Description
8th Dec, 2024 10:00
The December 2024 Auction
1980 Suzuki RM50
Part of an extensive private collection
Estimate
£1, 500 - £2, 000
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: N/ A
Frame: N/ A
Odometer: N/ A
MOT: N/ A
Full rebuild
No expense spared
Superb example
Part of a much loved collection
Ready to ride
Introduced in 1978 for the lucrative junior moto-cross market the RM50 was styled like its successful larger capacity RM variants. The first model had a 5. 4hp piston and reed valve two-stroke engine, and weighed in at 56kg.
A new more powerful model was introduced in 1980 with an 8hp engine, and weight remaining the same as the earlier model. The new model also adopted the lay-down rear shocks, giving much improved handling, helping to retain its competitiveness against models from Yamaha and Honda.
One of the main factors for the manufacturers was to “catch ‘em young”! If youngsters cut their moto-cross teeth successfully on a given machine, they were more likely to upgrade to a larger machine from the same manufacturer.
This made for a competitive market, and one that all the major Japanese manufacturers wanted a slice of!
