1971 Honda Z50A Mini Trail for Sale
A refurbished 1971 Honda Z50A Mini Trail, an original 'Monkey Bike,' is for sale in Florida. The bike features a 49cc engine, a 3-speed semi-automatic transmission, and is offered for off-road use with a bill of sale.
A refurbished 1971 Honda Z50A Mini Trail is now for sale in Oviedo, Florida. The bike is offered for off-road use only and comes with a bill of sale, as reported by the source from Bring a Trailer.
This particular example is an original "Monkey Bike" from the early 1970s. It was refurbished under previous ownership before being acquired by its current owner earlier in 2026. The bike is finished in classic silver with a chrome fuel tank, chrome fenders, and a silver-painted steel backbone frame.
Specifications of the 1971 Model
The bike is powered by an air-cooled 49cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The factory rated this engine at 2 bhp and 2 lb ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 3-speed semi-automatic transmission and chain drive. A kickstarter is used to fire up the engine.
It rides on 8-inch steel wheels fitted with older Cheng Shin tires. Braking is handled by drum brakes at both the front and rear. The bike features an inverted fork with black gaiters, a height-adjustable black vinyl solo seat, and folding handlebars and foot pegs. It also comes with trail lighting and a side stand.
The Evolution of the Mini Trail
Honda initially hesitated to import the Z50A Mini-Trail to the United States in significant volume. The company questioned whether a $200-plus, 49cc minibike could compete with American models priced around $130. Honda ultimately decided to import it, and the bike remained on the American market from 1968 through 1978.
The "Monkey" name has a legendary origin in motorcycle circles. Reportedly, adults riding the tiny bikes were said to resemble monkeys or apes from behind, with their knees up and elbows out. The bike's origins trace back to a fairground ride called the Z100, created for an amusement park in Tokyo in 1961.
The 1967 Honda Z50M was the first Monkey sold in Japan. It featured a folding seat and handlebars for transport, though Honda reportedly had no passenger car with a trunk large enough to fit it until 1969. The Z50A model, introduced to improve ride quality, featured larger 8-inch wheels, a telescopic fork, and a thicker seat compared to its predecessors.
| Model Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 1968 K0 | No lights; not street legal. |
| 1969 K1 | Added headlight and taillight for street legality. |
| 1970/1971 K2 | Known as the "long tail" to collectors. |
| 1972 K3 | Introduced a swingarm and twin rear shocks. |
Japanese-market variants sometimes differed. The 1970 Z50Z model restored a foot-operated rear brake and featured a detachable front end. The two lines converged with the 1974 Z50J, which used a frame based on the American K3. Honda ended 50cc Monkey production in 2017, citing emissions regulations, and launched the Monkey 125 in 2018.
The 1971 model for sale represents the final iteration of the hardtail design, lacking rear suspension. According to the source, the folded dimensions of these bikes were 16 inches wide and 26.5 inches tall. Their dry weight was 108 lbs, which Cycle World magazine noted could be challenging to lift into a vehicle. The bike's muffler also doubled as a US Forest Service-approved spark arrester.
