1976 Suzuki RE5 Rotary

 

At a time when all four Japanese bike-makers were flexing their technological muscles, Suzuki beat them all to market with a Wankel-powered roadster, the RE5 Rotary, powered by a single-rotor 497cc engine with significantly fewer moving parts than a piston-powered counterpart. Within two years, though, the RE5 would be gone from Suzuki's lineup, making it among the most rare of 1970s Japanese streetbikes.

 

This 1976 model is from the last year of production. From a collection of classic Japanese motorcycles, it was treated to recommissioning by a noted Suzuki Rotary expert some years ago; more recently it has received new fork seals, rebuilt brakes, etc. It sits today prepped for static display with no gas in the tank and no coolant in the radiator, but could be reccommissioned and made road-ready in a matter of hours.

 

Of note is the silver paint scheme. Obtained from a former Suzuki employee and Rotary specialist, this gas tank and sidepanels were painted in silver metalflake by the factory to gauge reaction at the 1975 Suzuki dealer show. The other colors won out and no silver RE5 was produced for '76, making this true one-off bodywork.

 

Sold with a clear California title.