SIDE-PANELS
Very early use of plastic by Suzuki; top mount can fail but replica GRP panels are available.
OIL PIPES
Typical pre-moulded plastic lines with valves to stop oil tank draining through. Air bubbles in lines are normally due to failure of pipe/banjo junctions.
GEARBOX
Fourth and fifth gears can sometimes still wear even on later models that run 1400ccs of oil. Noisy ‘box means engine strip, big bills and bike off the road while parts are tracked down.
TRIM
Replica tank badges are available, ditto side-panel badges, but not the chrome trim unique to the J model. The more trim that’s missing the more worry…
CARBS
Early Cobras have fuelhungry 34mm carbs, later models are all 32mm. Expect mid 30s mpg for early bikes and no more than 40-45mpg from later examples.
ELECTRICS
Simple and normally robust, only age and meddlesome owners cause
