It's not a big motorcycle...

KaJuN · October 17th, 2009, 9:37 AM

...just a groovy little motorbike. What we have here is quite possibly the least scary bike in the world as well as what could be Finalgear's smallest vehicle.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6865/072s.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3966/074qm.jpg

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4590/077v.jpg

I saw this little beauty for sale on base and I had to have it. It's a late '60s-early '70s (I don't know for sure because Japan doesn't keep track of years for bikes with engines so small) Honda Benly CL50. That's right, 50cc's worth of raw power. Despite being 40 years old it was restored a few years ago so all the electrics and some mechanical bits are fairly new. It is sooooo much fun to ride and I get compliments and looks everywhere I go with it.

Despite the small engine it will get to 60kph...eventually. Above that I have no idea how fast I'm going because that's where the speedo stops. I've had it pegged a few times. images/smilies/cool.gif

Another thing I like about it is that it's as maneuverable as a bicycle because it basically is one. And because it's over 25 years old it should be much easier to bring back to the US with me which I plan on doing. Plus it only has a kickstart to I get to look even cooler every time I hop on it.

bone · October 17th, 2009, 10:26 AM

nice!!!! 60/70 bikes (unregarded of the cc) are awesome!
and looks like to be in mint condition too!

shad_68 · October 17th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Needs more engine, it looks like somebody has taken it out with all that empty space under the tank! images/smilies/lol.gif

That said, I love the scrambler style exhaust, and the condition appears to be superb! images/smilies/cool.gif

nsx_23 · October 17th, 2009, 1:19 PM

WANT!

I want something like that as my first bike to get used to riding.

Heathrow · October 17th, 2009, 2:48 PM

You’ve got yourself a nice classic there, look after the old girl.

images/smilies/thumbup.gif

Parts available in the USA?

Dr_Grip · October 17th, 2009, 3:07 PM

Nice thingy... as you're allowed to drive 50cc Cycles/Scooters two years earlier than cars over here, they are a hit with adolescents... especially those from eastern germany, cause while west german-made cycles have to be limited to 50km/h, the commies allowed the kids to go 60 (the only freedom available to them), so commie-made bikes are legally 10 km/h faster images/smilies/wink.gif

http://www.das-motorrad-blog.de/wp-content/uploads/2006/02/SimsonS50.jpg

KaJuN · October 17th, 2009, 4:16 PM

Thanks for the compliments everyone! It's not in bad shape for its age but there are a few rough spots here and there, mostly on chrome pieces. If I do get it back to the states it should be a very easy cosmetic restoration to get it looking brand new again. As far as I can tell it has the same engine as the Honda Cub so parts should be fairly easy to come by.

The one thing the bike does need is new mirrors, partly because they're rusted like crazy but mostly because all I can see out of them are either my elbows or the sky.

Mr. Nice · October 17th, 2009, 4:35 PM

http://www.slate.com/id/2227844/?GT1=38001

Just found it interesting that I stumbled across this article minutes before finding this thread.

captain_70s · October 17th, 2009, 7:25 PM

Awesome, can't go wrong with an old Honda. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

I sort of want a motorcycle (classic Honda CG-125) but my all year commute would render it useless as soon as the roads are icey, and the test costs something like £150.

I may well get one in the future though if my commute gets shorter.

BlaRo · October 18th, 2009, 7:18 PM

Another vintage Honda ~~sucker~~ owner! images/smilies/cheers.gif

RMurray8874 · October 18th, 2009, 8:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Another vintage Honda ~~sucker~~ owner! images/smilies/cheers.gif

It be spreadin' like the swine-flu.

katwalk · October 18th, 2009, 8:45 PM

I like give to kat

Spectre · October 18th, 2009, 8:47 PM

If you can get me the chassis number, I can tell you what year it was made in.

KaJuN · October 18th, 2009, 9:45 PM

^ That'd be great! CD50-4000782

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Another vintage Honda ~~sucker~~ owner! images/smilies/cheers.gif

The difference is mine's in one piece. images/smilies/tongue.gif

Maybe if I get it back to the states I'll tear it apart and getting looking brand new.

Spectre · October 18th, 2009, 9:48 PM

I'll check into that later this week when my friend brings back my Honda ID book.

