Honda c50

...who saw it. 1967, Honda C50. Red / Cream. Runs, red / white, buyer to collect. Southend

Excellent, off we went. Put it in the back of the hire car we had as a replacement for the golf that the wife had just broke!

After an engine rebuilt and the replacing of a few of the genuine parts, my little old globetrotter was ready for the off.

Within the first week, I noticed that I was about £30 better off for ...
...way.

The Honda C50 allows you to choose your own route, either past the big houses or the parks, whichever you prefer. At your own speed as well. I like a 30 - 35mph on the quicker roads and a steady 20 – 25 in residential areas. The brakes are good providing you check for slack once a week. (Same as your old Chopper or Grifter for those who remember)

These bikes are cheap. I spend about £150 p/yr in services and ... more

Having had my first experience of a Bike, whilst on a Caribbean island wearing nothing but shorts and straw hat, on the way to a chicken fight with about a dozen other ‘moto-conchos ‘I suppose I had been spoilt!

Knowing I would never be able to duplicate that feeling, I opted for a little old rusty C50 I found in the small ads. It was the wife who saw it. 1967, Honda C50. Red / Cream. Runs, red / white, buyer to collect. Southend

Excellent, off we went. Put it in the back of the hire car we had as a replacement for the golf that the wife had just broke!

After an engine rebuilt and the replacing of a few of the genuine parts, my little old globetrotter was ready for the off.

Within the first week, I noticed that I was about £30 better off for not taking a Taxi!

I had been at work early every day and home earlier. I had found a few little back streets around where I live, I never knew existed and made about a dozen ‘new friends’ at work (Fellow Bikers)

As a commuter, it could not be easier to ride.. You are in a sitting position, which requires ‘cycle-like’ balance. And as you are sitting up about 12” higher up than the average car driver you have, good all round visibility.

As they are semi-automatic there is no clutch to operate thus removing many peoples first fear of bikes. Mine does a regular 11-mile, South East London Commuter route twice a day. Petrol for the week about £6. This is in rush hour through the centre of Town.

I have taken the bus / train / tube journey on and off which is the cheapest as I am permitted free travel through a works scheme. It takes twice as long as the bike and more often than not a clean shirt is required at work due to the sweat, grime, coffee, fag ash, soot and urine you tend to pick up along the way.

The Honda C50 allows you to choose your own route, either past the big houses or the parks, whichever you prefer. At your own speed as well. I like a 30 - 35mph on the quicker roads and a steady 20 – 25 in residential areas. The brakes are good providing you check for slack once a week. (Same as your old Chopper or Grifter for those who remember)

These bikes are cheap. I spend about £150 p/yr in services and parts and £70 third party fire and theft insurance. Tax-free on the older models as well.

Now that London has the congestion charge, things are even better. Less traffic, quicker journeys with no charge. Ever wondered why small bikes make the biggest number of sales in the transport industry?

Someone did try to steal it once, but that was before the scooter thing really took off. It was bout 7 yrs ago now. In fact, through my occupation I know that they have gone from the one of the most ‘nicked bikes’ and dropped right down the league tables. You can see the nations thieves’ favourite cars and bikes at the crimereduction.gov.uk site.

Luggage can carried several ways. The most popular being the ‘back box’ most bikes have them and the Honda C50 is no different. Panniers are also a good investment for the everyday essentials such as your sandwiches, Flask and book! The brief case goes in the back box and is replaced by helmet / goggles and gloves at the other end. Rolled up wet weather clothing fits in between the essentials.

I have been using a Honda C50 for about 8yrs now. I am 6’3” and 15 ½ stone. Other than wear and tear, bearing in mind the bike is older then myself at 36, we seem to be getting along nicely. For townies like myself and country folk who like to ‘potter’ this is the perfect bike.

You should never have to pay more than £400 for a decent model and should expect about 35yrs from date of registration before having to replace it.

It parks anywhere, beats most cars through town, takes up no space and runs on fresh air.

As I said earlier, I will find it hard to duplicate that first feeling of being free on a bike, but with a move to the Country on the horizon, the prospect of a few lanes on a Sunday morning at a steady 30 to the next village for a paper is certainly a thought to savour!
 

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