Friday bike

Sorry for being a bit quiet recently, but I've been very busy at work – worked 19 days in a row!

This week's Friday bike was one I saw for sale on Ebay but had never previously heard of.

                                                        Rockford Tora (58cc)

I searched online and found this article:

In addition to the more familiar tire manufacturer nowadays, Bridgestone started producing motor bikes starting in 1958. Motorcycle exports to America began in 1963, via Rockford Scooter Company of Rockford, Illinois (later renamed to Rockford Motors). While production and profits were doing well, the motorcycle production was more of a sideline to the tire manufacturing. Profits earned didn’t stay within the division, but were absorbed by the tire division. Unconfirmed rumors spread that other Japanese motorcycle manufacturers made it clear to Bridgestone that if they pursued their competitive behavior in motorcycles they would find themselves with no OEM market for their tires.
It soon became apparent that corporate interest in continued motorcycle development was waning. Late sixties “new” models were merely warmed over variations of earlier ones. Dealerships began bailing out and Bridgestone closed the motorcycle division. When Bridgestone stopped motorcycle production in 1969, Rockford Motors purchased the rights to the Bridgestone 60 & 100 motors and went to the Japanese company Tanaka Koyogo, LTD., and formed a partnership to supply Rockford Motors with a 100 c.c. Enduro model known as the Taka and two 60 c.c. mini bike models known as the Tora & Chibi. The partnership agreement allowed Rockford Motors the exclusivve rights for the United States market and Tanaka the exclusive rights to the Asian market, with the Tanaka line up marketed as the brand name of TAS Motors. The partnership ended in 1975 when Rockford Motors ceased business

And here's one running!

Spec:

Engine and transmission
Displacement:	58.00 ccm (3.54 cubic inches)
Engine type:	Single cylinder, two-stroke
Power:	5.80 HP (4.2 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
Torque:	0.48 Nm (0.0 kgf-m or 0.4 ft.lbs) @ 7500 RPM
Top speed:	80.5 km/h (50.0 mph)
Compression:	7.1:1
Valves per cylinder:	4
Fuel system:	Carburettor. Y16PT-16mm
Fuel control:	Rotary valves
Ignition:	A.C. Magneto
Lubrication system:	Gas/Oil mixture
Cooling system:	Air
Gearbox:	4-speed
Transmission type, final drive:	Shaft drive (cardan)
Fuel consumption:	1.23 litres/100 km (81.3 km/l or 191.24 mpg)
Greenhouse gases:	28.5 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Exhaust system:	Single muffler with tail pipe
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Front suspension:	Teloscopic forks
Rear suspension:	dual spring, non adjustable
Front brakes:	Expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear brakes:	Expanding brake (drum brake)
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight:	62.6 kg (138.0 pounds)
Power/weight ratio:	0.0927 HP/kg
Seat height:	749 mm (29.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall height:	991 mm (39.0 inches)
Overall length:	1,727 mm (68.0 inches)
Overall width:	787 mm (31.0 inches)
Ground clearance:	229 mm (9.0 inches)
Wheelbase:	1,143 mm (45.0 inches)
Fuel capacity:	4.10 litres (1.08 gallons)