Bridgestone 7

BRIDGESTONE 7

Road Impression

THE FLOWER OF JAPAN these days is a continually increasing flow of small displacement motorcycles that bristle with deluxe features and seem to come in an ever-widening variety. CYCLE WORLD set the task of analyzing the newest and one of the most interesting, the Bridgestone 7 De Luxe Sportster.

The sophisticated little Bridgestone embodies all that is recognized as proper for motorcycles in this family; electric starting, “rotary” shifting system, leading link front suspension and trailing arms in the rear, electric turn signals, full lighting equipment, an abundance of chrome plated elements and an attractive finish.

Propellant power comes from a 50 cubic centimeter (approximately 3 cubic inches), single-cylinder, two-stroke engine that delivers 4.1 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm. Most interesting point concerning the engine is that it is cooled by a fan; an air shroud contains and directs the air, delivering it in a stream around the cylinder head, cooling the engine at any rpm.

We couldn’t help speculating at what an excellent trail machine Bridgestone could assemble, using this engine, as one of the most serious problems with the small displacement trail machines is cooling the hard working engine at very slow speeds, when it is working its hardest. .Horsepower and hop-up addicts will

raise the cry that a blower driven by power off of the engine for cooling purposes requires power, thus robbing the engine of some of its performance. Quite true, but the additional cooling provided will allow heat creating modifications that can fairly well overcome the strain imposed by the cooling blower. Kart engine experts have proven this with their phenomenal performing lOOcc kart engines that often produce 9 to 11 horsepower and are cooled by blowers.

Frame construction is by the currently popular pressed steel backbone system with the engine and transmission unit mounted as a cantilever leading forward at the bottom of the main frame arch. Foot pegs and a thoughtfully provided kick start lever for those dead battery days are mounted securely at the main engine suspension point. Considerable weight is saved by these clever methods; total weight of the “7” is only 150 pounds.

The Bridgestone is manufactured by the Bridgestone Tire & Rubber Company in Tokyo, Japan, makers of one of the most popular lines of motorcycle tires in Japan. Distribution in the U.S. is handled by the Rockford Scooter Co., Inc., in Rockford, Illinois. Dealerships are available for the new machine; we expect great things from them and their new little transportation/fun machine.