In 1965, my best buddy got a beautiful black Honda S90. We rode thousands of miles together and learned about motorcycle maintenance and ourselves. It was so sleek…
The S90 Honda is powered by a 89.6 cc (5.47 cid) 8 hp four stroke, air cooled, overhead cam single. It had a ‘casette’ transmission that shifted ‘one down, three up’ with neutral between 1st and second. It was a marvel for it’s time.
The frame was pressed steel for weight reduction. Hydraulic suspension fore and aft made the handling great. With near 2 gallons (US) fuel capacity the S90 had a range of 150 miles! It had no pretentions of being a dirt bike with 18 inch wheels, close fitting fenders, and narrow handlebars. It was a cruiser, plain and simple.
This particular S90 is a recent import from Vietnam. It all looks exactly correct to my memory except for the chain guard. The US variant had a simple stamped guard over the top of the chain. Otherwise, it is just as it should be. Right down to the shiny chrome gas cap.
This is a nostalgia piece for me. If you are interested, find this S90 right here on Cycle Trader in Parlin, New Jersey for $2,695. The summer of ‘65 was a great time to be alive.