New GS450GA in Florida

[gtd2000]

Hi There!

I'm a Scottish lad who spends a fair amount of time working around the globe and I've been toying with the idea of buying a 70's/80's era bike for a while over here in Florida but never found anything at the right price or it was needing too much work and wasn't an economic fix.

Anyway, I found a GS450A on Craigslist (Sarasota) and had never heard of the model before, I've had quite a few Suzukis in my life but perhaps it was a bike designed for the North American market.

It's in really good original condition, right down to the tyres/tires and showing only 4500 miles!

Here she is - I've not even had a chance to give her a clean, as the carbs were blocked and that's what I've been doing today - it's all up and running now and I'm very pleased with it so far.







[URL=http://s149.photobucket.com/user/gtd2000/media/Suzuki%20GS450A%20Suzukimatic/20151031_174412_zps3t3goddk.jpg.html][/URL]

Here is my other '86 Suzuki GSX-R750 that I still own in the UK:




I just sold my old '80 GT250X7 in March this year - I'd owned it since 1983!



In the van and off to Wales to the new owner...

 

[GSXR7ED]

Wow!

A Scott living abroad and in Florida!

I love your Gixxer dude! Some day, I would love to own that early model.

That 450 is fun to ride I'm sure but nothing compares to the feel of a higher CC GS or vintage Gixxer for that matter.

I'm married to a Scott from Coatbridge and we honeymoon'd in Wales back in 1990. Small world.

Welcome and have fun around here!


Ed

 

[Redman]

Sure is in good looking condition.

Ah, you do know what the "A" means, don't you....?


.

 

[Redman]

oh... you already got it.


.

 

[gtd2000]

Sure is in good looking condition.

Ah, you do know what the "A" means, don't you....?


.

It may well mean "arsehole" in my case but I was assuming that it was A for Automatic?

 

[gtd2000]

Wow!

A Scott living abroad and in Florida!

I love your Gixxer dude! Some day, I would love to own that early model.

That 450 is fun to ride I'm sure but nothing compares to the feel of a higher CC GS or vintage Gixxer for that matter.

I'm married to a Scott from Coatbridge and we honeymoon'd in Wales back in 1990. Small world.

Welcome and have fun around here!


Ed

Thanks for the welcome!

The Gixxer is a fun fast bike but for me it was way too uncomfortable in standard format, had to get more upright bars fitted to it as the riding position was hellish after 30 mins of riding.

Just removing the fairing helped enormously with the comfort factor but I was always going to do a mild Streetfighter job on it anyway.

Have to say the little GS is fun to ride - well I've only put about 7 miles on it so far but it's very comfortable.

I'm from the South East of Scotland near Galashiels. It's a great place to live and has some fantastic biking routes but you can never guarantee the weather....

 

[gtd2000]

Here's video from this morning, bike had a quick wash but still to get a polish1983 GS450A (GS450GA) Suzukimatic: https://youtu.be/xu7DQ32VKOM

 

[GSXR7ED]

Nice video....love the accent...I spent 4.5 years in Essex/Suffolk area and of course did weekend travels to various parts including Glasgow. Sorry I couldn't get to your neck of the woods.

Soooo, automatic? That's interesting. I like how you answered Redman, A could be "arsehole" for all you know but in this case, automatic.

See you around!


Ed

EDIT: I forgot to mention about the Gixxer; yeah it can get uncomfortable on long rides. I'd un-bend my legs from time to time to get blood flowing at my knees when I owned my first and only Gixxer. That was a fun bike once I learned not to be afraid of her. Lol

 

[gtd2000]

Nice video....love the accent...I spent 4.5 years in Essex/Suffolk area and of course did weekend travels to various parts including Glasgow. Sorry I couldn't get to your neck of the woods.

Soooo, automatic? That's interesting. I like how you answered Redman, A could be "arsehole" for all you know but in this case, automatic.

See you around!


Ed

EDIT: I forgot to mention about the Gixxer; yeah it can get uncomfortable on long rides. I'd un-bend my legs from time to time to get blood flowing at my knees when I owned my first and only Gixxer. That was a fun bike once I learned not to be afraid of her. Lol

Alright mate?

Yes Auto is different for sure - so far I'm quite happy with it as it's just a nice lazy machine to go around the neighbourhood.

