I came of street riding age in the early 1970's, and grew up on a string of Yamaha RD's and Kawasaki Triples in varying states of tune. Throughout the 70's and 80's, pristine ones with ultra low mileage could be had for very little money, and they were as fast and fun as anything on the road. I have now been an avid motorcyclist for over 50 years, and that era of fast, capable and cheap two strokes were the best years I can remember to have been a biker. I only wish I had kept a few of them.
My mate had a 550 gt suzuki and i loved it so I got my own as soon as I could back in the 70s. Later I got the 750 gt. I really love the sound of the 2 stroke 3 cyl. I've also owned kawa 400 s3 that I restored. I'm so lucky to be born at the right time and being able to enjoy these bikes.
Before 1980’s GSXR’S started following me home, I had a 73 GT-750 Le Mans with smooth bores, expansion chambers and polished ports. It was grey when I bought it but I managed to get the blue bodywork so it looked a lot like the 73 GT-750 in the video. It was heavy and not great at handling but if you snapped the throttle, it would point straight up. What a great bike and it sounded fantastic.
In 1981 I bought a 1972 Kawasaki H2. I could take on anything stoplight to stoplight if I did my part correctly. Never quite mastered it's harsh power band and had difficulty holding the front wheel down as I only weighed 160lbs at the time. A true adrenaline machine.
@@bikerdood1100 when I bought the H2 it had ape hanger bars and a tall sissy bar. I removed the ape hangers and sissy bar and sported it up by installing clubman bars, rear sets and expansion chambers. Looked fast and menacing even when parked. Sitting on the back of the fuel tank helped keep the front wheel from rising too fast. I enjoy your motorcycle content and presentation. Well done Sir!
My blue streak was bran new in 1973, a blue 1972 750 h2 that I quit school at 16 for a yr to buy. Even the police were amazed at it performance, 34 mm carbs, 20 miles to gallon
The Suzuki 2 stroke Triples in the GT Line were Great Bikes, especially the Water Buffalo. They responded very well to basic hot rodding and were stone reliable as well as beautiful.
I moved to South Africa as a fifteen year old in 1975. At that time the traffic cops. and there were plenty of them, all rode the GT750. They soon were swapped over to their new rides, Yammie 650 twins and you could buy the old Suzis for next to nothing at auction; there were loads of them available and nobody wanted them. If only I could have my time over again...Interesting video as usual; thanks.
Having been blessed to work in a bikeshop from my early teens way back in 1974 as a trainee mechanic I got to experience and work on just about every bike available then..Two strokes dominated as they where cheaper and many different models available..It hurt when they where phased out due to emissions regulations..even though I still own a few..If the technology that went into developing the 4 stroke went into the 2 stroke further I'm sure emissions would be very similar especially when you consider that we now have very very advanced clean burning practically smokeless diester full synthetic biodegradable 2 cycle lubrication.
Well it wasn’t just emissions in truth They never enjoyed the sales of the equipment four strokes Sometimes it’s about fuel consumption but also I think people assumed that they are less reliable and need more maintenance BS of course but old bias is a hard thing to kill
The H2 was the most exciting bike of all of them in this video. I cried when I sold mine - it was a good one - the crank was nicely balanced and it had heaps of power. With expansion chambers on it - it would power wheel stand at 150 km/hr.
You star..... loved my 380: did 2 up to Scotland and back south, fully loaded. Wanted a 550 but ended up with a GT500......(loved that too....) Thank you.
Never had that problem got the carbs set right got rid of points that help go for a run and do a plug check engine of and and middle plug a little weak out side plugs perfect and got the middle carb set a little rich and do a plug check middle plug perfect set the oil pump up run a little more and just a little more smoke but it helped never had any middle cylinder problems warm them up and good 2stroke oil and a little in the tank not much egg cup to every full tank mind petrol was cheap them days it never came out on a wet day and not in the winter no salt had a little yamaha 100 just to get to work 3miles and when it was really bad snow had a van to get to work and if was 3ft of snow no work that day the yamaha 100 was washed every night back helped it a lot smaller bikes were fun to top speed about 60 the big bike was in a dry heated garage polished for when the summer came back.
KH 250 bikes in the 70’s would very often be used and abused by learners, so a little dodgy as a secondhand prospect. Also I think (I could be wrong) that they shared the same chassis with the 400 so were always going to be comparatively overweight/underpowered. Cracking looking bike though…and a nice sunny Sunday classic these days.
Well they would certainly have been rebuilt by now. I always think that 250’is the perfect capacity for a two stroke. I’ve always fancied the KH for that reason, compared to the Rd and x7 twins the KH is indeed a little slower and heavier but they sound great and are a lot more fun than four stroke twins of the period
Yes i had a kh250 Microns and K and Ns sounded lovely and a GT380 which ran for years without the Ram Air cover ,nice to see some have survived the years👍
Ahh the GT380, brings back memories.....Passed my test at 17 in '77 and went from a Yamaha RS125 to the 380, then in '81 had a Yamaha XS750(the weight on that thing).....Always been unlucky with triples because they both seized up on the middle pot.
I had a 380a. Open the throttle and it was like a turbine but it frightened the life out of me when it had a wet front disc. In the rain I had to ride with the front brake on lightly to keep it dry, I believe that the disc was stainless steel which would looked great in California but useless in the wetter UK.
I never owned a two-stroke triple but had a wee shot on a GT750 once and loved it. My only stroker is my DT3, which unfortunately seized on my way back from a charity Easter run. Another addition to my project line!
great range of bikes, pity scott didnt survive, i remember the silk 700 being sold but i think they were expensive, these are a generation of machines we will never see again, no retro kh triples anytime soon, just visited the royal enfield dealer here and saw an electric bike for the first time, not too bad
I was always in love with the Yamaha GL750, of course the love affair was never consummated since the bike remained a prototype and was never produced commercially but I can always fantasize about the good times we could have had together!
My brother has a gt 750 I got it running for him we rode it for awhile now he’s given it to his son who is slowly rebuilding it but parts are hard to find
Loving this channel 👍 back in the day I had a Gt 380, a Kh 250, RD 200 & I used to ride moto X RM 250 , YZ 250 , YZ 465 , Cagiva 250 , & LT 500 Quad All lovely 2 strokes wish I had them all now ☹
Fun facts about the NS400... While a V3, all three crankpins are aligned, which because it's a two stroke essentially makes it an unequal V-twin with the two outer (bottom) cylinders firing together and the inner (upper) cylinder firing 90 degrees later. Plus, only the bottom cylinders are fitted with an exhaust valve as there's scant room for a valve mechanism in the frame area just underneath the airbox etc. Regardless, they're a smooth, reasonably torquey and sweet little bike - not a lot of HP but a brilliant and neutral handler despite the 16" front wheel.
I used to babysit for a friend on a Saturday night and stayed over until Sunday morning . My payment was a blast home on his P reg silver gt380 as pillion. Loved the bike, unfortunately, never owned one and too expensive to buy now .
I did own a Suzuki GT750 and a GT380 they were good bikes the GT750 was a much better touring bike would cruise at legal speed limits and more than the speed limits.
@@bikerdood1100 Riding the GT750 in Australia with our wide open spaces and it did so effortlessly so smooth and with a passenger didn't slow it down at all would cruise at 160kph easily
My 2nd bike was an NS400R. I thought it was pretty powerful (relatively speaking). It would lift the front wheel at 80km/hr when you hit the 2 stroke powerband with no trouble.
