Suzie blue
So I got myself a nice little GT to rebuild as a winter project.
I grew up on Japanese 2 strokes from the 70’s. The triples were the hot stuff then and I always wanted one.
My buddy Matt has been kind enough to let me do some wrenching on his 74′ Cb SOHC over the summer and that gave me the taste of old engines again. It took a bit of time to narrow down my search. It had to be from the early 70′ before everything became ugly; it had to be multi cylinder and it should have some personality. A triple 2T fits just right. These engines have the kind of attitude that modern bikes lament and they just sound, look (and smell) like nothing you see on the road these days. Plus they are mechanically simple and fairly solid.
Suzie is a 73, completely stock with 25000 miles.
This blog is to keep an account of the progress as I work along to bring her back to glory.
This is what she looks like now:
Yan's GT380 
Great to see this type of restor documentation. It’s very inspiring and also of great use for the information and knowledge that yiou gained and passed along.
Nice job. I have finished my GT38o and doing up a very sad 1990 RGV250 at present.
Neil
December 28, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I am wanitng to rebuild 2 380 triple engines. Do you know of anyone that does this? Thanks.
July 15, 2012 at 8:54 am
I am wanitng to rebuild 2 380 triple engines. Do you know of anyone that does this? Thanks.
July 15, 2012 at 8:55 am
@Mark.
I have not used any one myself but you could try those guys: http://www.hvccycle.com/
These engines are quite easy to work on however. If you are mechanically inclined you could save a bundle by rebuilding it yourself. The only part I would leave to the pros would be the crank if it needed an overhaul.
Cheers.
July 15, 2012 at 9:11 am
Thank You for your prompt response…..I will check it out.
July 15, 2012 at 9:27 am
Hello Yan&Suzie Blue from Finland=)
Just bought a month ago 1972 GT380J,yes that drum brake model.
Very original stiill,but secret was that someone has restaured it very well and put lots of money then,years ago and museum registered before selling it to owner from who i bought it.
Sorry to say,that was wrong move to that bike.
Well..still nice looking outside with new paint+chrome parts shining.
55000km on gauge.
10 years/5000km since new exhaust system those were not like new anymore+inside..huh…never cleaned or opened=totally full of dirt,grease looking smelling stuff and rusted pieces from inside parts from pipes so must use “ideas”to get those working good and put somehow new silencer mat inside without those rusted pieces which were important for “flutes”.
Sorry about my English…
Work quality about that ex-owner..well…wrong man in wrong job.
Only riding,nothing else,not serviced at all.
Not tight+missing bolts,big oil leakin from gear selector,never cleanded or tuned carbs after that restauring about 15 years ago,no oil in gear box,clutch cable adjustment wrong like oil pump marks etc.
Big news was it has(i saw receipt) new(or newer than 5000km)crank seals someone installed to him(bad starting problems),but because he took crank out and put it back i must take a little look about sylinderhead bolts,pistons,rings that those are there and condition.
Have driven only about 2 kilometers because it was very hard to start and not liked idling and i want that its working like it should,not like that.
Hope those problems are from those carbs,exhaust problems,wrong ignition(yes of course,it was too late),wrong setting points etc.
Because i want to be sure,i ordered new plugs,new coils,carb kits and new electronic voltage regulator (those old looking like piece of rusty junk..)
Hope that short summer get little better than now here (raining,raining..)and i got all those parts from Ebay+installed and can take a ride=)
Have a nice day,both=)
Petri Kokko ,Kokkola Finland
July 7, 2016 at 6:39 am
Hello,same man again and its been 4month since last email .
Winter is here and i got only those 2 kilometres last summer because i have also 2 other motorcycles:Yamaha SR500 and Kawa AR125+…yes,big USA car fan also:1966 Charger,so i have saved this project to winter…and winter is long here=(
Cleaned those silencers+new wools to baffles,ordered+installed new coils and have new Accel electronic ignition kit(not installed) and new electronic RR77 electronic regulator rectifier(not installed)+other small stuff like new stainless bolt set to engine,spark plugs,gasket sets,oil seals set ,carb rest kit,etc.
I think it soon time to starting my project,hope i get it running after i have get i more or less to pieces.
As i have told,Big starting problems and thats why must take carbs off and cleaned+tuning those right with new part(jets etc).
New coils=hope to get better sparks now!
That Accel electronic kit is Super!!Want to get rid about points and no more tuning with those.
RR77 is because those old mechanical systems are antique,this RR77 is “plug and play ”
Must take cylinders and pistons out also to see whats inside..and i have new full STD set pistons if needed+big box other engine parts which came with that bike.
Give you more details when its time…if you people are interested to hear??
Bye and all good to GT owners there=)
P.Kokko Finland
November 14, 2016 at 10:18 am
RR77 installed today and fixed(changed) that leaking transmission axle seal+put lots of new hose+tape around electric wires.I have also ordered and got new stainless bolts to engine covers etc because the old ones not in very goog conditions anymore.
More talking,photos,info or if you just want say Hello=)
xerxes@netti.fi
November 24, 2016 at 8:38 am