Colleda 250TA ”Twin Ace”
1960

I have tried to tell the Suzuki Colleda 250 TA model history on this page as I know it. 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.

In December 1959, two new 250cc Colleda models were launched by Suzuki, the ”Twin Ace” 250TA and the ”Super Touring” 250TB. The Colleda 250TA was the first motorcycle ever to use combination brakes, and it used hydraulic brakes both front and rear. The front and rear brakes were linked together, sharing a a common master cylider. Both brakes were activated when pushing the rear brake pedal. A notable feature of the Colleda Twin Ace 250TA was its unique sporty “Jet Line” design, an integrated Jet Line styling that flowed from the headlight to the fuel tank and tool box. This styling was based on the design of Colleda Sel Twin that debuted the previous year, with various modifications ”to form a closer harmony between the expression of solidity and speed”. A scooter styled lower fairing was optionally attached to the bike to protect the rider from moist and wind and the model had a dual seat and a bagage holder, making it somewhat of a touring bike. The Twin Ace had a new designed engine with completely new bore and stroke but it still had four speeds and petroil mixture, like its predecessor, the Colleda 250TM. The 2-stroke twin cylinder engine of the Twin Ace was equipped with an electric starter and generated 18 hp at 7,000 rpm. It was equipped with a twin-carburetor system for higher acceleration performance and good fuel economy of 70 km/liter (at 40 km/h), equivalent to that achieved by a 4-stroke single-cylinder engine. The frame was was of pressed steel backbone design. The engine hung from the beam with no frame parts coming down in front of the engine. Rear suspension was by swinging arm with twin shock absorbers. At the front telescopic forks were used. The Colleda 250TA, 250TB and 250TC had 4-speed rotary gear shift mechanism, with neutral at the bottom and after running through the 4 gears and then, with one more push return to neutral, ready to pop into low. A nice asset for for a city commuter in crowded stop-go conditions but not that great for higher speeds, when loosing count of the gears and getting neutral by mistake.

1960 Colleda 250TA, Black with red tandem seat and a scooter styled lower fairing

1960 Colleda 250 TA Overall Length: 2 030 mm (79.9 in) Overall Width: 690 mm (27.2 in) Overall Height: 950 mm (37.4 in) Wheelbase: 1 320 mm (52.0 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 148 kg (326 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 246 cc parallel twin, 2-stroke. 18 hp (13.4 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 18.6 Nm (1.9 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1960 Colleda 250TA, Red with a Black/White tandem seat and a lower fairing

1960 Colleda 250 TA specifications (Japan) Overall length: 2 030 mm (79.9 in) Overall width: 690 mm (27.2 in) Overall height: 950 mm (37.4 in) Seat height: N/K Wheelbase: 1 320 mm (52.0 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry Weight: 148 kg (326 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 246 cc parallel twin, 2-stroke Bore x stroke: 52 x 58 mm (2.047 x 2.283 in) Compression ratio: 6.3:1 Peak power: 18 hp (13.4 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Maximum torque: 18.6 Nm (1.9 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Carburetor: VM20 x 2 Starting system: Electric starter Ignition system: Battery Fuel/lubricant mixture: pre-mix Fuel tank capacity: 9.0 liter Fuel consumption: 70 km/liter (at 40 km/h constant speed) Clutch type: Wet multi-plate Transmission type: Constant mesh 4-speed rotary Frame type: Pressed steel plate, back bone Brake type (front): Internal expansion, hydraulic Brake type (rear): Internal expansion, hydraulic Front tyre: 3.25-16-4P Rear tyre: 3.25-16-4P

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