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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 cc [[four-stroke]] over head cam engine with [[semi-automatic transmission]]. Street legal lighting and lowered bars were added on the 1969 K1 "Short Tail", the 1970 K2 "Long Tail", and in 1971, 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''' 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 1969 the Z50A-KO "Hard Tail", sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slantguard", 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 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.


==USA Model Summary Z50A==
'''1968-1969 Z50A KO'''
*Colors: Candy Red/Silver & Bright Yellow/Silver, White Grips w/White Plastic Levers.
*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'''
*Colors: Candy Red/Silver, Bright Yellow/Silver & Candy Blue/Silver, Black Grips w/Black Plastic Levers.
*Details: Added Front & Rear Lights, Only Year Made With Battery, Muffler Guard Parallel To Muffler, Lower Folding Handlebars.
'''1970-1971 Z50A K2'''
*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, Silver Aluminum Levers, Last Year of "Hard Tail" Frame.
'''1972 Z50A K3'''
*Colors: Candy Gold/Black & Light Ruby Red/Black.
*Details: First of the "Soft Tail" Series, Totally Re-designed Frame & Gas Tank, Blank Left Side Cover, "Honda Mini Trail" Decal on Tank.
'''1973 Z50A K4'''
*Colors: Hawaiian Blue Metallic & Candy Orange.
*Details: Black Chain Guard, "Z50" Logo on Left Side Cover, "Honda" Decal on Tank.
'''1974 Z50A K5'''
*Colors: Candy Sapphire Blue & Candy Topaz Orange.
*Details: Yellow/Black Fuel Tank Stripe.
'''1975 Z50A K6'''
*Color: Candy Ruby Red.
*Details: Orange/Yellow/Black Fuel Tank Stripe.
'''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.
==USA 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 ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.honda.com/ Official Honda Site]
*[http://www.honda.com/ Official Honda Site]

Revision as of 17:24, 16 July 2011

Z50A
Honda Z50A-K1
ManufacturerHonda
Production1969-1978 (US)
1969-1973 (Europe & Japan)
PredecessorHonda Z50M
SuccessorHonda Z50J (Europe & Japan)
Honda Z50R (US)
ClassMinibike
Engine49cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Transmission3-speed semi-automatic
Frame typeBackbone

The Honda Z50A was the second generation of Honda's Z50 Series of mini bikes. Though its predecessor, the Z50M, was available in Europe and Japan a few years previous, in 1969 the Z50A-KO "Hard Tail", sometimes referred to as the "High Bar" or the "Slantguard", 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 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 Z50R. In Europe and Japan, the Z50A was renamed the Z50J in 1973, and remained on the market until 1999. The Z50JP is still available in Japan and through exporters in the United Kingdom.

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