Any of you ever read this book?

General discussion about Street two-stroke Suzuki motorcycles.

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dude99
Around the block
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

I was googleing around the other day and came across this book. I was curious if any of you had read it? Thoughts on it?
https://books.google.ca/books?id=3Iy_Cw ... &q&f=false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
dude99
Around the block
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:53 pm
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

I guess none of you have then... Basically I'm after a book with a good assembly guide that tells you how to do it piece by piece. Whoever was in my engine before clearly didn't know wheat they were doing so I can't just put it back together as it was. I was give. A copy of the clymer manual but its not great.... Or really anywhere near great so I'm after something better. I also have a copy of the factory service manual, but it doesn't really go over reassembly.
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
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Alan H
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 4 x GT550s - J, M, A, B.
Location: The Republic of South Yorkshire

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by Alan H »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GT750- ... jqHoV8qV-A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Done by a guy who rebuilds Kettles for a living. Have a look at his other items too.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
dude99
Around the block
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:53 pm
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

Interesting, thanks for the info... I was rather hoping for book though.
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
yeadon_m
Road race school
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:18 am
Country: UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT380B, GT550B, GT750A, GSX1400

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by yeadon_m »

The same gentleman sells a comprehensive DVD with a female voiceover. Its very good. Professional camera quality, an experienced builder too.
Mike
dude99
Around the block
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:53 pm
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

Well if the entire DVD is as step by step and piece by piece as the video clip show I may buy it. Has anyone else here seen the video? Opinions are welcome!
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
GTandcbr
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 590
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 12:35 pm
Country: WALES
Suzuki 2-Strokes: suzuki gt 550j
Location: Wales

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by GTandcbr »

Have a look here https://youtu.be/KarFa5rEz4o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; just a sampler
98 carb Blackbird and GT550j
yeadon_m
Road race school
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Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:18 am
Country: UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT380B, GT550B, GT750A, GSX1400

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by yeadon_m »

It is comprehensive. Barry now does this for a living, as Alan said. Barry also co-hosts a different site, http://www.kettleclinic.co.uk/kcforum/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which is free to register for and has 1000 members.
Cheers,
Mike
Drewski
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Country: UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750M TS125 TS100 GT750B
Location: East Angular, UK

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by Drewski »

I have the DVD....it came with the bike and is very useful. Not sure you can get much better instruction than watching the actual job being done, even if it is on a screen. Workshop manuals are necessary for settings, tollerances, grades, etc but for rebuilding an engine, I think the DVD is a good idea and makes a perfect guide.
dude99
Around the block
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:53 pm
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

@Drewski
Cool, so if I started with a box of parts and two cases stripped down to nothing, could you reassemble the engine based on the DVD and the service manual for the specs?

@yeadon_m
Thanks for the info, I'm actually already a member of that site as well.. Which I completely forgot about.....
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
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oldjapanesebikes
Moto GP
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750(Jx3,L,M,A,B),T500
Location: Ontario
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Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by oldjapanesebikes »

dude99 wrote:Well if the entire DVD is as step by step and piece by piece as the video clip show I may buy it. Has anyone else here seen the video? Opinions are welcome!
Yep - great video. You do still need a manual of some sort - I like the Haynes one - but I do think the various DVD's that Barry has put out are a good investment for anyone. :up: Full disclosure though - if you watch the final few frames on the full restoration one (at least the one I have) you will see me listed as a consultant. :oops: And you are also welcome to take a digital stroll through my own web site - lots of information there as well, and it's free. 8)
Ian

If at first you don't succeed, just get a bigger hammer !
Drewski
On the main road
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:18 am
Country: UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750M TS125 TS100 GT750B
Location: East Angular, UK

