Licks Cycles: “RIZKET” Suzuki GT750 Particular

Alan Inexperienced’s RIZKET: Finalist for the 2024 KICKBACK Builders’ Builder Awards…

In 1971, Suzuki launched the GT750, a two-stroke triple-cylinder grand tourer that made historical past as the primary mass-produced Japanese bike to supply liquid cooling. That innovation earned the large smoker an array of nicknames. Right here within the States, we known as it the “Water Buffalo.” Down beneath, the Aussies nicknamed it the “Water Bottle,” and in the UK, house owners affectionately dubbed the GT750 the “Kettle.”

Irrespective of nickname, the bike earned followers throughout the globe. Etsuo Yokouchi, who’d developed Suzuki’s earlier “T” vary and latter variations of the RG500 GP bike, was the person behind the bike’s creation. The GT750 was far more refined than the Kawasaki “Widowmaker” triples, whereas nonetheless providing efficiency simply shy of a purpose-built superbike.

The unique 739cc water-cooled engine boasted 67 horsepower, although the output can be boosted to 70+ ponies over the course of the bike’s manufacturing run, and there have been different improvements past the cooling system.

“Designed to generate a pleasurable using expertise was the Suzuki Recycle Injection System (SRIS). This progressive system recycled leftover oil throughout the crank chambers to chop down on exhaust fumes. No producer had ever utilized these sorts of options to a two-stroke engine earlier than.” –Previous Bike Barn

Whereas house owners discovered the GT a genuinely habitable two-stroke — quieter, longer lasting, and considerably extra snug than its rivals — the 750 triple may actually be tuned into one significantly sharp-pointed machine.

“They have been very torquey and relaxed, however they make nice specials too — add fashionable front-ends, wheels and swingarms, plus you possibly can tune the engines from 67bhp to 105bhp if you’d like.” -Richard Lindoe, MCN

Enter our new good friend Alan Inexperienced of Bedfordshire, UK — a person who’s owned over 45 bikes since he began using as a teen. He’s all the time needed a giant, tricked-out two-stroke avenue bike, and the ’76 GT750 particular you see right here is that machine.

The bike is now sporting GSX-R1000 K6 operating gear at each ends, together with inverted forks with fashionable brakes, GSX-R swingarm with mono-shock setup, and a modified GSX-R tail part with prolonged subframe, customized seat base, and a bespoke saddle executed up by Nostalgia Upholstery. The wheels, in the meantime, are light-weight carbon-fiber items from Blackstone Tek (BST) — speak about trick!

Then there’s the engine, rebuilt by Phil Baldwin of Rochester:

“It was initially constructed and tuned to enter a basic sidecar outfit to race on the Isle of Man. Unsure why it didn’t occur; therefore why it’s a bit rev-happy and all high finish. However she sounds SEXY and she or he smells SEXY.”

On the primary full energy run for the reason that rebuild, earlier than the ignition and carbs have been totally tuned, the bike made 97 bhp — almost a 40% improve from the inventory output.

Tank Care in Norwich dealt with the stunning paintwork, which echoes the Rizla Suzuki racing colours and provides this kettle its nickname: RIZKET (RIZ for Rizla, KET for Kettle).

RIZKET has reached the finals of the 2024 KICKBACK Builders’ Builder Awards within the Streetfighter class, and you’ll see this gorgeous smoker in particular person at KICKBACK Customized Traditional + Stunt Bike Present coming April 13-14 at Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire…together with a great deal of different smoking specials. Get your tickets right here!

Suzuki GT750 Particular: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

I’m married stay in Bedfordshire. I’m 63 and I’ve been using legally since I used to be 16. I’ve had over 45 bikes to this point.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

My Suzuki is a 1976 GT750 port tuned and utterly rebuilt engine. And modified from a GSX1000-K6 rear finish and K6 entrance finish. BST (Blackstone Tek) carbon wheels and lots of different mods.

• Why was this bike constructed?

I’ve all the time needed to personal a giant 2-stroke particularly a trick one.

• What customized work was executed to the bike?

The body has been transformed to monoshock from twin shock.

The gas tank has been prolonged by 3” and the seat subframe by the identical. To permit for the distinction in bike sizes from K6 to GT, the seat base was prolonged and re-upholstered by Nostalgia Upholstery in Peterborough — an excellent man, Chris.

The tins, and so on have been all executed by Ian at Tank Care in Norwich.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“RIZKET.” Refers back to the type of the paintwork as a result of it’s in Rizla Suzuki racing colors — that’s the “RIZ” — after which “KET” becaue it’s a kettle. Therefore: RIZKET.

• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

After a brief run on the dyno earlier than digital ignition and last carb arrange, she nudged 97 bhp on the current gearing at 117mph. She sounded AWESOME. The primary full energy run after full rebuild by Phil Baldwin in Rochester.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to journey this bike?

The journey is fairly wild for an outdated bike. It was initially constructed and tuned to enter a basic sidecar outfit to race on the Isle of Man. Unsure why it didn’t occur; therefore why it’s a bit rev-happy and all high finish. However she sounds SEXY and she or he smells SEXY.