This is the story of the build-up of my cheap Suzuki GN 400. Before you get all upset that it is a Jap bike, let me say one thing. I have a 1974 Sportster that I finished up a couple of years ago that I ride regularly, I was looking for something cheap that my wife could ride and I wanted to do another build-up. Harley prices being what they are, it was cost prohibitive to build another American bike without selling the sportster to finance it, so I had to think CHEAP.

Last February I started working part time at a local bike shop just to make some spare change and get discounts on parts. My wife ended up getting a job at the same place, running the office and searching the satellite parts locator system for customers and selling used parts. The shop had a couple of service bays but also housed a good salvage yard, all indoors, mostly Jap bikes from the 80’s. I located a small bike one I thought would be easy to modify.

The Stock GN400

The GN400 - As It Arrived From The Bone Yard.

My key goals were to find one with a single tube backbone frame, so gas tank selection would be more universal. I also wanted to keep it small and light. I liked the clean look of the single down tube. I looked at a couple of Honda CB 350’s and a CB 360. But the GN 400 had a cleaner looking engine.

I also found a Yamaha XS 650 (this will be a later project)

I scrounged around for another engine, as the engine on the bike was locked up. The front end was bent, so I scrounged another Suzuki front end.

I made him a deal because I was buying 2 bikes and some sport bike wheels I came home with. A 1980 Suzuki GN 400, a spare front end ,a spare motor, handle bar controls, another Suzuki wheel, and a 1979 Yamaha XS 650, and 2 sport bike wheels for $700.

Basically, 250$ for each bike, plus $100 each for the sport bike wheels. So now I had 2 projects, one for $450 and the other for $250.

On to Part 2.........