , but the bikes back then looked excellent.
I had a 1973 GT-380, back in the 1990s. Mine was orange. I do miss that bike. This is a wonderful job at the restoration. Kudos to the guy who did all that work.
I had one, clocked up 35k miles on it and it never missed a beat. The sound from the original pipes is something I will never forget as long as I live.
Bought one near Genk Belgium in 1980 to tour on and get to work at the Ford plant. Was a Canadian exchange student at the time. Good times!! Took it to the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy and into Yugoslavia. What a blast riding up the coast with no helmet and Purple tinted sunglasses. One thing that was a problem was the abysmal fuel economy. Handled great as a touring rig.I'd loveto try the one in this video. lovely resto
Beautiful. My first street bike, at age 16 in 1975, was a 100% completely stock 1972 Suzuki GT380. Having stock pipes it was quite a bit quieter than that one. It had fairly low mileage on it, and was only 3 years old when I bought it. It wasn't that nice, it didn't have all the polishing and attention to detail. Back then it was nothing special. Well, actually it was, but nobody, including myself, knew it back then. After 5 years I traded it for a brand new 1980 Suzuki GS450L, an early Japanese cruiser style bike. It was much more comfortable and reliable than the GT380, but nowhere near as exiting to ride. However, it got me into long distance riding, or touring, which is what I still enjoy most nearly 50 years later. I've racked up around a million miles during that time. And I am very proud of the fact that not a single one of them was on a bike with EFI or ABS.
Maybe so, but not having carburettors as part of maintenance is a great thing.. Electric start is much better that skinning your shin. But i agree with ABS. I like to have control over rear wheel skid ,or not.
Just been working on mine. Needs a good blast though, two stroke gunge drips out drainholes in exhausts when not had a good run in a while, part of the ownership experience! Good old smokers, mine is looking great now in Candy gold and part restored. Not the fastest things but fun and they still turn heads. Look out Coventry.....a smokescreen coming 😂
Absolutely lovely machine! I had a silver metal flake GT380A back in the day. Loved that bike, took it all the way from Dundee in Scotland to Bordeaux France with a pillion passenger, tent etc. It handled the whole trip without a glitch, so reliable! Enjoyed that holiday so much, often think of it and that bike. I'd love to have one as spectacular as this now!
Beautiful. I too had put expansion chambers on my 380 way back in 78. Was a fantastic bike. Upgraded to a Honda CB750 and never looked back... until now. I may seek one out. ;]
I was riding a KH 250 when that bike was 2 years old, properly maintained all the triples started first kick, i had Kawasaki triples. My mate Kev spent a lifetime going on about how wonderful his gt 185 was. I saw lots of gt's when they were new and they seemed to be a really solid bike, i never owned a Suzuki. Kawasaki and Honda. Kev died 2 years ago, gt 550 z 1300 , gs 1100 until just before he died. 5 close friends, kev was always the Suzuki guy.
This was my first m/cycle new in 1974 it is was one model before this face lifted model.It was a joy to ride and being a three cylinder 2 stroke the engine was vibration free and smooth.The seat was the most comfortable I ever had.One thing on the newer model I think was a retrograde step was ditching the fork gaiters cos they really did keep the muck out. The performance for that time was sizzling
Nice bike, Had a teacher in HS that had one. After I graduated I bought a new 77 GS550, all the controls look the same. It was a 4cyl. 4 stroke, but this 380 inspired my purchase. Owned it for 45+ yrs., the charging system on these old Suzuki's were a pain, but great bikes overall.
Smoothest engine I ever owned. Not super fast but reliable, quiet and fun. Rode it from Los Angeles to Canada and back. Bangin gears all the way. Sold it for $600.
This was my first big bike after I passed my test 40yrs ago, I did a straight swop for my Honda 125 twin for two GT380's, one was road worthy the second one was complete but needed some work to get back on the road.
