Some advice please - Suzuki GSX750 ES

[F5 Dave]

Its good for the soul, esp if you like me sit at a desk for work.

The brakes will likely need some attn, at a min a change in brake fluid and check the pistons are not seized. Best done the first time with a watchful eye, this isn't a super specialised job & as long as you do the bolts up correctly should not be a safety issue. Assuming you have some common sense they are pretty robust.

Those antidive hoses at the front do make them a bit mushy esp with age & I would recommend disconnecting them. This is easier than it sounds. You pull the hoses off the front & fit the single hose banjo bolt in place of the double ones & simply do not fit the short interconnecting hose. If you felt like being spiffy you could cut down the long bolts & fit them in the antidive units but they are not connected to open air-fork fluid.

This will take a cm out of the lever travel & make them easier to bleed to boot. Have a grown up help with bleeding as it can be frustrating but simple enough. Normal DOT4 fluid is fine but keep protective rags in case of splashes on paint. Firm press down on cross had screws removing master cylinder top & keep it level.

[Tigadee]

Woohoo! The bike's running smooth as a baby's buttocks and no carb clean or tank restore needed! George [Motorcycle Doctors] came by to have a look at the bike and his verdict was:
1. Tank rust not severe - can ride and just make sure it's topped up frequently
2. Carbs sound too good to need a clean.
3. Brakes in good nic, fluids look good.
4. Tyres OK, just no hard riding until time to change.
5. Chain and sprocket OK, just needs regular attention.
6. The vacumn hose was disconnected from the petrol tank, that's why it wouldn't idle and dies without choke on. Once that was reconnected, the engine ran smoothly and without choke

Oil change was all that was done. Final cost - 160 dollars! Now for some autosol and elbow grease to spiff up this baby, and fix the pack rack on... Gotta list the Venox for sale too.

Battery was a little weak, will need to be trickle charged. Took it for a get-to-know-you ride and we got along well. No hiccups/surprises, smooth power delivery, braked nicely and felt nimble. Only thing was the seat was slippery and I worried about sliding backwards off it! Will velcro on the seat and my pants help? LOL

Still, I rode like a bike virgin [again] and just got to know the bike bit by bit... I think we're off to a good start. Thanks again to everyone for your advice!

[FJRider]

Battery was a little weak, will need to be trickle charged. Took it for a get-to-know-you ride and we got along well. No hiccups/surprises, smooth power delivery, braked nicely and felt nimble. Only thing was the seat was slippery and I worried about sliding backwards off it! Will velcro on the seat and my pants help? LOL

Still, I rode like a bike virgin [again] and just got to know the bike bit by bit... I think we're off to a good start. Thanks again to everyone for your advice!

All good news then. Well done with the good score. (even if it is a suzuki)

See if you can get the battery tested ... once it starts to go ... the first cold spell will get that dreaded clicking sound as you hit the button. (most sparkys will do it for free)

Get a sheepskin for the seat. Will stop you sliding about and make it more comfortable on longer trips. With velcro/elastic straps to ease fitting/removal.

Take it away for a full weekend riding ... doesn't matter where ... just go, and keep going. Come Monday ... you'll be an old friend.

[Tigadee]

All good news then. Well done with the good score. (even if it is a suzuki)

Cheers!

Get a sheepskin for the seat. Will stop you sliding about and make it more comfortable on longer trips. With velcro/elastic straps to ease fitting/removal.

Do you leave the sheepskin on the bike once you've parked the bike? Or do you take it away with you? Like when you go into the office to work? Or is the sheepskin a permanent fixture and exposed to the elements?

Take it away for a full weekend riding ... doesn't matter where ... just go, and keep going. Come Monday ... you'll be an old friend.

Will do!

[FJRider]

Do you leave the sheepskin on the bike once you've parked the bike? Or do you take it away with you? Like when you go into the office to work? Or is the sheepskin a permanent fixture and exposed to the elements?

On my bike the seat can be easily removed from the bike. And (apart from being cut off) cannot be removed without doing so. Strong wide elastic holds it in place.
I leave it on (in all weathers) but take off and wash it on a regular basis .... if it needs it. Don't spend a fortune on one ... a factory off-cut does the trick. (a second-hand car seat cover ... modified .. works well)
You decide if it covers the bits the mrs sits on ... or just the bit you do. Marital harmony may be assisted ... if her bits are covered. (well in public anyway)

[ducatilover]

Awesome to hear it's working out, keep that beast safe and make it hella pretty

[nzspokes]

Still, I rode like a bike virgin [again] and just got to know the bike bit by bit... I think we're off to a good start. Thanks again to everyone for your advice!

I will take it out for a blast and see what it can do. Bhahahahaha

[FJRider]

... keep that beast safe and make it hella pretty

it's only a bloody suzuki ...

[Tigadee]

On my bike the seat can be easily removed from the bike. And (apart from being cut off) cannot be removed without doing so. Strong wide elastic holds it in place.

I leave it on (in all weathers) but take off and wash it on a regular basis .... if it needs it. Don't spend a fortune on one ... a factory off-cut does the trick. (a second-hand car seat cover ... modified .. works well)

Ah, I see. Thanks.

You decide if it covers the bits the mrs sits on ... or just the bit you do. Marital harmony may be assisted ... if her bits are covered. (well in public anyway)

Marital harmony is a good thing...

Awesome to hear it's working out, keep that beast safe and make it hella pretty

Thanks DL, will do my best!

I will take it out for a blast and see what it can do. Bhahahahaha

Bwahahahahahahaha!

it's only a bloody suzuki ...

And three times the power of my old bike, though only half of yours...

[FJRider]

And three times the power of my old bike, though only half of yours...

In six months time .... you will wonder where it all went ... And go looking for more.

Trust me on this ...

[ducatilover]

In six months time .... you will wonder where it all went ... And go looking for more.

Trust me on this ...

You can have far too much, but still need more!

[Tigadee]

Ssssssshhhh!

Let me enjoy my next six months...

[FJRider]

Ssssssshhhh!

Let me enjoy my next six months...

It will last longer than that. Enjoyment is not dependent on horsepower. And the speed limit is only 100 km/hr. ...





But more horsepower ...

[Tigadee]

And the speed limit is only 100 km/hr. ...

It is?

[FJRider]

It is?

'fraid so. you find yourself traveling at speeds previously unheard of (for you) ... easier than you ever thought possible. it's addictive ...