Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1978 Suzuki GT380
Rare 1978 model, the last of the GT380s
Estimate
£5, 000 - £7, 000
Registration No: CFW 923T
Frame No: 101325
Engine No: 121551
CC: 380
MOT: Exempt
A rare last of the line late 1978 Suzuki GT380B/ C UK model
Authentically restored to a very high standard retaining many original parts
Supplied with a restoration photograph record, handbook, and a V5C
The Suzuki Motor Co. was established in 1909 by Michio Suzuki to produce machinery for the cotton industry. An initial diversification into 4-wheeled transport was curtailed by WW2 but after the war, Japan had a need for cheap reliable transport so Suzuki, like a lot of others around the world, began to produce clip-on engines for pushbikes. These proved to be an immediate success and soon they were making full motorcycles and by the early 1960s were second-only to Honda in number of two-wheelers manufactured. In the early 1970s, the GT380, GT550 and GT750 three-cylinder models were launched proving to be 'the last hurrah' for the large capacity two-stroke engine.
This beautifully restored GT380 in Silver is a rare late 1978 model that was officially imported into the UK as one of the last of the line, distinctive with its flush fitting filler cap (this type of tank was only fitted to the very last/ late GTs) and Satin Black side panels, headlamp shell and brackets . Owned and restored by the vendor since 2012, with the restoration in 2014, with the aim of keeping the bike as original as possible, most of the chrome work including the distinctive 3 into 4 exhaust system is original and in very good condition. The engine was rebuilt, including a first oversize rebore to the cylinders, a full crank rebuild with new rods, bearings etc and a full carb rebuild. An authentic restoration getting the bike back to very near factory condition, nothing is over polished and all fasteners are of the original type including the original Japanese headed engine cover screws and original Suzuki 'S' stamped bolts. As expected all the electrics work including the gear indicator set between the clocks and the bike comes supplied with a genuine Suzuki handbook, a restoration file, a current V5C and further documentation etc. The bike is fully road legal, starts and rides as expected and has been ridden to events on good weather days.
