showa is a major player in the motorcycle industry, renowned for its suspension systems. But the brand also tried its hand at creating motorcycles in the 50s.
the company was founded in 1938, and began its activities in the field of aviation. In 1939, it produced the L2D, a licensed copy of the Douglas DC3.
Like many brands that had to change activity after the Second World War, Showa moved into other fields, but always in the motorized sector. The brand proved to be highly innovative in certain respects. For example, it was one of the first Japanese companies to import automated factory equipment to improve production.
showa went on to produce the SH model, with a 150 cm3 engine producing 5 horsepower, a 2-speed gearbox, and a top speed of 80 km/h. The particularity of this machine was that it was the first to be equipped with a chain-driven overhead camshaft - with very uncertain reliability. The second, more powerful 3-speed version of the SL won the Nagoua TT in 1953.
later, Showa presented the Light Cruiser in 1956, equipped with a 125 cm3 2-stroke valve-regulated engine; and a motorcycle with a 350 cm3 2-stroke twin spitting out 22 horsepower - quite a power for its time. Like so many of the archipelago's products, the design of Showa motorcycles was heavily inspired by European production.
showa stopped making motorcycles a long time ago, but its production of suspension systems made the company an essential link in the industry.
A Showa 250 cm3 - Photo credits: D.R.