Honda PC50

Last updated
Honda PC50
Honda PC50 002 (2).jpg
1977 Honda PC50 (With aftermarket back/top box)
Manufacturer Honda Motor Company
Production1969–1983
Predecessor P50
SuccessorPF50
Class Moped
Engine 49 cc (3.0 cu in), air-cooled, four-stroke, single
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Top speed50 km/h (31 mph)
Power 1.8 hp (1.3 kW) @ 5,700 rpm [1]
Torque 0.29 kg-m @ 3,500 rpm [1]
Ignition type coil
Transmission Fixed single gear by chain and sprockets and automatic clutch
Suspension Front: leading link fork,
Rear: swingarm with hydraulic dampers
Brakes Drum: front and rear
Tires 2.00-19
DimensionsL: 1.755 m (69.1 in)
W: .6 m (24 in)
H: 1.03 m (41 in)
Seat height.78 m (31 in)
Weight50 kg (110 lb) (dry)
Fuel capacity3 L (0.66 imp gal; 0.79 US gal)
Fuel consumption90 km/L (250 mpgimp; 210 mpgUS) @ 25 km/h (16 mph)[ citation needed ]
Turning radius1.3 m (51 in)

The Honda PC50 is a moped produced by the Honda Motor Company in Japan from May 1969 until at least 1983. The PC50, though much smaller and lighter, had some similar features to Honda's popular C50 /70 /90 Super Cub line, with a step-through pressed-steel frame, a fuel tank under the saddle, a chain cover, and optionally equipped with leg shields,

Contents

Construction

Engine

A distinctive feature of the PC50 is the use of a four-stroke engine, at a time almost all pedal-equipped mopeds used two-stroke engines. Honda's early development of 50 cc four-stroke engines was a result of Soichiro Honda's dislike of the sharp noise of two-stroke engines. [2]

The PC50 used two different engines during its production. The first models featured an overhead camshaft (OHC) engine derived from the Honda P50 moped which used an engine in wheel arrangement. The OHC engine was used from start of PC50 production until April 1970 when the OHC engine gave way to the OHV (pushrod) engine in the same cycle frame. The new model was re-designated PC50K1. [3]

Simplicity is an important feature of the PC50 with an automatic clutch driving a fixed ratio, splash lubrication to the engine parts except for the use of a small pump to the parallel valves. The sump has an oil capacity of 0.8 - 0.9 litre for the OHC model and 0.75 litre for the OHV. The engine has an 8.5:1 compression ratio, coil ignition with no advance-retard mechanism, and fixed timing position. The engine output is rated as 1.8 bhp @ 5,700rpm, [1] and carburetion served by a 14mm Keihin with a direct shutter choke operated on a simple side lever. The early OHC models had a generator which developed a total 6V x 15W output, which was uprated to 23W with the introduction of the OHV engine in 1970. [1]

Moped drive

The Honda PC50 has no footrests or kick-start, it is a proper moped with a fully effective cycling capability engaged by the operation of a lever on the right hand crankcase. When the lever is engaged in drive ‘on’ mode, the drive is taken through a simple single gear and automatic clutch.

Chassis

The moped chassis is constructed from two pressed-steel halves welded together down the centre-line, with pressed steel leading link fork front, and swingarm rear suspension with telescopic dampers. The under seat 3-litre petrol tank is single sided on the left of the machine. A plastic toolbox takes the position of a dummy fuel tank on the right hand side. Behind the single seat is a useful pressed steel carrier rack.

Variants

There were variants of the PC50 which were not available to the UK market including a standard model with telescopic front forks and the sports-like PS50. This was introduced as a sports variant of the OHC machine. The PS50 had a 3-speed gearbox with handlebar twist-grip selection, a manual clutch, a motor cycle style petrol tank, a dual seat and telescopic forks. Overhead valve (OHV) versions were also listed for the PS50. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velocette</span> English motorcycle manufacturer, 1904–1971

Velocette is a line of motorcycles made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green, Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling almost as many hand-built motorcycles during its lifetime, as the mass-produced machines of the giant BSA and Norton concerns. Renowned for the quality of its products, the company was "always in the picture" in international motorcycle racing from the mid-1920s until the 1950s, culminating in two World Championship titles and its legendary and still-unbeaten 24 hours at over 100 mph (161 km/h) record. Veloce, while small, was a great technical innovator and many of its patented designs are commonplace on motorcycles today, including the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. The business suffered a gradual commercial decline during the late 1960s, eventually closing in February 1971.

The Honda XR series is a range of four-stroke off-road motorcycles that were designed in Japan but assembled all over the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overhead camshaft engine</span> Valvetrain configuration

An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a type of piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion chamber in the engine block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Super Cub</span> Light motorcycle

The Honda Super Cub or Honda Cub is a Honda underbone motorcycle with a four-stroke single-cylinder engine ranging in displacement from 49 to 124 cc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda CG125</span> Honda motorcycle

The Honda CG125 or Honda CG is a commuter motorcycle made by Honda of Japan. It was in production from 1976 to 2008 in Japan and has been in production since 1992 in Pakistan. The CG was originally manufactured in Japan, but the source for the European market was eventually moved to Brazil in 1985, and to Pakistan and Turkey in 1992 for the W and M models. The CG125 is powered by a 124 cc (7.6 cu in) four-stroke, overhead valve, single-cylinder engine that has changed little over the years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillips Panda</span>

The Phillips Panda was one of a number of mopeds produced by the Phillips Cycles company of England in the 1950s and early 1960s. The factory also produced the slightly more expensive Phillips Gadabout models.

