In the early Seventies, Suzuki enlivened its range of bikes by offering models that aped their flagship GT750 model by embellishing them with lots of chrome and a sporty pair of chromed tailpipes. They applied this approach to several models in their line-up, including the GT185.

Weighing just 127kg and fitted with a Ram Air-equipped air-cooled 184cc two-stroke twin-cylinder engine that sucked the fuel and air mix through a pair of 20mm choke Mikuni carbs, it was a lively and agile bike. It developed 21bhp at 7,500rpm and was said to be able to accelerate from rest to 60mph in a mere 10 seconds – plenty fast enough to worry a sporty car back in the Seventies.

The GT185 was a popular first bike back in the Seventies and firmly ticks the nostalgia box. We all knew a mate who had one when they were 17 and it was a much-loved Japanese bike. Having been affordable for many youths meant that high quality low-mileage survivors are few and far between, so this California import is a rare find.

The current owner is a huge bike fan and bought this GT185 as a summer runaround in May while his Suzuki GT550 was being restored by a bike shop. The GT185 was sourced via Somerset Motorcycles after he saw it on their website and rang up about it. They acquired a whole collection of bikes from an older gentleman who’d recently lost wife his wife and had to move in with his daughter. This meant he had to thin down his Suzuki collection. The previous owner is thought to have sourced the bike in California and imported it to the UK in 2017, which undoubtedly accounts for its condition: these dry arid US states do not use salt on the roads.

The odometer indicates a mileage of 3,514miles and this is believed to be the genuine mileage. The original Suzuki branded grips and kickstart rubber would appear to back this up.

Prior to being sold to the current owner Somerset Motorcycles gave it a thorough check to ensure its roadworthiness. As it is over 40 years old, the bike does not need an MoT (and does not currently have one). DVLA records show that it was last MoT’d in August 2017 when it had covered 3,186 miles.

The owner says that the owners manuals are supplied with the vehicle.

The current owner reckons the bike is in condition 8 on a scale on 1 to 10 and it’s clear that with minimal work it could be in concours condition. The paintwork on the fuel tank and side covers is in immaculate condition, while the California climate has clearly been of great benefit to the bike as the chromework is in fine order, with only a minor rust blemish on the tail-light bracket being a minor negative. The exhausts are both stamped ‘GT185’ and believed to be original (there is a minor pressure dint on the left-hand one) Even the handlebar grips and the kickstart rubber still sport their original Suzuki logos and are thought to be original. At 3,514 miles, they could well be.

The engine and gearbox are thought to be original and are matching numbers, while many of the components such as the indicators are stamped ‘Suzuki Made in Japan’ and thought to be original. The clocks often suffer from stonechip and bug damage on their leading edge, but seem to be in near perfect condition on this example.

The only thing the owner says he’d attend to is some paint flaking off the front caliper and on the throttle mounting (for which he’s ordered replacement from America). Had he kept the bike he also wanted to polish the engine casing and carbs, which are in spotlessly clean condition but not polished.

The only non-original item on the bike is the saddle, which was recently replaced. Underneath the seat, the wiring looks unmolested and factory original, while the rear mudguard looks to be in good condition.

It looks original from every angle and even the bolts securing the engine to the frame still have their ‘S’ lettering on them (for Suzuki).

This GT185 started up at the press of a button and settled down to a pleasingly happy idle. Unlike a British bike at the time, there was no oil underneath the engine in the owner’s garage!

The current owner uses the bike for local trips to bike shows and reports that it runs well with no known faults. He does point out that the front brakes are not the most powerful (something that roadtesters in period also commented on).

The engine, gears and clutch are all said to work fine and the bike felt smooth and precise when being moved around for the photos.

This is a delightful example of a GT185 with the desirable and oh so Seventies gold-painted fuel tank. Having only been in the UK since 2017 having been a dry-state California import has preserved it beautifully and the condition is exceptional for a 48-year-old bike.

It’s all ready for you to relive your youth on and proudly exhibit at your local bike show. It’s in ready to ride condition and is just waiting for you to throw a leg over it and jab that electric start button.

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