Lusted after a GT380 in Castle Sports, Dagenham after passing my test in April 1977 but Mum said "NO". She did eventually give in though and loaned me the cash for an RD400 in 1978 (From Eddie Grimstead, Eastern Ave, Newbury Park) the partial remains of which came back to my shed in 2020. If anyone out there knows the whereabouts of engine 1479 please give me shout. So, after Mum saying no 46 years ago and 23 years after she passed away I finally got my hands on a 380 in 2020. Lovely.
@@bikerdood1100 Yeah I know, but I can but dream. My mate 'stored' my RD (sans engine) in his back garden. Uncovered for 41 years. I'm suprised there is any metal left............
I have never driven a two stroke triple. That engine configuration must be awesome. I love two stroke bikes and had several single cylinder ones. I also like triples, in fact I own a Yamaha XSR900 first gen and the engine is superb. Those classic two stroke triples seem to me that are stunning motorcycles, real gems, I wish I had one of them.
I used to have a "Water bus" (Suzuiki GT750) IN 1973. Loved it! There used to be so many of the 380s, 550s, and 750s back in those days. They were really popular back then!
A lot of Japanese market bikes made it there 250 is a bit small to need 3 cylinders A lot of complexity for 0 gain . Was true of the Kh250 it sounded great but was slower than the twin cylinder competition
Thanks for nice video! I’ve been wrenching & riding Kawi triples & big fours since the early 70’s and at 67yrs YOUNG still have 2 74H1 500 triples & a 78 kz1000 LTD. All 3 of those bikes ate up & running well registered & ridden oftenvby me & a friend of mine. The wife & I go out on a big v-twin cruiser because the older classic Kawi’s scare the crap out her & aren’t very comfy for her either.
I started riding in 1970, I remember these machines quite well. I always loved and still love 2-strokes. To me they are killed off for no good reason. I still own and ride a 125cc Peugeot motorscooter next to my 4-stroke bikes. Especially the GT750 was and is a great bike. A good effort from Suzuki to create a civilised 2-stroke. I have ridden a H2 once. Scary, senseless bike. To me not a serious machine and till this day I cannot look upon Kawasaki as a serious brand...
Well for me two strokes lose their advantages as they get bigger. By the late 70s and even before really the four stroke 750s were out performing them so I think even without the emissions they wouldn’t have survived. In the 70s emissions regs were very much a US thing but in the rest of the world they were very much on the way out poor fuel consumption did not help at all after the fuel crisis
@@bikerdood1100 It is not just about performance, at least not to me. Multi cilinder 2-strokes run very smooth, the GT750 probably the best of all in this respect. If you look at the yearly mileage most bikes make, neither emissions nor fuel consumption is really an issue. The green fascists do not seem to get that... I just got myself a '96 XJ900S Diversion from its first owner who rode about 1000 km... Mileages under 5000 km a year are quite common... I ride a lot more, yet I seem to be an exception...
Learn a lot from the 'dood'. Love that Scott 3S. Only rode the Kawi 500 (H1 ?)once and not the 750. I was surprised at the amount of buzz through the bars and the pegs. I was disappointed but that's just me. Locally on 'kijiji ontario' an H1 is for sale for $18,999 Canadian dollars ! The seller does say "it vibrates, smokes, drinks gas wildly, is temperamental but NO other bike offers such an experience". I think I'll keep the Norton. I haven't checked lately to see if the H1 has sold.
My experience with these bikes is around a mates GT 380 I have seen 2 of the 3 surviving Scott’s the motor is very impressive on the flesh. The Sammy Miller museum in the south of England has the only runner
Kawasakis last triple two stroke, stayed on sale because it was the only one that could get through emissions. Sounded great although twins like the Rd and X7 were faster, but less cool
nothing more chromed and polished than a GT 750 . owned two 380's and a GT750 , my gs 550 and 1000 were streets ahead in all areas but all were great bikes.
Great footage 🎥🎞️🎞️🎬 I've been building and riding motorcycles for most of my life , The 500 cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine , built by Kawasaki, was a blast to ride When I was stationed in Hawaii , 🌴⛱️🤙 IT handle the hills and mountains with no problem at any speed , Great design ‼️ ♦️♦️♦️
The H2 might have been quicker but the GT750 was a much better motorcycle. Unlike the peaky power of the Kawasaki the Suzuki had tons of torque down low. Better brakes, handling and fit and finish with water cooling and better sound
First I heard that Norton was faster; is here. Google today states H2 is also 12.00 seconds flat !. I go with the H2 Cycle magazine compared about 7 or 8 ? superbikes at the time, including Z1. H2 was hands down fastest from zero to Hero !!!. I've got the magazine from the day. Sold world wide. I've got it in print. No retraction ever. I accept report of the day. Ask Tony Nicosia who rode the machines that did it. It's a Mark 4.
They always round off to 12 seconds but in the cycle magazine test where they actually did it, it was 12.3 with the the Commando S in at 12.1 The Commando S used the Infamous combat engine with 65hp at the rear wheel remember Kawasaki quote their all edged 74 at crank. The Z1 was faster than both incidentally I read the test 4 days ago It’s strange how with a claimed 74hp the bike was slower than a 58hp Triumph 🤔
Awesome Video..im old enough to have been a UK learner pre 1983..i had so many excellent Jap 250cc two strokes between 1979-83 i had a Suzuki GT250, a Yamaha RD250 and and Suzuki X7 when you are a young rider those 250's seemed like full size much bigger bikes especially the RD250 it had quite some road presence..its kind of unfortunate these days that bikes that were popular in the 70's and 80's are mega expensive because there are so many people in their 50's and 60's who really want to relive their youth by buying a bike they owned around that period like the bikes mentioned above..I was looking to buy a Kawasaki Z650 possibly my favourite bike i owned in the 1980's bu the prices for a good one are astronomically high even for a 50,000 miler..its strange that bikes from the 1990 rarely suffer the same fate and are definitely a better second hand buy
The scoyt made watercooled 2 strokes. I saw one classic racing at brands hatch. I was shocked at how competative and reliable they were. One of the greatest old 2 strokes ever made. Styling was very subjective.
Oh I’ve covered Scott in a few videos and ridden a couple He also invented kick stat and tele forks Some races used disc valve induction too Amazing things
In the late 60s Suzuki had a monster 500 twin two stroke.They were EVIL FAST.if you tweaked them larger carbs cleaned up and polished the ports and do the piston skirts too and a set of chamber pipes and it was ready to go beat on the Honda 4s on the road courses of the time ..I think it was called a TITAN
No-one ever talks about the Kawasaki 350 S2. Perhaps because they are too embarrased to admit getting blown into the weeds, while riding their Suzukis.
The Suzuki triples were far superior to the Kawasakis on the street. Much better built, more refined. The Kawasakis were fast and that was all. In triples, nobody matched Suzuki.
