Honda 1986 Z50R Christmas Special 50cc 1cyl OHC 3411

Honda 1986 Z50R “Christmas Special” 49.9 cc OHC four stroke single frame # JH2AB0204GS706678 engine # AB02E-5706763

The Honda Z50R Christmas Special is one of the most desirable of the famous little Honda monkey bikes ever made. It was produced in very limited numbers, just two were sent to each dealer, and only high-performing dealers qualified to receive them. The Christmas Special can be identified instantly thanks to the ample use of chrome – the frame, fuel tank, fenders, exhaust heat cover, fork tubes, and handlebars are all chromed. The model also has a red seat and red handlebar grips, with an eye-catching tri-colour Honda wing logo on the fuel tank.
The basic specification sheet for the bike is the same as it was for all the other Z50 Hondas, they are powered by 49cc single cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engines with a foot operated three-speed semi-automatic transmission. Front and rear drum brakes are fitted and the bikes have front and rear suspension, with twin shock absorbers in the rear and traditional forks up front.
The high fenders, high-exit exhaust, and braced handlebars were all chosen to give the bike similar styling to the full-size scramblers and much like the full-size bikes many Z50s spent most of their time on the dirt. Interestingly the entire concept of the monkey bike started out largely by accident. Honda engineers designed a very simple minibike for use by children at a Japanese theme park. The wild popularity of these motorcycles took Honda by surprise and so they developed a consumer version which would be released in the 1960s.
Despite their popularity with kids many of these bikes were ridden by adults who loved the low speed thrills. This was how the bike got the “monkey bike” moniker – as when adults ride them their knees are up high and their elbows are up, making them look like a monkey from behind. (adapted from: https://silodrome.com/honda-z50r-christmas-special/)

The little machine we present is practically brand-new with only 2 km on the odometer.