Suzuki U50 ”Suzy”
1966–1968

I have tried to tell the Suzuki U50 ”Suzy” 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.

1966 Suzuki U50 was launched in Japan in October 1966.

Suzuki U50, the successor to the Suzuki Celpet MA (1960) and Celpet M30 (1963) was released by Suzuki at the same time with the slightly more powerful U70 in October 1966. It was a practical small motorcycle model with an underbone frame and a new easy-to-use 2-stroke single-cylinder engine. The newly developed engine was a horizontal cylinder (allowing the framewith a separate oil supply CCI and rotary disc valve. It was the first Suzuki 50cc to use a rotary disc valve. It gave higher low-speed torque than a piston valve type engine, making it easier to handle. The specified peak power was 4.5 hp at 7,000 rpm, a noticable rise from the 3.3 hp of the M30 engine. This engine was used as the base for the later models such as K50, AS50 and AC50. The U50 transmission was a 3-speed rotary-type that eliminated the worry of hesitation at intersections. It could be returned to neutral with one touch from top. It also adopted a primary kick system that allowed it to be started with the clutch disengaged regardless of the gear position, making it easy and comfortable for even beginners to ride. The sligthly more expensive version, the U50D, had an electric starter along with a kick starter. The standard model, U50, had only a kick starter. The Suzuki U50 a two-tone seat cushion, and the round side cover has the letters "Suzuki CCI" on it. The frameof the U50 was made of pressed steel and the brakes were drum brakes. The suspension was similar to its precessor with a bottom link in the front and a twin shock in the rear. The tire size was 2.25-17 both front and rear, the top speed 70 km/h, and the fuel consumption 95 km/liter on a constant speed of 25 kh/h, according to factory secifications. The model was manufactured in Japan until January 1969. It it was replaced by the Super Free 50 and later the Birdie.

1966 Suzuki U50 was launched in Japan in October 1966.

1966 Suzuki U50 Overall Length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in) Overall Width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Overall Height: 732 mm (28.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Dry weight: 72 kg (159 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 47 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Top speed: 70 km/h (44 mph) Here's even larger picture.

1966 Suzuki U50 / U50D specifications (Japan) Overall length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in) Overall height: 985 mm 1 005 mm (38.8 in) Overall width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry weight (U50): 72 kg (159 lbs) Dry Weight (U50D): 75 kg (165 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 1-cylinder 2-stroke, rotary disc valve Cylinder volume: 47 cc (2.87 cu in) Bore x stroke: 38.0 x 42.0 mm (1.496 x 1.654 in) Compression ratio: 6.5 Maximum power output: 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 500 rpm Maximum torque: 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Starting system (U50): Kick Starting system (U50D): Combined kick & electric starter) Ignition system (U50): Magneto ignition Ignition system (U50D): Battery ignition Carburetor: VM15 Clutch: Wet multi-plate automatic centrifugal type Lubrication system: CCI Lubrication oil capacity: 1.2 l (0.32 US gal /0.26 Imp gal) Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.4 l (0.90 US gal / 0.75 Imp. gal) Fuel economy: 95 km/l (25 km/h) Transmission: 3-speed constant mesh, rotary type Primary reduction ratio: 3.84 1st gear ratio: 3.83 2nd gear ratio: 2.16 3rd gear ratio: 1.43 Final drive: 2.46 Frame type: Underbone, pressed steel Front suspension: Oil-damped bottom link type Rear suspension: Oil-damped dual-shock Caster: 27°00′ Trail: 69 mm (2.72 in) Steering angle (left to right): 45° Mimimum turning radius: 1.8 m (5.9 feet) Front brake: drum Rear brake: drum Front Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Rear Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Retail price: 58,000 yen (65,000 yen)

According to the Suzuki Japan the 1967 model (Showa 42) of the Suzuki U50 received an updated engine with the same performance figures but with larger cylinder volume. While the 1966 U50 engine had a cylinder with 38 x 42 mm bore x stroke and 47cc cylinder displacement, the 1967–1968 U50-2 engine had 41 x 37.8 mm bore x stroke resulting to 49cc cylinder displacement. All other spcs and even the retail price was unchanged.

