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{{Infobox Motorcycle
{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name=Z50A
|name=Z50A
|image=[[Image:Honda_Z50AK1.jpg|300px|Honda Z50A-K1]]
|image= Image:Honda_Z50AK1.jpg
|caption = Honda Z50A-K1
|manufacturer=[[Honda]]
|manufacturer=[[Honda]]
|production=1969-1978 (US)<br>1969-1973 (Europe & Japan)
|production=1968-1978 (US)<br>1969-1973 (Europe & Japan)
|predecessor=[[Honda Z50M]]
|predecessor=[[Honda Z50M]]
|successor=[[Honda Z50J]] (Europe & Japan)<br>[[Honda Z50R]] (US)
|successor=[[Honda Z50J]] (Europe & Japan)<br>[[Honda Z50R]] (US)
|class=[[Minibike]]
|class=[[Minibike]]
|engine=49cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
|engine= {{convert|49|cc|abbr=on}}, [[air-cooled engine|air-cooled]], [[Four-stroke engine|four-stroke]], [[single-cylinder engine|single]]
|transmission=3-speed semi-automatic
|transmission= 3-speed [[Semi-automatic transmission|semi-automatic]]
|frame=Backbone
|frame=Backbone
|related = {{flatlist|*[[Honda Z100]] *[[Honda CZ100]] *[[Honda Z series]], *[[Honda Z50M]], *[[Honda Z50R]], *[[Honda Z50J]]}}
}}
}}
The '''Honda Z50A''' was the second generation of [[Honda]]'s [[Honda Z series|Z50 Series]] of [[mini bike]]s. Though its predecessor, the [[Honda Z50M|Z50M]], was available in Europe and Japan a few years previous, in 1968 the Z50A-KO "Hard Tail", sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slant Guard", 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. This was partly because of its efficient 49&nbsp;cc [[four-stroke]] over head cam engine with [[semi-automatic transmission]]. Street legal lighting and lowered bars were added on the 1970 K1 "Short Tail", the 1971 K2 "Long Tail", and in 1972, after frame cracking became a growing issue, Honda incorporated rear suspension on the bike. The Z50A "Soft Tail" 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. The Z50JP is still available in Japan and through exporters in the United Kingdom.


The '''Honda Z50A''' is a small [[motorcycle]] with a {{convert|49|cc|adj=on|abbr=on}} [[Single-cylinder engine|single-cylinder]] [[Four-stroke-engine|four-stroke]] [[OHC|overhead cam]] engine and a [[semi-automatic transmission]]. It was made by [[Honda]] from 1968 to 1978 and it was the second generation of the [[Honda Z series|Z50 Series]] of [[minibike]]s.<ref name="Polson">{{cite book |last1=Polson` |first1=Jeremy |title=Honda Mini Trail Enthusiasts Guide |date=2016 |publisher=Wolfgang Publications Inc. |location=Stillwater MN |isbn=978-1-941064-32-0 |page=14 |edition=1st}}</ref>
==Model Summary Z50A==

1968-1969 Z50A KO
== Z50A designs ==
*Colors: Candy Red/Silver & Bright Yellow/Silver, White Grips w/White Plastic Levers.
The 1968-1971 Z50As were known as the "Hard Tail" because of their lack of rear shock absorbers.<ref name="Polson"/> 1968 was also called a K0,<ref name="Polson"/> a 1969-1970 is called a K1<ref name="Polson"/> and a 1970-71 are referred to as K2s.<ref name="Polson"/> Rear shock absorbers were added to the Z50A in 1972 and it was referred to as a K3.<ref name="Polson"/>
*Details: No Lights, Hard Tail Frame, Muffler Guard Slanted Down In Front, High Folding Handlebars, Round Honda "Wing" Emblem on Tank.

1969-1970 Z50A K1
==History==
*Colors: Candy Red/Silver, Bright Yellow/Silver & Candy Blue/Silver, Black Grips w/Black Plastic Levers.
The 1968 sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slantguard", was the first of the Z50 series to be released to the American market. The bikes had white handgrips and 8 inch wheels. They came in with a two tone paint job.<ref name="Monkey">{{cite web |last1=Chung |first1=Dennis |title=What The Heck Is A Monkey Bike? |url=https://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/what-the-heck-is-a-monkey-bike |website=Motorcycle.com |publisher=VerticalScope Inc. |access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>
*Details: Added Front & Rear Lights, Only Year Made With Battery, Muffler Guard Parallel To Muffler, Lower Folding Handlebars.

1970-1971 Z50A K2
In 1969, Honda released the K1 which added street legal lighting. Lower handlebars were fitted on the 1969/1970 K1 "short tail" as well as a license plate mount.
*Colors: Candy Ruby Red/White, Candy Sapphire Blue/White & Mexican Yellow/White.

*Details: Longer Front & Rear Fenders, No Battery, Added Rear Brake Pedal, Stronger Rear Light Frame Mounting Bracket, Oval "Mini Trail" Emblem on Tank, Last Year of "Hard Tail" Frame.
In 1972, after frame cracking became a growing issue, Honda incorporated rear suspension on the bike. The Z50A "Soft Tail" remained on the American market until after model year 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.
1972 Z50A K3

*Colors: Candy Gold/Black & Light Ruby Red/Black.
==See also==
*Details: First of the "Soft Tail" Series, Totally Re-designed Frame & Gas Tank, Blank Left Side Cover, "Honda Mini Trail" Decal on Tank.
* [[List of scooter manufacturers]]
1973 Z50A K4
* [[Minibike]]
*Colors: Hawaiian Blue Metallic & Candy Orange.
* [[Pocketbike]]
*Details: Black Chain Guard, "Z50" Logo on Left Side Cover, "Honda" Decal on Tank.
* [[Pit bike]]
1974 Z50A K5
* [[Types of motorcycles]]
*Colors: Candy Sapphire Blue & Candy Topaz Orange.

