Got a Buffalo, now need to fix it

[SilverFire]

Well, today I made a deal for a 75 GT750 "Water Buffalo" The owner bought it a few years ago, got it to crank and drove it around for a while then home, and since then it hasn't cranked.

He's had it sitting in his vehicle barn for at least a year now, and today he agreed to sell it to me for $400. Now, here's the question.

If the bike won't fire, even after being dosed with a bit of ether, had brand new plugs and wires put in, what are all the other sources of possible lack of spark and power?

I don't know if it's got a distributor, or coils, but those are my first suspects.

I also know I'm going to have to rebuild the carb...anyone know where I can get the kit? Gaskets, float, needle, etc?

((Tomorrow I go to check the bike out, and start getting an idea of what it's gonna take to get her running, I'd just like some things to look for before heading out))

[watto]

G'day Silverfire,

I had a brand new 1972 GT750 when they first came out and rode it most of the way around Australia. My bike had drum brakes on the front, yours should have twin disc brakes I believe.

Yours should be similar in design, the bike has coil and points ignition with three sets of ignition points under the LH engine cover and three coils under the fuel tank.

The points cover is chrome plated metal, take this off and check the points, clean the contacts and set them at .012' to .016" and see if you get spark when the engine is turned over.

Take the spark plugs out and clean and gap them properly, gap is .028".

There are also drain plugs on the bottom of each carby, remove those and see what comes out, probably a lot of gunk, let fuel flow through the carbys to try and clear out any rubbish. If the fuel won't flow then the fuel tap on the tank needs looking at.

Make sure there is sufficient two stroke oil in the oil tank, these bikes don't take a two stroke mix in the fuel tank.

If you've got fuel and spark it should at least cough and spit and with a bit of luck it will start.

If it's been sitting without running for over a year it will probably take a lot of cranking to get it going and then you'll get a huge cloud of blue smoke.

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

Regards.

[SilverFire]

Awesome, thanks for the reply, that just might be enough for me to get it going so I can get fresh gas into it, and get it home much sooner.

I'm also going to get a disposable camera tomorrow, take pictures, and have them developed so everyone can see what my new baby looks like.

[SilverFire]

Well, gotta wait a day, the guy I'm buying it from was too wiped out to go out to where it's at today, so we'll go tomorrow after work, since we both have the same shift and get off early enough.

[2005GZ250]

WOW! A new person with a Water Buffalo! I have a '73 GT750 that was a POS when I found it but look at it now: stroknsmokngt - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
It's not a 100% restore but I can ride it and have put almost 4,000 miles on it since Mothers Day! Ask me questions and I will try to help

[Aussie Steve]

Ahhh I love the the old GT750...didn't know what the hell you guys were talking about.... Water Buffalo's were called a "Kettle" in the UK when they came out and I wanted one back then...problem was I didn't have either the licence or the dough. Not many left in running condition here in Australia now...mores the pity!

Hope you get the beast running great and for $400 you got a bargain!

[SilverFire]

Well, took a look at it today. Gas tank is dented in on the left side, moderate/severe damage. Rear drum brake is locked up, and a lot of the ffront chrome is rusting.

Now, I can get an ignition oddly enough of a SeaDoo that will fit it nice and tight, and get things running, OR I can try to repair the stock ignition system. I'm thinking just to get it running so I can get it home, I'm going to buy the SeaDoo ignition, get it on, tear down and clean thecarb, and see what happens.