A few years ago, my brother in law’s mate knew someone with one of these still in it’s original crate, essentially brand new, not even fully assembled and PDI’d. I would have loved to have got my hands on that, but aside from the fact he wasn’t selling and I wouldn’t have been able to afford it, this was in Milan, so a long way to van it!
Those Hagons sound a lot better than stock exhausts. 👍😁 I seized the middle cylinder on mine. I couldn't be bothered to fix it and gave it to our postman at the time.
I had a black 1977 with standard pipes. Great fun, but heat seized Infront of a couple of coppers, promptly got attested for being underage with no licence, insurance, tax, and MOT. The temptation to have this aged 16 was too strong, rightly so. Great times.
I bought an RD400 in 1979 . . .the dealership had a GT380 and an RD400 and I went for the RD which was a faster an more nimble bike but I always loved the sound of the Suzuki and Kawasaki 2-stroke triples and the howl as the rpm increased - much nicer than the RD's
Great idea to start up your expansion chambered two stroke right beside a rest home where elderly people may be still asleep, then rev it up. I love older motorcycles, and I've ridden a Gt 380 back when they were new, but even with stock pipes you need to respect that others may not share your love of exhaust sounds and ride the throttle with others in mind. Lovely old bike by the way.
It's daytime and the guy owns his property, it's his hobby and he's not being disrespectful, probably made some old guys day and was watching and listening out the window remembering old times when he probably rode, chill out, I could see if he was doing burnouts,or wide open or something. I used to live by old age place and drove my 79 Camaro blown everywhere, they loved it and would always wave. I feel he was being more than respectful
Had one of these as a teenager, did my own maintenance 3 sets of contact breakers, never did run well as I mistakenly thought you timed them for when they closed and not when they opened 😳
I thought that the tool kit was on the left. It was not designed to have ‘spannies’; though it is a beautiful bike. I hope that he’s got a set of original exhausts. If he has, he needs to TREASURE them.
I owned a 1974 one, gold finish, 6 speed gears and a LCD display to let you know which gear you were in and you needed it - you were forever changing gears to keep the engine on the boil. It lacked torque - a headwind or a slight hill and you had to change down a couple of gears. Thirsty too at 47 mpg. It could top 100mph with a tail wind and accelerated well and felt nimble.
Lovely bike same colour of my 76 a model had it over at the IOM TT this year and so many people interested in it any tips on alloy polishing it's so shiny
Just polish the alloy now and then with White Diamond metal polish. www.amazon.co.uk/White-Diamond-Detail-Products-Microfibre/dp/B0821NT9YC/ref=asc_df_B0821NT9YC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=404437550154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13268805820678234879&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006925&hvtargid=pla-851013623203&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=89736174921&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=404437550154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13268805820678234879&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006925&hvtargid=pla-851013623203
Absolutely beautiful I use to have one in the late 70s. It had a 3 into 1 exhaust and I wish I had it now. Is this part of your collection or for sale?.
Had a GT380A circa 1985, beautiful bike....always started first time. Loud as f*ck when firing up on choke ! Luckily my parents neighbour then was an ex biker himself 😉😂
Hi Robert, These bikes were designed to run on leaded petrol, how do they handle non-leaded? Or do you have to mod the engine? Apologies for the naive question.
Why is it that most 70's bikes look so much cooler than what we have now? Your bike, CB750's, H1 & H2, Water Buffalos, CBX, GS 1000, XS11 Special on and on. I have a blue Z900RS and love it , but the bikes back then looked excellent.
Because everything is shit now😊
I know what you mean!
Totally agree
I totally agree with you about the 1970's bikes they had so much bling and didn't look like today's combine harvesters.
As soon as you started it, I swear I could smell that exhaust like it was 1973. Lovely bike.
Wow, thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it
I had a 1973 GT-380, back in the 1990s. Mine was orange. I do miss that bike. This is a wonderful job at the restoration. Kudos to the guy who did all that work.
