Suzuki K50 model history

I have tried to tell the Suzuki K 50 model history on this page as I know it. The page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

I can't say that I know very much of this Suzuki model. I know it has been on the Suzuki model program for a very long time. You can find a couple of more different models on the K50 brochures page.

1971 Suzuki year code: R

The 1971 K50-II was no different from its first version that was introduced a year earlier. It was a nice and sporty 50cc air-cooled 2-stroker with Reed valve. It had 3 speeds, drum brakes front and rear and a frame of pressed steel. The unrestricted model had 4,5 bhp power output and Posi-Force lubrication system.

K 50 1971 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed-valve. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Maximum Speed: 70 kph (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1973 Suzuki year code: K

Although the 1973 K50K had the same look as all the earlier model years in most parts of the world, the Swedish model (see the brochure scan below) was based on the Suzuki AC50 instead. A bit confusing. The Swedish version of the K50 used an engine with a restricted 1 bhp power output, according to Swedish laws. It didn't have the Posi-Force lubrication, the oil/fuel had to be mixed (4%) by the owners themselves.

K 50 1973 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed-valve. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Maximum Speed: 70 kph (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

K 50 1974 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed-valve. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Maximum Speed: 70 kph (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

K 50 1975 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed-valve. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Maximum Speed: 70 kph (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1978 Suzuki year code: C

As the picture from an Australian full-line catalog (the red one below) shows, the Australian version of the Suzuki K50 still had painted deep mudguards, a seat for two passengers and passenger footrests.

K 50 1978 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed-valve. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Maximum Speed: 70 kph (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1979 Suzuki year code: N

Starting with the 1979-year's model the K50 was offered in two versions in Sweden; the K50N had drum brakes front and rear and the K50DN had a disc brake at the front. Suzuki announced that the disc brake version had a special system to reduce the braking power to avoid locking the wheel. The disc brake was fully mechanical and self-adjusting. The 1979-year's Swedish version of the Suzuki K50 looked practically the same as the previous year's model but had been improved in many details. The fuel tank was redesigned and the side covers were larger. The speedometer had been replaced to a larger one and the head light housing was new. According to Suzuki the changes were made to make the bike ”remaind more of a motorcycle”. Also, the cylinder and the cylinder head were both new and even the Swedish model had now a Reed inlet valve. A lockable helmet holder was attached to the handlebar. Colors: Red, Blue, Black.

K 50 1979 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

K 50 1979 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

K 50 1979 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

K 50 D 1979 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1979 K50 specifications (Japan) Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled single-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. Cylinder volume: 49 cc Power Output: 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm Torque: 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm Bore x Stroke: 41 x 37,8 mm Compression Ratio: 6,9:1 Starting system: kickstart Lubricating System: wet sump Transmission: 4 speed rotary Front Brakes: drum Rear brakes: drum Front Tyre: 2.25-17 Rear Tyre: Tyre 2.25-17 Retail Price in Japan 1979: 106,000 Yen

1986 Suzuki year code: G

K 50 1986 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 7,000rpm, 5,0 Nm (0,52 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

2000 Suzuki year code: Y

The present K50 model was presented in January 2000 and has been unchanged since then (August 2002).

K 50 2000 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 1 010 mm (39.8 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 6,500rpm, 5,4 Nm (0,5 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

2002 Suzuki year code: K2

K 50 2002 Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 1 010 mm (39.8 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 73 kg (161 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke. 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 6,500rpm, 5,4 Nm (0,5 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm. 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

2002 K50 specifications (Japan)

Model code: BB-BA15A
Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in)
Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in)
Overall Height: 1 010 mm (39.8 in)
Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in)
Wheelbase: 1 190 mm (46.9 in)
Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in)
Dry Weight: 73 kg (161 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke
Cylinder volume: 49 cc
Power Output: 4,5 hp (3,3 kW)/ 6,500rpm
Torque: 5,4 Nm (0,5 kg-m)/ 5,000rpm
Bore x Stroke: 41 x 37,8 mm
Compression Ratio: 6,6:1
Starting system: kickstart
Lubricating System: wet sump
Transmission: 4 speed rotary
Front Brakes: drum
Rear brakes: drum
Front Tyre: 2.25-17 33L
Rear Tyre: Tyre 2.25-17 33L
Fuel Tank Capacity: 6,5 liter
Reserve: 1,2 liter
Retail Price in Japan 2002: 179,000 Yen





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