Suzuki AC50
AC50; every 16-year-old's moped dream
With the exception of Tempo Corvette, there are few moped models that have achieved such popularity among Norwegian 16-year-olds as Suzuki AC50. "AC50" became almost a term in the 1970s, and the little 2-stroke was among the hottest 50cc motorcycles of the 1970s. The hottest ones were the ones without a "seal"!
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Those who remember the 1960s probably remember sports shops that sold sports equipment such as skis, skates and pedal bikes. Many of these shops also sold mopeds, and many owners of the famous Corvette bought theirs from their local sports shop. When the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers established themselves with importers and dealer networks towards the end of the 1960s, this was the beginning of the end for the sports shops' moped sales. Tempo now faced tough competition from a number of new brands, including Suzuki . In the 1970s, the limit for light motorcycles was lowered from 125 cc to 100 cc. This meant in practice that mopeds were no longer quite as inferior in terms of performance to lightweights. Now the lightweight had the advantage that it could carry a passenger, but the price tag was still significantly higher than the price of a 50 cc, and the "tag" was not free either. It was the one on a moped, in the sense that there was no moped license plate, like there is today. This made the moped popular, and the Japanese "peds" took market share in buckets and buckets throughout the 70s. Suzuki AC50 was definitely one of them.
Suzuki AC50
The Japanese mopeds combined tough looks, technical sophistication and vibrant colours. Suzuki AC rolled around the Norwegian countryside, often in a red, green or blue livery. Like most Japanese two-wheelers, it was lively, sporty and reliable. The AC50 was of course equipped with indicators and its own oil tank for 2-stroke oil. Filling 2-stroke oil directly into the oil tank instead of the petrol tank was easier and cleaner. This meant that the 16-year-olds did not have to calculate the percentage of the ratio between petrol and 2-stroke oil. There was less mess, but also less mathematics! The high-mounted exhaust system in combination with high handlebars gave it a rough "thud". Last but not least, it ran like a charm for those of the owners who found that a simple intervention in the intake, like "taking the seal", produced the original power in the little 2-stroke. At that time, close to 5 hp was available on tight wire. What more could a 16-year-old dream of?
Technical data Suzuki AC50, 1971 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 2-stroke
Displacement: 49 cc
Power: 2.5 hp
No. of gears: 5
Tank: 5.5 liters
Front tires: 2.25 x 17
Rear tire: 2.25 x 17
Top speed: 45 km/h
Weight: 73 kg (dry)
