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{{Motorcycle | |||
|name = Honda Z50A | |||
|photo= 1968_honda_Z50k1.jpg | |||
|aka = | |||
|manufacturer = Honda | |||
|parent_company = | |||
|production = 68-81 | |||
|model_year = | |||
|predecessor = [[Honda Z50M]] | |||
|successor = [[Honda Z50R]]<br />[[Honda Z50J]] | |||
|class =Minibike | |||
|engine = 49cc | |||
|bore_stroke = | |||
|compression = | |||
|top_speed = 25 mph | |||
|power = | |||
|torque = | |||
|ignition = | |||
|spark_plug = {{sparkplug|NGK C6HSA}} '72-81 | |||
|battery = | |||
|transmission = | |||
|frame = | |||
|suspension = | |||
|brakes = | |||
|front_tire = {{tire|3.50-8}} '72-81 | |||
|rear_tire = {{tire|3.50-8}} '72-81 | |||
|rake_trail = | |||
|wheelbase = | |||
|length = | |||
|width = | |||
|height = | |||
|seat_height = | |||
|dry_weight = | |||
|wet_weight = | |||
|fuel_capacity = | |||
|oil_capacity = | |||
|fuel_consumption = | |||
|turning_radius = | |||
|related = [[Honda QA50]] | |||
|competition = | |||
|manuals = [[:File:Honda Z50 A Mini Trail Z 50 K4 Owners Maintenance Instruction Manual.pdf]] | |||
|final_drive= {{chain|420}} `72-78<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref> | |||
|front_sprocket= 12T ‘72-81<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref> | |||
|rear_sprocket= 37T ‘72-81<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
The '''Honda Z50A''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Honda]] from 1968 to 1978. | |||
The Z50A was the second generation of [[Honda Z-series]] mini bikes. Though its predecessor, the [[Honda Z50M|Z50M]], was available in Europe, Japan and Canada a few years previous. In 1968 Honda introduced two bikes that would have long term impacts for the company, at the beginning of the year they introduced the Honda Z50A and at the very end of the year they introduced the Honda CB750K. The Z50A was the polar opposite of the CB750: the CB750 was the largest displacement bike available from Honda in 1968, while at 49cc the Z50 was among the smallest. The Z50A was one of the longest continuously produced machines remaining in production until 1999 (though in the form of the Z50J). In 1969, the Z50A was the first of the Z50 series to be released to the American market. Upon its release this bike was considered to be a significant leap in technology in comparison to other mini bikes on the market at the time. In 1969 the company sold more than 70,000 Z50s.<ref name="Frank2003">{{cite book|author=Aaron Frank|title=Honda Motorcycles|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CSxTaoGagKoC|accessdate=9 December 2010|date=12 July 2003|publisher=MotorBooks International|isbn=9780760310779}}</ref> This was partly because of its efficient 50[[cc]] engine with [[semi-automatic transmission]]. The Z50A remained on the American market until 1978 when it was replaced by the [[Honda Z50R|Z50R]]. In Europe and Japan, the Z50A was renamed the [[Honda Z50J|Z50J]] in 1973, and remained on the market until 1999. | |||
Honda was great at capitalizing on emerging trends and the Z50 as well as its predecessors such as the Trail 50 and the Scrambler series were perfect examples. It was launched during the height of the late 1960s minibike boom, which had begun with the advent of lawnmower-powered kits from companies like Fox and Taco, that advertised in the back of magazines. Honda made sure to equip the Z50 with folding handlebars and small wheels, so that the bike was ultra-portable and could easily be stowed in the trunk of a car, under the seat in a motorhome, or below deck on a sailboat. With its ultra-reliable [[four-stroke]], overhead cam single and front and rear [[drum brake]]s, put it light years ahead of the Tecumseh-powered competition when it came to build quality and sophistication. | |||
==1968-69== | ==1968-69== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:honda_Z50ak0.jpg|1968 Honda Z50A | Image:honda_Z50ak0.jpg|1968 Honda Z50A | ||
Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK0-Yellow-0.jpg|1969 Honda Z50AK0 in Yellow | Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK0-Yellow-0.jpg|1969 Honda Z50AK0 in Yellow | ||
| Line 37: | Line 86: | ||
* The top part of the fuel tank was white and the fenders were chrome | * The top part of the fuel tank was white and the fenders were chrome | ||
* The grips and plastic levers were also white | * The grips and plastic levers were also white | ||
* The early units used a #415 drive chain while the later units used a #420 | * The early units used a #415 [[drive chain]] while the later units used a #420 | ||
* Engine: 49cc OHC single cylinder | * Engine: 49cc OHC single cylinder | ||
* Transmission: 3-speed with an automatic clutch | * Transmission: 3-speed with an automatic clutch | ||
| Line 44: | Line 93: | ||
==1969-70== | ==1969-70== | ||
[[Image:honda_Z50ak1.jpg|left|thumb|Honda Z50A]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-0.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-1.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-2.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-3.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-4.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-5.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]][[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-6.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | [[Image:honda_Z50ak1.jpg|left|thumb|Honda Z50A]] | ||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-0.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-1.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-2.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-3.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-4.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-5.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
[[Image:1969-Honda-Z50AK1-Blue-6.jpg|left|thumb|1969 Honda Z50AK1 in Candy Blue]] | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
| Line 57: | Line 113: | ||
==1970-71== | ==1970-71== | ||
<gallery mode='slideshow'> | |||
