1982 Honda C70 Passport Cub

JH2DA0100CS207744

Its not a big motorcycle just a groovy little motorbike. The top selling motorized vehicle of any kind in history. The greatest motorcycle ever built according to Discovery Channels Top Ten Motorcycles of all time. Famous biker Charlie Boorman of Long Way Down fame tossed one off a five story building and it still started and moved. Timeless, bulletproof, indestructible, legendary. You meet the nicest people on a Honda. Debuted in 1958 as the Honda Cub, this fine example I have for sale was made two years prior to the last year the Cub was imported stateside, by then known as the Honda Passport. Soichiro Honda’s vision of transportation for the masses has come full circle, kind of like the Hitler’s Volkswagon. I guess the axis powers second priority was people moving. In the sixties the Beach Boys helped the effort with the song Little Honda and the Hondells furthered the free advertising. Can you picture the Black Eyed Peas having a top ten song today about a Kawasaki Ninja? Times were a bit different. At a time when bikers were regarded as one percenters before the term existed, Honda’s squeaky clean image appealed to suburbanites and the rest is history. Technically the Cub is known as an underbone bike. A real throwback concept, stamped out in mass like a grease gun. It has been affectionately called the half ton pick up truck of Asia and when you see a picture of a Cub with three people a pig and a weeks worth of groceries on it you see why. Today, modern incarnations of the little Cub in Asia include the Honda Dream in Thailand, Honda EX5 in Malaysia, and Honda Wave and Innova. 1984 was the last year for the USA as we jumbo super sized Americans had outgrown the little Cub in every way. It seems when we need to run the market for a loaf of bread a Gold Wing is the tool of choice. We are just a little prone to excess. But in the emerging markets responsible for most of Honda’s current sales the tiny scooter type bikes still dominate, 52 years later. Just look at the bikes Honda chose to exhibit at the Tokyo motorcycle show this year. The new buzzword term is “personal mobility vehicle”. In other words, SCOOTER! A couple years ago when gas prices spiked it seemed our culture finally understood the scooter revolution, but sadly this trend has waned. But make no mistake, it will return, and when it does these little bikes will rule the road once again. First gear, its all right, second gear, hang on tight, third gear, lean right, faster, its all right. This 1982 Monza Red model is the most modern version marketed in the US. It has CDI ignition which makes its reliability surpass even the original models. It has a 12 volt electrical system (beware of the old 6 volt models). It has an optional center stand and of course electric start. Everything on the bike works from the horn to the brake light. It has only 1460 miles on a working odometer. It has brand new tires front and back (you can still see the nubs on them in the pictures). It has a new battery, refurbished seat and the original toolkit! Of all the bikes I have owned and currently own it has one very important distinction. It’s the only bike my wife has asked me NOT to sell (“its so cute!”). Its not a perfect show bike but would certainly do any collector proud. And yes, you get the retro cool key fob and red dice license plate bolts. Current Illinois title in hand. Prefer a local buyer that can confirm the cosmetic and mechanical condition in person but I will help arrange shipping if necessary. Just don’t ask me to stuff it in a padded mailer. I can deliver it within 500 miles for a fee. Email me with any questions or for additional close up pictures (I have 122 pictures, all current, taken 5-22-10, in my driveway). Look at my 100% positive feedback and bid with confidence. As this bike is for sale locally I reserve the right to end the auction early. Put on a ragged sweatshirt I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. 65 million sold. Simply amazing.