I had two GPz's. An 84 550 as my first bike, then a few years down the road, A brand new, but 5 year old, non - current 85 GPz 750 followed me home. All my friends had moved onto GSXR's and FZR's etc, but there was me with my old air - cooled dinosaur. I loved it. It never felt like it was lacking in power. It was smoother than most of the bikes my friends were riding - and more comfortable. I ended up putting a Kerker exhaust on it, a K&N air filter in the airbus, re-jetted it, and rode it as hard as my skills could manage. It was the bike where my riding skills really improved while I had it. It wasn't as fast as my friend's bikes, which means I had to work that much harder to keep up. I usually did. I would happily add any GPz model to my garage right now, but another 750 would be perfect. I think they're one of the best looking bikes of that era.
I love their look too. I agree, the early 80's bikes are far more comfortable than the sportsbikes bikes that were bought out in the late 80's (and all through 90's). The GPz offers great value in todays market.
🤩🇺🇸👍Great video! Have silver 84 Gpz in mothballs since 94. Will be restoring next year (retirement trophy project). Putting 810 kit in total rip down. Orient Express(Jack O'Malley) years back provided CR racing carbs/4 into 1 Vance & Hines exhaust. Original owner rode to Mississippi from L.I. NY in 84, 3 days to get to my ship, USS John Rodgers DD-983! Bike is fire spitting animal! Thanks for video!🤩🇺🇸👍⚖️👁️👁️⚖️👍🇯🇵🏁🏁🏁🏁
I just got a 1986 for free w lime green plastics pretty neat little bike. I was born in 84 so I used to see these as a kid in the early 90s so neat I can own a piece of my past. Def night and day from my zx6r or 1000rr though
With the anti dive, if you go for the bypass kit make sure the blanking kit has a groove between the two oil ports as the main suspension relies on general flow between the two ports via the anti dive unit for the normal dampening to work, this is what causes the forks to leak it’s as it puts to much strain on the seals as the only exit point for the oil to go. It’s only when the forks dive under braking that the valve kicks in it’s not in use the rest of the time. You get around the lack of anti dive with modern dual rate fork springs.
Thank you for the advice. i can confirm that the bypass kit has the channels to let the oil flow. I think that the anti dive that has failed on mine has caused premature leaking of the serviced front forks. I will eventually get a video out once I have successfully fixed it. Stay tuned.
A really great review, Matt. It appears that we have traveled the same moto path in life. Arguably, the GPZ caught fire from Tom Cruise running one in Top Gun. The Kaw that I always wanted, but couldn't afford, was the gpz 550 in firecracker red. I miss this whole era of bikes. Eric
So what we can gather from you having owned one is that you're also classic? Classics are better generally so there ya go :P I'd love a shot of the turbo version. It does look fairly spacious, which is nice, kinda like my Z900RS, oddly spacious. The tyre thing is the same as for the CB750, it's a pain in the ass tbh but not world ending as to your point. Those Z1000s are beautiful. Great video amigo!
I had a Gpz750 turbo. Wasn't a good bike at all. It smoked like a battleship. It was fairly rapid. You had to respect the handling. Once lent over you could literally take a hand off the bars and it would just carry on around a bend.
Thanks so much for such an informative video. I'm contemplating on buying a 1984 gpz750 as my very first bike. Whats making me cautious is the unique parts that might need replacing and the whole front fork issue with its anti-dive mechanic that I'm clueless about Would you recommend this to an actual beginner, it runs according to the seller but I'm scared of a possible issue down the road that may be impossible to fix due to parts scarcity on it
Thanks to the internet parts are a bit easier to find. It is a common problem for alot of 80/90's sports bikes is they did not have a long production run (average of less than 4 years) and factory support is almost gone. Good news is, engine parts are still available. As for the front forks. There are bypass kits available to replace the anti dive units. Find a GPz owners forum/ club in your area. They are very helpful. Let me know if you end up buying it.
Great video really enjoyed it. My friends dad has recently passed away and he’s kept his bike in a barn and my friend is looking to offload it super cheap (UK) for less than £2000. Would this be worth getting and restoring to its former glory as a restomod? I’d like to upgrade it to a turbo if possible new front forks etc IF i actually purchase it.
Not sure of the prices overseas. Restoration really comes down how much you are prepared to spend. Not sure if slapping a turbo on it would be a great idea. If you want a turbo'd GPz, I would say it would be cheaper to buy one and go from there.
I had two GPz's. An 84 550 as my first bike, then a few years down the road, A brand new, but 5 year old, non - current 85 GPz 750 followed me home. All my friends had moved onto GSXR's and FZR's etc, but there was me with my old air - cooled dinosaur. I loved it. It never felt like it was lacking in power. It was smoother than most of the bikes my friends were riding - and more comfortable.
I ended up putting a Kerker exhaust on it, a K&N air filter in the airbus, re-jetted it, and rode it as hard as my skills could manage.
It was the bike where my riding skills really improved while I had it. It wasn't as fast as my friend's bikes, which means I had to work that much harder to keep up. I usually did.
I would happily add any GPz model to my garage right now, but another 750 would be perfect.
I think they're one of the best looking bikes of that era.
