This is my GT380M as at today (2009). It's a 1975 model in Gypsy Candy Red. I purchased in 1979 with 1500 miles on the clock. It's still only done 11,000.

After using in 1979/1908, the bike ws parked up. Briefly returned to the road in 1983 and then parked up until I eventually completed a rebuild and got back on the road in 2008. As you can see it's had a lot of time and money spent on it.

I've done about 500 miles since the rebuild and she goes really well.

When I first got the bike it was totally standard but had been standing unused for over 3 years. It was in excellent condition apart from the chrome which was already pitted (not helped by the fact that the previous owner thought coating all the chrome with Autosol would in some way protect the chrome during storage!)

Soon found the exhausts did not have geat ground clearance, so they had to go and a Piper 3-1 was fitted. Centre stand also removed. Then the pegs were dragging, so fittd rear-sets.

Found a spare tank at a breakers and had the paint job done by a friend. Seat was recovered and cut down, "Eddie Lawson" style.

Everything was going great and then it happened! Left hand bend, wet conditions, fuse blows, wheel locks up, large impact. Resulting damage included the Forks, Engine casings, Front Wheel, Handle Bars, Electric's etc. all pretty well smashed. (Yes that's oil under the bike). Oh, and 10 weeks in traction for me!

Principle damaged was fixed soon after I was back on my feet but I couldn't afford insurance so the bike was parked up where is remained until I started the restore.

Wheels. I had initially planned on using original rims which I had sent the away to Bob Cooper in Coventry to get re-chromed but eventually decided to to go with new rims and had the wheels rebuilt using stainless spokes by Hagons in Romford, who also polished the hubs. Rebuild, polishing, tyre fitting and balancing cost just under £300.

Re-chromed rims have been fitted to a second set of hubs and will be used in a later restore. Re-chrome Rims cost £70.

Replaced all bearings, parts supplied by Crooks Suzuki. Cost in the region of £50.

Picked up new tyres, tubes, rim tapes etc. from the Wheel House at the Stafford show for about £100.

Carbs had seized up and were generally covered in grit & grime from the years. When I started to dismantle, I discovered the valves were stuck and when I opened the bowls I discovered that the petrol had turned to glue and blocked every jet and blowhole imaginable. Found two really great products, the Easy-Pro parts washer (care of MPS) and a tin of Carb Cleaner. The fist gets rid of the grime from the outside better than anything I had come across before and the Carb Cleaner is the only thing that could get rid of the crap left by the petrol. Carbs still to be fully sorted when on the bike.