In 1961, at the Tama Tech Park in Japan, a Honda-owned motorsport theme park, one of the attractions included the use of kid-size bikes called the Z100. Due to the way people looked while riding it – with arms and legs stuck out at sharp angles – the name of “Monkey” was quickly given to the bike. Seeing the success of the attraction and the way people enjoyed it, Honda gave a try at launching a street legal version of the bike, and in 1964 released the CZ100 in Japan, with slight modifications compared to the Z100 but keeping the same concept. Then in 1967 that Honda started exporting these bikes to Europe with the Z50M, and then in 1968 in the US with the Z50A.
Surprisingly, the bike was a real commercial success, even in the US. The Z50A (also called the “Mini Trail”) arrived in 1968 with a dual-color tank, white grips, larger wheels and a front suspension (which was previously an option for other markets). The Z50 represented the simplest and most fun parts of riding, being small, practical, light, easy to ride, and very cheap. It came with a semi-automatic transmission that required only shifting without needing to engage the clutch. Using a mono-cylinder 50cc engine that produced 4.5 bhp, the thing is practically unbreakable and really easy to maintain, which added to the easy-to-own and easy-to-ride character of the bike. The bike had a dramatic social effect, bringing families together as the bike was so easy to use that even kids could ride it. Honda even distributed free Monkeys to YMCAs to teach kids how to use them and take care of them in order to help in their education to become responsible adults. In its whole history, more than one million Monkeys have been sold. Today you could put one inside your living room (just ask your wife beforehand…), fold it and put it in the trunk of your car/RV and have fun anywhere, or just teach your kids how an engine works and how to shift on a bike of their size. You can read this very interesting Coolmaterial article about the Monkey to get more infos.
The Monkey presented here is a Z50A from 1969. It is in excellent and original condition with an early serial number. The tires are brand new, but the seller still has the original Bridgestones as well. The bike is claimed to be running like new. The sale will come with the original owner’s manual.
Find this Honda Z50A in Calabasas, California here on Craigslist for $3,500. [Editor’s Note: Or for an extra $400, do you want a brand new 2019 Monkey? Honda’s bringing it back with the 125cc Grom drivetrain!]