Latest aquisition

[RayK]

Here is the latest - all 60cc of it

[rocketman]

 Hi Ray, nice addition to your Bridgestone family. I have a Chibi on my 'hit list" too. Is it a current runner? Mark.

[RayK]

Hi Mark
The motor starts and runs easily, however the clutch needs attention as when you put it into gear it seems like the plates are not releasing. This Chibi was sold in  Australia about 1970 under the manufacturer's name 'Tas Tanaka' its name plate has it as a C430. You will note that the decal under the seat is different to those sold by Rockford in the USA. Luckily Richard has plenty of parts for the Chibi.

Cheers
Ray

[rocketman]

 They are pretty neat. I know you'll get the clutch freed up . The different markings makes it that much cooler.  Mark.

[paul]

Does it have the Bridgestone silver circle on the left/gear change side?  Was it distributed  by McCulluck in Austrailia? Thanks for sharing

[RayK]

Paul

The Chibi has "TAS MOTOR" on the circular chrome magneto cover. I believe the American Model had 'Bridgestone'.  I don't know who distributed it in Australia. But it stands to reason that McCulloch probably were the importers in New South Wales (NSW) as they took over the spares supply for Bridgestone from the Yamaha importers about 1969-1970. Each State had different importers for Bridgestone e.g. Frank Hodder in Victoria.
Frank to this day is the National importer for Bridgestone Motorcycle tyres.

Cheers
Ray

[Sno Jet]

Ray, good job hunting them down in your Country.  Can't be too easy to find, I am sure. 

[RayK]

Sno Jet

Yes, Bridgestone along with the other alternative Jap bikes (Hodaka, Tohatsu, Marusho Lilac, Yamaguchi) are getting as rare as rocking horse manure in Oz.
Ray

[paul]

Never looked inside a Chibi. Did they have an  aluminum cylinder  with hard chrome bores?

[rocketman]

 Smaller Bridgestone engines use iron cylinders Paul.  Thanks, Mark