Report From Japan
REPORT FROM JAPAN
W. B. SWIM
HARD TIMES ARE threatening the Japanese motorcycle industry. Economic conditions in Japan have been worsening for the past eight or ten months, with prices of goods rising much faster than salaries, so that the man in the street has fewer coins to jingle in his jeans now than he did a year ago. One of the results is that he has put off buying the new motorcycle he wants. Predictions vary, but some economic experts look for an improvement next spring. Meanwhile, all Japanese motorcycle makers are finding their sales falling off, resulting in increasing stockpiles and decreasing profits. If things don't improve in Japan by next season, the matter could become quite serious, as Japanese manu-facturers depend on sales inside the country for more than 80 percent of their income. In fact, there is a rumor going around that one of Japan's big three makers may go bankrupt in February, when large outstanding loans must be repaid.
A Honda 350cc road machine is under development and slated for marketing in the United States in 1965, it is reported. Now the question is whether this is a companion to the 500cc, or what. In absence of any information at all from secretive Honda, three possibilities are evident: a 500cc, or a 350cc, or both. Your reporter bets on both.
Britain’s import surcharge of 15% hits Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha where it hurts. The result is that they must increase their retail prices in the U.K. to cover the new tax. Both Honda and Suzuki have large exports to Britain and Yamaha is just beginning to build a sales network there. All three makers put on big exhibits at the Earls Court motorcycle show.
Honda has announced two new 65cc motorcycles, one a sports type and the other mounted in the popular Honda 50 semi-scooter frame. The 4-cycle single gives 5.5 hp @ 9,000 rpm in the “nifty fifty” version and 6.22 hp @ 10,000 rpm in the sports model. The kick-started engine has bore and stroke of 44mm x 41.5mm and compression ratio of 9.5 to 1. Both versions have 17-inch tires and carry a buddy behind the rider. The step-on model has an automatic clutch and three gears with a top speed of 52 mph, while the sports type has four gears and a top speed of 57 mph. Both were put on sale in Japan in December, but no export plans have been announced yet. Price locally is $175 for the C-55 and about $8 more for the CS-65 sportster.
At the same time Honda announced a two-passenger 606cc closed car with a GT type body, using the sports car engine.
Bridgestone export chief George Y. Kumabe spent a month surveying the market in the United States in November
and December. Motorcycles designed more with the needs of American riders in mind could result.
Suzuki’s twin 250cc air-cooled racer, which is to replace the water-cooled Four next sesaon, is reported to have been refined until it now has as much power as the Four, with considerably less weight. Meanwhile, Yamaha is reported developing a square four 250cc racer.
Next year looks like it will be an active one for motorcycle sports in Japan. The club federation, MCFAJ, is boosting trials and a drag race to go along with the many moto-cross events it sanctions, as well as an occasional short track race and two annual road races. The manufacturer’s group, MFJ, plans to add a “seaside race” on a beach to its Japan Grand Prix road race and single moto-cross championship event, as well as lengthening the endurance race to a full 24 hours from this year’s 18-hour event. The MCFAJ has scheduled an All Japan Trials in January, the first All Japan Drag Race the next month and a Mountain Rally in March, MFJ events include the 2nd All Japan Moto-Cross in March, 1st 24-Hour Endurance Race for over lOOcc machines in August, a similar event for under lOOcc motorcycles in May or June and a seaside race, blown off the schedule by a typhoon this year, in August.
The MCFAJ has announced its 1964 rankings for moto-cross riders. Points earned in All Japan events count toward the rankings. Tomoaki Kagi, who rides Suzuki, copped the 50cc crown with 17 points, closely followed by two other Suzuki riders with 16 and 15 points. Kenji Tohiro and his Suzuki earned 15 points (out of a maximum of 20) to top the 90cc class. A Bridgestone and a Suzuki rider were tied for 2nd with 13 points. Suzuki rider Kazuo Kubo had a perfect 20 points to take the 125cc class. A Kawasaki and two Suzukis tied for 2nd with 10 points. In the 250cc class Yamaha rider Keigi Mimuro was tops with 12 points and another Yamaha rider was 2nd with 10.
Some 300 machines braved the cold for the 9th Tokyo Moto Cross, the last event of 1964. Tudao Suzuki rode a Yamaha home first in the Open class, Kenji Tohira’s Suzuki got the checkered flag in the 250cc, Kazuyuki Miyoshi and his Kawasaki won the 125cc, Hidenao Ogawa took the 90cc with a Bridgestone and the 50cc cup went to Motoji Kurosawa’s Suzuki. A fair idea of who is doing well in scrambles events in Japan can be seen from checking the machines which rack up trophies, the top ten in each class. Of the 50 winning machines, 26 were Suzukis, 10 Yamahas, 7 Bridgestones, 4 Hondas, 2 Kawasakis and 1 Tohatsu. •