Very true I feel. The Kawasaki triples are fuelled bullshit as much as petrol That jack hammer power delivered will always make a bike feel quicker than it actually is But also make the thing a handful at the same time. Fans make their obvious faults seem like virtues for some reason
The gs1000 red and white had one sound lovely back in 1979 King of the road crome back at back of bike ,Always got the lok from people in the towns ,have you got a view on one Gs1000 kevin
I had a GT750 in the 80s and everything about it was mental. On the day I'd bought it another interested buyer who just arrived a few minutes after I handed over the money was so dissapointed, a preview of people's reaction. Almost everywhere I parked it I came back to find notes attached to the seat offer to buy it. I would throw the bike around like a dirt bike and I was told 'sacrilege!'. Impressive machine to look for the onlooker at and a shock as started up, a crazy sound of three oversized lambretta scooters ziiiiiiing-dingdingdingding-ziiiiiiiingdingdingdingding and then pulling away into distance going through the gears sound like a demonic angry wasp followed by a trail of blue smoke. Crazy 100%. Red JRO 190 P or something I think the registration was. I left it in a locked garage of ex GF and never returned
I had a GT550 in my 20s Love the bike but that was the only way I could get to work and it was winter time working off sift the people that I lived around didn’t like me when I fired the 550 off😂
In the early 70s you either went down the 2 stroke or 4 stroke route it was 2 strokes for me right up to having a kettle which I wish I'd not sold. Loved the sound smell the gear indicater. The boys always stuck me at the back coz of the smoke and oil slick. Good fun though
Not at the back wheel in either case First CB750 actually made a quite underwhelming 56hp at the wheel Same as a Royal Enfield Interceptor 2 incidentally
Interesting… and nostalgic… but why no mention of the rarer contemporaries to the Jap 2 stroke triples, France's Motobècane/Motoconfort (same bikes, different branding) 350 and 500cc bikes? People seem to forget those… only remembering the company's mopeds, a bit like they forget that Peugeot also built two wheelers, and not just the mopeds and scooters we're familiar with, but proper bikes too (as they're relaunching this year) - Did you know that Peugeot produced a 500cc DOHC 8 valve parallel twin race bike before WW1 (Yes… World War ONE)… however the metallurgy of the day made it fragile and unreliable. Maybe an interesting video would showcase the many, many (literally hundreds), of motorcycle marques produced by our next door neighbours across the Channel, ranging from the 750cc in line V4 (a la Honda's 'Pan European') from Dollar in 1930, and thundering sporting V twins from Motobècane, Kœhler-Escoffier, and others, to humble 1950's OHV, side-valve, and two stroke, 'ride to work' 125cc bikes from the likes of Gima, Peugeot, Terrot, Motobècane, Alcyon, etc. There were machines in all classes from the huge French motorcycle industry… or add in Belgium too, who gave us the first production 4 cylinder bikes (from FN), as well as delights from Sarolea, and Gillet Herstal and others. How about it?
I think you're Talking about the Kawasaki 750 1975. You're comparing it to modern suspension. I had one in high school and thought it was a dangerous bike in the wrong hands but controllable and comfortable. That is except for the noise. Ear plugs were a must but when you're young you don't know about that.
Back in the 70s and 80s, I noticed usually around 8 k miles, many of the 2 strokes were worn out. Folks downshifted for engine braking. With the throttle closed, they starved for oil. Too much of this wore them out early. I bought every used Kawasaki triple I could til they were all gone. The Suzukis were most reliable though. Loved 2 stroke power.
Doesn’t quite fit as many used oil direct into the crankcase Quality of oils in the 70s plus inaccurate combustion from points ignition etc played a part too
@@markosborne9558well there’s a split cable which controls flow from the pump On 20s Scott’s there was no throttle link but the pump did get faster of course and was adjustable. Have stripped the odd stroker in my time Not a Scott sadly
very collectable and fetching stupid money, I will not part with my one which lives in my living room along with 2 Kh 250 kwaks, a 350 Kwak and a MVX 250.
Try and get someone to loan you an MV Agusta F4. Then you can deliver a warts and all appraisal and whether it is a suitable machine for British roads.
@@bikerdood1100 What about a 500 Royal Enfield in Greenlane trim, with a large front wheel, lightweight mudguards, semi-knobbly tyres, lowered gearing and a high rise exhaust? The only snag is you'd have to build it first. 😁😶
In my teens & twenty's you could by any of the Kawasaki 3cyl.-2strokes for a 5-8 hundred dollors. I owned them all Kawi. S1-350 , S2-400 H1-500 & the " Widow maker " H-2 750 S- Signified Street & the H- Highway . And I had a Yamaha RD-350 & RD-400 The RD-400 was SICK , it would easily wheelie in the first 3 gears . My favorite Jap. Bike was my Screening Yellow Honda CB-400FSS SuperSport , 4Cylinder with a 4into one Factory header & a 5 speed gearbox . Everyone loved that bike , except the police . 👮🏍️🐷🏍️😱🚁
From South Africa... MY MAN ! 💪 Suzukie GT' s all of them.. what I aspired to when I was cutting my teeth on the T 500 & later the GT 500... I can smell.that 2 stroke oil 🛢 in my screen.. Thanks "a ton" for them memories what's gonna sit with me all day this Sunday... Mostly we called the 750 as "the kettle" & the "water-buff" PLEASE 🙏 🙏 review the titan from the famous hideous purple color, and excessive crome badging, onto the GT 500
I bought new and rode in 1976 the “King Killer”, the 1976 Yamaha RD 400c ( Canadian version ), second best bike I’ve had in my life. #1 would have to be the 1983 Honda CB 900 F Super Sport that a did a road trip with my brother down through New Brunswick by way of the Gaspe, down to Halifax and back home (Montreal) by way of Maine, quite a ride.
I always loved 2-stroke bikes. When I was a senior in high school in 75 I bought a used Brigston 350. Sorry for the spelling!! Anyway, I loved it however I had to always use "racing" grade spark plugs in it. And they only lasted about 1.5 weeks!! And boy they were expensive. Regular plugs would clog up in one day of riding from home to school and back home. I loved this video!!
My stepson ran a nice GT750 Water-bottle, back in the late 70's. I've always been partial to 2-strokes (first bike I rode was a 98cc James Comet, the second a 125cc Bantam D1) and have had 175cc Bantam D14/4, 250 and 350 Jawa's - kept the 350 for 15 years; wish I still had it - and a Yamaha RD250, the last of the air-cooled models. Had lots of 4-strokes, of course. Still riding at 77; a little Suzuki VL250.
Sorry don't agree, the early H2 was much quicker accelerating than any standard Norton Commando. As the owner back in the day of a 73 H2 and mates who owned Commando's, 750 Honda 4's and Suzuki kettles I can safely say the only way they could keep up with my H2 was when I was in a petrol station filling up for the umpteenth time! As for the handling yes it pogoed a bit in the corners but looked worse to anyone following that it actually was. Also it was no widow maker you just had to show it whose boss! 😂
It’s does not mater what we thinks cycle magazine tested them Maths is not opinion Take it up with American cycle magazine because of cause they made the whole thing up And did actually test them of course Remember the Japanese measure power at the crank not the back wheel as the British industry did 70 hp isn’t actually 70 hp
A mate had a GT 380, though it could not keep up with RD400's it was better at pillion duty, personal experience. Another mate, a big lad had a GT 550, he could not keep up with my brother on his RD 400, which had different reed valves & expansion chambers. It was a real jekyll & hyde bike.
I had a '76 GT750 exactly like that one, the same blue color and everything. But the previous owner had put one of those huge Windjammer fairings on it and since my dad had the title to it and I was a minor, he made me keep the fairing on it. It was really nice on the usually straight interstate highways of America. But it handled like an overloaded wheelbarrow. I almost got killed on it when I went into a curve faster than it was able to lean into the curve. I had to carefully hit the brakes just right and get her slowed down or I would have hit an oncoming car. I kept her much slower in curves and corners after that!! A horrendously bad handling motorcycle, especially compared to the GS750 that replaced it in short order, which handled like a dream. I rode a friends GS750 and couldn't believe it was the same brand motorcycle! I then bought a GS1000E in '78 which also was a great handler.
