E0 Japan
The Japanese market GT750's included several variants not officially sold elsewhere and also used a unique numbering system, but with one significant exception generally resemble models sold a year later elsewhere.
The models themselves have a 'B' stamped after the GT750 prefix on the frame, and a 'standard' global sequence engine number correct for the year of manufacture. Unique to the Japanese domestic market were the 'split-head' models. Referring back to Gunnar's Split Head section the first domestic release would have been in 1971 and should have been a "B1" however the parts book doesn't actually show it as such with the 1971 version listed inside the parts book as being '750', and on the cover as '1'. As Gunnar describes, the 'B' and 'B3' shown in the table above were 'split head' models officially sold only in Japan. B3 was the last domestic version to have exhaust couplers. Below is a photo of Toshihiko Sakasume's B1 split head engine which he was kind enough to provide.
The 'B4' sold in 1974 is much the same as the 'M' model sold in 1975 everywhere else and likewise the 'B5' sold domestically in 1975 is much the same as the 'A' sold internationally in 1976. I have confirmed that there was a 1976 'B6' model (same as the 1977 'B' sold internationally) and that seems to be the last one as I have ot found any record of a 1977 'B7'.
- Although the Japanese parts book doesn't support this as only one part number is listed, photos that I've seen of the '750' sold in Japan in 1971 do have the cast 'SUZUKI' name plate markings on the alternator and points covers similar to the international export 'J' model sold in 1972, which then change to the stick-on labels with the Japanese B model in 1972 as seen elsewhere starting in 1973
Common to all the Japanese models (at least through till the B5), was the addition of a relay (located under the fuel tank and part number 34990-31011 ) actuated warning light (part 34991-31020) mounted in the hole used for the 'S' bezel (part 34995-31600) seen elsewhere in the world. The speedometer and tachometer part numbers are specific to Japan and although it isn't clear to me exactly how this worked, this additional warning light came on when the bike exceeded 80 kph.
Other differences included:
- the 'B3', 'B4' and 'B5' also had a brace attached to the left side of the headlamp bucket extending to the inside of the left fork ear, presumably to prevent the aim of the headlamp inadvertently changing (parts 12 through 22 in the diagram)
- The 'L' model style air box does not seem to have been offered in Japan and so the air box chrome covers and exhaust specific to the 'L' sold elsewhere are not in the Japanese specific parts book. The B3, B4 and B5 all share the same 'later' style chrome air box covers and exhaust seen on the 'M', 'A' and 'B' international models
- The 1971 and 1972 '750' and 'B' models had a handlebar mounted helmet lock part 90001-31817. This same part number was also used on the 1975 GT250, and the 1979 and 1980 OR50 Rebel
Colour codes (I think !) translate as follows:
Note that the Candy Lavender (fondly referred to as 'Man-genta' by one of my friends that owns one) was not offered at all in the Japanese market. Likewise Candy Gypsy Red #3 (code 00J), Candy Gold #4 (code 288) and Dark Green (code 722) were also not offered in Japan. The combinations at the bottom for the various tank colour trim packages for 1971 then are : 527, 528, 529, 531 and 532. |
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Below are some Japan domestic market sales brochures - from left is a 1972 GT750B, middle is 1974 B4 and right is 1976 B6:
And these were sent to me by Micheal Walker, and cover the range of JDM production year by year. Several of the images first appeared in the domestic Japanese magazines 'Autoby'(オートバイ) and 'Motorcyclist' (モーターサイクリスト):
The GT750 Club in Japan web site has quite a few photos available on line of member's bikes - I'm not sure if the site is dormant or not as they have not replied to any of my emails, but several examples of Japan market only colours are shown so it is worth a look. The text below is for any Japanese owners who may wish to contact me with additional information:
あなたは日本のモデル鈴木GT750についての追加情報をお持ちの場合、私はあなたから聞きたいと思います！私に直接連絡してください。ian@oldjapanesebikes.com。ありがとうございました！