LOT 32 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II c.1951 Suzuki Power Free Registration no. not registered Frame no. M6269 Engine no. none visible

Sold for £2,990 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 32^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II, c.1951 Suzuki Power Free

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|25 April 2026, 14:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
c.1951 Suzuki Power Free
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. M6269
Engine no. none visible

The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.

If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

Michio Suzuki's company started life as a manufacturer of looms for the silk-weaving industry before being commissioned to make munitions during WW2. Forced to diversify after 1945, Suzuki manufactured all manner of goods before Michio decided that his bicycle would be a more practical means of transport if it had an engine. Many small startup enterprises had begun manufacturing bicycles and ultra-lightweight machines using war-surplus engines, but Suzuki believed the way forward to to design and build his own, even going so far as to make his own magnetos and carburettors. Suzuki decided that his engine - a 36cc two-stroke single known as the 'Power Free' - would be mounted in a bicycle frame in what had long been established as the ideal position: in the middle of the machine just above the bottom bracket.

Launched in 1951, the Power Free clip-on engine was swiftly enlarged to 50cc and upgraded with a two-speed gear. A 60cc version known as the 'Diamond Free' arrived in 1953 and would prove to be an enormous success, with thousands sold every month. These humble clip-ons paved the way for Suzuki's first complete motorcycle in 1954, although the company's early models were marketed under the 'Colleda' name.

Apparently an older restoration, this particular Power Free is mounted in a Mitsuba Super bicycle. The engine turns over.

Offered unregistered and without documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Spring Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Saturday 25 April, with the auction starting at 2:30pm BST.

Saleroom notices

The bicycle manufacture is Matsuba rather than Mitsuba as catalogued. The engine does not turn over.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
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Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
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For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II, c.1951 Suzuki Power Free

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part IIc.1951 Suzuki Power FreeRegistration no. not registeredFrame no. M6269Engine no. none visible

Footnotes

Saleroom notices

Additional information

Auction information

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
c.1951 Suzuki Power Free
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. M6269
Engine no. none visible