Suzuki Mame-Tan / OR50 ”Rebel”
1977—1983

I have tried to tell the Suzuki OR 50 (Mame-Tan 50 in Japan) 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.

Suzuki OR50 Rebel, the little custom styled bike with the mechanics from the ZR50/X1, was exported from Japan from 1979 to 1980. The Mame-Tan (OR50) model came to the market already 1977 for its home market, as a 1978 year's model. In Japan the model was called Mame-Tan 50 Custom (some sources call it OR50 Custom). The first model had wire wheels, drum brakes and fibreglass fenders. As an option you could choose a paintjob with flames painted on the fuel tank. I believe the tachometer and the the front disc brake were options. I haven't managed to find any sales brochures of the first year's model to confirm this. The model was replaced by a bit less chopper-like but still custom styled version of the same bike, the ZR50L that was introduced in 1981. With larger wheels and looking more like the GS450L, it was quite conventional bike compared to the ”almost-too-cool” OR50 Rebel. The OR50 was available in some countries, Sweden to name one, a couple of more years.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

The Mame-Tan was launched for the Japanese home market in January 1977. It used the somewhat tamed RG50 2-stroke engine that delivered 5.5 hp peak power instead of original 6.3 hp. The front fender and the tail of the bike were made of fibreglas. Wire wheels and drum brakes front and rear. Color options: Green, Yellow, White OR50 starting frame number: OR50-10001 The recommended retail price for the 1977 Mame-Tan 50 was 109,000 yen.

1977–1978 Suzuki Mame-Tan 50, Japanese domestic model

1977 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki year code: C

While the original Mame-Tan remained unchangedfor in 1978, a custom model (OR50G) was added in the Mame-Tan lineup in 1978 with red/yellow flames on the fuel tank and the tail piece and wire-operated mechanical disc brake at the front. Apart from that, the model was unchaged. Color options for the custom model were White and Orange, while the standard model was available in Green, Yellow, White and Red. OR50G starting frame number: OR50-128922 The recommended retail price for the 1978 Mame-Tan 50 was 109,000 yen.

1977–1978 Suzuki Mame-Tan 50 / OR50, Japanese domestic model

1978 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 Custom Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 030 mm (40.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 030 mm (40.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1979 Suzuki year code: N

An updated model, the Suzuki Mame-Tan 50E (OR50E) was released in March 1979. The new model version had star cast light alloy wheels and mechanical disc brake at the front. The 1979 year's Mame-Tan 50E wasnow just about the same bike as the European export version, OR50, with star cast wheels, front disc brake, chromed steelfenders and grab rail as standard. It increased the bike's dry mass from 66 kg (145 lbs) to 69 kg (152 lbs). 1979 Mame-Tan colors: Black, Red, Silver. I believe the full names of the colors were Pearl Black (08E), Marble Pure Red (07P) and Stardust Silver Metallic (737). OR50E starting frame number: OR50-145489 The recommended retail price for the 1979 Mame-Tan 50 was 109,000 yen. The Mame-Tan 50E cost a bit more, the price was 131,000 yen.

1979 Suzuki Mame-Tan 50E with mechanical disc brake at the front

1979 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 E Overall Length: 1 635 mm (64.4 in) Overall Width: 680 mm (26.8 in) Overall Height: 1 030 mm (40.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

Mike Snyder from USA was kind enough to send some pictures of his 1979 OR50 Rebel restoration project (before restoration, as seen on the pictures below). Mike tells us: ”This is the original paint on the bike. The bikes were only available for two years in the States, 1979 and 1980. The '79 models were white with flame decals on the tank. The 80 models were maroon with white pinstriping. Everything I have found from overseas, show that the bikes were black, with chrome front fenders, where as all of mine has painted fiberglass fenders. When I repaint mine, I am going to go with the brightest yellow that I can find, and put flames in green, faded to purple.” Mike tells that he has three similar bikes. If I haven't got it all wrong, the '79 USA model is the same bike that was sold in Japan in 1978. It fits the description of the first Mame-Tan perfectly.

