The idea for a new 50cc (3.1 cu in) motorcycle was conceived in 1956, when Honda Motor’s Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa toured Germany and witnessed the popularity of mopeds and lightweight motorcycles.
Fujisawa said the designs had “no future” and would not sell well. His concept was a two wheeler for everyman, one that would appeal to both developed and developing countries, urban and rural. The new motorcycle needed to be technologically simple to survive in places without up to date know how and access to advanced tools or reliable spare parts supplies. The common consumer complaints of noise, poor reliability, especially in the electrics, and general difficulty of use were addressed. It quickly earned a reputation for high reliability.
This bike was part of a package deal with a 1959 Datsun pick-up that we purchased. The bike was displayed in the back of the truck. Being a former new car Honda dealer, Mike likes the products.
-On loan from The Mike Malamut personal collection