Honda ZB50
Encyclopedia
The ZB50 is a small 50 cc motorcycle
produced by Honda
belonging to its Z Series
family of mini bikes. The ZB50 is very similar to the Monkey-R and Monkey-RT which were marketed only in Japan in 1987 and 1988.
The ZB50 was available in 1988 in the United States, Canada and western Europe. Only 3058 were produced for the US market as the bike proved too expensive to mass produce. The ZB50 was offered as a street & trail alternative to the Z50R
, which was geared more towards dirt track riders. The ZB50 is characterized by a perimeter twin spar frame, giving it the appearance of a miniature sportbike.
The electrical system is 12 volt and the ignition is a solid state electronic CDI.[1]
The carburetor has stock settings of 1-3/4 turns out for the air screw, the jet needle is set at the 3rd groove from the top, the float level is 18 mm, and it has a #75 main jet.[1]
The transmission is 3-speed constant mesh, with a 3-up shift pattern, it uses a wet multi-plate centrifugal clutch, with the following gear ratios: 1st 3.272, 2nd 1.823, and 3rd 1.190. It has a primary reduction ratio of: 4.058, and a secondary reduction ratio of 2.6 via the chain drive (15 tooth front sprocket and 39 tooth rear sprocket).[1]
Canadian and U.S. versions differ by the speedometer units, where Canadian speedometers use metric
units, and U.S. speedometers use English
units [1]
The Western-Europe versions differ, accordingly to the country they are meant for with
-headlight
-headlight brackets
-fenders
-tail
-plateholder(Netherlands)
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
produced by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
belonging to its Z Series
Honda Z series
The Honda Z-Series refers to the lineage of mini bikes manufactured by Honda Motorcycles. Though Honda's official model designations are typically Z50A, Z50J, Z50M, Z50R and ZB50, they are more commonly referred to as the "Monkey" or "Gorilla" because of the way people are said to look when riding...
family of mini bikes. The ZB50 is very similar to the Monkey-R and Monkey-RT which were marketed only in Japan in 1987 and 1988.
The ZB50 was available in 1988 in the United States, Canada and western Europe. Only 3058 were produced for the US market as the bike proved too expensive to mass produce. The ZB50 was offered as a street & trail alternative to the Z50R
Honda Z50R
The Honda Z50R refers to a motorcycle produced by Honda Motorcycles belonging to its Z Series family of mini bikes. It began production in 1979 as Honda's answer to the increasing demand for mini dirt bikes to be used on the track, as opposed to their traditional trail bike used more for leisure,...
, which was geared more towards dirt track riders. The ZB50 is characterized by a perimeter twin spar frame, giving it the appearance of a miniature sportbike.
Specifications
| Total length | 1500 mm (59.1 in) |
|---|---|
| Total width | 620 mm (24.4 in) |
| Total height | 910 mm (35.8 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1065 mm (41.9 in) |
| Dry Weight | 71 kg (156.5 lb) |
| Engine type | Air-cooled 4-cycle SOHC single-cylinder |
| Displacement | 49 cc |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Bore x Stroke | 39.0 mm x 41.4 mm |
| Max Power output | 2.6 PS |
| Max Torque | 4.7 N·m (3.5 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm |
| Max speed | 50 km/h (31.1 mph) |
| Carburetor type | Keihin PB 12, 13 mm piston-valve carburetor, with a butterfly style manual choke |
| Lubrication | Forced and wet sump |
| Fuel tank capacity | 7 l (1.8 US gal) |
| Reserve capacity | 1 l (0.264172037284185 US gal) |
| Load Capacity | 74 kg (163.1 lb) |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate, operated both by centrifugal action and by gear-lever. |
| Transmission type | 3-speed |
| Gear ratios | 1st: 3.272, 2nd: 1.823, 3rd: 1.190 |
| Reduction gear ratio | Primary: 4.058, Secondary: 2.600 |
| Starter | Kick |
| Ignition | Capacitor Discharge Ignition Capacitor discharge ignition Capacitor discharge ignition or thyristor ignition is a type of automotive electronic ignition system which is widely used in outboard motors, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, small engines, turbine-powered aircraft, and some cars... (CDI Magneto) system |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm |
| Tire sizes (F/R) | 3.50-10 2PR / 3.50-10 2PR |
| Front Brake | Drum, cable operated |
| Rear Brake | Drum, rod operated |
| Frame type | Twin spar perimeter |
Model information
The ZB50 is a street legal motorcycle, powered by a 4-stroke 49 cc overhead cam engine. Unlike the Z50R the ZB50 engine features a roller bearing camshaft, an automatic cam chain tensioner, and a 10:1 compression ratio, NGK CR6HS spark plug.[1]The electrical system is 12 volt and the ignition is a solid state electronic CDI.[1]
The carburetor has stock settings of 1-3/4 turns out for the air screw, the jet needle is set at the 3rd groove from the top, the float level is 18 mm, and it has a #75 main jet.[1]
The transmission is 3-speed constant mesh, with a 3-up shift pattern, it uses a wet multi-plate centrifugal clutch, with the following gear ratios: 1st 3.272, 2nd 1.823, and 3rd 1.190. It has a primary reduction ratio of: 4.058, and a secondary reduction ratio of 2.6 via the chain drive (15 tooth front sprocket and 39 tooth rear sprocket).[1]
Canadian and U.S. versions differ by the speedometer units, where Canadian speedometers use metric
Metric system
The metric system is an international decimalised system of measurement. France was first to adopt a metric system, in 1799, and a metric system is now the official system of measurement, used in almost every country in the world...
units, and U.S. speedometers use English
United States customary units
United States customary units are a system of measurements commonly used in the United States. Many U.S. units are virtually identical to their imperial counterparts, but the U.S. customary system developed from English units used in the British Empire before the system of imperial units was...
units [1]
The Western-Europe versions differ, accordingly to the country they are meant for with
-headlight
-headlight brackets
-fenders
-tail
-plateholder(Netherlands)