Mini Trail Monkey: 1971 Honda Z50A-K2
One of the hot motorcycles for the last few years has to be Honda’s Monkey Bike, the Z50A. I have yet to own one, which is crazy, but maybe someday I’ll make the leap so I can look like a monkey hunched-over riding one, hence the nickname Monkey Bike. The seller has this 1971 Honda Z50A-K2 listed here on eBay in Forest Lake, MN, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $710.
I’m well under my ideal weight for my height, but even so, I’d personally hold out for a 1972 or later model with rear suspension. It’s not like I’d crack the frame on one of the earlier hardtail bikes, but it’s been known to happen. The seller says that this one has a small amount of “rust and patina”, which I thought were the same thing. I guess it’s all about marketing.
One thing that I notice here is that the rear frame brace – or, exhaust guard – on the exhaust side is missing. Maybe the seller has it but if not, I’d get one ASAP. They’re easy to find and cheap ($25 on eBay all day long) and you want one to protect your leg from that exhaust. Also, the vented exhaust guard over the bent pipe is missing. I just ordered a new left-side exhaust for one of my motorcycles so it’s possible to get these parts, but keep that in mind as you go through your mental restoration checklist.
The Honda Z50A came out in 1968 and lasted until 1978 here. They’re fun bikes to ride off-road, on trails, or on gravel roads. They typically aren’t the best for running errands on city streets, unless you live in a small rural town. The seller doesn’t have a title for this one but they’re fairly easy to get, depending on where you live.
The engine is Honda’s 49-cc single-cylinder with just under five horsepower. It reportedly runs but isn’t drivable until the carburetor is cleaned. Easy. With Hagerty being at $3,300 for a #3 good condition example, this one is restorable if a person can get it for the right price. Let’s hear those Honda 50 stories out there!
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Comments
Yes i had one when i was young, carb needs cleaning to ride it, then why not clean it?
NO TITLE
Seller did not get one but knows a guy…..
Well my story on the z50a is ongoing. I have a 71,same color now as this one-about the same condition. Also my first was a yellow one that i traded a mini-bike for. Good deal for me. Lost it to getting in trouble as I lived in the city of seattle and skipped school many times cause sun was out and I wanted to ride. One day in evening I packed a friend and after a couple miles from home a cop saw us and we tried to get away. Of course we got stopped. My mom and a guy came to get us and the cops asked what to do with the honda. mom said take it away. man I was pissed! That was around 1975. Since than I got into trail 90,s and some other 50s I would guess I REALLY had 100 of them . I still play with them as of now I have the little 50,a 72 ct70 and a 81 ct110. Still cant stop playing with these.
These things were sooo fun to ride as a child back in the 70’s. But, the prices for them is way too much. Unless it is a museum quality original. $3300+ can get you so much more when it comes to these. A little modern used version on c-list today is just as fun and way less. Great fun but $1k or less for one in this condition is more reasonable. It’s NOT a RUSTY MOPAR!
growing up in mid to late 70’s, dad had three kids between 7 and 12…managed to brig home a Yamaha 80 and one of these Honda 50’s.
We had a BIG back yard, rode the wheels off those two…
I’ve owned several Z50A’s over the years, all were hardtails and a quick flip for my pocketbook. I had one with a trail 70 (CT70) engine. The rear fender appears to be broken off, no area to mount the missing taillight. The bike in this condition and running ought to bring somewhere around $1500. A title in South Dakota will set you back a whopping $5. Make a friend there and pay them a little extra for their trouble.
This eBay seller as well as another in Forest Lake are flush with old cycles. They’ve perhaps sold 1,000 bikes over the years, most were rough. Definitely a good area to find all manner of bikes as Minneapolis-St. Paul is a little south of them. Have a look at his ‘completed’ listings.
My parents bought me a new ‘72 when I was 11. Rode it until 1980 when I got into cars. I finally restored it in ‘19. I’m a kid again when I take her for a ride.
nice fiero-countach in the background there
Sold $1,030.
Thanks, Howie!