GT750B: THE LAST OF SUZUKI’S BIG STROKERS.

The official launch of the GS750 in January 1977 marked the end of the line for the GT750 stroker. The last model to be manufactured was the 1977 GT750B. Production ended in 1977 and although dealers were still selling off existing stocks the following year, the B model marks the end of an era stretching back to 1972. The GT750 may have been past its sell-by date by 1977, but it was a remarkable machine in its day.

The first model, the 1972 GT750J, was the first volume production, water-cooled machine to come out of Japan. It was comfortable, smooth and sophisticated, with just the (admittedly beautiful) twin-leading-shoe front brake looking a tad old fashioned. The following year, the K model addressed that shortcoming, with a pair of 295mm discs replacing the drum front stopper, while for ’74, the L model got a little more power – as well as a touch more valuable cornering clearance thanks to a redesigned exhaust system.

Performance-wise, though, the best of the GT750 was still to come and the 1975 M model – with revised porting and increased overall gearing and compression – was probably the best of the bunch. A 120mph top end brought the big GT in line with Honda’s CB750 and almost within touching distance of Kawasaki’s big Zed. Another hike to overall gearing followed for the 1976 GT750A, but the writing was already on the wall for the big stroker and 1977’s GT750B, by then sharing some styling cues with the GS750 that would replace it, was the last of the line.