The Honda CT series was a group of Honda trail bike motorcycles made since 1964. The CT designation is a slight exception in Honda nomenclature in that "CT" does not indicate a series of mechanically related bikes, but rather a group of different bikes that are all for casual off-road use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamaha DT200</span>

The Yamaha DT200 is a dual-purpose motorcycle manufactured during the 1980s, 1990s, and continues into the 2000s (decade) by the Yamaha Motor Company. Though never imported into the US, the rest of the world, including Canada, received some of these models. The DT200LC began production in 1983bc. It also was very similar to the DT125LC. This model continued production until 1988.Then, in 1989 a totally new model was introduced, DT200R (3ET), as well as a similar DT125R. In Canada, the DT125LC/R was never imported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Capa</span> Motor vehicle

The Honda Capa, short for "capacity", is a tall wagon produced by Honda between 1998 and 2002 for the Japanese market. It was introduced at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show as the concept car "J-MW." It went on sale on April 24, 1998, with Honda series codes GA4 and GA6. On September 16, 1999 a four-wheel drive version of the Capa was released, using Honda's Full-Time 4wd system. Brake Assist was offered as standard equipment. Due to disappointing sales the Capa nameplate was discontinued in 2002. It was available in Japan through the Honda Primo and Honda Verno dealerships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bianchi (motorcycles)</span> Italian motorcycle brand

Bianchi was a brand of Italian motorcycle made from 1897 to 1967 by F.I.V. Edoardo Bianchi S.p.A. The company also produced automobiles from 1900 to 1939, and today is a major Italian bicycle manufacturer. Edoardo Bianchi started his bicycle manufacturing business in a small shop on Milan's Via Nirone in 1885. Bianchi was a prominent name in the motorcycle racing world from 1925 to 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda NSR50</span>

The A-AC10 Honda NSR50 is a motorcycle produced by Honda Motor Company. It was offered in a street legal format in several countries including Japan, France, Spain and more. It was also offered as a off-road use race bike variant in both Japan and the USA. The USA received it as a one year only 2004 model designated as an NSR50R. In Japan it was offered in both 2004 and 2009 as the NSR Mini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton ES2</span> British, single cylinder motorcycle, produced by Norton from the 1930s until the mid-1960s

The Norton ES2 is a Norton motorcycle produced from 1927 until 1964. From 1965, a different machine was produced for a short time by parent manufacturer AMC, based on a Matchless but badged as Norton ES2 Mk2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda SS50</span> Type of motorcycle

The Honda SS50 is a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) motorcycle manufactured by the Honda Motor Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda C92, CB92, C95 Benly</span> Parallel-twin motorcycle

The Honda C92 Benly is a 125 cc (7.6 cu in) parallel-twin motorcycle made by Honda from 1959 through 1965. Running concurrently were the CB92 Sports and the slightly larger C95 150 cc (9.2 cu in), called the CA92 and CA95 in the US. These twins took their styling and design cues from the larger-displacement Honda C71, C76, C72, C77 Dream series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgestone (motorcycle)</span> Brand of motorcycles produced by the Japanese tire manufacturer between 1952 and 1970

Bridgestone motorcycles were a division of the Bridgestone Tire Co. of Kyōbashi, Tokyo, Japan that produced mopeds and motorcycles from 1952 to 1970. Initially producing power assisted bicycles, the division moved on to producing mopeds and then motorcycles. The motorcycles were technologically advanced and powered by two-stroke engines. The high technical specification resulted in the machines being more expensive compared to other manufacturers models. Production was stopped in 1970 to protect the supply of tyres to other manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ducati 350 Mark 3</span> SOHC motorcycle by Ducati

The Ducati 350 Mark 3 is a 340 cc (21 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati from 1968 to 1974. It was one of the first 'wide case' Ducati singles produced. A higher performance version, the Ducati 350 Mark 3D, which used desmodromic valves was also available.

The Ducati 239 Mark 3 is a 239 cc (14.6 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati in limited quantities for the French market in 1974. The French Government has announced that they were to increase VAT on motorcycles of 240 cc and above in 1975. Ducati responded by producing the 239 to take advantage of the lower 20% VAT rate on sub-240 machines. To compensate for the reduced capacity, the engine was tuned to produce more power with a different camshaft, slipper piston, 30 mm carburettor and a different exhaust using a Lafranconi silencer.

The Ducati 450 Mark 3 is a 436 cc (26.6 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati from 1969 to 1974. The 450 was largest displacement version of the OHC single series produced by Ducati and used the 'wide case' engine. A higher performance version, the Ducati 450 Mark 3D, which used desmodromic valves was also available. The 450 was criticised for vibration and lack of performance compared to other models such as the Mach 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ducati 250 Mark 3</span> SOHC motorcycle by Ducati

The Ducati 250 Mark 3 is a 249 cc (15.2 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati from 1967 to 1974. Initially produced using the 'narrow case' engine, the newly introduced 'wide case' engine was used from 1968. A higher performance version, the Ducati 250 Mark 3D, which used desmodromic valves was also available.

The Ducati Diana, known as the Ducati Daytona in the UK, is a 249 cc (15.2 cu in) single cylinder bevel drive SOHC motorcycle produced by the Italian manufacturer Ducati from 1961 to 1964. It was the sports version of Ducati's first 250 cc road bike. It was replaced in 1962 by the higher performance Ducati Diana Mark 3 in the US and by the Ducati Mach 1 in Europe in September 1964.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 M. Bleach (1977). Honda Four stroke Mopeds. Haynes. ISBN   0856963178.
  2. "Four-stroke choice". Honda. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  3. Thorpe, J. The Book of the Honda 50. Pitman.
  4. Pattle, A. "Buzzing August 2003". National Autocycle & Cyclemotor Club.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)