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by Drewski »

dude99 wrote:@Drewski
Cool, so if I started with a box of parts and two cases stripped down to nothing, could you reassemble the engine based on the DVD and the service manual for the specs?
I intend to with mine, ja.........(if I ever get to the stage of having all the pieces together and in good condition at the same time that is!)......but that all comes down to how much experience each person has in general, not to mention tools. As far as I'm aware, there aren't any special tools required more than the usual torque wrench, and maybe a clutch holder........oh not forgetting the extra special two stroke oil applicator mentioned in the DVD, which looks surprisingly like a "Sylvanian" toy baby bottle to me! You need some decent sealant for the cases like Yamabond or Suzuki's equivalent and, (not sure on this one), some threadlock. I wouldn't say the Suzuki Two Stroke tripple engine is particularly difficult to build but there are certain tips that you only get from those with exerience and can't always find in the manuals, like making sure the centre right,(?), crank seal is pushed right over before closing the cases.
It's made a bit easier for me as I know all the parts for my engine were once together and the engine running.....I don't have to worry about gearbox shafts coming from different engines and not slotting in for example.
dude99
Around the block
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2016 12:53 pm
Country: Canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT750
Location: Just outside of Vancouver BC

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by dude99 »

Ok, So I want to buy one of his films. I noticed that there is the engine one linked to above, and then there is the one on the complete GT750 reiteration. Does anyone know if the restoration film includes the information in the engine one? I was thinking of buying both, but if the restoration one contains the engine DVD I don't want to waste my money.

Thanks for all the info so far folks!
Bikes:
1975? GT750 project -the reason I'm here :)
1978 GS750 -my current ride
1982 GS(X)400 -sold
1981 RD350LC -sold and missed
1979 Honda CB400 hawk -sold and not missed, horrible bike
buffalodave
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: gt750A
Location: Spencer, Massachusetts

Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by buffalodave »

My opinions...
I have all of the items you are asking about. That book, all Baz's DVDs and every service manual made for for the kettle.
If you are starting with a basket case bike in a million pieces my advise would be buy the DVDs, and get a Haynes manual...
it is the most comprehensive one out there. The DVDs are great but do not show 100% of EVERY required steps to restore a kettle...

The engine DVD is very informative but again, does not cover EVERY thing 100%. BUT IMHO it was WELL worth the money. The famous John Storrie shows the most important steps in a VERY easy to understand and basically layman's terms...I watched it probably 100 times and even had a small DVD player on my bench while doing my motor. To me SEEING it done and listening to him was MORE than worth the price, almost like having him there...But it doesn't go into rebuilding the crankshaft or boring cylinders or anything like that...BUT it is a good informative video to basically 100% reassemble a motor from bare cases...Baz also has a very informative carb (later models) DVD as well.

There really is not too many better options out there...even Suzuki's service manual (unless there is another one that I don't know about) is based on the earlier bike...doesn't even cover CV carbs.
FORTUNATELY Ian's web site HAS lots of info as do both forums with many members willing to help out. There are also groups dedicated to this bike on facebook as well.

To answer your original question about that book...It SORT of covers a complete restoration but it is kind of like watching wheeler dealers restore a car... it DOES NOT cover 100% every step in rebuilding the engine or the entire bike...unfortunately nothing does... But it is interesting and has a LOT of pictures for reference AND it is good bathroom reading as well...
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tz375
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Re: Any of you ever read this book?

Post by tz375 »

I guess the two ends of the spectrum are:

1 - If an owner has no real idea of what goes where, they are probably better to pay someone to do the job or

2 - I built several complete bikes from parts lying about the shop and if I can do it, anyone can.

Motors are really pretty simple and so are the chassis and anyone with a degree of mechanical aptitude should be able to build them as long as they take their time and do the research. A good manual is useful for things like tolerances and torque settings and parts lists with exploded diagrams are even more ueeful to determine what parts go where.

There are a couple of parts lists on line for your viewing pleasure.

The hardest thing to determine is where some of the smaller and more obscure parts go and that's where Google and other search engines come in hand to find pictures of other people's bikes. And if in doubt, ask. :up:
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