Old 2 stroke Suzukis - what to look for on a GT250?

Pondering getting a bike as missing it somewhat, I want something slow(ish) as otherwise I may get a nice free holiday where I don't want to bend over in the shower. Just something for evening jaunts down the Chiltern country lanes, no track days, mega euro tours or Helmsley TT raids!

As such I'm thinking an old GT250 2-stroke. This is the very first bike I sat on as a baby when my dad had one.

What should I look for and what should I avoid? Personally I'm more bothered about running condition/mechanicals than aesthetics.

[Sid Squid]

Finding one worth buying that isn't painfully expensive is not easy nowadays.

But, if you should find one that you wish to part with money for, then the paramount thing is completeness, many bits are hard to get now and expensive when/if you can find them. The youngest GT250*, (an '83 X7 model), will be 28 years old now, and the most elderly, (a '73 K model), will be 38 years old, so everything will need to be checked carefully, the motors don't last well on account of being spanked everywhere, plus the two-stroke oils of the day weren't nearly as good as they are now.
On the plus side they're not as expensive as you might think to rebuild, pistons aren't hard to get and the usual suspects will do quite reasonably priced refurbs on cranks.

*Earlier bikes are called T250, the first GT models are very similar.

[yorkie_chris]

They are old and 2 stroke. You should beware everything!
Swingarm bushings, frame rot, pipe rot, swingarm rot, electrical foibles...

Not sure what models got electronic ignition, but worth having as points are a PITA.

[stormingjoe]

As standard as you can get!!! Noisy pipes can hide all sorts as well as K&N cones. Had a KH 250 then an X7, then a mother H2 the first widow maker!!! Check main bearing noise, rotted fittings and bad repairs, seen them all. My first wheeley was on GT 250, crapped me pants!!!


phat Man on a Motorbike , Phatttt!!!!

Don't worry about the hassle, think of that high revving two stroke smell....mmmm, vaguely erotic, .......I mean nostalgic.

[stormingjoe]

SSSSSHHHHH bout the smell!! MMMMMMMMMMMM WHOOPSS !!Castrol 'R' moment mmmmmmmmmmm


phat Man on a Motorbike , Phatttt!!!!

[tigersaw]

I've a 30 year old gallon tin of R30 just waiting for my 2 stroke moment

[mister c]

Everything that goes with age really. I bought & rebuilt a GT250 X7 years ago & it was a bottomless pit. I would think that parts will be really hard to find now, but I still say that it was the biggest buzz I ever had on a bike
They are simple to work on, but I will guarantee that you will give it the beans if you get one.....You just feel obliged to do it (well it would be rude not to )

I have just done a ground up restoration on an RGV 250 and that cost me a lot. Bearing in mind that compared to a GT250 they are pretty modern.

Problem I have found is that 2 strokes are so addictive to ride. Here's mine if you want a bit of inspiration!

I had an X7 years ago, black it was, and thin. Some X5 parts will fit at a push. Two things I remember about it, always to carry a spare set of plugs and don't worry about a lumpy shin.