Thanks, it is awesome
I had one, clocked up 35k miles on it and it never missed a beat. The sound from the original pipes is something I will never forget as long as I live.
I have one with original pipes in my channel, take a look
Yeah, you can't beat the "Original" sound of that "Off Beat Crackle" those old
Suzi's made back then.
My first road bike...seriously a pop corn popper....just loved it!!!
Absolutely stunning. A bygone era of some of the most interesting bikes ever made.
I agree, awesome era for classic bikes. Most of my videos in my channel are all from the same era.
I had a 76 back in the day. It was the best bike I ever owned, i loved it.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Bought one near Genk Belgium in 1980 to tour on and get to work at the Ford plant. Was a Canadian exchange student at the time. Good times!! Took it to the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy and into Yugoslavia. What a blast riding up the coast with no helmet and Purple tinted sunglasses. One thing that was a problem was the abysmal fuel economy. Handled great as a touring rig.I'd loveto try the one in this video. lovely resto
Beautiful. My first street bike, at age 16 in 1975, was a 100% completely stock 1972 Suzuki GT380. Having stock pipes it was quite a bit quieter than that one. It had fairly low mileage on it, and was only 3 years old when I bought it. It wasn't that nice, it didn't have all the polishing and attention to detail. Back then it was nothing special. Well, actually it was, but nobody, including myself, knew it back then. After 5 years I traded it for a brand new 1980 Suzuki GS450L, an early Japanese cruiser style bike. It was much more comfortable and reliable than the GT380, but nowhere near as exiting to ride. However, it got me into long distance riding, or touring, which is what I still enjoy most nearly 50 years later. I've racked up around a million miles during that time. And I am very proud of the fact that not a single one of them was on a bike with EFI or ABS.
Thanks for your kind comments and I'm glad that you're still riding!
Kudos!
Maybe so, but not having carburettors as part of maintenance is a great thing..
Electric start is much better that skinning your shin.
But i agree with ABS. I like to have control over rear wheel skid ,or not.
I had the GS 550 shortly after having one of these, and agree they're far more confidence inspiring, better all round.
I owned a GT380 in 1977. It was lemon yellow. Thanks. This video brought back some good memories, particularly hearing it run again.
Glad you liked the video
That's a really nice example . . . Lovely. Sounds great. Hope you still have it. Early Japanese bikes are worth good money nowadays.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories. I still have it too!
Just been working on mine. Needs a good blast though, two stroke gunge drips out drainholes in exhausts when not had a good run in a while, part of the ownership experience! Good old smokers, mine is looking great now in Candy gold and part restored. Not the fastest things but fun and they still turn heads. Look out Coventry.....a smokescreen coming 😂
Sounds great!
My brother had one of these bikes in the early 80's.. Still remember the sound and smell.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
That has to be the best restored bike i've seen. My era. I had a GT 250m Ram Air back in the 70's.
Thanks for your kind comments, the fact I am just in the middle of restoring a blue GT250 to match the 380 and the GT125 I already have
Absolutely lovely machine! I had a silver metal flake GT380A back in the day. Loved that bike, took it all the way from Dundee in Scotland to Bordeaux France with a pillion passenger, tent etc. It handled the whole trip without a glitch, so reliable! Enjoyed that holiday so much, often think of it and that bike. I'd love to have one as spectacular as this now!
Brilliant memories eh!
They just don't make em' like they used to. Just "Plastic Missiles" from the early
80's onward.
Beautiful. I too had put expansion chambers on my 380 way back in 78. Was a fantastic bike. Upgraded to a Honda CB750 and never looked back... until now. I may seek one out. ;]
My brother had all the gt's and kh's, they sounded and smelled awesome.
You always show us the nicest bikes . I wasn't alive when this bike was new, but now I am!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your kind comments
What a beauty Mate.
