Also called the Chrome Edition, which sounds like a 1960s pop group, the 1986 Honda Z50RD is better known by the name Christmas Special. It never officially had that name from the factory, but they were delivered to dealers in December of 1986, the only year they were made, so they got the nickname Christmas Special. We’ve seen a few of them here on Barn Finds in the last few years.
Collectibles are a funny thing, they’re totally meaningless to some people – like baseball cards are to me – but to some others, they can’t get enough. It’s believed that each of the approximate 800 Honda dealers in 1986 could buy two Z50RDs, but there really isn’t a hard number on that, or on how many were officially sold in its only year on the market.
They’re basically the same as a regular Z50 “Monkey Bike” but have loads of expensive chrome, red grips, a red seat, and a few other features. Prices have been nutso on these bikes the last few years, going as high as $25,000 or more, believe it or not. Getting this one for anything under $7,500 is a steal, value-wise. I know, $7,500, but the times, they are a’chaaaaaannngin’. For the better? Who knows, but it’s not 1986 anymore.
I don’t know how it’s possible, but I have never owned a Honda Z50. It makes no sense at all since it’s the gold standard, the most famous small motorcycle, maybe of all time. I mean, what other tiny motorcycle gets a nickname like “Monkey Bike“? That pretty much looks like me on almost every motorcycle. I don’t think Honda knew that they would be so incredibly collectible and valuable.
The engine is the same as on other Honda Z50s, a 49-cc OHC single-cylinder, sending power to the rear wheel through a three-speed with an automatic clutch and chain drive. This one is just out of storage, starts on the first kick, and runs and shifts as it should. It’s listed here on eBay in Huntington Beach, California, there is no reserve (gutsy!), and the current bid price is just $4,050. Anything under $10k and this is a deal. That’s just the way it is in 2024. With 4.5 days left on the auction, the price will certainly go up like the temperatures this summer. What’s your guess on the selling price of this Christmas Special?
“If it won’t go, chrome it”, was the saying at Moreway Automotive, who specialized in chrome doo-dads. Little late for chrome plating, as it’s heyday was the early 60s. Chrome plating fell out of favor, as it is really detrimental to the environment. Anybody that worked with that are surely dead by now, not to mention several species of pond life nearby. These are just novelty items, and the chrome does nothing for me, couple hundred bucks, tops. Old rusty Broncos, half gone Chargers, and yes, to a lesser extent, monkey bikes, what is wrong with people today? Do they really have that much disposable income to dispose of it in such a foolish manner? I suppose with 20 MILLION millionaires in this country, I guess they do.
Lighten up Howard.
Yep….HA gets a little out there a lot…..lots of chroming still oing on and it ain’t cheap !
You can’t possibly think this kind of behavior is normal. It trickles down to the $50 bag of groceries, that I have to buy a reusable bag for. I may be a little “out there”, but I was taught common sense and a sense of value. This bike isn’t worth $4grand and you know it. It was barely worth the $800 bucks when new. Unless you have a vested interest in bilking money out of people for seemingly obscure items, I have nothing else to add.
One of the great things about being a citizen of this country is that we get to choose what we do with our lives and money. You may disagree but, it’s still our choice. You really should take a chill pill.
All I can say is, one man’s garbage is another man’s gold.
Think this sold? just the other day and listed here…..?
Howard, Yes. People do have disposable income. If you bought this for 800.00 new and we’re selling it today, would you sell it for 500.00 today or for what it would sell for. I think we all know the answer to that. You would be doing what you are criticizing others of doing. It’s no different than anything else people buy or sale.
Auction update: the seller ended the auction early, maybe because it wasn’t getting close to what they wanted for it? Nobody knows.