Home
With production of the GT185 finishing in 1978, to make room for the introduction of the X5/X7 range, Suzuki offered a rare optioned GT185 “E” to certain markets, these came with the recently introduced new shaped petrol tank and a body coloure matched rear tail piece but also mag wheels. Not only is this bike one of the few E optioned bikes they produced, it is also a UK spec bike from new and was registered 01/08/1978 so probably one of the last UK spec GT185E’s to be registered.
Having past through the usual number of “L” plate riders hands, it finally landed with its last owner/collector who over the last 7 years slowly improved its condition, until unfortunately he passed away. We then purchased various bikes from his collection, including this one and then set about finishing off what had been started. There were no bills but we could see it had had a recently powder coated frame so must of been fully stripped during its restoration, the engine sounds and looks too good not to of received some attention. Somebody made a nice job of recovering its seat. It had new tyres that looked to of not been used. Up front there is a new brake master cylinder and a braided front brake line, things like the indicators look to of been replaced, etc etc etc
Unfortunately, while someone had made a good attempt where the new paintwork was concerned, we were not happy with it so that has been redone and now looks great. While that was happening we gave the whole bike a real deep clean as where it had been stood for so long it needed it. Re-routed incorrectly placed cables, and generally went back over checking, adjusting and re-torqueing where necessary. It now starts on the button ( Yep, dont forget the GT185 has electric start) and everything works as Suzuki intended it to nearly 50 years ago when this bike was built. A rare bike, complete with its all important original exhausts. Not the cheapest on the market, but certainly not the most expensive either. PS. Did i mention it is rather pretty 🙂