I had a GT 550 with a 3/1 expansion chamber, sounded bloody awesome but not as quick top speed as my mates 650 Yamaha, nor was it as much fun to ride as my 75 RD350 ported polished expansion chambered little rocket!, Ahh those were the days..
I had a 76 GT380. Great bike - It had auto oiling, and it had a problem - It never could run without making a blue streak everywhere it went. It was a thirsty engine - 23 mpg -- Imperial - 4.55 lt. I sold it the day I pushed it a mile - to a gas station - for the third time.
I had a S1 250 Kawasaki and 2 Suzuki's GT750s back in the day. Great bikes. Love triples also had a Triumph Trident 750v and a Laverda Jota. Now got a MV Agusta 800 brutale.
The Kawasaki Z1 was the top bike to own in the 1970s and 80 s ,a real head turner .The Honda 750 and 500 were also great bikes to ride .We toured Scotland in the 70s with two 2 stroke motorcycles and one 4 stroke bike .it was hard work for the 2 stroke bikes going up steep hills fully loaded ,great memories,loved the smell of 2 stroke back then .
I have a 76 RD400.. I was born in 70 so it was before my time.. and when i actually got into motorcycles the two-strokes were gone.... but for some damn reason I love 2-stroke engines and Ive always owned one or another. few rz350's and all the motocross bikes are two strokes. Just bought a Husqvarana 150 efi and its amazing. My RD400 is completely stock and makes good power off idle into the mid then starts to tap out.. all my other two strokes were modified or with aftermarket chambers and were all peaky and totally gutless off idle into the mid... lemme tell you.. after riding the RD its a FAR better road bike. I can leave it in 6th gear and leave it there as I go around sharp corners.. open the throttle and it just starts to build speed without much fuss. I tell every I talk to online with these old bikes to put everything back to stock cause they will be amazed how good it becomes as a street bike commuter.
You are right about the gt 380 and 550. Had one. Very reliable. Not quite as fast as Kawasaki or Yamaha but better handling. Road the Blueridge Parkway, I 40, and I 85 with mine. Did quite well and had didital gear read.
Had a GT550A, the best top end I ever got was 105 mph on the speedo so not very quick. It felt faster than it actually was. Tried a piper 3 into 1 on it, sounded great but killed the power. Used it daily to get me to work but sold it as my 1.6 car was better on fuel and kept me dry through the winter. Did buy a GT 750 and totally rebuilt it. Finished the chassis and was half way through the engine when my marriage went tits up and she wanted half the value of the bike ! Put the thing on my drive and punctured the bottom of the tank and put a match to it, a very sad end to what would have been a immaculate vintage bike. Think what I regret the most there was not only the couple of grand I put into it but that I never got to ride it. Shame I only have that tainted memory of it.
I came of street riding age in the early 1970's, and grew up on a string of Yamaha RD's and Kawasaki Triples in varying states of tune. Throughout the 70's and 80's, pristine ones with ultra low mileage could be had for very little money, and they were as fast and fun as anything on the road. I have now been an avid motorcyclist for over 50 years, and that era of fast, capable and cheap two strokes were the best years I can remember to have been a biker. I only wish I had kept a few of them.
Cheap two strokes are at the moment at least a thing of the past
We are now in the era of the Bloody expensive very old 2 stroke
@@bikerdood1100 Very true.
Yes the seventies were a great time to be a biker.
My mate had a 550 gt suzuki and i loved it so I got my own as soon as I could back in the 70s. Later I got the 750 gt. I really love the sound of the 2 stroke 3 cyl. I've also owned kawa 400 s3 that I restored. I'm so lucky to be born at the right time and being able to enjoy these bikes.
Well they do still exist
Although they are becoming very collectible unfortunately so up go those prices
Your right I thought 2 strokes
Had a suzuki 125,380,550 ,750 boiler😂
Before 1980’s GSXR’S started following me home, I had a 73 GT-750 Le Mans with smooth bores, expansion chambers and polished ports. It was grey when I bought it but I managed to get the blue bodywork so it looked a lot like the 73 GT-750 in the video. It was heavy and not great at handling but if you snapped the throttle, it would point straight up. What a great bike and it sounded fantastic.
Great stuff. Would love to see an episode on 70's Trail bikes - DT's, TS's, ER's, SP's, XL's, XT's please, maybe even a PE.
Good idea 🤔
Hooligans of the world unite!!!!!! I miss the smell of 2 stroke in the morning lol
Young people 😂
Yes a very young 65 lmao
Just imagine what a big bore 2 stroke could produce if it underwent the development of the 4 stroke over the last 30 years.
Two stroke development has been going on but. By car companies farther than bike makers
In 1981 I bought a 1972 Kawasaki H2. I could take on anything stoplight to stoplight if I did my part correctly. Never quite mastered it's harsh power band and had difficulty holding the front wheel down as I only weighed 160lbs at the time. A true adrenaline machine.
Well part of that was those high bars they fitted to the things
Almost they designed it to lift the wheel
@@bikerdood1100 when I bought the H2 it had ape hanger bars and a tall sissy bar. I removed the ape hangers and sissy bar and sported it up by installing clubman bars, rear sets and expansion chambers. Looked fast and menacing even when parked. Sitting on the back of the fuel tank helped keep the front wheel from rising too fast. I enjoy your motorcycle content and presentation. Well done Sir!
@@mikewysko2268 had a 72 h2 had to ride the tank too. Shifted without using the clutch to keep the front wheel down. I loved my widowmaker.
@@joeprevost1991 Good memories of care free and somewhat dangerous days on two wheels. 🏍
My blue streak was bran new in 1973, a blue 1972 750 h2 that I quit school at 16 for a yr to buy. Even the police were amazed at it performance, 34 mm carbs, 20 miles to gallon
The Suzuki 2 stroke Triples in the GT Line were Great Bikes, especially the Water Buffalo. They responded very well to basic hot rodding and were stone reliable as well as beautiful.
I always thought it looked like the future
I had A750 water Buffalo in the early 80s it was bad ass
I also had a t500 titan
I moved to South Africa as a fifteen year old in 1975. At that time the traffic cops. and there were plenty of them, all rode the GT750. They soon were swapped over to their new rides, Yammie 650 twins and you could buy the old Suzis for next to nothing at auction; there were loads of them available and nobody wanted them. If only I could have my time over again...Interesting video as usual; thanks.
Dam
If only
That GT750 has huge collector's value in England. They have a massive club there called the Kettle Club. To me it is a Johannesburg speed cops bike.
Having been blessed to work in a bikeshop from my early teens way back in 1974 as a trainee mechanic I got to experience and work on just about every bike available then..Two strokes dominated as they where cheaper and many different models available..It hurt when they where phased out due to emissions regulations..even though I still own a few..If the technology that went into developing the 4 stroke went into the 2 stroke further I'm sure emissions would be very similar especially when you consider that we now have very very advanced clean burning practically smokeless diester full synthetic biodegradable 2 cycle lubrication.
Well it wasn’t just emissions in truth
They never enjoyed the sales of the equipment four strokes
Sometimes it’s about fuel consumption but also I think people assumed that they are less reliable and need more maintenance
BS of course but old bias is a hard thing to kill
The H2 was the most exciting bike of all of them in this video.
I cried when I sold mine - it was a good one -
the crank was nicely balanced and it had heaps of power.
With expansion chambers on it - it would power wheel stand at 150 km/hr.
Nutter 😂
The stop oil goons would love these bikes !
Oh for sure
Yeh we will all buy EVs
Because they are cleaner
Aren’t they ? 😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 EVs are shite !
