Screwy Alphabet

[Coyote]

I have often pondered this. J, K, L, M, A, B. Why wasn't it J, K, L, M, N, O? Maybe M and N looked too much alike and O looked too much like a zero.

[jabcb]

One must guess that they started at "A" for the first year of the four strokes. But then they went with:
76 A
77 B
78 C
79 N
80 T
81 X
82 Z
83 D
84 E
85 F

[yeadon_m]

Another question is why J at all for 1972 and not an earlier letter? had Suzuki been making bikes for just 15 years in 1972? Nope, it was earlier, Wiki indicates 1953-55 saw introduction of two stroke bikes of some kind. Sales into the US started 15 years ago? nope, seems to be 1962-3.

A pattern which fits - albeit only in UK!! and only a part-fit so is probably nonsense - is that the JKLM letters tally with the then-existing registration plates which terminated in a single letter designating the year of first registration. 1972 = J, 1973 = K, 1974 = L, 1975 = M. Its not exact in that the letter changed once a year, every autumn.

Though probably nonsense, it has helped me recall the model year letter designation.

I'd be mildly interested in the 'real reason' for the letter sequence for the two strokes, certainly the JLKM bit. The A-onwards for four strokes sounds reasonable (damn their valves!).

Cheers,
Mike

[garry55]

and don't forget the "R" model that preceeded the "J"

[ConnerVT]

Yep. 1971 "R" the best.

[GT750Battleship]

Hi,apparently each letter of the Alphabet has a numerical value,this goes way back in time...I've read a little on the net about it..can be traced back to early Hebrew times !

Cheers,
Roger.

[Alan H]

I thought the Bible said that Moses came down from the mountain on his triumph?
Can't remember any mention of a Suzuki?

[GT750Battleship]

Hi,it doesn't mention "oil leaks" either but I'm sure there were some !!!
Cheers,
Roger.

[yeadon_m]

Anyway.....I goofed on the old UK letters / years! they're a year earlier than I'd remembered, so scratch that explanation!

I like the biblical explanation, though hang on, didn't *Nostradamus predict something about a great triple power from the East? and the number of the beast was 550?

Mike
(*forgive me - I had a UK 'comprehensive' education which means I learned f all)

[Alan H]

Pleb. (UK, in joke!)

BTW, I went to Grammar school and did the same!!!!!!!