1973 Suzuki TS50 Mini Enduro

Ultra-Rare Mint Original Survivor

With Only 544 Miles, Fully Serviced, Detailed & Tuned

If you’re looking for a true collector-grade mini dual-sport that purrs like a kitten,

This 1973 Suzuki TS50 is something special.

Let’s start with the obvious: what are the odds a 50cc enduro bike survives over 50 years in this condition? Practically zero. These were entry-level bikes ridden hard, all the time.

Very few made it this far—and even fewer remain this original, With only 544 miles!

Ultra-Rare & Highly Collectible

• Estimated only 1,500–2,000 units imported to the U.S.

• Just 544 original miles (barely broken in!)

• From the legendary Roy Thacker Collection (Dallas, TX)

• Companion bike (restored by Dr. Bill Buckles) sold for ~$9,500, confirming rising collector demand

Original Survivor with Honest Patina

This is NOT a fully restored bike—and that’s exactly what makes it special.

• Original paint (tank, fenders, side panels)

• Original chrome

• Original seat cover

• Light, honest patina consistent with a 53-year-old survivor

This is the kind of bike collectors search years for—only original once.

Fully Recommissioned – Runs Like New

Though cosmetically preserved, the mechanicals were meticulously gone through top to bottom by our professional service team.

Engine & Mechanical Highlights:

• Brand-new piston & rings (1mm over, professionally bored cylinder)

• New head gasket & base gasket

• New Top-end bearing, wrist pin & circlips

• Cylinder head decarbonized, ports cleaned

• Oil pump serviced and tuned

• Carburetor fully rebuilt

• New spark plug, New fuel filter, New fuel lines, and New petcock

• New air filter, air boot & clamp

• New lighting coil & updated wiring components

• Fresh gear oil + new drain plug washer

Result: Starts easily, idles smoothly, and runs like a brand-new motorcycle.

Chassis, Electrical & Cosmetic Work

Over 55.5 hours of professional Service & Detail Shop labor went into this bike:

• New Michelin tires (front & rear) + tubes

• New gold chain (original sprockets retained)

• Brakes cleaned and serviced

• NOS (New Old Stock) headlight installed

• Fuel tank professionally cleaned (no sealant—best practice)

• Frame Rails Repainted

• Engine covers, swingarm, hubs Refinished & Repainted in OEM colors

• Exhaust removed, sandblasted, Refinished & Repainted

• All Chrome polished; hardware cleaned & clear-coated

• Full detail: 24 hours in detail shop alone

• 55.5 Hours Shop labor x $150 = $8,325
  Plus $633 In Parts, Plus Shipping From Texas @ $650 Plus the Bike Cost =

Total investment Is Over $10,000 (labor + parts + shipping + Bike Cost = a true labor of love).

Performance & Riding Experience

• Tops out around ~60 MPH

• Equipped with modern Michelin tires for excellent grip

• Lightweight, nimble, and incredibly fun

Fun fact:

The speedometer still shows factory break-in instructions—it hasn’t even reached the first 1,000 miles yet.

Investment Grade Opportunity

We’ll be honest—we’re upside down on this bike. That happens with passion projects like this.

But here’s the upside for you:

• Comparable example sold near $10K

• This bike has lower mileage and original paint

• Being offered with reserve BELOW our investment

Try to find another one like this. You won’t.

Sale Details

• Call us: 860-454-7024
• Nationwide shipping available
• Financing available
• Trades welcome

Final Word

This 1973 Suzuki TS50 is more than a motorcycle—it’s a time capsule. A miniature version of the iconic TS series, preserved in original condition and mechanically brought back to life.

Whether you’re a serious collector, museum curator, or vintage enthusiast…

this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

Bid with confidence. These don’t come around twice.

God bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.