Suzuki Suzukimoped
1958–1959

I have tried to tell the Suzukimoped SM-1 and SM-2 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 Suzumoped (SM) was a complete 50cc motorcycle with a pressed steel plate frame, introduced in 1958. It was a pioneer of Japanese mopeds, and was the predecessor of the Selpet. Suzumopeds can now be purchased as shiny new, complete cars, rather than bicycle-mounted mopeds. Suzuki mounted its Mini-Free (MF) engine, an auxiliary bicycle engine released in December 1954, on a pressed steel body. The Suzumoped was equipped with a full-fledged bottom link suspension at the front and a pivot suspension on the rear wheels. Initially, the secondary drive used a V-belt instead of a chain. The air-cooled 2-stroke engine had a maximum output of 2 hp. It was possible to switch between engine drive and pedal drive by operating the clutch.

1958 Suzuki Suzumoped SM-1. The Suzuki ”S” logotype was used by the Suzuki Motor Company for the first time in 1958.

The Suzumoped was very popular vehicle in the post-war Japan. More than 10 years have passed since the end of the war, and people moved from a period of stability to a period of growth. There was a boom in mopeds that could be purchased for a monthly payment of 5,000 yen – that was still a lot of money – the starting salary for a university graduate at the time was around 11,000 yen. Total of 28,097 units were produced in 1958. ”Suzuki” as a brand name was not established quite yet when the Suzumoped was launched. The famous ”S” logo was seen in the left side engine cover but in the early advertisements ”SJK” brand name was still being used. As mentioned earlier, a V-belt was used as secondary drive in the first version of the Suzumoped. The engine delivered 2.0 hp (1.47 kW). It weighed 50 kg (110 lbs). Recommended retail price in Japan: 45,000 Yen.

1958 Suzumoped SM-1 Overall Length: 1 840 mm (72.4 in) Overall Width: 640 mm (25.2 in) Overall Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 170 mm (46.1in) Ground Clearance: 130 mm (5.1 in) Dry Weight: 50 kg (110 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 50 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. 2.0 hp (1.47 kW) @ 4 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1959 Suzumoped SM-2, very similar to the German NSU

An updated version of the Suzumoped, the SM-2, was released in 1958 and was in many details different from the SM-1. The power output of the engine had been increased to 2.2 (1.62 kW) hp and a chain had replaced the V-belt in the secondary drive. The dry mass of the motorcycle was increased to 53 kg (117 lbs). Recommended retail price in Japan: 44,000 Yen.

1959 Suzumoped SM-2 Overall Length: 1 870 mm (73.6 in) Overall Width: 630 mm (24.8 in) Overall Height: 940 mm (37.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 53 kg (117 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 50 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. 2.2 hp (1.62 kW) @ 5 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

More: Suzumoped

More: All Suzuki models


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