Yesterday at Emanuel Medical Center I parked next to this old beauty. This Honda 90 really brought back memories. As a teenager I rode around a little on a borrowed Honda 50. In those days the riding gear consisted of t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.
At the time I thought the Honda 50 was pretty big. My dream bike then was a Honda Scrambler 250.
One of the guys I grew up with had a Honda 50 too so we would ride together. His dream bike was a Honda Superhawk 305.
Occasionally we'd have heated but friendly arguments on which bike was faster. One time in the heat of an argument I told him that Scramblers scramble the eggs that Superhawks lay. I don't know why I thought that 250cc's would be faster than 305 but we had fun discussions.
I looked up the 90 on Wikipedia. They were made between 1969 and 1979. This one is in pretty good shape considering it's between 30-40 years old.
I like the aftermarket cup holder too, and that's a clock down below. And the pilot light on top of the headlight told you if the high beam was on. Talk about old school!
When you compare this to the bikes that are around now it makes one wonder what motorcycles will be like in the future.
Posts
What a fun post.
ReplyDeleteThat 90 looks like it's in real nice shape (and is retro-cute besides). What fun it must to scoot around town on it. My co-worker said he rode a 90 as a kid. (I'm beginning to think it was a right of passage that I missed out on.) I like the scrambler you posted as well. I love that style.
Mike:
ReplyDeleteback in the late 60's when Honda had their "you meet the nicest people on a Honda" promotion, we used to go downtown and rent those Honda 90's. They used to be called "step-thrus", auto clutch but gear lever. I don't mind saying that I used to keep the throttle cranked at full blast and just "click" down in every gear. It's no wonder a lot of them were broken
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Great post. It's great to see a 30+ year old bike still being ridden, and in such good shape.
ReplyDeleteI never had a Honda 50 myself but a buddy did and I have a few vivid memories riding it 2-up and crashing... Lucky to have always walked er limped away without serious injury. Thanks for sharing. GAW
Oh what great memories this bought back. My first bike was a Honda C90 (that is what they were called in the UK). It was red and white just like the one I had in this post. I got mine in 1974 and rode it everyday for about a year in all weathers. I was young and thought I was so cooool on this bike. I remember taking the engine apart and replacing the piston rings and taking the baffle out of the exhaust in an attempt to make it go faster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me smile - I have a big grin as I am writing this!!!!
Those were the days... The old lady seems to be in pretty good shape. It's always good to see those vintage bikes in the road. Love the scrambler, too. My first ever riding experience was on a Honda Monkey Z50.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kari. It would be nice to hear the 90. One of the big reasons I liked the Scrambler was it had a distinct sound. It was really cool. Notice the pipes compared to the Superhawk. At Beaverton Honda they have many of these old bikes up high on the wall. Kind of like a museum. :)
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteI noticed the shifter on the 90 was pretty light-weight metal. I didn't even notice it doesn't have a clutch lever. So you were a racer back then. :)
Gordon,
When I couldn't borrow Steve's 50 I rode on the back of Rans' (the buddy across the street). One time after we gassed up he accidently popped the clutch and did a wheelie and I hit the pavement. We had a good laugh. I think he did that by accident...
A few years later I crashed on Steve's 50. It's a long story but basically I locked up the back wheel and low sided it and went into a slide. I got a dose of usual road-rash. That's when my Dad said no more motorcycles.
Gary,
Glad this brought back good memories. It sounds like you really had fun with it. You were cool on it! Those were the days.
Sonja,
A Monkey Z50, now there's an interesting ride! It would be nice to have one of those to run to the store. Actually, do a wheelie all the way to the store. :)
Mike said: "I got a dose of usual road-rash. That's when my Dad said no more motorcycles."
ReplyDeleteI see you still follow his advice
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
I did what Dad said until about two years ago. If he were alive today I'd like to take him for a ride... I think he'd enjoy it. Besides, I try not to make those carefree teenage mistakes these days. :)
ReplyDeleteMike:
ReplyDeleteI have always been the Rebel. oops, should have saved this for my 10 honest things, Re: Honest Scrap Award.
sorry, you'll have to wait . . .
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin