Description
This motorcycle is Lot 31 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** c. 1967 Suzuki 50cc TR50 Racing Motorcycle**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. TR50-10037
Engine no. TR50-10037
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
"Like rivals Honda and Yamaha, Suzuki built and raced quite a few over-the-counter racers and production-based works machines over the years. The first such effort was the TR50 of 1963. This was very loosely based on the disc-valve RM62 works single of 1962..." - Mick Walker's Japanese Production Racing Motorcycles.
Suzuki first emerged onto motorcycle sport's international stage in 1960 when the Japanese manufacturer made its debut at the Isle of Man TT in the Ultra Lightweight race with a **** of 125cc two-stroke twins entered under its 'Colleda' brand name. Success proved elusive, but when East German rider/ engineer Ernst Degner defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him to Suzuki knowledge of MZ's advanced two-stroke technology, the company's racing fortunes were turned around. In 1962 Suzuki won the inaugural 50cc World Championship, Degner winning four of the races. The following year New Zealander Hugh Anderson took both the 50cc and 125cc world titles for Suzuki, and the stage looked set for even greater achievements.
Unlike the works RM62, the customer TR50 used piston-port induction and made less power as a result: a claimed maximum of 8. 5bhp at 11, 000rpm, which reached the road via a six-speed gearbox. The carburettor was a Mikuni VM22 while the ignition system was somewhat unusual: the Kokusan racing magneto sparking twice per revolution and supplying a coil beneath the fuel tank. The aluminium alloy cylinder barrel had a cast-iron liner, but inexplicably no oversize pistons were made available, making rebores impossible. The engine/ gearbox unit was carried in a conventional tubular steel duplex frame suspended by a telescopic fork at the front and coil-spring dampers at the rear. Wheels were 18" in diameter and there were full-width drum brakes front and rear. A cross-shaft through the gearbox enabled either left- or right-hand gear linkages to be fitted.
In its first incarnation the TR50 proved tunable but increasingly fragile if revved past its specified maximum. An improved version was offered in 1967, but like its predecessor was outclassed by Honda's more reliable CR110.
This restored TR50's frame details suggest that it is one of the 1967-onwards improved models. Unfortunately, nothing is known of its past history (the engine turns over). Please note that the screen is cracked and will need to be replaced.
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the track and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
