Suzuki factory photos

[Suzsmokeyallan]

In the 1970s Suzuki often sent photos to dealers as part of a promotional package. Heres a few that I have in my collection.

[pearljam724]

Hmmm, I never knew there was an RG500 back in the 70's. Maybe, the early to mid 80's street bike that we all know was designed around the 70's race bike only ?

[Craig380]

That's correct - Sheene won back to back 500cc world titles in 76 and 77 on an RG500.

The street bike engine is very, very similar to the race motor in terms of dimensions and architecture. The factory race motors used special materials (magnesium crankcases etc) but if you look at the race components vs street components side by side, apart from obvious things like single-ring pistons for the race bikes, the two are blood brothers.

It's also relatively easy to take a street RG motor to race levels of power (unlike, say, the Yam RD/RZ 500 which apart from being a V4, is quite unlike the race engine)

[Flywheel]

There's a name from the past, Rodger De Coster. Looks like he's aboard a RM370? Been with Suzuki for a large part of his career in racing and managing/coaching. I think he's still active in motocross but I remember seeing him with KTM now?

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Its funny how some names stick in your head for people you followed in sports.

Take these three from motocross:
Roger 'the man' DeCoster
Gerrit 'the dutch dentist' Wolsink
Danny 'Magoo' Chandler, sadly Danny passed away a while ago, he was simply insane on a bike when he got it right.

This video sums him up, Roger and Brad talking about Danny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exf0t_r9vgs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Suzukidave]

And some more vintage

[Suzukidave]

[ConnerVT]

Relaxin' with a few Schaefers...

[Suzukidave]

The guys sipping a cold one are Ciff Carr and Paul Smart , the picture with the guy with the sun glasses is Gary Nixon .