I’m not sure if the founders of the World Sidecar Championship had a Honda 50 in mind when they started their organization in 1949. Yeah, let’s just say they didn’t. This 1969 Honda Z50A K1 with sidecar is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and they’re asking $2,500. Former Barn Finds writer Jay B. sent me a heads-up on this tip. Thanks, Jay! Here is the original listing in case some tall, skinny lunkhead grabs it.
It looks so normal from this angle. The seller says this ’69 Z50A was restored at some point, but they don’t appear to know when, just that it’s an older restoration. 1969 was really the first year when Honda’s tiny 49-cc monkey bikes became at least partially better, or some of us would say a lot better, as the wheels went from 5 inches to 8 inches, so they were a bit more stable at blindingly high speeds. I say, they were a bit more stable at… (cough) Hagerty is at $2,600 for a #4 fair-condition example, as a reference. The sidecar has to add some value, doesn’t it?
We don’t know what was involved with the former restoration, but this little bike looks pretty nice overall. The frame was painted silver, and I believe it would have normally been the same color as the tank, which I think may have been red and silver originally. I don’t mind the silver frame; the guy who restored my Rokon painted the frame silver, and I like it. It makes it seem a bit lighter on the eye than all yellow. The same with this 128-pound Honda 50. If the frame was painted red, including the sidecar, that might be a bit overwhelming, visually.
That being said, it looks like it’s time for a “refresh” restoration, the paint looks tired, as does the chrome, and the seat cover, etc. They say this isn’t a factory sidecar, but as an aftermarket item, it was purchased with the bike. Does that mean when it was new? As in, from the Honda dealer? We don’t know, but I’ve seen a couple of similar Honda 50 sidecars, and they’re just cool as hell. I mean, heck, sorry. Made from 1968 through 1978 here in the U.S., I’m surprised that I have never owned one, but I’d sure like to have this one for the unusual sidecar. Sadly, shipping from Maine would add 1/3 to the seller’s asking price.
The engine is Honda’s 49-cc SOHC four-stroke single with around 3 horsepower and a 3-speed semi-automatic transmission. I’d repaint the frame, redo the seat covers, and heck, I’d probably restore the whole thing again. The seller says they bought it from the original owner a couple of years ago to restore it, but never did. I thought the K1 had a headlight and taillight, so maybe this one has been further modified, or maybe it’s a different model. Without any numbers, it’s hard to know. In any case, would any of you take on this sidecar project bike?
This is actually pretty cool and I agree – frame off restoration – then maybe you’re looking at keeping for yourself because there is nothing left in it! As I said it’s a pretty cool piece of “nostalgia” but that’s about it. The Honda 50 is worth 3-4k restored. Unfortunately the sidecar is a novelty for the “pit car” crowd.