1967 Suzuki U50 ”Suzy” Overall Length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in) Overall Width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Overall Height: 732 mm (28.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Dry weight: 72 kg (159 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Top speed: 70 km/h (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format.

1967 Suzuki U50 / U50D specifications (Japan) Overall length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in) Overall height: 985 mm 1 005 mm (38.8 in) Overall width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry weight (U50): 72 kg (159 lbs) Dry Weight (U50D): 75 kg (165 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 1-cylinder 2-stroke, rotary disc valve Cylinder volume: 49 cc (2.99 cu in) Bore x stroke: 41.0 x 37.8 mm (1.614 x 1.488 in) Compression ratio: 6.7 Maximum power output: 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 500 rpm Maximum torque: 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Starting system (U50): Kick Starting system (U50D): Combined kick & electric starter) Ignition system (U50): Magneto ignition Ignition system (U50D): Battery ignition Carburetor: VM15 Clutch: Wet multi-plate automatic centrifugal type Lubrication system: CCI Lubrication oil capacity: 1.2 l (0.32 US gal /0.26 Imp gal) Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.4 l (0.90 US gal / 0.75 Imp. gal) Fuel economy: 95 km/l (25 km/h) Frame type: Underbone, pressed steel Front suspension: Oil-damped bottom link type Rear suspension: Oil-damped dual-shock Caster: 27°00′ Trail: 69 mm (2.72 in) Steering angle (left to right): 45° Mimimum turning radius: 1.8 m (5.9 feet) Front brake: drum Rear brake: drum Front Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Rear Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Retail price: 58,000 yen (65,000 yen)

The Suzuki U50 was replaced in Japan by the Super Free 50 (F50) that was launched in January 1969 but apparently the U50, even called ”Suzy” in the export markets, was being sold a good while after the model was discontiued in its home country. The U50 appeared in the Suzuki's price lists in United Kingdom in 1969 and 1970 and was sold as The Suzy MkII. Instead of a single saddle and a rear baggage holder, the model sold in UK had a dual seat for two people. In those days you could sell a couple of years old motorcycles as ”this years model”, making it sometimes difficult to find/purchase correct spare parts that actually fit on that particular model. In this case, I don't believe that any mechanical changes were made to the model after 1967.

Specifications from Suzuki U50 Suzy Mk II sales brochure from Great Britain, printed in February 1969. The offered colors were Apple Red, Blue and Green. Notice the specified displacement: 47cc (not correct, had been 49cc since 1967).

1968 Suzuki U50 ”Suzy” Overall Length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall Width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Overall Height: 732 mm (28.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Dry weight: 72 kg (159 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Top speed: 70 km/h (44 mph) Click on the image for larger format.

1968 Suzuki U50 / U50D specifications (Japan) Overall length: 1 815 mm (71.5 in) Overall height: 985 mm 1 005 mm (38.8 in) Overall width: 615 mm (24.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Dry weight (U50): 72 kg (159 lbs) Dry Weight (U50D): 75 kg (165 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 1-cylinder 2-stroke, rotary disc valve Cylinder volume: 49 cc (2.99 cu in) Bore x stroke: 41.0 x 37.8 mm (1.614 x 1.488 in) Compression ratio: 6.7 Maximum power output: 4.5 hp (3.31 kW) @ 7 500 rpm Maximum torque: 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 5 000 rpm Starting system (U50): Kick Starting system (U50D): Combined kick & electric starter) Ignition system (U50): Magneto ignition Ignition system (U50D): Battery ignition Carburetor: VM15 Clutch: Wet multi-plate automatic centrifugal type Lubrication system: CCI Lubrication oil capacity: 1.2 l (0.32 US gal /0.26 Imp gal) Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.4 l (0.90 US gal / 0.75 Imp. gal) Fuel economy: 95 km/l (25 km/h) Frame type: Underbone, pressed steel Front suspension: Oil-damped bottom link type Rear suspension: Oil-damped dual-shock Caster: 27°00′ Trail: 69 mm (2.72 in) Steering angle (left to right): 45° Mimimum turning radius: 1.8 m (5.9 feet) Front brake: drum Rear brake: drum Front Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Rear Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Retail price: 58,000 yen (65,000 yen)

1969 Suzuki U50 as it was shown in a '69 Japanese full range catalogue

More: Suzuki A/AS series

More: All Suzuki models

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