Enjoy
Took me back to the early 70s hearing that glorious 2 stroke triple
Thanks
I had the 380,550 en 750.
I ,72, want those bike back.
Greetings from Holland
Thanks for watching my video
Another stunning bike Robert. Just love the noise of those pipes!!! First trip out on my GT750 today. Nice!!
I loved everything about the GT380. Except for the brakes. Great sounding cackle from those pipes
What an awesome machine that was.
In an eighth mile it could out race just about anything in its day
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Hi i had a gt 380 with exspansion exhausts brilliant so sorry i ever sold it your 380 looks fantastic great job
Thanks
Loved this bike . I akways had a soft spot for the GT 380 . One of the bikes of my dreams.
Thanks buddy for watching my video
Fantastic bike my favourite bike I wanted one 1974 I will still try to chase one down 2023 so good lucky man 😊
Thanks for your kind comments. It's for sale at £8.5k. Rob
The sound and smell of that two stroke engine unreal.
I know what you mean!
I was riding a KH 250 when that bike was 2 years old, properly maintained all the triples started first kick, i had Kawasaki triples. My mate Kev spent a lifetime going on about how wonderful his gt 185 was. I saw lots of gt's when they were new and they seemed to be a really solid bike, i never owned a Suzuki. Kawasaki and Honda. Kev died 2 years ago, gt 550 z 1300 , gs 1100 until just before he died. 5 close friends, kev was always the Suzuki guy.
Thanks for sharing your story with me.
This was my first m/cycle new in 1974 it is was one model before this face lifted model.It was a joy to ride and being a three cylinder 2 stroke the engine was vibration free and smooth.The seat was the most comfortable I ever had.One thing on the newer model I think was a retrograde step was ditching the fork gaiters cos they really did keep the muck out. The performance for that time was sizzling
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Nice bike, Had a teacher in HS that had one. After I graduated I bought a new 77 GS550, all the controls look the same. It was a 4cyl. 4 stroke, but this 380 inspired my purchase. Owned it for 45+ yrs., the charging system on these old Suzuki's were a pain, but great bikes overall.
Thanks for watching my video and I’m glad it bought back memories. Rob
I'd forgotten just how good 2 strokes sound!
Thet are awesome
Smoothest engine I ever owned. Not super fast but reliable, quiet and fun. Rode it from Los Angeles to Canada and back. Bangin gears all the way. Sold it for $600.
Hi Nick, I’m glad that my video bought back memories. Rob
Lol ! Was not expecting the bark outta that ! Wow amazing looking and sounding bike.
Thanks buddy for watching my video
What a stunning bike; and what a noise 😍
Thanks, I agree, incredible sound
I bought one in 1985 .Loved it and had a gear indicator .I rode this for 6 months and only paid £250 for it wish i had kept it now .
They are lovely bikes
Beautiful job on that bike. And the sound may be more beautiful than the look of it.
Thanks buddy for watching my video
This was my first big bike after I passed my test 40yrs ago, I did a straight swop for my Honda 125 twin for two GT380's, one was road worthy the second one was complete but needed some work to get back on the road.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Although they didn't look so great, I always felt the triples with a 3 into 1 sounded the best, especially under load. Real screamers
Music to my ears! Long live 2-strokes!!!
Totally agree 👍
A few years ago, my brother in law’s mate knew someone with one of these still in it’s original crate, essentially brand new, not even fully assembled and PDI’d. I would have loved to have got my hands on that, but aside from the fact he wasn’t selling and I wouldn’t have been able to afford it, this was in Milan, so a long way to van it!
Would have been great to own!
I had a silver one back in '78 and fitted a Piper three into one pipe onto it, sounded like a RG 500 at full tilt!!
First bike in 82 was a black 76. Expansion chambers I filed on in corners. Great times....
Those Hagons sound a lot better than stock exhausts. 👍😁
I seized the middle cylinder on mine. I couldn't be bothered to fix it and gave it to our postman at the time.
