Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
In the 80s, motorcycle manufacturers were attempting to reach new riders by developing smaller size toys. Honda had the Mini Trail, Kawasaki had the KV, and Yamaha had a street option with the YSR. Suzuki had the RV50 for the dirt as well as a full-faired baby sportbike, the RB50 GAG. The RB, released in 1986, featured 4 different liveries: red/white, a blue/white replica of its bigger GSX-R brothers, a grey/white tribute to a bomber plane, and the pink “Little Racing” livery complete with a few rabbits.
Despite the toy-like nature, the RB actually had a proper aluminum box frame, hydraulic disc brake at the front and full-floater aluminum swingarm. The 141-pound bike was powered by a small 4-stroke 5.2hp engine.
Suzuki offered the RB50 (sold as the GSX-R50 in the UK) for just a couple of years, making them as rare in the US as they are smile-inducing.
Manufactured in February of 1987, this example is VIN: JS1JA41A2H3119043.
It came to Iconic from a regular client who’s a prominent two-stroke collector, he has been thinning out his collection for a few years now with Iconic to fund some medical bills. Other bikes he has sold with us include:
1983 Suzuki RG250 Gamma
Suzuki GSX-R750 Skoal Bandit Replica
Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ21
Suzuki RGV250 VJ22 Lucky Strike
The seller worked for a Suzuki dealership for most of his life, here’s his story on the bike:
“I found this Gag on eBay US, it was a bit tatty and had been dropped a couple of times but nothing major. I won it in the end and drove up to Ohio to deliver a VF1000R to my good friend Chris, while Chris had kindly drove an hour the opposite direction a few days before to pick up the Gag. The Gag had a few scrapes, a few bits and bobs missing, but nothing bent, thankfully. This is a US Gag with a title, I’ve been told that Suzuki imported between 50 and 100 to be a gimmick to help sell their 86 and 87 GSX-R1100. Suzuki apparently told the dealers that the Gags were to be destroyed after the promotion, just in case someone was hurt on one and there were legal repercussions. I’d be surprised if any were destroyed if the story is true, but I personally have had to destroy a couple of motorbikes after they were not needed and were prototypes, it wasn’t something I enjoyed.
I completely stripped the Gag down and had the frame, swing arm, top yoke or yolk, footrest hangers and a few other bits powder coated, the paint on the wheels had survived unscathed throughout it’s life so are original, I ordered all new fairing screws, other missing screws, bolts and nuts, 2 new tires, inner tubes, grips and most of the other rubber parts. I was lucky enough to have a brand new OEM screen, top cowl and both side fairings. A very good friend of mine in Japan helped me find all the missing parts to make it properly road legal, which in some states it is, maybe all 50? I meticulously rebuilt this little Gag and it turned into a little jewel, I personally promise that whoever wins this Gag will not be disappointed! It has been gone through top to tail and needs nothing but a bum in the seat! Happy bidding and don’t let this one get away! I mean, how many road legal Gags do you know about? One last thing, it’s not pink!”
The odometer shows 1,051 kilometers (653 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us repair the headlight plug, replace the turn signal bulb, and replace the battery. Doug did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Fuel Tank Internal – Good
Tire Years – Front/ Rear: 1313
Tire Life — Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Pressure – Front/ Rear: 36PSI
Brake Life – Front/ Rear: 90%
Hydraulic – Front:
Transmission Oil – level: Ok; Quality:
Good
2 T Injector Oil Level: NA
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: Good
Notes:
Did test ride for 1 Mile, Bike runs as intended
Modifications:
Yoshimura plate on stock exhaust.
Stickers.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin S1 tires with date codes of 1313 and 1313.
The sale includes two keys, the owner’s manual, an English service manual and a Japanese service manual.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Suzuki is offered on a clean Georgia title. Have any RB50 GAG stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