For me the Gixxer was just too uncomfortable on the neck - it's not too bad with the Renthals fitted but naturally the legs are more cramped than they should be...

 

[GSXR7ED]

Alright, Mate?

Alright, Mate?

Alright mate?

Yes Auto is different for sure - so far I'm quite happy with it as it's just a nice lazy machine to go around the neighbourhood.

For me the Gixxer was just too uncomfortable on the neck - it's not too bad with the Renthals fitted but naturally the legs are more cramped than they should be...

Yeah, I'm alright...you alright, mate?

I didn't have issues with my neck on the Gixxer. I love leaning forward and resting my chest on the tank. I lean forward on my "T", the bars keep my elbows up and angled back...did it quite a bit in New Mexico! (Lots of straight-aways to see just how fast I could get my bike) My speedometer only goes up to 85 but the tachometer was reading above 7K/RPMs and it red-lines at 9K. I have a Tarozzi Fork Stabalizer but not a steering damper so I didn't push it too much.

It takes alot of core strength to ride that bike...and I enjoy that sorta ride...albeit, a shorter ride than with my GS. Look at my baby...she was beautiful!

Ed

 

[gtd2000]

Yeah, I'm alright...you alright, mate?

I didn't have issues with my neck on the Gixxer. I love leaning forward and resting my chest on the tank. I lean forward on my "T", the bars keep my elbows up and angled back...did it quite a bit in New Mexico! (Lots of straight-aways to see just how fast I could get my bike) My speedometer only goes up to 85 but the tachometer was reading above 7K/RPMs and it red-lines at 9K. I have a Tarozzi Fork Stabalizer but not a steering damper so I didn't push it too much.

It takes alot of core strength to ride that bike...and I enjoy that sorta ride...albeit, a shorter ride than with my GS. Look at my baby...she was beautiful!

Ed

I'm doing not too badly, apart from the usual "women grief" that life dishes out now and again...all my own fault of course.....

Your particular Gixxer has a much more comfortable looking riding position than my old "G" by the looks of things, due the higher position of the bars?

See comparison here:

Another factor with my G model was that I bought it when I lived in Hong Kong and the speed limits are petty low over there, the racing stance really wasn't suited to the lower average speeds.

My mate bought an SRAD and it was so comfortable by comparison!

Renthals all the way from my point of view

 

[GSXR7ED]

OMG, I love your 1986 GSXR/750!!!


Mine was year 2000/750. I have more photos in my album profile.

Ed

 

[1948man]

Pretty bike. Thanks for sharing. Those old tires must be pretty hard but I guess you've already indicated you're looking for new ones.

 

[terrylee]

Great looking bike! Do believe ball bearings go into a hole (indention) next to needle valve.

 

[gtd2000]

Well here is a photo of the GSX-R750 back when I first bought it in Hong Kong

 

[gtd2000]

Here's a photo of the bike as it is today in Scotland:

 

[gtd2000]

Took another video of the GS450A yesterday after doing some polishing up of the bike after a wash down.

https://youtu.be/D0PpjX--p38

 

[gtd2000]

Pretty bike. Thanks for sharing. Those old tires must be pretty hard but I guess you've already indicated you're looking for new ones.

They seem not too bad but it will be sensible to change them for something fresh.

Just need to figure out what the best tyre is to use?

 

[gtd2000]

Great looking bike! Do believe ball bearings go into a hole (indention) next to needle valve.

Oh that sounds interesting....

I'll need to check my photo collection to see if anything looks obvious....???

Edit:
Bugger...only have photos of the float bowls...

 

[GSXR7ED]

Magnificent Memories

Magnificent Memories

I know this thread is about your GS450A but I'm gonna talk at your Gixxer, the beautiful countryside of Scotland, and that eighties pic of you on the Gixxer.

I like it with the fairings installed but could get use to it being a neked Gixxer. Either way, that bike looks like sheer enjoyment!

I do miss the beautiful countryside of Scotland. I was in awe of the landscape and how the land was utilized by its inhabitants. It felt like going back in time because of its natural beauty. I can probably explain it better but I will leave it at that.

Now as far as your pic on the bike...so 80s. (Which I pretty much declare the best decade ever!) Anyhow, what a handsome devil you are...I'm surprised to hear you have problems with the Ladies. But then again, we are men.

Thanks for sharing pics and YouTube vids of your bike.

Ed