There is no doubt that the Suzuki GSX-R 750 is one of the all time “bad boy” bikes of the sport bike world. RSBFS readers seem to love these slab-sided retro rockets, and we have seen a wide spectrum of machines offered on these very pages. From low mileage museum queens to higher mileage survivors, it seems our readers love them all. Today’s bike is somewhat different, as it has gone through what is claimed as a complete nut and bolt restoration. While this was clearly a labor of love, it is uncertain if this was a prudent financial move. Gen I GSX-R models – while coveted in a nostalgic sort of way – are not exactly fast risers on the monetary appreciation scale. The seller notes that he is unlikely to recoup the investment made. But he is giving it a good try by pricing this example at $15,000 – which would be a record for a non LE model GSX-R.
1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 for sale on eBay
From the seller:
I have spent the last year restoring this bike from the ground up and spared no expense! Every part on this bike has been cleaned and refurbished or replaced with OEM direct parts! I have every Suzuki label from the parts put on to prove it along with all of the parts and maintenance receipts. Direct OEM new and NOS parts are VERY expensive for these bikes. I have over $12k invested in parts alone.
There is a lot more text and pictures if you make the jump over the auction. The seller does list what has been done to the bike in excruciating detail. I would think that a restoration to that level would bring everything back to stock – and for the most part it has. Many original OEM parts are included in the sale, so be sure to go through the listing carefully. Is this worth it to you? Is it “better than new,” or would you rather have a true survivor? Check it out here, and then let us know your thoughts. Good Luck!!
MI
I’m a big one for originality so I personally think it would be worth more if it had all of the original parts fitted. If you’ve going to that much effort i’d prefer for it to be to oem spec. Either way, owning a slabbie I can appreciate how much original parts costs. In Aus, plastic washers for the fairing, $3, new bolt for the fairing, $6, oil filter $33, etc etc.
The dreaded full restoration. Anyone who thinks they will even break even on a restoration like this with a bike that is not super rare is blowing smoke up his arse.
I am the seller of the bike and agree with most comments made……
I restored this bike as a labor of love and wanted to give back to a bike that gave me so many fond memories of racing, hanging out with my fellow Marines on Ortega Highway and Laguna Beach and all the girls we met on these bikes……
With that said ALL off the parts are original, OEM and correct I just elected to finish some of them in a different way (powder coating for looks and longevity)…..all of the correctly finished parts are included with the bike and are OEM new or like new…..
Whoever buys the bike gets the best of both worlds, the ability to ride it and not worry about the parts that get chipped, tarnished and age the fastest and when they are ready they can easily convert her back to stock and let her sit an be appreciated for years to come….
These are the grand daddy of all track to street bikes and mostly hold a nostalgic memory for those who love them…….This bike is better than when it was new and some will like that and some will call it sacrilege….Potato/Patato
I hope whoever buys it loves it as much as I enjoyed restoring it…….
Semper Fi
Mike
It is a beauty Mike, I just don’t think someone will spend that kind of money on it. I wish you luck selling it and Semper Fi back at you. You should just keep it. I have regretted selling bikes over the years and now I keep them all.
Tim
Hey Guys ,
Well firstly even though I am a Honda V-Four guy and this is not my area of expertise let me just say that I think Mike will get his price or close enough to it . It may take a bit but there will always be someone out there looking and willing to pay the price to get what they want .
I also would like to know from Mike and whoevever else would like to add if getting a complete basket case 1986 GSXR750 like this one is worth it for the $500 asking price I ? My friend (also named Mike) had one back in the day . He is a master mechaninc and told me the price of the engine stuff could put you in the poor-house . Funny I am less concerned about fining the bodywork and stuff (or repairing it…) than I am at putting too much $$ in the engine . Maybe I will find a running motor for that price too….maybe not ? I have found that for my V-Fours (i.e. VF1000Rs) that I could pick up a runner (engine alone) for $500 . It would cost at least that if not $1000 just to do a complete rebuild (parts alone…..!) .;Anyways good luck to Mike on the sale of what I think is a very clean GSXR . Just tracking the original parts down alone is enough to put grey hair on your head !
RC30 Freak
Just want to say I am an RC30 freak as well!
$500 is fine assuming you have a few things! Everything is available pretty much on eBay and online to completely rebuild a bike except a few items:
You can get an engine on eBay. I have seen more 1100 motors than 750 motors. The innards (Pistons and such) are another story. I have not seen many around so you take a chance buying a full motor that it may have bad parts. I know the person I got this 750 from so I felt comfortable. If the engine can be checked by a specialists (not saying you are not one) that helps too….Buying a certified engine is even better. I had this 750 motor certified by the Suzuki dealer that did the motor work for me. All certified means is that the engine produces the correct cylinder pressure, that innard parts are to OEM spec or within tolerances and that there are no cracks in the block or heads (I’m also simplifying the crap out of the process because its pretty thorough). A good valve job and carb sync will run you about $500 but its well worth it with these motors and I suggest it about every 15k miles. When I raced these bikes it was done every third race.
