Additional photos of this Bridgestone 50 Sport are available here for your perusal.
The Bridgestone Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products such as industrial materials and sporting goods, but for a couple of decades they also made motorcycles. They started building bikes in 1958 and were highly successful on the race track thanks to several features that were ahead of their time. So why did they stop making bikes? Well, their Japanese motorcycle competitors were also their customers when it came to tires, and the dramatic (but unconfirmed) rumor is that companies like Honda and Yamaha made it clear that they wouldn’t supply their products with Bridgestone tires if they continued to build motorcycles.
In 1964, Bridgestone introduced a lineup of bikes ranging from 50cc to 350cc – today’s feature is the baby of the lineup, though it was arguably the cream of the 50cc crop. Bridgestone offered it in several versions in its home country of Japan, but only brought to the States as the “50 Sport”.
The 48cc engine produced 4.2 horsepower, enough to get the bike up to a claimed top speed of 50 miles per hour. It came with plenty of ‘big cycle’ features, like rotary valves, ‘performance-tuned’ exhaust, and telescopic front forks. The engine was a two-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder unit. It came with a rotary transmission – where shifting up from top gear brought you right back to first! Want to learn more? Check out one of the few sites dedicated to Bridgestone Motorcycles.
This bike is VIN: 13A029592.
The odometer shows 1,830 miles.
The seller’s plan was to restore it but he hasn’t had the time and realizes he won’t get to it so he wants it to find a new home.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Bridgestone is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
