In 1962, Suzuki claimed its first TT victory in the 50cc class with East German racer Ernst Degner (who would win the 50cc world championship later that same year), earning Suzuki its first ever world title (he also proceeded to win five out of the next six 50cc titles). In the years that followed, Suzuki would introduce machines in the rest of the classes. One of those machines was a 1965 prototype the Hamamatsu-based marque would bring to the island in the Irish sea for the ISDT. Supposedly this X6 proto is said to be the last known survivor of the five that were built in ’65 – according to the seller at least.
With roughly 3,000 original miles on it, this example boasts a 247cc, two-stroke twin with an early factory six-speed transmission and oil injection. These X6 Hustler prototypes were reportedly capable of easily breaking 100 mph.
This example still wears its original ISDT markings and factory paint. The seller has compiled a small collection of documentation and literature on the bike, as well as several old magazine articles from 1965 and a second expert opinion from the UK’s Classic Bike, who were able to tell the owner that this exact example was piloted in ’65 by ex-British Trophy Teamster and two-time ISDT Gold Medalist John Harris, who competed on one of the two Suzuki teams that year.
The August 1965 issue of Motor Cycle described these X6 protos as “basically a six-speed T20 roadster (not yet available in Britain) featuring throttle-controlled positive oiling to main and big-end bearings and a twin leading-shoe front brake”. The magazine also mentions additional modifications to get the bike into race trim such as the swapping out of rims, silencers have been cut and rewelded, a crankcase under-shield was added, the foot-rests have been reinforced, and the seat unit has been replaced with a “conventional ISDT type with a zip-fastened pocket in the rear which may be used to carry a spare inner tube”.
Additional features include the addition of lightweight alloy fenders,lengthening of the centerstand legs, and the rear portion of the left-side engine-cover has been cut away. The proto also employs the use of smaller gearbox and larger rear wheel sprockets compared to production models. All of the work done to the bike to prepare it for completion was done by Norman Moore of the James Competition Shop.
Eventually this bike was purchased by a collector in the US where it was partially restored in August of 2017 before joining the rest of the seller’s collection which features other rare and elite antique motorcycles. I spoke with the seller’s mechanic who mechanically restored this example and he told me the seller is getting older and looking to thin out his collection.
You can find this 1965 Suzuki X6 Hustler Prototype ISDT Racer for sale here on Craigslist in Royse City, Texas with a price of $30,000.