KaJuN · October 19th, 2009, 9:00 AM

I appreciate it. It'll be nice knowing a year instead of having to explain the weird Japanese system every time I talk about the bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by katwalk

I like give to kat

Fact: old motorcycles look twice as good with a lovely lady on the back. images/smilies/wicked.gif

Breznikov · November 1st, 2009, 5:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaJuN

as well as what could be Finalgear's smallest vehicle.

I'll have to disappoint you then. This was my daily drive until about two years ago. Still have it and will drive it occasionally again when I've fixed it images/smilies/tongue.gif

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Breznikov/DSCF5483.jpg

Anyway, yours looks awesome. I really love those! images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Spectre · November 4th, 2009, 4:48 AM

Unfortunately, my reference book doesn't show it specifically (it's US models only, turns out) but looking at the related CL70, the latest it could be is 1969. That tank style went away after 69. However, the serial number gives us a clue.

The Benly CL50 was produced between 1967 and 1971. Honda's numbering system at the time started with the model number (CL50) followed by K then a number to indicate what revision or year the bike was. For example, a 1969-mid 1970 Honda CB750 is the CB750K0, a late 1970-1971 is a K1, a 72 is a K2, a 73 is a K3 and so forth. Generally speaking, Honda's frame numbers of the time started with MMMM-NNNNNNN where M is the model number and the N is the serial number. The serial number of the K0's started with a 1, the K1's started with a 2, and so forth (there are some notable exceptions, but this is the general rule).

Therefore, your frame number, CD50-4000782, tells us that your Benly is a K3 and was most likely built in 1970. However, it's possible that the numbering system is off (the CB450 of the same era skipped the 2XXXXX series entirely for some reason, for example); especially because the tank and instrument cluster seem to be from a 69 or earlier. So what you have is a '69 - or a 70 that someone trashed and put back together with 69-and-earlier parts.

KaJuN · November 4th, 2009, 8:43 AM

So my interesting little bike gets even more interesting. Cool! +rep (once I spread it around) and thanks for all the info. images/smilies/smile.gif

Breznikov: That's a cool little bike! I've seen a few of those little Hondas around the island but none that looked quite like that one.

Blayde · November 4th, 2009, 8:49 AM

nearly 40 years old it still looks mint, it's Oliver all over again :O

I'd have one, we could be Hell's Classic Angel's :O

October 17th, 2009, 9:37 AM	#1
KaJuN Disco Inferno Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: 5:00 PM Location: American in Okinawa Age: 23 Posts: 5,066 Car: Suzuki Swift, Honda Benly CL50 Rep Power: 176	It's not a big motorcycle... ...just a groovy little motorbike. What we have here is quite possibly the least scary bike in the world as well as what could be Finalgear's smallest vehicle. I saw this little beauty for sale on base and I had to have it. It's a late '60s-early '70s (I don't know for sure because Japan doesn't keep track of years for bikes with engines so small) Honda Benly CL50. That's right, 50cc's worth of raw power. Despite being 40 years old it was restored a few years ago so all the electrics and some mechanical bits are fairly new. It is sooooo much fun to ride and I get compliments and looks everywhere I go with it. Despite the small engine it will get to 60kph...eventually. Above that I have no idea how fast I'm going because that's where the speedo stops. I've had it pegged a few times. Another thing I like about it is that it's as maneuverable as a bicycle because it basically is one. And because it's over 25 years old it should be much easier to bring back to the US with me which I plan on doing. Plus it only has a kickstart to I get to look even cooler every time I hop on it. __________________ ...and Michigan still sucks. D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ This post was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. My Flickr

October 17th, 2009, 10:32 AM	#3
shad_68 Joined: Nov 23rd, 2008 Last Online: 6:15 PM Location: Dortmund, GER Age: 20 Posts: 1,219 Car: '08 Yamaha YBR125, '97 BMW F650 Rep Power: 123	Needs more engine, it looks like somebody has taken it out with all that empty space under the tank! That said, I love the scrambler style exhaust, and the condition appears to be superb! __________________

October 17th, 2009, 1:19 PM	#4
nsx_23 Joined: May 9th, 2009 Last Online: 1:36 PM Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,352 Car: 03 Toyota Echo 3DR Rep Power: 39	WANT! I want something like that as my first bike to get used to riding. __________________ "If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." -Ferdinand Porsche "If it can't be fixed with a hammer, then its an electrical problem" - FSAE Forums "Be quick, be quiet, and be on time." - Clarence "Kelly" Johnson 03 Toyota Echo (Yaris) 3dr hatch - 5-speed and 1.3L of fury!!!

