The Honda P50 (known as the P25 in some markets) was introduced in June 1966. It was the last motor-wheel
moped
A moped ( ) is a type of small motorcycle, generally having a less stringent licensing requirement than full motorcycles or automobiles. The term used to mean a similar vehicle except with both bicycle pedals and a motorcycle engine. Mopeds typic ...
design by Honda (and probably by any other large manufacturer).
The P50 features a step-through frame made from steel pressings,
leading-link front suspension, plastic fenders and chainguard. The fuel tank is located above the rear fender, and the key distinguishing feature of the design is the engine being located at the extreme lower left rear of the frame, with all of the driveline components housed within the large hub of the rear wheel.
The engine is also
4-stroke
A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either directio ...
— unusual when almost all pedal-equipped mopeds used simpler
2-strokes.
Soichiro Honda
was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. In 1948, he established Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and oversaw its expansion from a wooden shack manufacturing bicycle motors to a multinational automobile and motorcycle manufacturer.
Early years
Honda w ...
disliked the sharp noise of 2-strokes,
and the 4-stroke does not require oil to be mixed with the gasoline at every fill-up.
References
* Infobox specifications from these pages on 2008-02-23:
http://www.honda.co.jp/sou50/Hworld/Hall/2r/67.html
External links
brochure a
P50
Motorcycles introduced in 1966
{{Motorcycle-stub