Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi,

I was just wondering if anybody could tell me anything about the 1986 GXSR 750. I am looking at picking one up. It appears to be in fine condition, but I was just wondering if the bikes have characteristic flaws or troubles.

Thanks for any responses.

I'll talk OldSchool Gixxers all day long if you want.

The first generation.. 85-87... were called slabsides or slabbies, due to the rear tail bodywork. They were the lightest chassis Suzuki used, also the weakest. They flexed alot. They had 16 inch wheels and many have had 17's put on for better tire selection. The anti-dive system on the forks sucked and you can get kits to remove them and cover up the big holes they leave in the forks afterwards.

The 750 used a 749cc long-stroke engine that was reliable and powerful enough.... but what is 'enough? Any 1100cc GSXR, GSX (Katana) or Bandit 1200 motor bolts RIGHT IN, with just one small rear engine mount enlarging procedure. Run a 12mm bit through the 10mm hole in your frame, and bolt up. Even the ignitions are interchangeable, but careful. The 750 rev limiter cuts in at 10 500 Rpm, the 1100 hits at 9000. A 750 ignition will allow an 1100 to over rev if you don't watch the tach, and they will let go at that speed. This engine swap works with any year of oil-cooled motor and chassis. You need to get the hydraulic clutch M.C and lever with the 1100 donor, the 750's used cables, then go to town on it!

The 88-93 bikes were called Slingshots and had a much stonger frame. The 88-89 750s used a short-stroke 748cc engine. They had a great advantage as the head is a direct swap with the 1100 and flows better than the big lumps head (stock for stock), had more aggresive cams, and respond to porting well and so are highly sought after by certain Gixxer freaks.

On all these bikes, the stock airbox gives easier carb tuning and better ridability... pod-type filters give more topend power but create flat spots in the jetting that are a "dog" to jet out, even with a dyno. Stock is better/easier.

All 750's up to '90 (I think) had shorter swingarms and more aggressive steering geometry than the 1100 and that's why the 7/11 swap is so popular. The aftermarket is huge for all these bikes, specially in Europe.

Check this site out.... these guys are borderline nutjobs about these bikes.... and they know thier chit....

http://oldskoolsuzuki.info/index.htm

What affordable mods for engine performance/cosmetics/rideability will be best. I would like to do a little to this bike, but not spend a whole lot of money. Is there are a good selection of aftermarket parts out there? I have done some google searches, but I am hard pressed to find a good selection of parts for a bike of this age.

Thanks BuzZz for that history....I learned a lot.

Thanks to anyone else who responds.

The venerable Intake (filter) Jets and Exhaust would be the best and cheapest way to get top end performance out of a bike like this. Of course, that's all top-end performance. And as Buzz stated, the kinks could be difficult to work out.

I'd suggest leaving the bike stock. an older bike like this has run a certain way for almost 20 years. The parts are worn a certain way, and everything functions as it should. If you start modding and changing things, you run into a high possibility of having the bike completely crap out on you.

If you have money, this isn't a big deal - people mod and race these bikes all the time. But if you are lacking serious leisure time funding (Like most of the world) the bike will perform well in its stock condition (very likely within the range or just outside of your abilities) best to leave it be. Besides, sportbikes due to their very nature are ridden hard and often have short lives. You are lucky to find a good example, and in its stock form the bike will draw plenty of attention. This is also the reason why there is lack of aftermarket for the cosmetics and whatnot - sportbikes are NOW types of things. Anything 10 years old (and that's pushing it) is left in the dust. Enjoy the bike for what it is. Save up your mod cash for more important stuff

Thanks a lot for that.

I had kind of been leaning against any engine mods. You are right, it will probably be way more capable than I am at riding.

I think I may just have some body work, i.e. a paint job done, because it has a little rash on it and the paint is faded. I am also interested in getting frame sliders.

But thanks for the info....you guys have been real helplful. I am not a real bike history guru

Thanks again....if anyone else has any more info....feel free to post!!