Bridgestone 50 cc racer!

[Toystoretom]

Check this out! You guys may have of already seen this but it's too cool not to post!

 
It looks like its water cooled?

[Toystoretom]

I'm looking at this.... are the carbs on the sides? The exhaust comes out the back of the cylinder? Check out the tach. I wonder how many cylinders, at 50 cc maybe just one? Look how big the levers and grips are in relation to the rest of the bike, that thing is small!

Duh Tom... it says right there: 2 cylinder  

Look at the stingers on the exhaust. Probably a matching exhaust on the other side?

It kind of makes you wonder what the heck was going on at the old Bridgestone factory back then if they were able to roll out a one off techno wonder like this!

[rocketman]

 Tom,this is what it was all about at the time. The 50cc road racing was extremely popular and these bikes were derived in part due to the influx of design tech that came over from the acquisition of Tohatsu's racing division. These machines are 2 stroke ,twin cylinder,water cooled on 21"wheels with air cooled drum brakes!  I've heard it said,they were capable of speeds in excess of 120mph. (would like too see some documentation on this).  Way cool!  Thanks,Mark.

[reed]

Mark
I would put the Bridgestone racer in my living room but i do not thing that Josie would let me!
Thanks.
Reed.
PS i can see the kids sitting on it now!

[Toystoretom]

I wonder what the bore and stroke is on those 25 cc cylinders. It has to have a little bit of a stroke because it has two stroke ports. I think I have seen model airplane engines that were 25 cc's.

I wonder if that bike still exists and where it is at.....

[bsracer]

If you scroll farther down on the page that pic is taken from you will see just how small!


paul

http://www.elsberg-tuning.dk/bridgestone.html

[ridered]

Toystoretom
Thanks for posting the 50 racer info that was some awesome technology. Can you imagine what the results would of been if they would of done a 350 to that extreme. Another member posted a link that shows all the engine internals, that is the biggest shift drum I've ever seen.
Thanks again Good Stuff
Mike

[Toystoretom]

14 gears, that shift drum would have to be huge. They liked to stuff a lot of gears in their bikes, didn't they? If you think about it, the GTR had 6 when most others only had 4. They must have had a gear cutting machine they wanted to keep busy   

Thanks Paul, for the link! Some great pictures there!

[reed]

Toystoretom
The Bridgestone 50 used to lock up and sometimes throw the rider off and by the time you picked the motorcycle up
It would be free to run again!
Thanks.
Reed.

[paul]

Gentlemen, If you look around on YouTube, you may find video of the 50 at the Assen Grand Prix. There were two videos, on You Tube  that had 50cc footage. And there is at least one 50cc twin in Japanese Museum. If you look closely at the photos on Ellsberg's site you can see the BS mixing it up with the competetion at the Japanese Grand Prix. I think Ellsberg's site may have the picture of the Bridgestone laying in the grass after Morishita and the BS fell down.  I dont think it had 21 inch wheels though. Good Hunting

[paul]

Gentlemen, If you search You-tube for BRIDGESTONE 50 2 cylinder, you'll find a  running 50 cc twin BS road racer. Sounds Good.

Here is the Utube link:



Edited by Richard Clark, added live link to the video.  Thanks Paul

[Toystoretom]

Whooo Hoooo! That is just awesome. What neat bikes. I want one!

Thanks for the link Paul!

I was looking at the cars and vans at the beginning of that vid and they looked rather newish, and then I noticed the date.... 11-7-98. I'll bet those two bikes are still around. I wonder who those guys are that have them?

At about 45 seconds there appears to be a second white bike with a blue seat hump? Later in the vid there is a number 8 bike.... these guys have all the cool bikes! 

[paul]

Yes, I noticed the date. I suspect this is a Classic Racers get together in Japan. The white  bike next to the van appears to be another BS 50 twin. When  they start the Red/yellow bike in the pits, theres another BS that pulls up in the back ground. Appears to be a single cylinder/ pressed steel frame machine. I suspect a 50 or 90 single. Both 50 and 90 sports were race kitted and raced in Japan in the 60's. Kotaro, from Jungle scooters, who is a member of this site, could probably give us a few details.  I just thought the sound was pretty neat. Now we just need the smell of Castrol in the morning.

[Dave K]

Sure would like to know more about the performance of those little guys. Just how fast is an 18hp 50cc bike? The sound of them leaving the in the last 40 sec. of the film is awesome.

[old smokey]

Looks like fun, but not the place to be with a hang-over.
How about the white coveralls with the BS logo on the back?
Reed, maybe you can get a pair for Christmas?