Suzuki AC50 model history
1968—1979

I have tried to tell the Suzuki AC 50 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.

The Suzuki AC50, launched in 1968, was a lightweight sports type motorcycle with a pressed steel V-bone frame and a high-revving 50cc 2-stroke engine. It had its roots in the 1963 50M12 and the KS50 Sports models. Its While the AC50's sibling model, the AS50, was described as a genuine Sports model, with a style that resemblde the GP racing models of the time, the AC50 was a Scrambler, a bike built for both off-road and street use. The basic parts such as performance and mechanism were the same as the AS50, but the AC50 was equipped with scrambler-like equipment, such as a handlebar with a bridge and auto-return foot rests. It was also equipped with a fuel tank that provided good hold even on rough roads. Suzuki also had kit parts available to make it into a motocrosser. Suzuki's AS50 and AC50 models both had high-revving, high-output engine with a maximum output of 6 PS @ 9,000 rpm. Engines were air-cooled rotary valve 2-stroke machines with Suzuki's multi-point oil injection system, marketed as Crankcase Cylinder Injection (CCI), previously marketed as PosiForce. The transmission was a return type 5-speed transmission. It boasted the best performance in the 50cc class at the time, with a maximum speed of 95 km/h (59 mph) and a 0-200m acceleration of 13.15 seconds. Both models featured an up-turned muffler. The AS50 had a seat with a racer-type seat end at the rear and a tapered handlebar that gave it a sporty feel reminiscent of the race machines of the sixties.

The first version of the Suzuki AC50 was released in Japan in February 1968, a month later than its sibling model, the AS50. The models looked almost identical, except for the design of the fuel tank and the seat, the front mudguard, the handlebar and the footrests. The color options for the Suzuki Sports AS50 and the AC50 Scramblem were Red and Blue. The headlight housing of the AS50 was color-matched with the frame, the Scrambler AC50 had a painted Silver/Gray painted version.

1968–1969 Suzuki AC50, Blue with Silver/Gray fuel tank and mudguards

1968 Suzuki AC 50 (Japan) Overall Length: 1 785 mm (70.3 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 79 kg (174 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. Top speed: 95 km/h (60 mph) Here's even larger picture.

1968 Scrambler AC50 version and the 1970 Scrambler AC50-II of the Suzuki AC50 was released in Japan in February 1968, a month later than its sibling model, the AS50. The models looked almost identical, except for the design of the fuel tank and the seat, the front mudguard, the handlebar and the footrests. The color options for the Suzuki Sports AS50 and the AC50 Scramblem were Red and Blue. The headlight housing of the AS50 was color-matched with the frame, the Scrambler AC50 had a painted Silver/Gray painted version.

1969 Suzuki AC 50 (Japan) Overall Length: 1 785 mm (70.3 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 79 kg (174 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. Top speed: 95 km/h (60 mph) Click on the image for larger format.

1969 Suzuki AC 50 (Japan) Overall Length: 1 785 mm (70.3 in) Overall Width: 735 mm (28.9 in) Overall Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 79 kg (174 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. Top speed: 95 km/h (60 mph) Here's even larger picture.

In Japan, only two different model versions of the Suzuki AC50 were released, the 1968 version and AC50-II in 1970. The 1970 model went through a signinficant facelift. It still used the same A50 enginewith the same respectable 6 PS output but almost everything around the frame and the motor was new. Not even the carburator or the exhaust pipe were the same. Suzuki AC50 was now being sold even outside Japan's borders. The export model looked the same as the domestic model, except that the export model didn't have a luggage carrier like the domestic model now had. Officially, the domestic AC50 engine delivere 6.0 hp at 9,000 rpm, while the export model only 4.9 hp at 8,500 rpm. Both versions had a 5-speed gearbox. On the fuel tank, there was both the stylish Suzuki ”S” logo with striping with the text ”Suzuki” below.

