1976 Suzuki RE5

Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Frame No: RE514316
Engine No: RE514062

The early seventies witnessed a great deal of interest in the Wankel rotary engine in both automotive and motorcycle fields. The inherently simple engine design promised high revs and good torque, unfortunately, problems concerning rotor tip wear necessitated liquid cooling, particularly with larger capacity engines, adding complexity and weight to the completed machine which negated many of the benefits inherent in the design.Yamaha and Suzuki both displayed rotary engined prototypes, although the Suzuki RE5 was the only Japanese built rotary powered motorcycle to enter production in 1975, having first been seen at the 1973 Tokyo Show. In Europe Norton, Van Veen ( who utilised an engine developed by Citreon) and DKW/Hercules all entered production with Wankel powered machines during the decade.The RE5 encapsulated all the advantages and disadvantages. It was smooth with good acceleration and performance, a claimed 112 mph, for its nominal capacity, however it was also complex, heavy at 555lbs, expensive and endowed with a voracious thirst that did little to endear it to enthusiasts in the light of rising fuel costs. The first series of machines featured a tubular instrument housing with a flip up cover and complimentary rear light unit to help differentiate it from the more mundane machines in the range, however, by the time that the machine offered was built, these unique items had been replaced by parts shared with other machines in the range. The water cooled engine produced a claimed 62 bhp and was housed in a tubular cradle frame equipped with telescopic forks and a swinging arm rear end. Twin front discs and a drum rear brake retarded the motorcycle.
This example is one of the last built, has never been used and is presented in as new condition with no miles on the speedometer.