| Diamond Free. Click to enlarge.
This motorized bicycle from Suzuki was a huge success in Japan
by the time it was sold, from 1953 to 1954. A new law had made
it possible for anyone to ride a motorbike without a driver's
license, up to 60cc (2-stroke) or 90cc (4-stroke) piston displacement.
Suzuki's first product was a 36cc 2-stroke (Power Free) that was
quicly revisited after the new law in 1953; the 60cc Diamond Free
was born. Photo: Joe Broussard |
| Diamond Free. Click to enlarge.
A closer look at the engine. The Diamond Free had two speeds and
used the same chain could be used when riding the bike without
the engine running. A freewheel made it possible to use the pedals
when needed but even as normal footpegs. Photo: Joe Broussard |
Diamond Free. Click to enlarge.
The photographer, Joe Broussard, owns a DF1 himself, as well as
many other Suzuki motorcycles. He says that bought his Diamond
Free engine from Bud Ekins who did the stunts for Steve McQueen's
movie The Great Escape.
the frame for the DF1 I bought from Graham Ware, a New Zealander
living in Tokyo.
He was also able to find many of the parts such as the gas tank,
carburetor and other items Joe needed. For the time his Diamond
Free is 90% complete, I hope to be able to show pictures of his
bike here on my site after he has found all the parts needed.
Photo: Joe Broussard |
| Another Diamond Free, spotted on the Japanese Yahoo Auction site in January 2006. Click to enlarge. Who spotted it? Joe Broussard of course. He really has an ability to find pictures of these rare and charming bikes. |
