Suzuki 50MA (Selpet MA)
1960—1961

I have tried to find some Suzuki Selpet 50 MA info to show on this page. 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.

1960 Suzuki MA-1 Selpet. This beautiful Suzuki Selpet motorbike is shown at the Honda Motorcycle museum in Montegi, Japan. The photo was sent to me by Jan Butenschoen, Germany, who visited the museum in 2010.

The information plate at the Honda Motorcycle museum tells that the Selpet motorbike was good for 75 km/h (46.6 mph) and was the first bike in its class to offer an electric starter.

The 1960 Selpet MA had a 50 cc single cylinder 2-stroke engine good for delivering 4 hp at 8,000 rpm. It had no pedals and it that sense was more like a full-grown motorcycle. The gearbox had four speeds. The pressed steel frame had a low centre of gravity that made the bike easy to ride even for beginners. It also featured a full-fledged damper suspension that made it suitable even for rough roads.

1960 Suzuki MA-1 (50 MA) Selpet Overall Length: 1 760 mm (69.3 in) Overall Width: 605 mm (23.8 in) Overall Height: 895 mm (35.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Dry Weight: 58 kg (128 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 50 cc single cylinder 2-stroke. 4 hp (2.95 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 3.7 Nm (0.38 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 2.25-17 tyres. Kick start, independent suspension, 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1960 Suzuki MA-1 brochure from Japan (front page only). Click to enlarge. I found this on the Internet. It shows the two color options offered by Suzuki.

While the first version (MA-1) only had a kick starter, the 1961 MA-2 had also a dynamo starter. The basic principle of a dynastart is that it has two sets of field windings which are taped together into one physical coil. When the bike is running, the dynastart acts like a dynamo and charges the battery. This added the weight of the Suzuki by 2 kg (4.4 lbs). The compression ratio was increased slightly for the second model year. The selling price for the MA-2 was the same as for MA-1. The MA model was replaced in 1962 by the ME Selpet.

1961 Suzuki MA-2 Selpet Overall Length: 1 760 mm (69.3 in) Overall Width: 605 mm (23.8 in) Overall Height: 895 mm (35.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Dry Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 50 cc single cylinder 2-stroke. 4 hp (2.95 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 3.7 Nm (0.38 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 2.25-17 tyres. Dynamo starter, independent suspension, 4 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1960–1961 Suzuki MA specifications (Japan) Overall Length: 1 760 mm (69.3 in) Overall Width: 605 mm (23.8 in) Overall Height: 895 mm (35.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 150 mm (45.3 in) Dry Weight: MA-1: 58 kg (128 lbs) MA-2: 60 kg (132 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 1-cylinder 2-stroke Cylinder displacement: 50 cc Bore x Stroke: 41 x 38 mm (1.614 x 1.496 in) Compression ratio: MA-1: 6.6 :1 MA-2: 6.7 :1 Maximum power: 4 hp (2.95 kW) @ 8 000 rpm Maximum torque 3.7 Nm (0.38 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Fuel economy: 75 km/l at 25 km/h Carburetor: MA-1: VM14 MA-2: VM14C Starter method: MA-1: Kick MA-2: Kick and dynamo starter Ignition method: Battery Lubrication method: oil/fuel mix Lubricating oil amount: 0.45 liter Fuel tank capacity: 4.0 liter Clutch type: Wet multi-plate, coil spring Transmission type: 4-speed rotary Gear ratios: 3.17 / 1.94 / 1.43 / 1.04 Primary reduction ratio: 4.40 Secondary reduction ratio: 2.46 Frame type: Presser steel backbone Front brake type: Mechanical drum brake Rear brake type: Mechanical drum brake Front tire size: 2.50-18-4PR Rear tire size: 2.75-18-4PR Caster: 27°00' Trail: 69 mm (2.72 in) Steering angle: 45° Minimum turning radius: 1.8 m (5.9 feet) Recommended GT100 price in Japan: 1960 MA-1: 58,000 Yen 1961 MA-2: 58,000 Yen

More: Suzuki M series

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