Honda Z50A

Z50A
	Honda Z50A-K1
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1968-1978 (US); 1969-1973 (Europe & Japan)
Predecessor	Honda Z50M
Successor	Honda Z50J (Europe & Japan); Honda Z50R (US)
Class	Minibike
Engine	49 cc (3.0 cu in), air-cooled, four-stroke, single
Transmission	3-speed semi-automatic
Frame type	Backbone
Related	Honda Z100 Honda CZ100 Honda Z series, Honda Z50M, Honda Z50R, *Honda Z50J;

The Honda Z50A is a small motorcycle with a 49 cc (3.0 cu in) single-cylinder four-stroke overhead cam engine and a semi-automatic transmission. It was made by Honda from 1968 to 1978 and it was the second generation of the Z50 series of minibikes.^[1]

Z50A designs

The 1968-1971 Z50As were known as the "Hard Tail" because of their lack of rear shock absorbers.^[1] 1968 was also called a K0,^[1] a 1969-1970 is called a K1^[1] and a 1970-71 are referred to as K2s.^[1] Rear shock absorbers were added to the Z50A in 1972 and it was referred to as a K3.^[1]

History

The 1968 sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slantguard", was the first of the Z50 series to be released to the American market. The bikes had white handgrips and 8 inch wheels. They came in with a two tone paint job.^[2]

In 1969, Honda released the K1 which added street legal lighting. Lower handlebars were fitted on the 1969/1970 K1 "short tail" as well as a license plate mount.

In 1972, after frame cracking became a growing issue, Honda incorporated rear suspension on the bike. The Z50A "Soft Tail" remained on the American market until after model year 1978, when it was replaced by the Z50R. In Europe and Japan, the Z50A was renamed the Z50J in 1973, and remained on the market until 1999.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Polson`, Jeremy (2016). Honda Mini Trail Enthusiasts Guide (1st ed.). Stillwater MN: Wolfgang Publications Inc. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-941064-32-0.
^ Chung, Dennis. "What The Heck Is A Monkey Bike?". Motorcycle.com. VerticalScope Inc. Retrieved 24 June 2021.