I love their look too. I agree, the early 80's bikes are far more comfortable than the sportsbikes bikes that were bought out in the late 80's (and all through 90's). The GPz offers great value in todays market.
🤩🇺🇸👍Great video! Have silver 84 Gpz in mothballs since 94. Will be restoring next year (retirement trophy project). Putting 810 kit in total rip down. Orient Express(Jack O'Malley) years back provided CR racing carbs/4 into 1 Vance & Hines exhaust. Original owner rode to Mississippi from L.I. NY in 84, 3 days to get to my ship, USS John Rodgers DD-983! Bike is fire spitting animal! Thanks for video!🤩🇺🇸👍⚖️👁️👁️⚖️👍🇯🇵🏁🏁🏁🏁
I bet you are looking forward to the restoration and riding it again. Best of luck with it.
Yes I rode my 1982 GPZ 750 right into the ground. 42 years later I wish I had that bike again.
It was quite common for these bikes to be ridden till they were beyond repair. Many ended up at the wreckers.
I just got a 1986 for free w lime green plastics pretty neat little bike. I was born in 84 so I used to see these as a kid in the early 90s so neat I can own a piece of my past. Def night and day from my zx6r or 1000rr though
That is a good score. The green ones were the last of the GPz's. Hope you have alot of fun on it.
Got to love them old bikes mate 😎👍🏼 plenty of enjoyment left in that old girl yet. Enjoy 😉
I like the 80s bike. Great video Matt. I can imagine how hard is to get the right tires on such machines. Take care bro.
Great review Matt, what a great 80's style motorcycle
40 years ago took my Z750 around Australia , childhood dream came true😅. Yes starter clutch went, only issue.
That is something that I would love to do one day.
With the anti dive, if you go for the bypass kit make sure the blanking kit has a groove between the two oil ports as the main suspension relies on general flow between the two ports via the anti dive unit for the normal dampening to work, this is what causes the forks to leak it’s as it puts to much strain on the seals as the only exit point for the oil to go. It’s only when the forks dive under braking that the valve kicks in it’s not in use the rest of the time. You get around the lack of anti dive with modern dual rate fork springs.
Thank you for the advice. i can confirm that the bypass kit has the channels to let the oil flow. I think that the anti dive that has failed on mine has caused premature leaking of the serviced front forks. I will eventually get a video out once I have successfully fixed it. Stay tuned.
I bought one of these 2 years ago as a restoration project, hoping to get it on the road next year
Hope you get it on the road soon. They are fun to ride. Would love to see it when it is back on the road.
They were a bit of fun back in the day. Didn’t own one but a good friend did.
A really great review, Matt. It appears that we have traveled the same moto path in life. Arguably, the GPZ caught fire from Tom Cruise running one in Top Gun. The Kaw that I always wanted, but couldn't afford, was the gpz 550 in firecracker red. I miss this whole era of bikes. Eric
So what we can gather from you having owned one is that you're also classic? Classics are better generally so there ya go :P
I'd love a shot of the turbo version. It does look fairly spacious, which is nice, kinda like my Z900RS, oddly spacious. The tyre thing is the same as for the CB750, it's a pain in the ass tbh but not world ending as to your point. Those Z1000s are beautiful. Great video amigo!
Hey Matt. Excellent advice which I shall follow, thanks mate.
Thanks for that. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Classic 😁 Good review, Matt. Busted finger, bummer. Ride well. Cheers
Nice work Matty.
Dang! Sorry to hear about the busted finger.
I've been looking at the ZZR1200's. I will own one some day.
I had a Gpz750 turbo.
Wasn't a good bike at all. It smoked like a battleship. It was fairly rapid. You had to respect the handling. Once lent over you could literally take a hand off the bars and it would just carry on around a bend.
The GPz turbo was (apparently) one of the best turbos on the market. I would have loved to have ridden one. They are becoming very collectable now.
I’m an 80’s girl so yes, yes you should 😂😂😂 you know my thoughts on the GPZ ❤
wish i still had my 750 turbo was great bike
Thanks so much for such an informative video. I'm contemplating on buying a 1984 gpz750 as my very first bike. Whats making me cautious is the unique parts that might need replacing and the whole front fork issue with its anti-dive mechanic that I'm clueless about
Would you recommend this to an actual beginner, it runs according to the seller but I'm scared of a possible issue down the road that may be impossible to fix due to parts scarcity on it
Thanks to the internet parts are a bit easier to find. It is a common problem for alot of 80/90's sports bikes is they did not have a long production run (average of less than 4 years) and factory support is almost gone. Good news is, engine parts are still available.
As for the front forks. There are bypass kits available to replace the anti dive units. Find a GPz owners forum/ club in your area. They are very helpful. Let me know if you end up buying it.
Great video really enjoyed it. My friends dad has recently passed away and he’s kept his bike in a barn and my friend is looking to offload it super cheap (UK) for less than £2000. Would this be worth getting and restoring to its former glory as a restomod? I’d like to upgrade it to a turbo if possible new front forks etc IF i actually purchase it.
Not sure of the prices overseas. Restoration really comes down how much you are prepared to spend. Not sure if slapping a turbo on it would be a great idea. If you want a turbo'd GPz, I would say it would be cheaper to buy one and go from there.
Really good vid man