The practical rotation range is 12,000 rpm! A Monkey with attention to detail in the suspension [17th Monkey Meeting in Tama]

The Monkey Meeting is held every spring in the parking lot of Tokyo Summerland. A wide range of new and old Monkeys, from stock to fully customized, participate, and it’s always a lively event. The current Monkey model, which has grown significantly from 50cc to 125cc in recent years, has been gaining momentum, but the older 50cc models are still going strong. 50cc models are often customized, and the customization approaches vary widely. Here, we’d like to introduce customized models that focus on not only the engine but also the suspension.

The reasons for customizing a Monkey vary from person to person, but in the case of Monkey owner Katsuyuki Amemiya, it was the loss of a pet. Losing his beloved pet left a hole in his heart. He began to take his Monkey apart in an attempt to fill that hole, and then he found himself unable to stop wanting to customize it.

The owner weighs 70kg, so he started by tuning the engine. He used Clipping Point parts to bore out the engine to 105cc, but unlike many Monkey owners, he didn’t assemble it himself. He asked Izumi Motors, a renowned race engine tuner, to handle everything from processing to assembly and setting. The result was a high-revving engine that can be used up to 12,000 rpm. The transmission is also a 5-speed SP Takegawa, making it a power unit that can fully utilize the engine’s power.

The scary thing about revving that much is over-revving. To combat this, a Kitaco universal shifter has been installed, which includes functions for over-revving and cutting off the ignition when shifting. Of course, the intake and exhaust systems have also been modified, with a YD24 carburetor installed. An OVER Racing spiral muffler is also installed, which coils around the bottom of the engine. As a result, the bike boasts outstanding acceleration even for an owner weighing 70kg.

If you make the engine more powerful, it’s obviously impossible to enjoy its performance with the suspension of a genuine Monkey. So what did they do? First, they decided to significantly increase the diameter of the tires and wheels from the original 8 inches to 12 inches. However, simply increasing the diameter wasn’t enough; first, they changed the front fork to a reinforced telescopic type from Minimoto, which gives it operability and rigidity that is incomparable to the original.

The rear, which is even more powerful than the front, is fitted with a 160mm long swingarm made by Clipping Point. The long wheelbase provides smoother handling and better road grip. The rear shock absorber is made by YSS and measures 335mm, balancing the front and rear vehicle height. It is a perfect match for the 12-inch wheels, and is one size larger than the stock size.

While the body has been enlarged, the riding position has also been revised. A Hurricane Semi-Continental Type I handlebar is set on the top bridge, allowing for a moderate width and forward-leaning posture. Of course, the meter system has also been revamped, with bicycle magnetic switches measuring the vehicle speed and displaying it on an SP Takegawa digital meter.

The owner aimed for a “sleek customization.” Rather than being flashy, the overall style is maintained to make the car enjoyable to drive. It may be difficult to see in the photos, but the owner also paid particular attention to the paintwork to create a Monkey-like appearance. In fact, all parts have been repainted, and each part contains matte paint. A mixture of pearl and matte paint is used on the clear paint, with some parts treated to give it a satin finish. Attention to detail is evident everywhere.