Monkey Bike Barn Find: 1974 Honda Z50A-K5
Candy Topaz Orange is a pretty fancy name for orange but small motorcycles like this 1974 Honda Z50A-K5 were mainly meant for kids and that had to be a pretty appealing name. I think this is a pretty appealing bike and it can be found listed here on eBay in Joplin, Missouri. The current bid price is $1,125 and we don’t know the reserve but it isn’t met yet. The later Z50s typically aren’t worth crazy money like the early hard tail bikes are so this could end up being a good buy.
I’m a broken record (a saying that nobody under 50 has even heard before), but the photos of this Honda leave a lot to be desired. There are four photos and another one of the title which dates back to 1983, but at least here are two overall photos and one showing the seat and top of the gas tank. There is a fifth photo showing the inside of the gas tank and it does look super clean and 99% rust-free in there which is good news, at least from what we can see in this photo.
I’m not sure what the story is on this Honda Z50, it appears to be a display in a store somewhere, is this the “barn” that they talk about when they say that it’s a barn find? We don’t know, maybe, “barn find” has evolved into a general term for a vehicle that has been stored somewhere for a long period of time. The second generation of Honda’s Z-Series bike, the Z50A, was made starting in 1968, a few months before their groundbreaking CB750K came out which is pretty amazing. The two motorcycles were on opposite ends of the spectrum and both solidified Honda’s place in motorcycle history.
I have absolutely no clue what this photo is supposed to represent but it’s the last photo so I included it. Normally I’d show the engine photo last but there isn’t one. The engine is Honda’s 49 cc four-stroke overhead-cam single and the seller says that after several years, it started up and ran fine after smoking a bit at first. The post-1972 Honda Z50s with rear suspension are my person favorites, have any of you owned one from the mid-1970s?
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Comments
Honda had such beautiful colors, even on their least of offerings. Too bad, they didn’t last long in the hot sun. That picture is Hondas “tool kit” under the side cover that is removed. A plug wrench and I believe the rod had a screwdriver blade,,about all that was needed. I never had one of these, but they historically took just about every amount of abuse an American teenager could dish out, and that was a lot.
“Honda had such beautiful colors”.
Rarely stated, but so true. Even the black and chrome models were striking.
Nice little bike.After getting my first”big” bike a70 Trident in 75 and having mostly bigger bikes,one of these feels like riding a skate board:-)
Not to sound like a broken record but, growing up in the 60/70s,a least where I’m from never
heard them called monkeys they where Z50s.
We called them Mini-Trails.
Mini Hondas. We all wanted one. Only the rich kids had one.
I had one same year same color . Gave it to my cousin with agreement that he gives it back when his son out grew it . Of corse I never got it back …Lesson Learned . That last picture ie of the spark plug removal tool .
When i was young i had a 50, but really wanted a 70 bad, never got one.
I got a Trail 70 when I was like 18 Rode it Everywhere as they were street legal , Sold it for $60.00 . Sure wish I still had that one …
Have one in this color and this bike is in really good condition – the plastic side covers are one of the hardest to find at all one one of these – and not broken.
Not going to bash the write up but this is one of those times I would. If you don’t know the machine your writing about – well…….
Auction update: this Honda sold for $2,175!