You star..... loved my 380: did 2 up to Scotland and back south, fully loaded. Wanted a 550 but ended up with a GT500......(loved that too....)
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Went from a KH250 to a GT750 back in the mid-seventies. Both excellent bikes.
Indeed
That’s I’m putting the little KH in the next video
Never had that problem got the carbs set right got rid of points that help go for a run and do a plug check engine of and and middle plug a little weak out side plugs perfect and got the middle carb set a little rich and do a plug check middle plug perfect set the oil pump up run a little more and just a little more smoke but it helped never had any middle cylinder problems warm them up and good 2stroke oil and a little in the tank not much egg cup to every full tank mind petrol was cheap them days it never came out on a wet day and not in the winter no salt had a little yamaha 100 just to get to work 3miles and when it was really bad snow had a van to get to work and if was 3ft of snow no work that day the yamaha 100 was washed every night back helped it a lot smaller bikes were fun to top speed about 60 the big bike was in a dry heated garage polished for when the summer came back.
What are your thoughts in the Kawasaki KH250
?
KH 250 bikes in the 70’s would very often be used and abused by learners, so a little dodgy as a secondhand prospect. Also I think (I could be wrong) that they shared the same chassis with the 400 so were always going to be comparatively overweight/underpowered. Cracking looking bike though…and a nice sunny Sunday classic these days.
Well they would certainly have been rebuilt by now.
I always think that 250’is the perfect capacity for a two stroke.
I’ve always fancied the KH for that reason, compared to the Rd and x7 twins the KH is indeed a little slower and heavier but they sound great and are a lot more fun than four stroke twins of the period
Yes i had a kh250 Microns and K and Ns sounded lovely and a GT380 which ran for years without the Ram Air cover ,nice to see some have survived the years👍
Well you do see them
See more Suzukis than Kawasaki’s though
So either Kawasaki owners hold on to em or more Suzukis survived 🤔
Ahh the GT380, brings back memories.....Passed my test at 17 in '77 and went from a Yamaha RS125 to the 380, then in '81 had a Yamaha XS750(the weight on that thing).....Always been unlucky with triples because they both seized up on the middle pot.
Mine both did as well👍
High school Dan loved his in 1981, but yeah it seized too.
Middle pot trouble was always a thing with early triples of all makes
That Miele pot gets toasty
@@bikerdood1100 Makes you wonder if electronic ignition would have helped🤔👍
@@derekdingwall I had problems with my GT380 but I fitted Lucas Rita contactless electronic ignition and it ran brilliantly.
I had a GT380J, which was great fun to ride & handled quite well.
A friend of mine ran one for years
Handling was ok and it went pretty well, nicer than a Cb400/4 I think
I had a 380a. Open the throttle and it was like a turbine but it frightened the life out of me when it had a wet front disc. In the rain I had to ride with the front brake on lightly to keep it dry, I believe that the disc was stainless steel which would looked great in California but useless in the wetter UK.
I never owned a two-stroke triple but had a wee shot on a GT750 once and loved it. My only stroker is my DT3, which unfortunately seized on my way back from a charity Easter run.
Another addition to my project line!
Not a great history with strokers then
great range of bikes, pity scott didnt survive, i remember the silk 700 being sold but i think they were expensive, these are a generation of machines we will never see again, no retro kh triples anytime soon, just visited the royal enfield dealer here and saw an electric bike for the first time, not too bad
They were expensive and even then they sold each bike at a loss
I was always in love with the Yamaha GL750, of course the love affair was never consummated since the bike remained a prototype and was never produced commercially but I can always fantasize about the good times we could have had together!
Ah unrequited love
My brother has a gt 750 I got it running for him we rode it for awhile now he’s given it to his son who is slowly rebuilding it but parts are hard to find
That’s the big problem with Japanese bikes unfortunately
Loving this channel 👍 back in the day I had a Gt 380, a Kh 250, RD 200 & I used to ride moto X RM 250 , YZ 250 , YZ 465 , Cagiva 250 , & LT 500 Quad All lovely 2 strokes wish I had them all now ☹
Bit of a two stroke man then by the sounds of things
In New Zealand the GT750 was known as the Water Bucket
Not very flattering 😂
Water bus in South Africa. Used by Johannesburg traffic cops.
GT380 was a belter of a bike.
My mates was lovely and a great spud too
Fun facts about the NS400...
While a V3, all three crankpins are aligned, which because it's a two stroke essentially makes it an unequal V-twin with the two outer (bottom) cylinders firing together and the inner (upper) cylinder firing 90 degrees later.
Plus, only the bottom cylinders are fitted with an exhaust valve as there's scant room for a valve mechanism in the frame area just underneath the airbox etc.
Regardless, they're a smooth, reasonably torquey and sweet little bike - not a lot of HP but a brilliant and neutral handler despite the 16" front wheel.
Typical Honda then
User friendly and well built
The Valley Of The Rocks, near Lynton ?
Correct 👍
I used to babysit for a friend on a Saturday night and stayed over until Sunday morning . My payment was a blast home on his P reg silver gt380 as pillion. Loved the bike, unfortunately, never owned one and too expensive to buy now .
Cheaper than a Kawasaki though
Great video as always! Thanks!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Some fascinating machines in this 1 I thought
my dad had a GT380 when he was in his 20's, still has the pictures to show it (and also his hair), maybe one day can get one again for him
Better start saving
the H1F was far better then the H2 , it was directly used in racing
Oh that would need a stand alone kwaker video to sort that out
Faster not always better though I’d ad
I did own a Suzuki GT750 and a GT380 they were good bikes the GT750 was a much better touring bike would cruise at legal speed limits and more than the speed limits.
Well it had a big old cc advantage and was definitely built with touring in mind
@@bikerdood1100 Riding the GT750 in Australia with our wide open spaces and it did so effortlessly so smooth and with a passenger didn't slow it down at all would cruise at 160kph easily
East European 2 strokes....CZ MZ etc......
Eventually I’ll get there
My 2nd bike was an NS400R. I thought it was pretty powerful (relatively speaking). It would lift the front wheel at 80km/hr when you hit the 2 stroke powerband with no trouble.
Oh the NSR was plenty powerful
Lusted after a GT380 in Castle Sports, Dagenham after passing my test in April 1977 but Mum said "NO". She did eventually give in though and loaned me the cash for an RD400 in 1978 (From Eddie Grimstead, Eastern Ave, Newbury Park) the partial remains of which came back to my shed in 2020. If anyone out there knows the whereabouts of engine 1479 please give me shout. So, after Mum saying no 46 years ago and 23 years after she passed away I finally got my hands on a 380 in 2020. Lovely.
Good luck
@@bikerdood1100 Yeah I know, but I can but dream. My mate 'stored' my RD (sans engine) in his back garden. Uncovered for 41 years. I'm suprised there is any metal left............
I have never driven a two stroke triple. That engine configuration must be awesome. I love two stroke bikes and had several single cylinder ones. I also like triples, in fact I own a Yamaha XSR900 first gen and the engine is superb. Those classic two stroke triples seem to me that are stunning motorcycles, real gems, I wish I had one of them.
My experience was on a Suzuki a few years back, lots of smoke and a great exhaust note
The GT750 was called the water bus in NZ
I wonder how many other names the poor thing had ?
I have lot's of great memories of 70's triples, Kawasaki's mainly. Thanks I enjoyed seeing them again.
Glad you enjoyed it
I used to have a "Water bus" (Suzuiki GT750) IN 1973. Loved it! There used to be so many of the 380s, 550s, and 750s back in those days. They were really popular back then!