1970 Suzuki AC 50 Scrambler (Japan) Overall Length: 1 825 mm (71.9 in) Overall Width: 790 mm (31.1 in) Overall Height: 980 mm (38.6 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1970 Suzuki AC 50 Scrambler (Japan) Overall Length: 1 825 mm (71.9 in) Overall Width: 790 mm (31.1 in) Overall Height: 980 mm (38.6 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1970 Suzuki AC 50 Maverick Overall Length: 1 780 mm (70.0 in) Overall Width: 600 mm (23.6 in) Overall Height: 890 mm (35.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 73 kg (160 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 4.9 hp @ 8 500 rpm, (0.43 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. 100 km/h (62 mph) Click on the image for larger format.

1971 Suzuki year code: R

Suzuki AC50 model lived on outside its birth country, but the model was discontinued in Japan during 1971. For some time it was being sold parallel with the Hustler 50 (TS50), introduced in January 1971. Mechanically, the model remained unchanged but it looked quite different, thanks to the new, sporty fuel tank. The striping and the text ”Suzuki” was stripped from the tank, only the ”S” logo (similar to the original logo on the 1968 model) remained. The 1971 AC50 color options were the same as the year before; Pop Green (186) or Candy Orange (202). Interestingtly, the design of the 1971 AC50R was more or less copied when the Colleda Scramble 50, based on the K50, was released 25 years later in 1996.

1971 Suzuki AC50 Scrambler, Candy Orange (202)

1971 Suzuki AC 50 Scrambler (Japan) Overall Length: 1 825 mm (71.9 in) Overall Width: 790 mm (31.1 in) Overall Height: 980 mm (38.6 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 6.0 hp (4.4 kW) @ 9 000 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1971 Suzuki AC 50 Scrambler Overall Length: 1 780 mm (70.0 in) Overall Width: 600 mm (23.6 in) Overall Height: 890 mm (35.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 73 kg (160 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 4.9 hp @ 8 500 rpm, (0.43 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. 100 km/h (62 mph) Click on the image for larger format.

1971 Suzuki AC 50 Scrambler Overall Length: 1 780 mm (70.0 in) Overall Width: 600 mm (23.6 in) Overall Height: 890 mm (35.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 73 kg (160 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder rotary valve engine. 4.9 hp @ 8 500 rpm, (0.43 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. 100 km/h (62 mph) Here's even larger picture.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

Mechanically, the Suzuzuki AC50 remained unchanged but because of variations in legisltations there were somewhat altered models offered in some countries. It has been hard to find any brochures, pictures and facts of this 50cc ”dual purpose” 2-stroker from the seventies. Please send me any material you have on this or any other Suzuki model you have in your hands. Good quality scans of brochures and magazine adverts are always welcome!

1974 Suzuki AC 50 Overall Length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in) Overall Width: 790 mm (31.1 in) Overall Height: 980 mm (38.6 in) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in) Dry Weight: 73 kg (160 lbs) Engine: 49 cc Air-cooled single cylinder, rotary disc valve. 4.8 hp @ 8 500 rpm, 4.4 kg-m (3.05 ft-lbs) @ 8 000 rpm. 60-65 Click on the image for larger format.

1974 AC50 specifications Overall Length: 1 800 mm (70.9 in.) Overall Width: 790 mm (31.1 in.) Overall Height: 980 mm (38.6 in.) Wheelbase: 1 185 mm (46.7 in.) Dry Weight: 73 kg (160 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder, rotary disc valve. Cylinder volume: 49 cc (3.0 cu in.) Power Output: 4.8 hp @ 8 500 rpm SAE Torque: 4.4 kg-m (3.05 ft-lbs) @ 8 000 rpm Lubrication: Suzuki CCI Starting system: kick start Lubricating System: wet sump Transmission: 5-speed constant mesh Front Brakes: drum Rear brakes: drum Front Tyre: 2.25-17 4PR Rear Tyre: Tyre 2.25-17 4PR Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.5 liter (1.45 US gal./ 1.21 Imp. gal.) Color: Maui Blue Metallic, Colorado Orange Metallic

More: Suzuki A/AC/AS series

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