The Suzuki A100 was, in many ways, the typical motorcycle produced by the Japanese in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was small, saved gas, and was generally quite reliable. The A100 was also a hit with travelers looking for a comfortable and affordable ride. Like so many other classic Japanese motorcycles, the Suzuki A100 “inspired” many similar designs throughout China and the Far East. For example, you could buy a factory new Suzuki AX100 in India in the 1980s that offered pretty much the same specs as the original from the 1970s.
The Suzuki A100 was powered by a 98cc engine that produced a maximum power of 9.3hp at 7500rpm. While the numbers weren’t exciting, they were pretty good for a bike that weighed just 83kg on an empty tank (7 liters capacity). This single-cylinder two-stroke engine featured a rotary poppet valve designed to improve power delivery across the entire power band. Suzuki also included a CCI automatic oil pump system for engine lubrication. This drastically reduced the lubrication related issues that plague other similar two-stroke bike designs.
Suzuki gave the Suzuki A100 a simplified speedometer with all the main gauges neatly arranged around it. This allowed even the most average motorcyclist to quickly understand the riding conditions. Both the front and actual wheels used 2.50 x 18 tires, which were fine with street surfaces but poor traction for the size of the bike. The brakes on the Suzuki A100 were also a mystery; during all production years from 1974 to 1980, Suzuki offered only basic drum brakes on both wheels. This was unusual because the Suzuki A100 proved capable of cruising 100mph when going full speed, with many owners reporting comfortable cruising speeds of over 70mph.
With the Suzuki A100, Suzuki had a very popular mass product and they knew it. In all years of production, no major changes were made, apart from a few cosmetic styling changes. Later models also tended to have brighter color schemes, perhaps to appeal to younger riders, as larger motorcycles began to battle the streets of the UK in the 1980s.
Today, surviving Suzuki A100s can qualify for a free “Historic Vehicle” road tax. Throughout the UK, individual owners and collectors alike still use this reliable commuter bike for work or play. With its basic technology and reliable engine, the Suzuki A100 is easy to modify, making it a great weekend restoration project. While original parts can be hard to find, you can easily use genuine quality modern parts that fit the specifications of the Suzuki A100 city bike.