1979 OR50 Rebel, restoration project. Click to enlarge.
Photos: Mike Snyder, USA



1980 Suzuki year code: T

Although the model already had star cast wheels, steel fenders and disc brake at the front in 1980, the version that was imported in USA was a step backwards. The OR50 had cheaper (probably even lighter) wire wheels, fiberglass fenders and drum brakes, like the first Japanese model version. The US model also had different seat, with a back rest and a fiberglass housing under and behind the seat. Available only in Red in the USA. The domestic version, the Mame-Tan 50E, was now equipped with hydraulic disc brake at the front, new new seat design and chrome plated mud guards. The 1980 The OR50E-2 was launched in February 1980. Starting frame number: OR502-100001 The recommended retail price for the 1980 Mame-Tan 50E was 133,000 yen.

1980 Suzuki OR 50 Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 045 mm (41.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 67 kg (148 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (1.1 lb-ft) @ 7 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1980 Suzuki Mame-Tan 50 E Overall Length: 1 635 mm (64.4 in) Overall Width: 680 mm (26.8 in) Overall Height: 1 030 mm (40.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (6.3 in) Dry Weight: 72 kg (159 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed. 5.5 hp (4.05 kW) @ 8 000 rpm, 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

1981 Suzuki year code: X

Updated model with stronger engine, new saddle and 17-inch wheel at the front. The new Mame-Tan 50E (OR50-3) was also equipped with a rear carrier. This was the final version of the Mame-tan. The model remained unchanged until it was discontinued in 1983. The OR50E-3 was launched in March 1981. Starting frame number: OR503-100001 The recommended retail price for the 1981 and forward was 145,000 Yen.

1981 Suzuki Mame Tan 50 E Overall Length: 1 760 mm (69.3 in) Overall Width: 745 mm (29.3 in) Overall Height: 1 085 mm (42.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 130 mm (44.5 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 72.4 kg (160 lbs) Engine: 49cc air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke, Power Reed. 6.3 hp (4.63 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm, 5.2 Nm (0.53 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm. 5 speeds. Click on the image for larger format.

Here's a nice set of pictures of the 1980 model, black with chrome fenders. The pictures were kindly sent by the (former) owner of the bike, Barbu Cristofor from Sweden. The bike is now sold. Barbru told that he didn't have enough space. We understand. The OR50 is a huge machine... :-) Thanks also to Thomas Mellin, Sweden, for sending a couple of these pictures to me first.

1980 OR50 Rebel photos. Click to enlarge. Photo: Barbu Cristofor, Sweden

1979—1980 Suzuki OR50 specifications Overall Length: 1 680 mm (66.1 in) Overall Width: 660 mm (26.0 in) Overall Height: 1 020 mm (40.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs) Gearbox: 5 speeds Carburetor: Mikuni VM16SH Ignition: Magneto with points Lubrication: CCI Engine: 49 cc air-cooled two-stroke, single cylinder Maximum Power: 5.5 hp (4.05 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Maximum Torque: 5.0 Nm (0.51 kg-m) @ 7 000 rpm Amount of gears: 5 speeds Maximum speed: 70 km/h (43.5 mph) Front Tyre: 2.50x15 Rear Tyre: 3.00x14 Chain Type: 420x98 Front Sprocket: 13T Rear Sprocket: 43T Battery: 6N4B-2A Spark plug ND: W20FP-U Spark plug NGK: BP6HS Fuel tank capacity: 5.5 L incl. reserv (1.5/1.2 US/UK gal.) Fuel reserve: 1 liter (0.3/0.2 US/UK gal.)

More: Suzuki OR50

More: Suzuki Mame-Tan

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: MCBD, Mike Snyder, Barbu Cristofor, Allt om MC (Sweden)

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