Report From Japan
REPORT FROM JAPAN
W. B. SWIM
THE MOTORCYCLE Club Federation of All Japan (MCFAJ), which is by far the more active of the two sports organizations in Japan, has announced a 1964 sports calendar of 21 events up to October. The more than 2,000 member MCFAJ itself will sponsor six of the events, with the sanctions for the others going to regional branches of the parent organization. The much smaller Motorcycling Federation of Japan (MFJ), which like the AMA has the reputation of being the servant of one large maker, will sponsor two events in 1964, but the list of races authorized hy regional bodies will not be ready until February, CYCLE WORLD was told.
Other events on the MCFAJ 1964 sports calendar are: Jan. 16,8th Kanagawa Motocross; Jan. 26, 7th Kinokawa Moto-cross; Feb. 16, 6th Tokyo Moto-cross; Mar. 1, 9th Kanagawa Moto-cross; Mar. 8, 1st Santama Rally; Apr. 5, All Kansai Trial; Apr. 12, Tohoku Clubman Speed Race; May 17, 7th Tokyo Moto-cross; May 24, 1st Santama Trial; May 31, North Japan Moto-cross; July 5, 1st Tohoku Moto-cross; Aug. 9, 2nd Tohoku Moto-cross; Sept. 6, 8th Tokyo Moto-cross; Sept. 13, 3rd All Kansai Dirt Track; and Sept. 20, 4th Asama Volcano Moto-cross.
Perhaps the most unusual competition event of 1963 was held right at the tailend of the season, on the occasion of the gathering of MCFAJ officials from throughout the nation to make awards to 1963 national champions and elect officials for 1964. A rough rally in which the only riders eligible to compete were Federation officials over 30 years old was held in the morning before the official functions in the afternoon. Two classes were run, one for riders between 30 and 40 and the other for men over 40 years old. The three observed sections would have proved tough for Japan’s top riders, as was evident after the event was over when one of the 1963 national moto-cross title winners, Seiichi Suzuki, was persuaded to ride the course, and even he was unable to ride it clean, making a single foot dab in the boggy first section. Owners made available four scrambles machines for the Federation officials, a Tohatsu 125cc, Kawasaki 125cc and two Yamaha 250cc hikes. The roughest part, where top rider Suzuki had to dab, was the first section, which started off with an almost sheer drop of about five yards which led straight into a real gooey bog that trapped almost everybody. One of the heftier of the over40s hid all hut the very top of the front wheel in the mud when he swerved to the previously untried left side of the hog instead of keeping as far to the right as he could like the other competitors did. Trying to get the machine out. he got hogged down up past his knees himself, and it took four strong men to get him out. Winners in the 30 to 40 class were: 1, Takashi Sunogane, 2 points lost; 2, Shizuo Hayashi, 7 points; 3, Taichi Tamura, 18 points. In the over 40 category it was: 1, Masanori Ito, 11 points; 2, Hiroji Enomoto, 21 points; 3. Saburo Suzuki, who lost 24 points.
More detailed information about the Lilac 500cc opposed twin shown at the Tokyo Motor Show has been made available^ CYCLE WORLD readers. The 4cycle flat head engine has a bore and stroke of 68 x 68mm for 493cc. Maximum torque is 4.3 kg-m @ 4,600 rpm and top horsepower at present although engineers are still fiddling with it, is 36 hp @ 6,500 rpm. It has 4 speeds with a rotary type change arrangement and moLints two 22mm carburetors, both drawing through a single air cleaner. Like the German BMW which it greatly resembles, the kick starter is on the left. Unlike the BMW, the electrical system is 12 volts.
Single cam brakes front and rear, dual seat, extra large tail light and turn signal indicators are other features. Top speed of 160 kph (100 mph) is claimed and fuel consumption is listed at 40 km per liter (a bit over 50 miles per gallon).
Japanese motorcycle manufacturers expect an expanding market in the United States in 1964. A Yamaha spokesman told CYCLE WORLD* they expect to sell
40.000 in the U.S. in 1964 and 60,000 the next year. American JJonda Motor Company executive director Kihachiro Kawashima has been quoted as saying Honda will sell more than $50,000,000 worth in the States in 1964 for 70 percent of the market, vs. the $30,000,000 income from more than 150,000 sold there in 1963. Suzuki has announced expected sales of
8.000 in the U.S. in 1964 and Tohatsu, although no official announcement has been made, expects about that many. All in all. it won’t be surprising if more than 350,000 Japanese motorcycles are bought by Americans in 1964.
Yamaha intends to market a motorcycletype 50cc machine in the spring of 1964 and to install the “autolube” automatic oil and gasoline fuel mixer on the popular YG1 75cc model about the same time. The company, in addition to great expectations for sales in the U.S. in 1964, looks for continued success in Southeast Asian nations and has also established representatives and offices in I.ondon, England, and Hamburg, West Germany, to study the market in Europe.
Tamatech motorcycle sportsland held their 1963 Technical Run Championship in December before some 4.000 spectators. “Technical Run” is Tamatech’s name for scramble races. Tohatsu won the 50cc and Suzuki took the other three races. Seiichi Suzuki, on a Suzuki, won the Open, placed 2nd in the 50cc and 5th in the 125cc. Kenji Tohira won the 250cc. Kazuo Kubo took the 125cc and had a 2nd in the 250cc, and Kazuyuki Miyoshi won the 50cc and took home cups for 2nd in the Open and 3rd in the 125cc. By makers, it was: Open, Suzuki. 2 Tohatsus. Suzuki. Tohatsu; 250cc. 2 Suzukis. Honda, 2 Suzukis; 125cc. Suzuki. 2 Tohatsus, 2 Suzukis; 50cc. Tohatsu, Suzuki, Tohasu, and 2 Suzukis. •
