I am fairly close to buying a second/project bike. One of the bikes I am looking at is a 1981 GSX750E, sold in US as GS750E, an inline 4, 16 valve air cooled bike.
As far as I can tell there was never a Clymers or Haynes for this bike, not in Europe anyway. I have done a bit of research and the engine is generally regarded as OK to Bulletproof with big end and exhaust side camshaft the only things that seem to have occasional problems. The charging system also but that seems just a matter of making sure the cables are well kept.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts about this model, this era.? I was thinking of using it as a long-range thumper.

Quote from: Cal PriceI am fairly close to buying a second/project bike. One of the bikes I am looking at is a 1981 GSX750E, sold in US as GS750E, an inline 4, 16 valve air cooled bike.
As far as I can tell there was never a Clymers or Haynes for this bike, not in Europe anyway. I have done a bit of research and the engine is generally regarded as OK to Bulletproof with big end and exhaust side camshaft the only things that seem to have occasional problems. The charging system also but that seems just a matter of making sure the cables are well kept.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts about this model, this era.? I was thinking of using it as a long-range thumper.

Cal, my son picked up a 80 GS750E a few months ago with less than 10k miles on it and he's really enjoying it.  You might want to look in on the GSResources forum for opinions and help on your "new" bike.  It's just for the older GS bikes and doesn't include the GS500.  The GS500 too modern for a GS forum?   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/index.php

i almost bought one, and would have if i would not have had to get rid of my 500 to do it. my friend tom has owned one for a while and has put over 40k miles on it. great bike.

haynes manual 0363  
clymer  http://www.themotorbookstore.com/suzgsfour19.html

I've tweaked on a couple GS550's and they are a really solid bike.  Can't say that I care for the styling of the 550's much but the motor etc. is really solid.  When you get all the carbs dialed in the motor will surprise you with it's responsiveness and torque.

If you're looking at a GSX model, that's a 4 valve engine - should be a blast to ride!

The GS Resources has TONS of info on these bikes.  Good luck on your purchase, you won't be sorry.

Thanks guys, GSJack I have posted on "resourses" and Davipu thanks again, I checked another site on which a contributer said no manuals were produced so I took it as read and stopped looking, shows you can't believe everything on the net huh.

Is that the same bike as the Katana?

No, not like the Katana I know There is a 650 shaft drive Katana for sale nearby but he is asking far too much for it. This is the GS(X)750E
http://www.johnparkermotorcycles.co.uk/wewbremp/Graphics/used/gsx2.jpg

i loved my 82, this was the predecessor to the katana which came out in 83.

stock is ok, jetted and piped has a bark like supersport bikes. mine was good for 140mph for about 15 sec, then the bowls would get sucked dry. its a VERY heavy engine and im damn sorry i sold it.

QuoteThere is a 650 shaft drive Katana

there wasnt a 650 shaft drive katana that i know of, i know Suz made the GSX750L and G which were shaft drive with same 4 valve head as the GSX Family.

what cha want to know about the GS750E? i think i still have the book around somewhere, might take awhile to find it as it was 8 years ago.

Blue, I'm sure you are right, I think in those days Suzuki (and others) were using the names for different bikes in different markets.  All the Katanas I have seen (three recently) have been shafties that if they were ever sold in US were probably given a different label. To a degree it still happens, Honda for instance name all their European bikes rather than use the designation numbers/letters for instance NT650V = Deauville (Dullsvill to most UK bikers) VTR1000 = Firestorm etc.

Whatever, the bike I am looking at was sold in US as GS750E and GSX750 in UK. They just do it to confuse the likes of me, and it works.

if you can get it for a fair price and it hasnt been hammered, they are excellent bikes. im looking for one now to make a power cruiser.  My 750 was still good for 130 with me an ole lady on it. Not that i would do that now but it was comfortable for 2 of us and plenty of Grunt

With 2 little brackets you can fit a GS1100 or a GS1150 motor in the frame.

into the gs550 frame perhaps but not into the 500 frame.