Such a shame as they're awesome bikes 🏍
@@robertmenghini.Lambomad It was just my commuting hack back then, and they were cheap as chips. 😶
Not now, very collectable and expensive
I had a black 1977 with standard pipes. Great fun, but heat seized Infront of a couple of coppers, promptly got attested for being underage with no licence, insurance, tax, and MOT. The temptation to have this aged 16 was too strong, rightly so. Great times.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Great bike you have there. I hope it goes to a good home, and gets properly revved on a sunny Sunday. Thanks.
Looks great pipes sounds out of this world,,far better than the standard pipes,, be the way it was back in the day 😊
Thanks for your kind comments 😊
Wow wow wow. Love it. A work of art 😎
Thanks
I bought an RD400 in 1979 . . .the dealership had a GT380 and an RD400 and I went for the RD which was a faster an more nimble bike but I always loved the sound of the Suzuki and Kawasaki 2-stroke triples and the howl as the rpm increased - much nicer than the RD's
I also had a blue RD 400 and wish I kept it, they are incredible bikes fantastic torque! I prefer the RD400 over the 380
Is the best sound I ever listened.😊
I agree!
Higgspeed always sound lovely 👍... awesome bike man.
Thanks
Wow just beautiful and that sound is amazing 🤩
Absolutely beautiful Bike!! Thanks for Sharing!!
Thanks for watching my video
I learned how to ride on one of these beauties when I was living in Rarotonga!
Beautiful.) I had 2 GT 750s great bikes back in the day.)
The best!
amazing bike , i miss my old goldie .. first vehicle in the 70s Gold 380
They are awesome classic bikes!
Looks & sounds beautiful!!
👍
Remember it well and it’s sound was always very distinctive
Great sound eh!
So beautiful 😻
Nice bike,even with the 'lumpy' seat😉
That looks superb,you jammy bugger.😊
Thanks for watching my video
This is not only an awesome sound this is music 😇😇!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Great idea to start up your expansion chambered two stroke right beside a rest home where elderly people may be still asleep, then rev it up.
I love older motorcycles, and I've ridden a Gt 380 back when they were new, but even with stock pipes you need to respect that others may not share your love of exhaust sounds and ride the throttle with others in mind.
Lovely old bike by the way.
I do agree with that, although I’ve lived at my place for 35 years and I think they’re used to me now!
It's daytime and the guy owns his property, it's his hobby and he's not being disrespectful, probably made some old guys day and was watching and listening out the window remembering old times when he probably rode, chill out, I could see if he was doing burnouts,or wide open or something. I used to live by old age place and drove my 79 Camaro blown everywhere, they loved it and would always wave. I feel he was being more than respectful
It's a 1977 it is so sweet the chrome makes the bike
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
I bought a 550 triple in 1996 and a 750 in 97.... coolest sound everrrrrr
Agreed 👍
i love 70,s suzuki had about 10 over the years sounds awsome paul west yorkshire
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Very beauty and nice song!!
Thanks, they are awesome!
Had one of these as a teenager, did my own maintenance 3 sets of contact breakers, never did run well as I mistakenly thought you timed them for when they closed and not when they opened 😳
Great bikes. Thanks again for watching my video
Absolutely gorgeous 👍👍❤️
Beautiful
Love this sound
Thanks
I’m surprised you didn’t show the instrument cluster or mention the DGR (digital gear readout) which was, in 1973, some high tech!!
You're right, I forgot those!
Beautiful sound...
It's an A model. B model has different rear light and front mudguard doesn't have stays. Clocks are different colour aswell.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, I think you’re right
A mate of mine back in the day had a black and gold jps GT380..
Nice! Thanks for watching the video
It's a stunner...had 2 back in the 70's looking for one again, if you know of one for sale?
Thanks
I thought that the tool kit was on the left. It was not designed to have ‘spannies’; though it is a beautiful bike. I hope that he’s got a set of original exhausts. If he has, he needs to TREASURE them.