Everyone has become big Cc obsessed these days unfortunately
Called the Kettle in England.
@@patrickcannell2258 😂😂
The MVX250 was also sold in Australia. A bit of a lemon though..
A lot of Japanese market bikes made it there
250 is a bit small to need 3 cylinders
A lot of complexity for 0 gain . Was true of the Kh250 it sounded great but was slower than the twin cylinder competition
I got my MVX from Japan where they were sold, been in storage for 14 years, pleasant thing to ride but a bit peaky
Thanks for nice video!
I’ve been wrenching & riding Kawi triples & big fours since the early 70’s and at 67yrs YOUNG still have 2 74H1 500 triples & a 78 kz1000 LTD. All 3 of those bikes ate up & running well registered & ridden oftenvby me & a friend of mine. The wife & I go out on a big v-twin cruiser because the older classic Kawi’s scare the crap out her & aren’t very comfy for her either.
Keep up the good work sir
I started riding in 1970, I remember these machines quite well. I always loved and still love 2-strokes. To me they are killed off for no good reason. I still own and ride a 125cc Peugeot motorscooter next to my 4-stroke bikes. Especially the GT750 was and is a great bike. A good effort from Suzuki to create a civilised 2-stroke. I have ridden a H2 once. Scary, senseless bike. To me not a serious machine and till this day I cannot look upon Kawasaki as a serious brand...
Well for me two strokes lose their advantages as they get bigger. By the late 70s and even before really the four stroke 750s were out performing them so I think even without the emissions they wouldn’t have survived.
In the 70s emissions regs were very much a US thing but in the rest of the world they were very much on the way out poor fuel consumption did not help at all after the fuel crisis
@@bikerdood1100 It is not just about performance, at least not to me. Multi cilinder 2-strokes run very smooth, the GT750 probably the best of all in this respect. If you look at the yearly mileage most bikes make, neither emissions nor fuel consumption is really an issue. The green fascists do not seem to get that... I just got myself a '96 XJ900S Diversion from its first owner who rode about 1000 km... Mileages under 5000 km a year are quite common... I ride a lot more, yet I seem to be an exception...
Learn a lot from the 'dood'. Love that Scott 3S. Only rode the Kawi 500 (H1 ?)once and not the 750. I was surprised at the amount of buzz through the bars and the pegs. I was disappointed but that's just me. Locally on 'kijiji ontario' an H1 is for sale for $18,999 Canadian dollars ! The seller does say "it vibrates, smokes, drinks gas wildly, is temperamental but NO other bike offers such an experience". I think I'll keep the Norton. I haven't checked lately to see if the H1 has sold.
My experience with these bikes is around a mates GT 380
I have seen 2 of the 3 surviving Scott’s the motor is very impressive on the flesh. The Sammy Miller museum in the south of England has the only runner
Someone on our estate had a KH250 in light metallic blue , it was really cool 😮
Kawasakis last triple two stroke, stayed on sale because it was the only one that could get through emissions. Sounded great although twins like the Rd and X7 were faster, but less cool
A light blue KH will be a 76 B1 model.
I had a red one for a 250 it really moved ! Mate had a honda CB 400 couldn't keep up with it !
nothing more chromed and polished than a GT 750 . owned two 380's and a GT750 , my gs 550 and 1000 were streets ahead in all areas but all were great bikes.
I’ve always felt that the two stroke is king as long as it’s below 250 after that the pendulum swings towards four strokes
Very well presented.
Thanks
What a great topic for a video! Beautiful sounds. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Really am loving your recent posts, taking me back to my early days of biking, thanks for the memories! DINO.
Glad your enjoying them
Great footage 🎥🎞️🎞️🎬 I've been building and riding motorcycles for most of my life , The 500 cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine , built by Kawasaki, was a blast to ride When I was stationed in Hawaii , 🌴⛱️🤙 IT handle the hills and mountains with no problem at any speed , Great design ‼️ ♦️♦️♦️
Cool
Had a 76 GT750A, beast of a bike.
Strange they seemed massive then but I saw one recently and it was quite small and compact
The H2 might have been quicker but the GT750 was a much better motorcycle. Unlike the peaky power of the Kawasaki the Suzuki had tons of torque down low. Better brakes, handling and fit and finish with water cooling and better sound
Well the Kwaker was not the most user friendly machine
First I heard that Norton was faster; is here. Google today states H2 is also 12.00 seconds flat !. I go with the H2 Cycle magazine compared about 7 or 8 ? superbikes at the time, including Z1. H2 was hands down fastest from zero to Hero !!!. I've got the magazine from the day. Sold world wide. I've got it in print. No retraction ever. I accept report of the day. Ask Tony Nicosia who rode the machines that did it. It's a Mark 4.
They always round off to 12 seconds but in the cycle magazine test where they actually did it, it was 12.3 with the the Commando S in at 12.1
The Commando S used the Infamous combat engine with 65hp at the rear wheel remember Kawasaki quote their all edged 74 at crank.
The Z1 was faster than both incidentally I read the test 4 days ago
It’s strange how with a claimed 74hp the bike was slower than a 58hp Triumph 🤔
Awesome Video..im old enough to have been a UK learner pre 1983..i had so many excellent Jap 250cc two strokes between 1979-83 i had a Suzuki GT250, a Yamaha RD250 and and Suzuki X7 when you are a young rider those 250's seemed like full size much bigger bikes especially the RD250 it had quite some road presence..its kind of unfortunate these days that bikes that were popular in the 70's and 80's are mega expensive because there are so many people in their 50's and 60's who really want to relive their youth by buying a bike they owned around that period like the bikes mentioned above..I was looking to buy a Kawasaki Z650 possibly my favourite bike i owned in the 1980's bu the prices for a good one are astronomically high even for a 50,000 miler..its strange that bikes from the 1990 rarely suffer the same fate and are definitely a better second hand buy
Yes mid 80s bikes too don’t seem to go for the same crazy prices either
Yah!!! These triples..Were way far available 👌 Very fast for the time..750 Kawasaki 77...Fast it would scare me when I was 21 years old.
To avoid fear the throttle runs both ways 😂
The scoyt made watercooled 2 strokes. I saw one classic racing at brands hatch. I was shocked at how competative and reliable they were. One of the greatest old 2 strokes ever made. Styling was very subjective.
Oh I’ve covered Scott in a few videos and ridden a couple
He also invented kick stat and tele forks
Some races used disc valve induction too
Amazing things
Had two kettles, both early production. Terrible fuel use, handled bad, very finicky compared to my cb750f, but they are the ones I wish I'd kept.
Tons of character that’s for sure
In the late 60s Suzuki had a monster 500 twin two stroke.They were EVIL FAST.if you tweaked them larger carbs cleaned up and polished the ports and do the piston skirts too and a set of chamber pipes and it was ready to go beat on the Honda 4s on the road courses of the time ..I think it was called a TITAN
Not enough cylinders for this particular video However
But worth a mention in a planned 500 video
No-one ever talks about the Kawasaki 350 S2. Perhaps because they are too embarrased to admit getting blown into the weeds, while riding their Suzukis.
Oh of course 🙄
The Suzuki triples were far superior to the Kawasakis on the street. Much better built, more refined. The Kawasakis were fast and that was all. In triples, nobody matched Suzuki.
Very true I feel.
The Kawasaki triples are fuelled bullshit as much as petrol
That jack hammer power delivered will always make a bike feel quicker than it actually is
But also make the thing a handful at the same time.