Next is getting good front fork lowers. If they are tarnished that’s one thing, if they have road rash or major pitting they are done. If just tarnished send them out for media blast and bring them to a good anodizer to be redone (good luck finding one its a lost art BUT I have an awesome one here in PA near me and will forward you their information. The same goes for the rear swingarm. Another MAJOR item. The rear swingarm MUST have the two tabs for the chain guard and the threaded insert for the rear brake line support or its useless (thrust me I bought 3 on eBay before I figured that out!). Both of these parts are NON EXISTING in NOS or New and I combed the world to figure that out!
Body parts/fairings and cowling are VERY hard to come by in NOS or in decent used condition. These bikes are known for having people put the fairing screws in too tight and creating stress fractures and putting them together is like a puzzle that needs to go in order or you chip edges or create more stress fractures.
The OEM exhausts are getting real hard to find and I have seen them go for upwards of $750 – $1000.
These bikes are also known for having really crappy rear shocks. That is why I have a Nitron going with both the bikes I have for sale. I have been able to completely rework the rear shock and they work and look great but they never last very long. This is why when we raced them we went right to Olin but unfortunately Olin no longer makes those parts and those parts are long gone.
I was able to purchase a custom make stainless exhaust for my 1100 and it is by far the best exhaust for these bikes and they are reasonable at about $600. A guy in California does a small run every year.
The only period correct Yoshimura parts for these bikes bring in HUGE bucks. I have two sets of new carbs in the box and they go for $3500 or more. The original carb heat sheilds are the same, I have seen them go for $500 or more.
Last but not least Suzuki hardware/nuts and bolts. Suzuki made the absolute worst hardware in this time. The Phillips heads strip so easily and whatever lock tight they used is the best known to man because those screws are in there!
OH wait – the most important item by far! Make sure there are two tabs coming horizontally off the front neck on the frame. These are steering stops and they are notorious for breaking off! Once off the frame is not worth anything!
Sorry I ramble. I just love these bikes and can talk all day about them.
If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. My email is no1letherneck@yahoo.com and I will help anyone in need who owns, wants to own or just wants info on these bikes.
Mike
Tim
Thanks for the kind words……unfortunately I have too many bikes and need more room for my other passion…..Race Cars!
Mike
Mike, great bike, GLWS.
I’m in PA too and would love to know who your anodizer is. I did a smaller scale restoration to a ’88 750 and would still like to get the rear sets done. I had good results powder coating the front fork lowers to look OEM. I’m in PA too, near Reading and once lived in Q-town!
J
Here you go. I am in Fogelsville so we are pretty close
This is the Anodizing shop (right outside of Lansdale) and they are real good. Fast turn around, very detail orientated and great pricing.
A L Finishing Co
925 Schwab Rd,
Hatfield, PA 19440
(215) 855-9422
Mike
“The paint and bodywork cost $3800”.
For real?
You could pay that much using genuine parts. Check out some of the prices at cmsnl, a full kit would cost big $$$.
Hey Mike ,
Thanks for the info . I can see and appreciate the amount of work you put into the bike . I formerly restored RC30s till it got too expensive . I have a good anodising connection here in my area which is nice to know .
Funny , the stuff that worries most people doesn’t worry me and vise-versa . I actually have a handle on a stock exhaust if I need it for about $200 . The only thing I need to do is refurb the metal grille in the muffler . A piece of cake for my metalwork guy as he has refurbed many VF1000R mufflers for me re-rolling the stainless , which look totally factory once completed .
Hardware does worry me as now that I stick to only VF1000Rs I have my own stock from al the bikes I have cannabillised . When I get a Suzuki or a Kawi I have to go and try to order the stuff or spend hours online trying to find it .
The old Hondas are just like the Suzukis , etc…. and the early ABS was/is quite brittle . Same thing if you tighten it too much it breaks (Honda has little nylon washers in ther to dampen it a bit now with RC30s ,etc…. so my trick is to employ that on the older ones making up my own from sheet stock .) I would recommend that to even Suzuki or Kawasaki , Yam. owners too as you will not see it underneath there and it will save your bodywork in the end .
I used to work in the overhaul component of a large aero engine manufacturer so I am familiar with all the refurbing processes . I have a place near me that rrents machines to do all my blasting then I have whatever needs to be done on a sub-contract basis as I don’t have paint / plating facilites of my own .
And same thing for the Hondas , even if you go to CMSNL.com there still are parts not made any more that you could spend all your time combing the world and never turn them up , almost need to re-manufacture them yourself (compliments of your friendly neighborhood machinist of course ! ) LOL !
A nice conversation here, instead of the usual slag fest…
I’m near Villanova, PA and I’ll check out the anodizer you mentioned. I keep a TZ750 and TZ500 running, plus an assortment of RG500 and other vintage bikes in the garage (can you tell I’m a 2smoke enthusiast?). Also help my dad keep his Cooper Mark 11 (Manx 500 engine) running.
Would love to see you guys at the track one day – I run the AHRMA events locally, and do some track days at NJMP.
Michael – GLWS! I personally am looking for a 1990 GSXR1100 silver/ gray model…
Well you guys were all right! The investment was not worth the return! I ended the relished auction and the bike will stay in my collection
I am very proud of the work I have done on this bike and I’m just not willing to let that go for nothing. I knew I would take a loss selling it but the bids did not even come close,
Thanks for all of your support and if anything I met some other enthusiasts and some new friends
Semper Fi
Mike