October 17th, 2009, 2:48 PM	#5
Heathrow Joined: Aug 2nd, 2008 Last Online: 6:35 PM Location: London, UK Posts: 773 Car: 1995 BMW 325i SE Rep Power: 29	You’ve got yourself a nice classic there, look after the old girl. Parts available in the USA?

October 17th, 2009, 3:07 PM	#6
Dr_Grip Joined: Jul 8th, 2008 Last Online: 4:32 PM Location: Germany Posts: 1,461 Car: 1979 Opel Kadett (Oliver's Son) Rep Power: 70	Nice thingy... as you're allowed to drive 50cc Cycles/Scooters two years earlier than cars over here, they are a hit with adolescents... especially those from eastern germany, cause while west german-made cycles have to be limited to 50km/h, the commies allowed the kids to go 60 (the only freedom available to them), so commie-made bikes are legally 10 km/h faster __________________ I got a Rolls-Royce 'Cause it's good for my voice (Mark Bolan/T-Rex)

October 17th, 2009, 10:26 AM	#2
bone "bangle for president" Joined: Jan 14th, 2004 Last Online: 10:01 AM Location: belgium!! Age: 25 Posts: 6,506 Car: yamaha banshee (and an opel astra from work) Rep Power: 40	nice!!!! 60/70 bikes (unregarded of the cc) are awesome! and looks like to be in mint condition too!

October 17th, 2009, 4:16 PM	#7
KaJuN Disco Inferno Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: 5:00 PM Location: American in Okinawa Age: 23 Posts: 5,066 Car: Suzuki Swift, Honda Benly CL50 Rep Power: 176	Thanks for the compliments everyone! It's not in bad shape for its age but there are a few rough spots here and there, mostly on chrome pieces. If I do get it back to the states it should be a very easy cosmetic restoration to get it looking brand new again. As far as I can tell it has the same engine as the Honda Cub so parts should be fairly easy to come by. The one thing the bike does need is new mirrors, partly because they're rusted like crazy but mostly because all I can see out of them are either my elbows or the sky. __________________ ...and Michigan still sucks. D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ This post was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. My Flickr

October 17th, 2009, 4:35 PM	#8
Mr. Nice Joined: Dec 6th, 2007 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: GA, USA Age: 29 Posts: 779 Car: '08 Mazda MX-5 Miata Rep Power: 28	http://www.slate.com/id/2227844/?GT1=38001 Just found it interesting that I stumbled across this article minutes before finding this thread.

October 17th, 2009, 7:25 PM	#9
captain_70s Joined: Aug 6th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Scotland Age: 17 Posts: 458 Car: Nothing... yet Rep Power: 25	Awesome, can't go wrong with an old Honda. I sort of want a motorcycle (classic Honda CG-125) but my all year commute would render it useless as soon as the roads are icey, and the test costs something like £150. I may well get one in the future though if my commute gets shorter. __________________

October 18th, 2009, 7:18 PM	#10
BlaRo Lady GaGa's #1 Fan Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: 6:52 AM Location: Assachusetts Age: 21 Posts: 11,256 Car: 1997 Yamaha Seca II, 1976 Honda CB550F Rep Power: 371	Another vintage Honda ~~sucker~~ owner! __________________ "It is impossible to describe this kind of performance to the uninitiated. Telling a traffic officer or a safety crusader like Ralph Nader that 100 mph can be safe is like reading the Constitution to a Maoist; it is a strange and hostile concept." -Brock Yates. The body was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. Because of Parkinson's.

October 18th, 2009, 8:45 PM	#12
katwalk Not A Dude Joined: Apr 1st, 2008 Last Online: 6:14 PM Location: Massastupid Age: 20 Posts: 3,773 Car: 2003 volkswagen beetle Cabriolet Rep Power: 166	I like give to kat __________________ Warning: user may make lewd comments about your penis. Please excuse the estrogen overdose and have a bear.

