So who also knows this piece of information? Hint: it wasnt making bikes...... no google! 

I googled many years ago...I think sewing machines.   I forget what they did during the war, but sewing machines was the first post-war effort.   Amiright?

Are you asking cause you want to know - or - cause you're testing us?

Suzuki began as a Weaving Machine company. When the bottom fell out of the cotton market, Mr Suzuki made a motor-powered bicycle. It was unique in that you could set the motor to let you ride without assistance, assist you, or power the bike fully. The Japanese Govt were so impressed they gave him a grant to get the thing up and running.

You can watch a small segment (5 and a half minutes) about this here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuK37fKDCyY

Part 2 takes you inside the factory - interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEEDmCDsXG0. Parts 3 and 4 are just about a couple of guys riding their bikes on a track.

Michael

I was testing  . Saw something on it once and was wondering if anyone else know. Pretty interesting jump in business but a good one.

Quote from: Twism86 on August 10, 2010, 05:23:05 PM
I was testing  . Saw something on it once and was wondering if anyone else know. Pretty interesting jump in business but a good one.

They aren't the only ones....

BMW made aircraft motors
Bimota made airconditioning
Ducati made radio parts
Kawasaki was in Shipping
Yamaha made pianos
MV Augusta was in flying/aircraft
Honda started as a motor mechanic

So all the Names we know in motorcycles started as something else. interesting.

Michael

On HD Theater they have a cool show called Twist the Throttle and they did a really good job a outlining the history of all of the major motorcycle brands.

Think tonight was MV Agusta!

Mary

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 10, 2010, 08:48:20 PM
On HD Theater they have a cool show called Twist the Throttle and they did a really good job a outlining the history of all of the major motorcycle brands.

Think tonight was MV Agusta!

Mary

You should be able to find most of Twist The Throttle on Google Video. And if you type in "Twist The Throttle" into Youtube it gives you a Manufacture Name as a suggestion. So I'm pretty sure Youtube will have most of it as well.

If I remember rightly, the Royal who started MV Augusta died and the Brand all but died. BUT, the former CEO of Ducati wanted his own Motorcycle Co and so bought it from the Heirs and resurrected MV.

It's really interesting to see the Suzuki factory and the Honda factory and Then how Bimota do it.

Michael

Harley-Davidson is going the other way.   They used to make motorcycles, but now they just stamp their logo on assorted tchotchkes.  Heck, they even stamp it on Ford F-150's. 

Quote from: Caffeine on August 11, 2010, 03:33:43 AM
Harley-Davidson is going the other way.   They used to make motorcycles, but now they just stamp their logo on assorted tchotchkes.  Heck, they even stamp it on Ford F-150's. 

And by doing so they made more money than they ever made.  Doesn't say much about the public, does it?

...  And the GS500 still sounds like a sewing machine.   

Quote from: A Non eMouse on August 21, 2010, 09:32:06 PM
...  And the GS500 still sounds like a sewing machine.   

Not when you put a decent set of pipes on it!

Just echoing praises here, but if you have not caught the Twist the Throttle series I highly recommend it. It is highly informative and entertaining.  They did a nice little piece with Alpinestars too, which highlighted riding gear and it's importance great for newbs like myself.  Also great to learn a little more about the movers and shakers in early gp racing; names like Kevin Schwantz, Mike Rainey, and Kenny Roberts.  The guys that paved the way for Mick Doohan and Valentino.

Easy, in 1989 they made a beautiful white bike called a GS500 and sent it to me in 1995.
Then I agreed to have them make more like it. That's how I remember it.
Then I started complaining to them about it using too much oil, at which point they pretended to be spanish, not mexican silly and not speak english.
Cool.
Buddha.

Well, Buddha they are made in Spain now!

Mary

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 29, 2010, 11:10:16 AM
Well, Buddha they are made in Spain now!

Mary

Thanks - I fixed my error.
Cool.
Buddha.