File:1970-honda-z50a-mini-trail-in-candy-sapphire-blue-0.jpg|1970 Honda Z50A Mini Trail in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1970-honda-z50a-mini-trail-in-candy-sapphire-blue-1.jpg|1970 Honda Z50A Mini Trail in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1970-honda-z50a-mini-trail-in-candy-sapphire-blue-2.jpg|1970 Honda Z50A Mini Trail in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1970-honda-z50a-mini-trail-in-candy-sapphire-blue-3.jpg|1970 Honda Z50A Mini Trail in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1970-honda-z50a-mini-trail-in-candy-sapphire-blue-4.jpg|1970 Honda Z50A Mini Trail in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:honda_Z50ak2a.jpg|Honda Z50A | |||
File:honda_Z50ak2_2.jpg|Honda Z50A | |||
File:honda_Z50ak2_3.jpg|Honda Z50A | |||
File:honda_Z50ak2_4.jpg|Honda Z50A | |||
File:1971-Honda-Z50A-Blue-0.jpg|1971 Honda Minitrail Z50A in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1971-Honda-Z50A-Blue-1.jpg|1971 Honda Minitrail Z50A in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1971-Honda-Z50A-Blue-2.jpg|1971 Honda Minitrail Z50A in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
File:1971-Honda-Z50A-Blue-3.jpg|1971 Honda Minitrail Z50A in Candy Sapphire Blue | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
| Line 81: | Line 143: | ||
==1972== | ==1972== | ||
[[Image:1972_honda_Z50ak3.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A]][[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]][[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-1.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]][[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-2.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]][[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-3.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]] | [[Image:1972_honda_Z50ak3.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A]] | ||
[[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]] | |||
[[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-1.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]] | |||
[[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-2.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]] | |||
[[Image:1972-Honda-Z50A-Red-3.jpg|left|thumb|1972 Honda Z50A in Light Ruby Red]] | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
* Available two colors: Candy Gold and Light Ruby Red | * Available two colors: Candy Gold and Light Ruby Red | ||
* Fuel tank was no longer two-tone; instead it had a black panel with large letters "MINI TRAIL" beneath the word "HONDA" | * Fuel tank was no longer two-tone; instead it had a black panel with large letters "MINI TRAIL" beneath the word "HONDA" | ||
* The chassis is an all-new design | * The chassis is an all-new design featuring rear suspension for the first time. It was a [[motorcycle]]-type [[swing arm]] with twin rear shocks. <ref name="Frank2003" /> | ||
* The left side cover is blank | * The left side cover is blank | ||
* Chain guard: chrome | * Chain guard: chrome | ||
* Rear brake pedal: chrome | |||
* Fenders: chrome | * Fenders: chrome | ||
* Grips: black | * Grips: black | ||
| Line 152: | Line 219: | ||
==1976== | ==1976== | ||
[[Image:1976_honda_Z50a.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A]][[Image:1976-Honda-Z50A-ParakeetYellow-0.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A in Parakeet Yellow]][[Image:1976-Honda-Z50A-ParakeetYellow-1.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A in Parakeet Yellow]] | [[Image:1976_honda_Z50a.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A]] | ||
[[Image:1976-Honda-Z50A-ParakeetYellow-0.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A in Parakeet Yellow]] | |||
[[Image:1976-Honda-Z50A-ParakeetYellow-1.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda Z50A in Parakeet Yellow]] | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
| Line 190: | Line 259: | ||
==1978== | ==1978== | ||
<gallery mode='packed-hover'> | |||
< | File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-0.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | ||
File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-1.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | |||
File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-2.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | |||
File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-3.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | |||
File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-4.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | |||
File:1978-honda-z50-in-tahitian-red-5.jpg|1978 Honda Z50 in Tahitian Red | |||
File:1978_honda_Z50a.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda Z50A | |||
</gallery> | |||
1978 Honda Z50A'78 Mini Trail bike | 1978 Honda Z50A'78 Mini Trail bike | ||
| Line 206: | Line 281: | ||
* Transmission: 3-speed with an automatic clutch | * Transmission: 3-speed with an automatic clutch | ||
* Serial number began: Z50A-6300003 | * Serial number began: Z50A-6300003 | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
*[http://www.hondaminitrail50.com The Honda Mini Trail 50 Motorcycle Information Website] | *[http://www.hondaminitrail50.com The Honda Mini Trail 50 Motorcycle Information Website] | ||
{{motorcycle-stub}} | |||
<br> | |||
{{Honda}} | |||
[[Category:Honda motorcycles|Z50A]] | [[Category:Honda motorcycles|Z50A]] | ||
[[Category:1960s motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:1970s motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:Dual purpose motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:50cc displacement motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:50cc 4-stroke motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:Single cylinder motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:Single cylinder 4-stroke motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:4-stroke motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:Honda Z series]] | |||