Fans make their obvious faults seem like virtues for some reason
Sold my Gt 750K, damn, damn ,damn damn. DAMN!. PFU630M where are you ?.
Ah regrets 😂
The gs1000 red and white had one sound lovely back in 1979 King of the road crome back at back of bike ,Always got the lok from people in the towns ,have you got a view on one Gs1000 kevin
The GS is very much an underrated classic
I had a GT750 in the 80s and everything about it was mental. On the day I'd bought it another interested buyer who just arrived a few minutes after I handed over the money was so dissapointed, a preview of people's reaction. Almost everywhere I parked it I came back to find notes attached to the seat offer to buy it. I would throw the bike around like a dirt bike and I was told 'sacrilege!'. Impressive machine to look for the onlooker at and a shock as started up, a crazy sound of three oversized lambretta scooters ziiiiiiing-dingdingdingding-ziiiiiiiingdingdingdingding and then pulling away into distance going through the gears sound like a demonic angry wasp followed by a trail of blue smoke. Crazy 100%. Red JRO 190 P or something I think the registration was. I left it in a locked garage of ex GF and never returned
They should be on everyone’s bucket list I think
Kawasaki triples only did one thing better than other triples ,accelerate. Cheap throw away bikes .i will take a rd 350 .
Smoke 💨?
I had a GT550 in my 20s Love the bike but that was the only way I could get to work and it was winter time working off sift the people that I lived around didn’t like me when I fired the 550 off😂
Shame 😂
In the early 70s you either went down the 2 stroke or 4 stroke route it was 2 strokes for me right up to having a kettle which I wish I'd not sold. Loved the sound smell the gear indicater. The boys always stuck me at the back coz of the smoke and oil slick. Good fun though
You’d have thought they would enjoyed the two stroke odour 😂
YES!!The mighty Water Buffalo 750 Suzuki, I got to ride one in the early 80s :)
Lucky you
In Enyit was always known as the kettle because it boiled water
Will you get to review a Sanglas 500 (with original engine not yamaha version) and the WSK 175. Thanks
Well I’m toying with a European big singles video
I'd love to see a Honda CD175. You;ve covered the GT380 which I had many years ago now 🙂
Ah the Cd a surprising big bike for a 175
@@bikerdood1100 the gearbox had the widest ratios ever and the engine was unkillable.
The nsr400 only produced 70 horses??
The CB750 was only 74.😅
Not at the back wheel in either case
First CB750 actually made a quite underwhelming 56hp at the wheel
Same as a Royal Enfield Interceptor 2 incidentally
Good videos 👍😎 I still have my 1979 RD 400 F Daytona special
Glad you enjoyed them
The kawi was king of the 3×2s. They didnt call it the widowmaker for nothing.
Does being a crap handling dangerous bike = king 🤔
Didn't Suzuki make a 250 2 stroke in 70 and 71 with a six speed?
Yep but just the 2 Potts
I had an NS400 in rothmans' colours ; thought I was the dog's lol
Proper poser I’ll bet
Interesting… and nostalgic… but why no mention of the rarer contemporaries to the Jap 2 stroke triples, France's Motobècane/Motoconfort (same bikes, different branding) 350 and 500cc bikes?
People seem to forget those… only remembering the company's mopeds, a bit like they forget that Peugeot also built two wheelers, and not just the mopeds and scooters we're familiar with, but proper bikes too (as they're relaunching this year) - Did you know that Peugeot produced a 500cc DOHC 8 valve parallel twin race bike before WW1 (Yes… World War ONE)… however the metallurgy of the day made it fragile and unreliable.
Maybe an interesting video would showcase the many, many (literally hundreds), of motorcycle marques produced by our next door neighbours across the Channel, ranging from the 750cc in line V4 (a la Honda's 'Pan European') from Dollar in 1930, and thundering sporting V twins from Motobècane, Kœhler-Escoffier, and others, to humble 1950's OHV, side-valve, and two stroke, 'ride to work' 125cc bikes from the likes of Gima, Peugeot, Terrot, Motobècane, Alcyon, etc. There were machines in all classes from the huge French motorcycle industry… or add in Belgium too, who gave us the first production 4 cylinder bikes (from FN), as well as delights from Sarolea, and Gillet Herstal and others.
How about it?
I’m currently doing a 3rd video with the motobecanne in it
I own a Terrot and it’s featured in a couple of videos
@@bikerdood1100 I'll keep an eye open for it.
I think you're Talking about the Kawasaki 750 1975. You're comparing it to modern suspension. I had one in high school and thought it was a dangerous bike in the wrong hands but controllable and comfortable. That is except for the noise. Ear plugs were a must but when you're young you don't know about that.
No I’m comparing it with its contemporaries
European machines and dare I say British bikes just plain had better chassis
@@bikerdood1100 Oh, just Checking.
I used to be 🤣but now have four 4 strokes 2 v twins & 2 in line fours
We mostly live in V Twin land
You got 2 Kawasaki's but no french Montoconfort triples that were available in 350 and 500 capacities during the 70's ..
There are two other videos
If you check them out you may be pleasantly surprised
Motobecane is the proper name incidentally
they were known and badged as both Montoconfort and Motobecane ..
There is nothing more stunning to look at than a Suzuki GT750 in blue.
It is pretty
Well a very slim naked woman would steal away my attention. Did own a Gt750 new in 1975. Still dream about it.
Had a Z250 and aGT750 Also restored a Berkeley, how odd I came across this 😂😂😂
Hope you enjoyed it
@@bikerdood1100 I did, I've still got a few old jap bikes 👍
How about odd ball bikes , i,e. Suzuki RE5
Definitely
Back in the 70s and 80s, I noticed usually around 8 k miles, many of the 2 strokes were worn out. Folks downshifted for engine braking. With the throttle closed, they starved for oil. Too much of this wore them out early. I bought every used Kawasaki triple I could til they were all gone. The Suzukis were most reliable though. Loved 2 stroke power.
Doesn’t quite fit as many used oil direct into the crankcase
Quality of oils in the 70s plus inaccurate combustion from points ignition etc played a part too
Oil injection pump works from a cable from the throttle. Down a long hill at 4 k rpm , they starve a bit. Worked at Suzuki dealership in 70s.
@@markosborne9558well there’s a split cable which controls flow from the pump
On 20s Scott’s there was no throttle link but the pump did get faster of course and was adjustable.
Have stripped the odd stroker in my time
Not a Scott sadly
Wish I hadn't sold my NS400R in Rothmans colour scheme.
I’ll bet
very collectable and fetching stupid money, I will not part with my one which lives in my living room along with 2 Kh 250 kwaks, a 350 Kwak and a MVX 250.
Try and get someone to loan you an MV Agusta F4. Then you can deliver a warts and all appraisal and whether it is a suitable machine for British roads.
Like a lot of litre sports bikes and given the current state of Uk roads I could hazard a guess
@@bikerdood1100 What about a 500 Royal Enfield in Greenlane trim, with a large front wheel, lightweight mudguards, semi-knobbly tyres, lowered gearing and a high rise exhaust? The only snag is you'd have to build it first. 😁😶
@@FunAllDayLong4353 sounds like a lot of work
In my teens & twenty's you could by any of the Kawasaki 3cyl.-2strokes for a 5-8 hundred dollors.
I owned them all Kawi. S1-350 , S2-400
H1-500 & the " Widow maker " H-2 750
S- Signified Street & the H- Highway .
And I had a Yamaha RD-350 & RD-400
The RD-400 was SICK , it would easily wheelie in the first 3 gears .
