Honda ST50

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The Honda Z50 was launched in March 1964 as a machine for children to use in Japanese amusement parks. They soon became known as a ‘monkey bikes' because its diminutive frame-size meant that adult riders had to adopt an ‘ape-like’ riding position.

Fitted with a beautifully designed 50cc OHC engine and 3-speed transmission, it became such a popular general purpose form of transport thanks to its light weight and convenient size that Honda decided to offer the bike to a wider audience, eventually introducing it to European customers in 1967. The ST50 derivative arrived in 1969 with a pressed steel ‘T-bone’ frame that was both simpler and cheaper to produce.

This handy ST50 dates from 1970 and according to the V5C has had four owners from new. In running condition, it was last taxed and on the road in 1999 and at some point appears to have been fitted with a larger 89cc engine from a C90 which gives a marked improvement in performance.

These fun minibikes are now being copied in China, the original Honda patents having now expired although there is nothing like the real deal, the original Honda being superior in every way. Just the job for cruising the pit-lane or strapping to the back of the camper, genuine monkey bikes are becoming increasingly collectable and hard to source. PLEASE NOTE: The estimate on this lot has been altered. PLEASE NOTE: Revised estimate