Retro Rewind

Each week we will be trying to highlight one of the motorcycles in our vintage collection in a segment we call the Retro Rewind. Bob’s vintage collection is a treasure that spans the years and generations. We know that many of these bikes hold memories for each of our customers and we want to hear all about them. Feel free to post stories about how these bikes have effected your life. Each memory is special and we want to know all about them. For us each bike has a story and each story helps all of us to reconnect with those (glory)days gone by.

Our first Retro Rewind is the
1969 Z50 Mini Trail.

It seemed an appropriate first blog since this was the first bike for many of our customers. A mini trail was the first mini bike produced en masse. Before the Z50 all mini bikes had the equivalent of a lawn mower engine. Honda paved the way for new riders and those that just wanted to rip it up with a bike that was small, fun and ran forever. It sold for only $200!!! What a steal!

Z50AK1 Mini Trail 50 was manufactured from 1969-1970. It was released March 1, 1969. It came in three colours candy red, bright yellow and candy blue. It featured Black grips and black plastic levers and a battery was standard equipment in the K1 only. The handle bars also folded down for easy transport.

The engine was a 49cc 3 speed with a semi automatic centrifugal clutch. This means that you just had to shift up and down with your foot and didn't need to use a clutch, making it a perfect first bike.

A mini trail pioneered many things along with being the first truly friendly kid bike (allowing for family motorcycling). It also was street legal with its headlight so one could argue that it was the first dual sport for all ages.

The Specs-

*  108 pounds dry / 115 pounds wet (heavy for such a little bike)

*  Top speed of 25 mph

*  Could reach 5000 rpm

*  Approximately 500,000 were produced

*  Production of the Z50 line ran until 1999

One thing you may not know is that the Mini Trail was first designed to be an amusement park ride. The amazing popularity spurred Honda to refine and release the first version in Europe in 1967.

We have two in our collection candy red and candy blue. The blue was purchased from a customer who came in looking to upgrade. Both bikes have been in Bob's collection for over 10 years. They were lovingly restored and we would LOVE for you to come check them out and share your story.

Did you first grab your life by the throttle on a Mini Trail? What memories does it hold for you? Let us know. Its not just a machine, it’s a love and a lifestyle.

Come see us soon and

Grab Your Life By The Throttle!