Almost as rare as world peace, this 1967 Honda Z50M is the one to have if you’re a collector of all things with two wheels and small engines. The seller has this seldom seen micro monkey bike listed here on eBay in Redondo Beach, California, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $6,500. Think of it as an investment that you can ride.
I’m surprised that this is still the original seat cover after fifty-five years, but it is. The seller added some foam under it but for being so old I expected it to be dried and cracked. It’s sure a big seat for such a small bike. Yes, those are rear footpegs, can you imagine two adults on this thing? Or, one? This was a street-legal motorcycle with a headlight, taillight, brake light, a mirror, and a horn.
The Honda Z50M wasn’t officially offered to the US market but they were sold in Canada and a few of them were imported from Japan. That’s the story on this bike, it was imported by the seller’s friend’s pilot dad in 1968. They are rare to see today in the US and I have to wonder what this one will end up selling for. $10,000 or more wouldn’t be surprising at all in this crazy market.
The early Honda Z50s were hardtail bikes, there was no suspension other than pneumatic tires to cushion your lard rear end over bumps. The handlebars could be loosened up and folded down to make it easier to slip into your trunk or back seat, sort of the same idea as Honda’s much later Motocompo and other bikes. I have a 1971 Suzuki MT50 Trailhopper with somewhat similar handlebars.
This micro mini monkey is clean but used and nowhere near showroom condition, but it’s original or mostly original which is very cool. The seller did a good job with photos and they even included four very short videos here on YouTube. The engine is Honda’s 49 cc four-stroke single and it runs great as you can see in the videos. You already know that I’d ride this thing in public as I could care less what anyone else thinks and I’m not out to prove what a tough guy I am with my vehicles. Have any of you owned a bike this tiny?
Cute little devil. I would’ve preferred something like this over the Spree I bought for my youngest boy (and later used at the lake resort). The four-stroke just strikes a better chord with me. Well, the 2-stroke wasn’t all that bad; it had that automatic lube system on it but it eventually started to seep oil down into the crankcase. I would spend a couple of hours trying to get it all flushed out so it could be started. I put a manual petcock in the oil line and was always second-guessing if the riders (probably as many as 10 on a weekend) were opening it prior to starting it despite my attaching a highly readable warning label. This one is way out of my budget so I will just have to wish the buyer and seller good luck…
There’s an opening sentence for the times, “as rare as world peace”, I was going to say as rare as hand signals, but world peace,,,got me there pal.
These weren’t near as popular as the CT70’s, I’m simply astounded one would even want to take this on a road, much less with 2 people. I’ve never seen that seat before, but shiver me timbers, the Z50″M”, did indeed come like this. The seat is on a hinge to accommodate the extra person. I had 2 people on my Honda 50, so I know the motor could do it, but on a short thing with a dangerous steering rake and no suspension,a heavy set rider would make wheelies a snap,, no thanks. Clearly one for the “you must be kidding” file. $6g’s buys a nice Limey,,,
My best friend had one like this and another Monkey bike, plus an XR75 when we were in high school. Unfortunately, they were left in his parents’ garage for too long and they were all thrown out.
We Had 2 trail 50 when I was 9-10 maybe 11 before my dad traded it off for lord knows what. We had a blast with these and hard tail is why the seat had so much padding on it. And yes we could ride 2 ! Scooch up a little will ya ? They were fun, no doubt. Better built then today’s toys. Probably why they are still some around.
I think I should go buy that one I know of and run it on the auction.
We had several of these and CT 70s growing up in 70s, never heard them called monkeys til recent,we call them Honda z 50s.
I think they got the monkey name from some of the traveling circus acts. They had monkey riding them in circles.
Rw, according to most websites, it’s because of how an adult looks while riding one.
https://coolmaterial.com/rides/honda-monkey-bike-history/
$7,100 now, a solid black seat would look better.
Howie, to me that looks like a slip over cover. Definition plan black would be better. Both mine were black
That is a factory seat cover that can fetch over 800.00. They were originally built for use in Japan as a amusement park ride.That is the reason for color.
6500 buys a lot of motorcycle,this is an expensive mini bike:-)
$7100 for a bike that couldn’t carry a reasonably fat person let alone two skinny ones is insane. But then again, it’s safe to say there are a lot of crazy people out there, and some collect motorcycles.
True, but as Harvey says right above this is a mini-bike.
You might be surprised how big a fat person one of these can haul around ! https://images.app.goo.gl/Aim81eUGg4F4FAdN6
Yes this one is a trail 70 but I’ve seen them on 50’s too
Auction update: this one sold for $9,100!