YA HOO ! Anticipation is finally over.

[pearljam724]

Welp, I've been cramming as much time as I possibly can to fire up the Buffalo for the first time in a year. Hoping to get that accomplished before it gets too cold and possibly take it for a rip down the road. Having only an estimated couple of weeks to do so. I made my first attempt at firing her up today. For those of you who do not know. I started this full restoration last November. Absolutely, no short cuts. New crank seals, bearings, pistons, rod bearings, coils, exhaust, completely rebuilt carbs, new chrome, paint. The list goes on and on. I tried hard with my limited time to at least crank it over as I had a few things I was hoping I did correct. I am 37 years old. I have owned and worked on my own bikes since I was 19. I have never attempted a full restoration of any kind. It was something that I always thought about, but never had a bike in mind to make that attempt.
I bought a 75 550 off Ebay last summer and absolutely love the thing. After the 550 purchase I was hooked. So, I set out to make my first attempt at a real restoration. What better bike to make that attempt than on a Gt 750 ? So, I bought a low mileage rust bucket for $1,100.
Everything finished and put back together. With the exception of a seat pan resto I will do within a year or so, properly paint master cylinder and finish polishing the motor's left side cases. During my first attempt at a start. I accidently left the petcock on prime for a minute too long filling the bowls for the first time. Gas absolutely freaking everywhere, lol ! Tried cranking it over by electric and nothing. I had flooded the plugs with gasoline. Cleaned and dried them. Still nothing. Once again, I dried them. Next attempt, a huge freaking bang of a backfire. Sounded like a rifle blast. I thought for sure I holed a piston. But, I was hoping this wasn't the case as it was still cranking over. But, no spark. So, I removed the new Rex Caunt coils as I questioned the connections not being firm enough with the spade connectors. I also had a carb bowl in question as I could not seat a new pilot deep enough. Switched out the new coils for the 550 coils hoping this was the problem. Hit the button and it fired to life. YA HOO ! ! ! The new Higgspeed's were a pingin and a cracklin, Lol ! Long story, I know. But, this was a very big day for me and I wanted to share my story with all of my friends I have made on here. This is a fantastic site and I thank all of you for sharing knowledge and being good people. My goal is to make a vid within the next 2-3 weeks to give you a better idea. I don't know if you older guys realize just how cool these old bikes are cause you grew up around them. I have sold off new bikes and really don't intend to buy a modern bike again, lol !

[oldjapanesebikes]

Congrats - I can almost see the smile from here !

[pearljam724]

Congrats - I can almost see the smile from here !

Thank you, Ian. You're one of those great guys willing to help and share.

[Flywheel]

It feels good whenever you accomplish a goal by doing all the work yourself. Congrats and enjoy your "new" ride! Question is will it be on the road before the season is over?

[pearljam724]

It feels good whenever you accomplish a goal by doing all the work yourself. Congrats and enjoy your "new" ride! Question is will it be on the road before the season is over?

Yes, very satisfying. Especially, had you known what it looked like in the flesh before I began. Which I'll share a better idea of that too once I work a vid into the picture. Thank you, for your comment and tying to help me out with that spare motor. I believe I will have time for 1 or 2 rides before the end of the month. But, it's not registered yet. I also have to recheck all of the torque specs before it moves for the first time. Then it will be ready. I work in the natural gas industry and I work on average of 60 hours a week. Sometimes, more. Plus, other things I need to attend to aside of work. I've worked too hard on this bike, to rush it at the last minute. But, I'm trying. I have guys at work that keep asking me to see it. So, I want to come through for them also. Lol !

[Suzukidave]

I sure know what great feeling it is to fire up your " baby " for the first time and the next is the thrill of the first nice ride . I look forward to your video

[pearljam724]

Thanks, Dave. What did you think of the Dupont Teflon ? I was hoping to make a better video within the next couple of weeks. Showing details of the poor condition it came from and recording it's final results with a better camera. But, I accepted that there will not be enough time. So, here she is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3NMPSHc6g8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Suzukidave]

I dont have the long use report but as far as applying it it sprays on nice and after drying does stay put .

[pearljam724]

Few better pics. Why can't I add bigger larger pictures than 200x200 ? When I see people post larger pictures than that quite often ?

[Suzukidave]

Wow !!! looks fantastic .. i really like the color

[jabcb]

Looks sharp. Shame the riding season here in PA is just about over.

[Domiken]

Wow amazing restoration!!! Glad to hear you'll be able to get her fired up before winter.

Where did you get the tank decals? Just pinstriped?

[pearljam724]

Wow amazing restoration!!! Glad to hear you'll be able to get her fired up before winter.

Where did you get the tank decals? Just pinstriped?

KnK Cycles sells tank decals. Very expensive at $80 a set. But, very good quality. Mine are clear coated over. Decals that aren't don't look very good in my opinion.

[jabcb]

Decals are $65 at Reproduction Decals.

Reproduction Decals has a new website for internet purchasing called Diablo Cycle:
http://www.diablocycle.com/Tank-Sidecov ... 20/?page=2

Have them on my 75 GT750.
As pearljam724 said, they are quite nice when clearcoated over.

[pearljam724]

Decals are $65 at Reproduction Decals.

Reproduction Decals has a new website for internet purchasing called Diablo Cycle:
http://www.diablocycle.com/Tank-Sidecov ... 20/?page=2

Have them on my 75 GT750.
As pearljam724 said, they are quite nice when clearcoated over.

Yep, those are the ones I bought. By the time they added shipping, it totaled $80. I remember that quite well as I couldn't believe that I was willing to pay that price. Word of advice, have a professional painter put them on that does this stuff often enough. The 76/77 style decal is pretty difficult to put on without leaving air bubbles under the decal because of the tank's contour. My painter which has an outstanding reputation had to leave the tank close to a heat source to allow the air bubbles to work themselves out from under the decal. That took 4 or 5 days to do so, but in the end it looked fantastic.