Tohatsu

Tohatsu

The Tokyo Hatsudoki Co. tried to keep up with the bigger Japanese motorcycle campanies by going into racing. The first Tohatsu racer was a moped- derived single named Runpet CR. In 62 came the first commercially available 50 twin, the CA50, and even somewhat fragile it was a winner. Driven by Dave and Mike Simmonds in the season of 63, the factory expected more of 64, but the Tohatsu factory closed down due to financial problem. 61 Tohatsu Runpet CR Tohatsu single

Runpet Runpet right

The Simmond brothers were given an engine and built this racer round it. It was fast enough to set a sprint record.

Dave and Mike Simmonds and Tohatsu special Late 62 - Tohatsu twin

Tohatsu competed against these thoroughbreds - with a piston- ported engine ? Tohatsu engine left

63 Tohatsu engine right 63 Brands Hatch - winner Dave Simmonds - Tohatsu Twin

CA50 left CA50 aircooled twin

CA50 right

The Tohatsu displayed in Lexmond Motormuseum - Go visit !! Göran Kähler holding a 64 Tohatsu engine

Göran Kähler testing

CA2R Tohatsu CA2R racer

CA2R controls CA2R engine

Simmonds - Tohatsu and Claude Vigreux - Kreidler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNnBoFnpg4

Tohatsu The Tokyo Hatsudoki Co. tried to keep up with the bigger Japanese motorcycle campanies by going into racing. The first Tohatsu racer was a moped- derived single named Runpet CR. In 62 came the first commercially available 50 twin, the CA50, and even somewhat fragile it was a winner. Driven by Dave and Mike Simmonds in the season of 63, the factory expected more of 64, but the Tohatsu factory closed down due to financial problem.












http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNnBoFnpg4