1973 Suzuki F50 Step-Through (Cutlass) Moped. Excellent Original Condition
V5C. New MOT & Tax
Rare 2-Stroke Moped
Starts Easily & Runs Well
UPDATE: 5th october 2011
The Suzuki is now serviced and polished by my mechanic.
New Photos and Video Added.
See Below
NEW VIDEO OF SUZUKI F50 RUNNING
(From October 2011)
According to the original Suzuki F50 sales brochure:
LOVE at FIRST SIGHT
Literally this is the machine that will sweep you off your feet. You sit comfortably and ride casually whether you are wearing a tuxeed or track pants – a formal or a mini-skirt. You’ll find it as easy to operate as your very first bicycle. The easy-to-mount underbone frame plus all of the many features that have made the name Suzuki famous in nearly every country in the world, have been combined to bring you smart transportation, instant fun and many wonderful ‘happenings’ – even on the most casual meeting.
It’s surprising how many models of moped from the seventies are now very hard to find. But this 1973 Suzuki F50 Step-through is now one of the rarest mopeds of its era.
There’s not much information about it on the internet, so I enjoyed researching it, locating an original sales brochure, and creating a page for it on this website.
This F50 had been in the same family for over 30 years, and is in a remarkable ‘time-warp’ unrestored condition. Just how we like ’em.
It was originally supplied by Bray’s Motorcycles, of Wharf St, Dukinfield. The F50 still retains the company’s stickers.
SUMMARY:
I sold this Suzuki several years ago. When the new owner decided to downscale his motorcycle collection and offered to sell it back to me, I had no hesitation in purchasing for a second time. He bought a new exhaust system for it, and it now also has workshop manual and handbook; all these items are included in the sale.
The F50 recently had a complete service. In the video below (from 2 years ago) it was smoking a bit because of 2-stroke residue in the exhaust. It doesn’t do this now.
One rear indicator lens was broken when I took the original photos (now replaced). It will have a new MOT on sale.
The brightwork is mostly good. The rear wheel has polished up well; the front wheel has some pitting though is not too bad. The spokes have rusted (a common problem with Japanese bikes). The leg-shield is good.
This is a delightful little machine, and should see faithful service as a local runabout. With its rarity it would also be an interesting vintage Japanese moped to take to rallies and shows.
UPDATE 24th September, 2011: This page shows the original photos, from two years ago.
I’ve now added a new page with larger photos, which I took yesterday.
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SHORT VIDEO of THE SUZUKI RUNNING
(From 2 Years Ago)
NEW VIDEO OF SUZUKI F50 RUNNING
(From October 2011)
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SUZUKI
Though Japan was soon set to conquer the world with its motorcycles, the fifties were still a time of austerity in Japan, reflected in the vehicles produced. Above you can see the 1957 SJK (Suzuki Jidosha Kogyo – translated: The Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company) Cyclemotor engine. Below is the 1957 SJK product range. The motorcycles are the ST-II, the COX-II and the Colleda and the cyclemotors are called the Mini Free and the Diamond Free.
The Diamond Free was sold as a cycle attachment engine from 1952, while the Mini Free, introduced in 1954 and produced until 1958, was sold as a complete machine.
In 1953, Suzuki scored the first of countless racing victories when the 60cc Diamond Free won its class in the Mount Fuji Hill Climb. By 1954, Suzuki was producing 6,000 motorcycles per month and had officially changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd.
Following the success of its first motorcycles, Suzuki created an even more successful automobile: the 1955 Suzulight. (You can see it in the picture above). The company was always renowned for its innovation: the Suzulight included front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, features common on cars half a century later.
Suzuki continued its motorcycle racing efforts, developing its engineering skills and learning everything it could. By 1962, Suzuki was in Europe winning the first-ever 50cc Grand Prix World Championship. A year later, Suzuki won the title again, as well as the 50cc class at the classic Isle of Man TT.
Suzuki (GB) Ltd had their headquarters at 87 Beddington Lane, Croydon. In March 1971, the Suzuki F50 Step-through moped was imported for the first time. It was designed to cash in on the sales of Japan’s top moped export, the Honda Step-through. While the Honda was a four-stroke, the F50 was fitted with a two-stroke engine (the same motor as in the MT50 Trail-Blazer).
The F50 did not sell in large quantities, though it is an attractive machine. Imports stopped in January 1974 (to be replaced by the FR50), so it was current in Great Britain for only a short space of time.
In America, it was known as the F50 Cutlass and, though more of them were sold in the USA than here, today this is a rare moped anywhere in the world.
The picture above illustrates the American F50 ‘Cutlass.’ Compare it with this British F50.
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I managed to find an original Suzuki F50 advertising brochure, and I’ll include it in the sale.
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDING
OWNER: BuyVintage Online Auctions
LOCATION: Brighton, E.Sussex, United Kingdom
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DELIVERY is not included in this auction.
This means that it is not my responsibility,
BUT I can put you in touch with a delivery chap and organize collection;
you liaise with them direct re delivery and pay them separately.
Great Britain – delivery is ONLY £60 for this motorcycle to main parts of England;
extra to extremities such as Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, etc (and may take longer to arrive)
(Please email your postcode if you want to confirm price).
THIS BARGAIN PRICE DELIVERY IS ON A PART-LOAD BASIS.
(Collection when they’re in my area; delivery when in yours).
LOCAL DELIVERY FREE
If you want it fast, please organize your own collection.
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Ireland & N. Ireland – I’ll recommend some companies, but you’ll have to organize it yourself.
Europe – delivery is probably around €400 to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, etc. I can recommend two companies.
North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc – I’ll organize all the crating and shipping for you.
PAYMENT: Paypal is okay for cheap items; otherwise deposit only on paypal please.
INTERNATIONAL PURCHASERS:
You must communicate with me before the end of the auction to discuss payment and shipping options.
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AFTER PURCHASE: Please email me your phone numbers; I prefer to speak to all purchasers personally.
I do everything I can to make your purchase a pleasurable experience.
I’ve been selling obscure vintage vehicles on ebay since 2002.
Sharing similar interests, I’ve become good friends with many of my customers.
Please feel free to email or phone with any comments or questions…
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VEHICLE CONDITION:Vintage vehicles are wonderful beasts
– but each has an individual personality and they sometimes have bad days just like you and me.
You will need basic mechanical skills (or a local mechanic) to use one on a regular basis.
Two-strokes invariably need basic servicing before starting them, if they’ve been left to stand for more than 3 weeks or so.
These are rare vehicles whose values are not necessarily based on running order.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE, PLEASE DO NOT BID.
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