Blue A models

[wayne]

This is justa historic interest question.

The RE5 A model Suzuki brochure features a blue A model (ie blue tank and sidecovers but with all the other A model features such as instruments etc).

I think that Jess has posted that he'd never seen an A in anything other than black.

Trolling through a list of frame/engine numbers, I notice some bikes deep among the A model numbers that are listed as Blue and even sometimes red.

Does anyone actually know if Suzuki produced A models in the blue (and/or red) and if the blue was the same as the M model firemist or something else ??

There is one restoration here in OZ where the owner has opted to convert a Firemist Orange M into an "A" as he feels that that was what the bike was "meant" to be (helps that he had a set of NOS A model instruments as well). But did the factory do it too ?

Cheers,
Wayne

[Jess]

Wayne,

To my knowledge the factory never produced an A model in anything other than black.

That is not to say that enterprising dealers did not repaint some sitting on the showroom floor to attempt to move the bikes.

As late as 1980, there were dealers with Re5's still on the floor. My understanding was they were asking 1000.00, if you bought 2, they were 900.00 each...

Best,

[wayne]

Thanks Jess. I know that Sam told me that numerous dealers painted brand new RE5's in greens and various other colours in an attempt to move them. I saw a purple RE5 over here that looked very original. The paint was aged and the striping correct. Unfortunately no history available but it looked like it may have left the dealer in that colour. But as for the factory blue, I've certainly never seen one. Thanks.

I wonder what happened to the his and hers Gold full tour kit bikes that Suzuki gave away as prizes ?

I saw a new RE5 on a showroom floor in late 1980 but the asking price was 2,300. A little more than the RRP in 1977. In '76, the price had dropped to 1,300 for M models at some dealers. Two for 1,800, what a bargain !

Cheers,
Wayne