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Suzuki 50 1962
Motorcycles with 50-cc. displacement were entered in the world
championship for the first time in 1962. Many manufacturers, especially those
from European countries in which the use of motorcycles was widespread, decided
to try out the new class and showed up at the first race.
The Japanese were also attracted. Suzuki came from Japan with
the fine German MZ racer Ernst Degner and brought a small two-stroke motorcycle
along. It had a declared power of 10 h.p. with a top speed of about 80 m.p.h.
The Suzuki 50, which resembled the larger-displacement MZ in structure,
dominated the 1962 world championship and won once again the following year,
that time with the New Zealander Hugh Anderson in the saddle.
In 1964 Suzuki reappeared at the 'irst Grand Prix of the
season with "s air-cooled single-cylinder, and 'or a second time Anderson won
the world championship in the 50-cc. class. This time it was a harder job than
before, though, because the competition of the brand-new four-stroke,
two-cylinder Honda made the race a real challenge.
At the end of the 1964 season, despite three world titles, the little Suzuki had
to make room for the newer vehicle that had been built to take its place.
Motorcycle: Suzuki 50 Single-cylinder Manufacturer: Suzuki
Motor Co. Ltd.,
Hamamatsu Type: Racing Year: 1962
Engine: Suzuki single-cylinder, two-stroke, with rotating-disk distribution.
Displacement 49.6 cc. (40 mm. x 39.5 mm.)
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Eight-speed block
Power: About 11 h.p. at 13,000 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: About 95 m.p.h.
Chassis: Double cradle, continuous, tubular. Front and rear, telescopic
suspension
Brakes: Front, central drum, double cam; rear, central drum
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