My favorite Jap. Bike was my Screening Yellow Honda CB-400FSS
SuperSport , 4Cylinder with a 4into one
Factory header & a 5 speed gearbox .
Everyone loved that bike , except the police . 👮🏍️🐷🏍️😱🚁
Sounds like you like a bike that needs thrashing
Definitely not a cruiser kind of guy
From South Africa... MY MAN ! 💪 Suzukie GT' s all of them.. what I aspired to when I was cutting my teeth on the T 500 & later the GT 500... I can smell.that 2 stroke oil 🛢 in my screen.. Thanks "a ton" for them memories what's gonna sit with me all day this Sunday...
Mostly we called the 750 as "the kettle" & the "water-buff"
PLEASE 🙏 🙏 review the titan from the famous hideous purple color, and excessive crome badging, onto the GT 500
Glad you enjoyed it
I bought new and rode in 1976 the “King Killer”, the 1976 Yamaha RD 400c ( Canadian version ), second best bike I’ve had in my life. #1 would have to be the 1983 Honda CB 900 F Super Sport that a did a road trip with my brother down through New Brunswick by way of the Gaspe, down to Halifax and back home (Montreal) by way of Maine, quite a ride.
Much underrated bike the 900f
Had a silver GT380, loved it. I'd buy another now if the prices weren't so crazy.
Yes they are but I have a feeling with the age of most bikers the high prices won’t last
I always loved 2-stroke bikes. When I was a senior in high school in 75 I bought a used Brigston 350. Sorry for the spelling!! Anyway, I loved it however I had to always use "racing" grade spark plugs in it. And they only lasted about 1.5 weeks!! And boy they were expensive. Regular plugs would clog up in one day of riding from home to school and back home. I loved this video!!
A sadly very rare bike now
My stepson ran a nice GT750 Water-bottle, back in the late 70's. I've always been partial to 2-strokes (first bike I rode was a 98cc James Comet, the second a 125cc Bantam D1) and have had 175cc Bantam D14/4, 250 and 350 Jawa's - kept the 350 for 15 years; wish I still had it - and a Yamaha RD250, the last of the air-cooled models. Had lots of 4-strokes, of course. Still riding at 77; a little Suzuki VL250.
I like 2 strokes myself but I must say
Sorry don't agree, the early H2 was much quicker accelerating than any standard Norton Commando. As the owner back in the day of a 73 H2 and mates who owned Commando's, 750 Honda 4's and Suzuki kettles I can safely say the only way they could keep up with my H2 was when I was in a petrol station filling up for the umpteenth time! As for the handling yes it pogoed a bit in the corners but looked worse to anyone following that it actually was. Also it was no widow maker you just had to show it whose boss! 😂
It’s does not mater what we thinks cycle magazine tested them
Maths is not opinion
Take it up with American cycle magazine because of cause they made the whole thing up
And did actually test them of course
Remember the Japanese measure power at the crank not the back wheel as the British industry did
70 hp isn’t actually 70 hp
A mate had a GT 380, though it could not keep up with RD400's it was better at pillion duty, personal experience. Another mate, a big lad had a GT 550, he could not keep up with my brother on his RD 400, which had different reed valves & expansion chambers. It was a real jekyll & hyde bike.
That’s the thing with two strokes
Fit an expansion chamber and yeh it goes faster but it’s much harder work
I had a '76 GT750 exactly like that one, the same blue color and everything. But the previous owner had put one of those huge Windjammer fairings on it and since my dad had the title to it and I was a minor, he made me keep the fairing on it. It was really nice on the usually straight interstate highways of America. But it handled like an overloaded wheelbarrow. I almost got killed on it when I went into a curve faster than it was able to lean into the curve. I had to carefully hit the brakes just right and get her slowed down or I would have hit an oncoming car. I kept her much slower in curves and corners after that!! A horrendously bad handling motorcycle, especially compared to the GS750 that replaced it in short order, which handled like a dream. I rode a friends GS750 and couldn't believe it was the same brand motorcycle! I then bought a GS1000E in '78 which also was a great handler.
To be fair few Japanese bikes did handle well before the GS
I had a GT 550 with a 3/1 expansion chamber, sounded bloody awesome but not as quick top speed as my mates 650 Yamaha, nor was it as much fun to ride as my 75 RD350 ported polished expansion chambered little rocket!, Ahh those were the days..
I don’t know
Hooligans 😂😂
I had a 76 GT380. Great bike - It had auto oiling, and it had a problem - It never could run without making a blue streak everywhere it went. It was a thirsty engine - 23 mpg -- Imperial - 4.55 lt. I sold it the day I pushed it a mile - to a gas station - for the third time.
Two strokes can be thirsty beasts
I had a S1 250 Kawasaki and 2 Suzuki's GT750s back in the day. Great bikes. Love triples also had a Triumph Trident 750v and a Laverda Jota. Now got a MV Agusta 800 brutale.
A group of very different triples
The Kawasaki Z1 was the top bike to own in the 1970s and 80 s ,a real head turner .The Honda 750 and 500 were also great bikes to ride .We toured Scotland in the 70s with two 2 stroke motorcycles and one 4 stroke bike .it was hard work for the 2 stroke bikes going up steep hills fully loaded ,great memories,loved the smell of 2 stroke back then .
I think two strokes were usually of smaller capacity and the Japanese tended to tune em for top end
Not what u want for touring
I have a 76 RD400.. I was born in 70 so it was before my time.. and when i actually got into motorcycles the two-strokes were gone.... but for some damn reason I love 2-stroke engines and Ive always owned one or another. few rz350's and all the motocross bikes are two strokes. Just bought a Husqvarana 150 efi and its amazing. My RD400 is completely stock and makes good power off idle into the mid then starts to tap out.. all my other two strokes were modified or with aftermarket chambers and were all peaky and totally gutless off idle into the mid... lemme tell you.. after riding the RD its a FAR better road bike. I can leave it in 6th gear and leave it there as I go around sharp corners.. open the throttle and it just starts to build speed without much fuss. I tell every I talk to online with these old bikes to put everything back to stock cause they will be amazed how good it becomes as a street bike commuter.
I am generally a 4 stroke man but I do like a good 2 stroker especially smaller ones
Lol I outran a gsxr 1000 with my slow h2 750 !
Oh of course you did
That would be rider induced failure I suspect
@bikerdood1100 it sure was fun to take the wind out of some with a bike from the 70 's
You are right about the gt 380 and 550. Had one. Very reliable. Not quite as fast as Kawasaki or Yamaha but better handling. Road the Blueridge Parkway, I 40, and I 85 with mine. Did quite well and had didital gear read.
The Suzukis did offer a very balanced package
Had a GT550A, the best top end I ever got was 105 mph on the speedo so not very quick. It felt faster than it actually was. Tried a piper 3 into 1 on it, sounded great but killed the power. Used it daily to get me to work but sold it as my 1.6 car was better on fuel and kept me dry through the winter. Did buy a GT 750 and totally rebuilt it. Finished the chassis and was half way through the engine when my marriage went tits up and she wanted half the value of the bike !
Put the thing on my drive and punctured the bottom of the tank and put a match to it, a very sad end to what would have been a immaculate vintage bike. Think what I regret the most there was not only the couple of grand I put into it but that I never got to ride it. Shame I only have that tainted memory of it.
Shit how things go sometimes
My most favorable 3 cylinder two stroke would be the Suzuki 750 gt . I had one and to me still the best bike I ever owned.
I was always fascinated by the GT, that water cooling seemed so futuristic