October 18th, 2009, 8:47 PM	#13
Spectre Joined: Feb 1st, 2007 Last Online: 7:06 PM Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 32 Posts: 8,346 Car: 87 XJ6, 95 XJR, 90 WD21, 86 CB700SC, 98 PC800 Rep Power: 191	If you can get me the chassis number, I can tell you what year it was made in. __________________ Enough is enough. We are not here to subsidize your clueless business plans or reward your failures. 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700S (project, light restoration in progress) 1987 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Vanden Plas (modified) 1990 Nissan (WD21) Pathfinder SE 4x4 (little red offroad commuter box) 1995 Jaguar (X300) XJR 1998 Honda Pacific Coast PC800 (two-wheeled pickup truck/utility bike)

October 18th, 2009, 9:48 PM	#15
Spectre Joined: Feb 1st, 2007 Last Online: 7:06 PM Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 32 Posts: 8,346 Car: 87 XJ6, 95 XJR, 90 WD21, 86 CB700SC, 98 PC800 Rep Power: 191	I'll check into that later this week when my friend brings back my Honda ID book. __________________ Enough is enough. We are not here to subsidize your clueless business plans or reward your failures. 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700S (project, light restoration in progress) 1987 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Vanden Plas (modified) 1990 Nissan (WD21) Pathfinder SE 4x4 (little red offroad commuter box) 1995 Jaguar (X300) XJR 1998 Honda Pacific Coast PC800 (two-wheeled pickup truck/utility bike)

November 4th, 2009, 4:48 AM	#18
Spectre Joined: Feb 1st, 2007 Last Online: 7:06 PM Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 32 Posts: 8,346 Car: 87 XJ6, 95 XJR, 90 WD21, 86 CB700SC, 98 PC800 Rep Power: 191	Unfortunately, my reference book doesn't show it specifically (it's US models only, turns out) but looking at the related CL70, the latest it could be is 1969. That tank style went away after 69. However, the serial number gives us a clue. The Benly CL50 was produced between 1967 and 1971. Honda's numbering system at the time started with the model number (CL50) followed by K then a number to indicate what revision or year the bike was. For example, a 1969-mid 1970 Honda CB750 is the CB750K0, a late 1970-1971 is a K1, a 72 is a K2, a 73 is a K3 and so forth. Generally speaking, Honda's frame numbers of the time started with MMMM-NNNNNNN where M is the model number and the N is the serial number. The serial number of the K0's started with a 1, the K1's started with a 2, and so forth (there are some notable exceptions, but this is the general rule). Therefore, your frame number, CD50-4000782, tells us that your Benly is a K3 and was most likely built in 1970. However, it's possible that the numbering system is off (the CB450 of the same era skipped the 2XXXXX series entirely for some reason, for example); especially because the tank and instrument cluster seem to be from a 69 or earlier. So what you have is a '69 - or a 70 that someone trashed and put back together with 69-and-earlier parts. __________________ Enough is enough. We are not here to subsidize your clueless business plans or reward your failures. 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700S (project, light restoration in progress) 1987 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Vanden Plas (modified) 1990 Nissan (WD21) Pathfinder SE 4x4 (little red offroad commuter box) 1995 Jaguar (X300) XJR 1998 Honda Pacific Coast PC800 (two-wheeled pickup truck/utility bike) Last edited by Spectre; November 4th, 2009 at 9:33 AM.

November 4th, 2009, 8:43 AM	#19
KaJuN Disco Inferno Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: 5:00 PM Location: American in Okinawa Age: 23 Posts: 5,066 Car: Suzuki Swift, Honda Benly CL50 Rep Power: 176	So my interesting little bike gets even more interesting. Cool! +rep (once I spread it around) and thanks for all the info. Breznikov: That's a cool little bike! I've seen a few of those little Hondas around the island but none that looked quite like that one. __________________ ...and Michigan still sucks. D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ This post was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. My Flickr Last edited by KaJuN; November 4th, 2009 at 8:46 AM.

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November 4th, 2009, 8:49 AM	#20
Blayde Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Bahrain Posts: 2,376 Car: '02 Nissan X-Trail, '06 Honda Civic EXi Rep Power: 85	nearly 40 years old it still looks mint, it's Oliver all over again :O I'd have one, we could be Hell's Classic Angel's :O __________________ Crayon'd in MS Paint Some say he migrated when fuel hit 4 pounds per gallon and that he can make 'special price' for you. All we know is, he's the Stig's Arab cousin; Al-Stig!

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