GT380 or GT750 in a trike?

[200XMichigan]

I was at the local junk yard hoping to find something....not even sure what....I guess just something to tinker on, should have remembered a used front brake assembly would have been a nice touch to my 200X. Saw two old 2 stroke Suzuki street bikes. Has anyone ever put a GT380 2 stroke in a 3 wheeler? Seems like with an extended swing arm it would be one fun machine. There's also an old liquid cooled 2 stroke GT750. But the GT750 looks really heavy for a 2 stroke engine. Don't know if the GT380 is light enough to make it worth putting in a trike. Just seems like it might be a fun idea. Has it been done? Is it even worth doing?

Will be taking a welding class and have access to a nice wire feed MIG welder. Could you gusset and rake the street bike frame? Seems just as solid as my 200X frame.

[beets442]

Been messing with those 2 strokes(Kaw triples):cool: for 20+yrs and you are right, they probably are too heavy. Not that it can't be done, just be awkward. Rear end would have to be beefed up to handle the torque and ram air to cool the top end, other than that it would be a fast ride.Let us know how you do...Beets

[Yamaha_Rules69]

I have a Suzuki GT 380, just like you are talking about. I rode it a few years ago, and it didnt seem too bad. The motor could definatly be hopped up to get a little more power out of it, and to be honost, I think a stock 250 would take it in a drag race. It would be a pretty neat project though. I like the look of the 380 motor, like it has ram air on the heads already. Deffinatly different, and could have some potential if the motor was set up right. I have also thought about a Yamaha 350 streetbike motor, air cooled two stroke. I have one sitting on the bench. It kinda reminds me of a banshee motor, only air cooled. Good luck with whatever you decide, and if you pick it up we need pics!!

[fabiodriven]

The Yamaha RD motor is what the banshee motor was based off of. Great motors. All those old two stroke street bikes can be woken right up with a set of pipes. My RD 400's factory pipes didn't even have expansion chambers. I put a set of DG's on that biatch and man! That woke her right up!

The 750 Suzuk Water Buffalo is a big engine, maybe too big for anything other than a drag racer. It would be cool to see one of those old beasts (KH, RD, GT, whatever) in a trike.

[Macs]

The water buffalo engine is way to heavy, bulky and just plain huge. also if the engine has been sitting up for a period of time, you will need to split the cases and change the crank seals. They are notorius for this. I have rebuilt 4 engines ( 2 where for a tr750 replica ) and they all had the exact same problem and it isnt a easy task. The GT380 engine is way underpowered. I think it puts out close to the same hp as a 250r engine. It wouldnt be worth the huge challenge. What might be a good alternative is a Titan 500 engine. they are light weight and put out decent hp . Also there are tons of hopups for them.

[200XMichigan]

Yeah I saw them sitting there and they want something done with them. The 750 looks really huge, really doesn't look any lighter than Honda 750 4 stroke of the same era. Have to see what the weight is on the 380. It wouldn't be till next I'll be in welding. Just getting some ideas. The ram air on the 380 looks really cool. If it wasn't too heavy it could be really cool. I've seen cafe racers with this engine hopped up and they seemed fast.

What does anyone think about modifying the existing GT380 frame vs modifying a 3 wheeler frame to fit the 380 engine? It seems like with some reinforcement the GT380 frame could at least be as strong as my 200X frame?

[jb2wheels]

I remember seeing all kinds of cool stuff in hartails at Glamis in the 80s. Lots of RD engines, sometimes old Honda Roundtops and I recall seeing a hartail with a Suzuki twin in it on a website somwhere.
Truly some raucous potential for racing up Olds Hill or dragging, but any of the last gen water-pumpers is a better trike.

[fabiodriven]

I just thought of a good place for the Water Buffalo engine- under the hood of an F-350. Just kidding. That might make a really good hill climbing power plant.

[200XMichigan]

I kinda think the 750 liquid would be real fun on dirt roads, take it out on the lakes in winter. Wouldn't really be that practical but it would be a lot of fun. And either would be a good frame to learn fabricating on. Could pick up either the GT380 or GT750 for $20-50. But I think the 380 is light enough it could end up being a really fun trike for more than drag racing. Probably use the GT380. Might get the other one to do something with later. Just such cool engines wasting away in the rubble at the junk yard. Both have been there forever.

[Macs]

If you can pick up the gt750 engine for that cheap and you dont want it, hook me up. i have been thinking of building a tr750 replica again and this would be a good start.

[200XMichigan]

I'm more interested in the GT380 for a trike. I can ask the guy how much he wants for it. He never asks for too much. The GT750 is missing the carbs though. Probably be a lot to ship it to Texas anyways. Having lived in New Mexico I would look out there before buying one from here. The weather really takes its toll on stuff thats left outside and unused. But they are pretty rare, so if you would want it let me know. I'm not attached to it in anyway.