How Many Running GTRs/GTOs are there today?

[Toystoretom]

I was talking to a real nice guy about bikes and it turns out he has a small collection of Suzuki RE5 Rotary bikes. I think he enjoys restoring them as two of his RE5s are very nice, and I think he has at least one more solid runner. He became very interested when I told him I have a gaggle of GTRs and all of the sudden we were kind of talking about doing some sort of trade, as I wouldn't mind having a RE5 and he's always wanted a GTR.

Well, I got to thinking about this and it's just a wild guess on my part, but I think that GTR's are a lot more rare than RE5s. Didn't Bridgestone only make about 9000 or so total? How many survive today?

But the big question is...... In your educated opinion (you must be very smart if you're reading one of my posts)..... How many RUNNING GTRs do you think there are left in existence today?

I think it is a pretty exclusive club.

[moonpup]

I wouldn't even know how or where to begin putting a number to your question. Not even sure if it's possible. I am, however, pretty confident in stating that there are a whole lot less running GTO's out there than GTR's! 

[Sno Jet]

Just curious, how many RE5's were made??  I know there is a bigger following for them which puts their value right up there.

I wonder how it is getting parts though?

[Sno Jet]

Did you have to add the running part in?  "running" is vague and open for debate.  I bought mine "running" and found out quickly that it was not running well at all.  If I ran it any longer it was going to blow.   A lot of motorcycle owners think they have a 'running" bike when they really don't. 

I love when they say 'only needs a carb cleaning".  Maybe.  Maybe not.   Vintage bikes can and usually do need a few things gone through before they can be considered reliable "runners".  Most have sat too long.

As to how many "running" 350's out there, I would say "not many" which is also vague.

I have heard some say that there are under a 1000 350's in total left out there. 

[moonpup]

Just curious, how many RE5's were made??  I know there is a bigger following for them which puts their value right up there.

I wonder how it is getting parts though?

Harry, I found this thread that suggests there were approximately between 6300 -7000 Suzuki RE5's produced. That would be a few thousand less than what I've read was the production numbers for the BS 350's.

http://re5rotary.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=550

[Sno Jet]

You really can't compare the two.  Apples and oranges.

You would want to do some research before jumping into a RE5, especially a project.  Very valuable but more complex in design.

[coxy]

g day tomo i have seen more re5's than gtr;s here in oz. maybe this is generalizing but which is rarer bridgestone or Suzuki  ?

[Sno Jet]

I have seen a lot more 350's in the U.S., than RE5's.

The U.S. has been run dry of the most sort after bikes over the years.  There are still some around, but the best have been abducted.

Ain't no one getting my Bridgestones!!!   

[coxy]

snowjet someone would have to offer me some pretty serious coin to part with the gtr

[Toystoretom]

Ain't no one getting my Bridgestones!!!

That's kind of what I'm thinking!

This is all speculation but what if you lost about 1% of the total population of GTRs/GTOs every year since 1970 due to accidents or bikes going to the scrappers and so on? That would be about 9000 minus 3780 or 5220 left. Out of those 5220 maybe only about 20% of those run, or 1044. Hmmmm seems a bit high to me.

Lets say there were 5 runners in every state of the Union (Most came to the USA) and then toss in another 250 for the rest of the planet for a total of 500.

Or, if you figure that most people who have runners (sounds like "walkers" from the Walking Dead  ) are on this website with a few out there that no one knows about... maybe about 100?

I see RE5s quite often on KC's and St. Louis's Craiglists, but I almost never see GTRs. Same with EBay. That may just mean that RE5s are too complicated and you can't get parts so lets sell it to the next sucker. What happens if your apex seals go bad? The bike is probably done? I've heard that they have ignition problems and spark plugs made from unobtainium. But I've also heard that GTRs have chrome cylinder bores! Yikes!

So we probably won't have Sturgis like numbers at our next GTR/GTO ride in?

[Sno Jet]

We need some Repro 350's made.  Someone go to China!

Coxy, I feel safe that no one is getting mine either, I have guns!!

[reed]

I agree with Tom there are not many finish and running.
But i think the GTO is the rarer of the 2 Moonpup will be happy!
And on the RE5 Suzuki the dealership i worked for back then.
We sold 2 and i PDI them and got them ready for the road.
Bridgestone GTR and GTO are a very rare motorcycle indeed.
Thanks.
Steve.
PS Harry i am going to put my Bridgestones in a big safe under the bed.

[Bikenstein]

My GTR won't run yet but it pushes good! I've only seen two in the past 45 years, both mine. I don't think the south has many to speak of. Very rare here.

[Sno Jet]

Reed, I believe you are the largest Bridgestone collector in Virginia!  Bikenstein, you may be the only collector in Alabama!!  If there is another one, maybe you can buy him out.

[moonpup]

Not so fast Grasshopper..... drtracr's in bammy also!  But then again, he is selling his modified SR, so maybe Bikenstein could get the monopoly there. 

[reed]

When i lived back in the UK i think i only saw a 175 in black on the road.
Just this week i found a 1929 Indian its easier to find motorcycles like that.
Than it is to find Bridgestones where i live!
Thanks.
Steve.

[Bikenstein]

Hmmm. Nice fantasy Sno Jet. I can't believe some people have 4 or 5 of the damn things! But I've seen the pictures. They look so good all perfectly restored, just like mine back in the day. Just lookin at the picture at the top of this page takes me deep back into  the sixties.  Hell on wheels, wheelies down main street and smokin that rear tire.                                 Don't need no SR

[coxy]

i don't have guns but i have a explosive wife

[paul]

How many running GTR/GTO's are there on this website? What about a member survey? How many running  GTR's have you seen since 1967? How many did you see in 1967, 1968 etc?

[ziggy stardust]

Until very recently I had two immaculate RE5s, one of each model. I sold the A model and kept the more collectable M model.


 
Don't believe what you hear about problems with these bikes, they are very reliable and really only suffer from neglect, abuse or ignorance. If you buy one with problems then it will be expensive to repair but good ones are a joy to own and ride.

Only 7300 made makes this bike extremely rare, many forgotten examples are being discovered as the value of these bikes increase and sellers think they can make a quick buck. If you want one of these bikes do your homework, spares are supplied from a specialist in the US, http://www.rotaryrecycle.com and there is a forum just like this one.
http://re5rotary.proboards.com/index.cgi

They don't burn out the apex seals, spark plugs are available as are ignition units.

These below are my RE5s.

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/roadster/index-9.html

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/roadster/index-12.html

Z