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 Suzuki - 750 GT Le Mans
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Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2113

Capacity : 750
Model : GT Le Mans
Production : 1971 - 1977
Category : (R) Street Bike

SUZUKI

750GT -1972

Turning point in two stroke history

The sensation of the 1971 show round was the robust response by Kawasaki and Suzuki

to Honda's already legendary 750 by inaugurating the new technique of transverse three-cylinder two-stroke engines. If the layout was the same, the offerings of the two rivals represented very different philosophies. The air-cooled Kawasaki H2 was a supersports machine with out-of-the-ordinary performance: over 125 mph top speed and a standing quarter in 12.1 seconds. The Suzuki was a real GT: heavier, larger and with a water-cooled engine.

Two Errors of Judgment

Suzuki's main error lay in not having foreseen the trend of the market towards more sporting machines. A second fault was retaining a front drum brake while Honda, Kawasaki (on its 500 and 750) and Yamaha (on the 650 XS) had already opted for discs.

Built until 1977, when it appeared in the catalog alongside the 750 four-stroke, the GT took a long time to build up its image. It was small consolation that it had an excellent reputation at the end, having spawned an extraordinary track machine, the TR 750.

The best two stroke

However, the GT was an excellent touring mount which marked a turning point in the history of the two-stroke. Reliable and mechanically silent, possessed of remarkable torque, it was a docile road bike, unlike the Kawasaki, which was brilliant but noisy and guzzled gas.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 738cc (70x74mm) water-cooled threecylinder

Power Rating: 67 hp @ 6500 rpm

Valves: two-stroke, ports in piston skirt

Fuel System: three 32mm Mikuni carburetors

Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging fork with twin spring/dampers (rear)

Brakes: two-leading-shoe drum (front);drum (rear)

Wheels: wire; 3.25x 19 inch (front); 4.00x18 inch (rear)

Weight: 472 lb

Maximum Speed: 120 mph

 

Apart from the replacement of its drum front brake by a disc, the 750 GT scarcely changed during its lifetime, except that in 1974 power output rose to 70 hp at 8500 rpm.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.