1965 Honda 50cc Super Cub

[user removed]

RUNS AND DRIVES, less than 24 hours after I bought it! Spent no money. Signal indicators were not required on bikes in Va until 1973. There is no switch or wiring so it came that way. I might get them for covers but I need a battery next and talk with the DMV about it even needing to be titled, might slip past the top speed limitation. My guess is it would depend on what was required at the time, probably nothing, maybe lights, but no signals.

regards
Mech

[renault_megane_dci]

What a find !

Where did you find it ?

How much was it ?

The condition is awesome !

[user removed]

$250, It had the last license plate (Va) 1996 and the registration under the seat. The gent I bought it from got it from the original owner (I think) when they (or their descendants) were hauling it to the dump. There had to be a title since the registration card had the title number printed on it. I'll find out when the DMV opens Monday.

Changed the oil (.6 liter) and used some Rotella 15W40 I had already, left over from a prior oil change on my GS500E, which is off the road.

I'm hoping it does not need to be titled and tagged, that would cost close to what I paid for it!


regards
Mech

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Ironside

Congratulations Old Mechanic, the condition is amazing considering the age. Has it been stored or used, and does it have the original pushrod motor ?.
I notice that the tiny direction indicators are missing, copies are still available in the UK, it would be nice to keep it original.

It's got the original everything except tires.

Speedo not working 6888 miles. Probably garage kept since new.

regards
Mech

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I need a battery

It actually doesn't even need a battery, IIRC not even the most recent JDM versions with PGM-FI required a battery

[Frank Lee]

I've read that the charging system could burn out if operated w/o the battery; it acts as a voltage regulator of sorts. No personal experience to corroborate though.

[user removed]

It needs a battery, with only the magneto it's hard to start unless you run it down my 10% grade driveway in 1st gear then it starts and runs. I think it's like old cars when you pulled the battery cables with it running to check the charging system.

I'll get a battery in it after I find out what it is going to cost to put it on the road.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

LOL, today I'm driving the Ranger to breakfast (wife out of town) and see the local car show starting up at Shorty's, so I run home and pick up the Super Cub and haul it down to the show in the truck.

Quite the story;

Bought it Thursday

Got it running Friday after sitting 20 years

In the Car Show Saturday

Sitting next to a beautiful jacked up 1954 Chevy truck with 4wd and a light blue paint job. An absurd amount of time and money to show off at the show. Most of the people I talked to admitted that the little Honda 50 was the first vehicle they ever drove-rode.

Got some good advice on handling the DMV, just sign the affidavit saying you will not operate it at over 35 MPH and they get no money, no license, taxes or insurance. Don't show them the old registration or tags, or I'm screwed. Act dumber than dirt and save money, don't you love our modern world.

regards
Mech

[renault_megane_dci]

Little thingy never went that fast in all its life :-D

[user removed]

Went to the DMV today they could not get it registered without a title, BUT the DMV motorhome will be there tomorrow and they can fix me up. As long as I don't go more than 35 MPH I don't need to pay for a title and the registration is $22.50. No taxes or insurance required, I think the tag is permanent.

If it and I want to go over 35MPH then it's a motorcycle. I had it up to 35 today after fixing the speedometer-odometer and I don't need to go any faster than that especially on twenty year old tires. It will take some time to get a mileage figure from the bike, since it will only go a few miles from home, maybe 6 or 7 max.

Took the carb off again today and mechanically cleaned both low a high speed jets. I don't know how much better it could run but it's got to be close to original performance.

Road legal tomorrow when I can get it registered. DMV has a special classification for scooters and a special license plate.

It's amazing how well it performs for a 50 year old design. No wonder old man Honda turned this bike into an automotive, engine and bike (+ other numerous vehicles) superpower.

Every gasket on the carb was an oring, not a single part needed replacement. I did order a battery (Yuasa OE) from the dealership Frank, Don't want to burn out the selenium regulator. I can only imagine what kind of gas the US could have saved with a few million of these running around for the last 50 years.

It does still need an air filter and the housing for the filter is missing, found one on ebay.
Also one of the screws on the carb is wrong, slotted pan head when it should be counter sunk phillips. I might get another ignition switch sometime.

In the meantime I'll just shut off the fuel petcock, put the choke on, and that means whoever takes it will have to know how it works very well to realize they have to turn the choke off and turn the fuel on as well as turn the ignition on and kick start it.

regards
Mech