*Details: Yellow/Black Fuel Tank Stripe.
==References==
1975 Z50A K6
{{reflist}}
*Color: Candy Ruby Red.

*Details: Orange/Yellow/Black Fuel Tank Stripe.
{{Honda minibikes}}
1976 Z50A

*Color: Parakeet Yellow.
*Details: Red Fuel Tank Stripe, Red & White "Z50" Side Cover Logo.
1977 Z50A
*Color: Tahitian Red.
*Details: Dark Blue Fuel Tank Stripe, Last Year of Chrome Fenders.
1978 Z50A
*Color: Tahitian Red.
*Details: Yellow/Orange/Red/Black Fuel Tank Stripe, Red Painted Fenders, "Mini Trail 50" Side Cover Logo is Orange/Red/White, Last Year of the "Z50A" Series.
==Model Summary Z50R==
1979 Z50R
*Color: Tahitian Red.
*Details: No Graphics on Seat, Red Front Number Plate, Black Shock Springs, Non-Folding Handle Bars, Tear Drop Tank.
1980 Z50R
*Color: Tahitian Red.
*Details: Red "Z" Graphics on Seat, White "50R" Decal on Side Number Plates, First Year of Oval Holes in Wheel Rims.
1981 Z50R
*Color: Tahitian Red.
*Details: Larger "50R" Decal on Side Number Plates.
1982 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red.
*Details: White "50R" Graphics on Seat, White Number Plates w/ Red "Z" Decals.
1983 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red.
*Details: White "Z" Graphics on Seat, Yellow Number Plates w/ White "50R" Decals.
1984 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red.
*Details: Blue Seat w/White "Z" Graphics, Yellow Number Plates w/ Red "50R" Decals, Red Shock Springs.
1985 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red.
*Details: Blank Yellow Number Plates, Tank "Wing" Decal is Red/White/Blue, Blue Shock Springs.
1986 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red.
*Details: Blank White Number Plates, Gold Painted Wheels.
1987 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red/Shasta White.
*Details: White Frame/Fenders/Shocks.
1988 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red/Shasta White.
*Details: Re-Design of Bikes Seat/Tank/Fenders, Blue Seat w/ White "Honda" Graphics, White Frame/Fenders/Shocks/Rims/Number Plates, C.D. Ignition, "Z50R" Decal On Tank, "Honda" Logo on Seat.
1989 Z50R
*Color: Blaze Red/Shasta White.
*Details: "Wing" Honda 50R Decal on Tank, "Z" Logo on Seat, Red Tank/Frame/Seat/Fenders.
1990 - None Produced
1991-1999 Z50R
*Color: Shasta White.
*Details: Minor Year to Year Logo Changes to Seat & Tank.
== External links ==
*[http://www.honda.com/ Official Honda Site]
[[Category:Honda motorcycles|Z50A]]
[[Category:Honda motorcycles|Z50A]]
[[Category:Minibikes]]
[[Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1968]]




Latest revision as of 23:04, 26 February 2023

Z50A
Honda Z50A-K1
ManufacturerHonda
Production1968-1978 (US)
1969-1973 (Europe & Japan)
PredecessorHonda Z50M
SuccessorHonda Z50J (Europe & Japan)
Honda Z50R (US)
ClassMinibike
Engine49 cc (3.0 cu in), air-cooled, four-stroke, single
Transmission3-speed semi-automatic
Frame typeBackbone
Related

The Honda Z50A is a small motorcycle with a 49 cc (3.0 cu in) single-cylinder four-stroke overhead cam engine and a semi-automatic transmission. It was made by Honda from 1968 to 1978 and it was the second generation of the Z50 Series of minibikes.[1]

Z50A designs[edit]

The 1968-1971 Z50As were known as the "Hard Tail" because of their lack of rear shock absorbers.[1] 1968 was also called a K0,[1] a 1969-1970 is called a K1[1] and a 1970-71 are referred to as K2s.[1] Rear shock absorbers were added to the Z50A in 1972 and it was referred to as a K3.[1]

History[edit]

The 1968 sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slantguard", was the first of the Z50 series to be released to the American market. The bikes had white handgrips and 8 inch wheels. They came in with a two tone paint job.[2]

In 1969, Honda released the K1 which added street legal lighting. Lower handlebars were fitted on the 1969/1970 K1 "short tail" as well as a license plate mount.

In 1972, after frame cracking became a growing issue, Honda incorporated rear suspension on the bike. The Z50A "Soft Tail" remained on the American market until after model year 1978, when it was replaced by the Z50R. In Europe and Japan, the Z50A was renamed the Z50J in 1973, and remained on the market until 1999.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Polson`, Jeremy (2016). Honda Mini Trail Enthusiasts Guide (1st ed.). Stillwater MN: Wolfgang Publications Inc. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-941064-32-0.
  2. ^ Chung, Dennis. "What The Heck Is A Monkey Bike?". Motorcycle.com. VerticalScope Inc. Retrieved 24 June 2021.


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