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Awesome sound😌😌
Thanks
I owned a 1974 one, gold finish, 6 speed gears and a LCD display to let you know which gear you were in and you needed it - you were forever changing gears to keep the engine on the boil. It lacked torque - a headwind or a slight hill and you had to change down a couple of gears. Thirsty too at 47 mpg. It could top 100mph with a tail wind and accelerated well and felt nimble.
Totally agree with you on this!
Shame it doesn't have the original exhausts. Looks lovely nonetheless.
The exhausts improve the bike,they make it something special
Oooooh I love that Sound
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories
Beautiful bike mate! Looks like you have Higspeed expansion pipes and not Hagon as i suspect you confused them with the shocks? Really nice bike mate
Thanks buddy for watching my video, glad it bought back memories and you’re right!
Your finger is in the view field😊
I know, sucks
wish mine started that easy, pulled a muscle in my leg this morning after kicking it for 5 minutes
That’s a shame, if they’re set up properly they should start first kick
Mine needs a few kicks to brink it to life ,rebuilt set up ok ,electronic ignition so wouldn't worry 😊
Lovely bike same colour of my 76 a model had it over at the IOM TT this year and so many people interested in it any tips on alloy polishing it's so shiny
Just polish the alloy now and then with White Diamond metal polish. www.amazon.co.uk/White-Diamond-Detail-Products-Microfibre/dp/B0821NT9YC/ref=asc_df_B0821NT9YC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=404437550154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13268805820678234879&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006925&hvtargid=pla-851013623203&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=89736174921&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=404437550154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13268805820678234879&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006925&hvtargid=pla-851013623203
Absolutely beautiful I use to have one in the late 70s. It had a 3 into 1 exhaust and I wish I had it now. Is this part of your collection or for sale?.
It's in my collection but eventually it will be sold
Ibank the Suzuki GT's all of them 380 550 and 750s we're the most beautiful motorcycles of their time
I agree, the sound, looks and those pipes!
Beautifully restored gt380 ! ❤ I'm considering buying a gt550 . What brand expansion chambers are on your bike ?
@@morpheophantasm8332 Thanks for watching my video, I think they are Higspeeds
@@robertmenghini.Lambomad ok thank you : )
Had a GT380A circa 1985, beautiful bike....always started first time.
Loud as f*ck when firing up on choke !
Luckily my parents neighbour then was an ex biker himself 😉😂
I found that they were always easy to start.
Yes they are
Probably wrong, but looks like the back tyre is the wrong way round.
It is, well spotted!
Hi Robert, These bikes were designed to run on leaded petrol, how do they handle non-leaded? Or do you have to mod the engine? Apologies for the naive question.
The e5 fuel is fine, there’s no valves as they are 2 stroke engines
@@robertmenghini.Lambomad Thanks, I was not aware this issue only applied to engines with valves! 👍
All Kawasakis from 1970 onward were designed to run on unleaded. In fact pretty sure all Japanese bikes were from that era, be it 2 or 4 stroke.
Lovely
Lovely video and bike. Make me decide to buy the GT380 of my dad and fix it. And sell my RD250. Time for an other bike
Good choice!
Magic. However it's now a 3023. My 125 is a 74. And still 74. But I would really love yours.
2023.
Lovely little bikes 🏍
Did you mean Higgspeed exhausts? Lovely bike btw 👌
Yes sorry!
3 cylinders always had a
Good sound to me
I totally agree 👍
That staccato crackling exhaust sound is beautiful to hear.Not something to be heard on today's sanitised bikes.
Couldn't agree more!
I had a gold one back in the day, NUE 256P 🙂
Love it
Thanks for watching my video
where is the sticker off the rev counter ? mine said something like .do not rev up or red line whilst standing or words to that effect
Super... Bike💥💥💥👍