Honda Classic 2 Strokes: Honda MT50

The Honda MT5 or MT50 was the sister machine to the MB5 but with revised off road styling but still shared many of the MB's features like the air cooled single cylinder engine with the ballancer shaft in a visually similar steel back bone frame but with longer travel suspension, wire wheels and knobbly tyres the MT5 looked ready for the dirt. Like all Honda's it was heavily restricted and was rather unfairly criticised for being slow against the competition of the time, but keep in mid the legal limit was just 30mph! European models fared better and were much faster, there was also a pedal version (like the MB5) sold for the Dutch market.

Originally introduced in 1979 and was initially replaced in 1982 with the MTX50 the MT was re-introduced in 1985 and ran all the way to the model year 1996 for some of the Scandinavian countries.

Because of the length of production and popularity of the model spare parts are plentiful making it a prime model for restoration.

What Honda said:

"With Honda's MT50S Sports Moped, 16 year old's can enjoy all the performance that comes from Honda's experience from thier race winning Motocross world team.
Looking just like a smaller version of the World Champion Dave Thorpe's bike, Honda MT50S is a true motocross styled machine, yet it's entirely street legal for 16 year old's.
The MT50S has a 49cc air-cooled 2-stroke engine that is fitted with a balancer to help minimise vibration levels. Maintenance is kept remarkably simple thanks to the ultra reliable Capacitor Discharge Ignition. And to eliminate an automatic oil injection system. A close ratio, 5-speed transmission means that you can always be in the right gear at the right time.
To keep you ahead round the corners or when the going gets rough, the MT50S has hydraulic front forks with a full 135mm of travel with twin hydraulic dampers on the rear giving 125mm of axle travel. Plenty of safe stopping power is provided by the leading/ trailing drum brakes fitted front and rear.
To complete the exciting specifications of ths motocross styled machine, the MT50S has fitted indicators, twin rear view mirrors, a rectangular headlamp with cowl and some striking new colours and graphics for 1986.
Following in the tracks of Honda's successful motocross bikes, the MT50S also has a competitive price to complement its competitive performance."

Honda MT5 S-G Specifications
Engine – Air cooled, single cylinder, 2-stroke, reed valve induction
Capacity – 49cc
Bore x stroke – 39 x 41.4mm
Compression Ratio – 7.4:1
Carburetion – 13mm Keihin PF05B
Max Power – 2.55bhp @ 6500rpm
Torque – 2ft-lbs @ 6000rpm
Ignition – CDI
Transmission – 5-Speed, wet clutch, chain final drive
Frame – steel spine
Suspension – 27mm forks, twin dampers adjustable for preload
Wheels – 2.50 x 19, 3.00 x 16
Brakes – 110mm single leading shoe front and rear
Wheelbase – 1240mm
Seat Height - 790mm
Weight – 78kgs
Fuel capacity – 6.8ltrs inc 1ltr reserve
Top speed – 30mph

Honda MT50 Timeline

1980 MT50 S-A – Chassis number starting AD01-5000882
MT50F 1980 (A) AUSTRIA
MT50F 1980 (A) EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
MT50FE 1980 (A) EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
MT50FE 1980 (A) SOUTH AFRICA
MT50P 1980 (A) NETHERLANDS (with pedals)
MT50S 1980 (A) BELGIUM
MT50S 1980 (A) BELGIUM
MT50S 1980 (A) ENGLAND
MT50S 1980 (A) GERMANY
MT50S 1981 (B) BELGIUM
MT50S 1981 (B) BELGIUM
MT50S 1982 (C) NORWAY
MT50S 1982 (C) NORWAY
MT50S 1982 (C) SWITZERLAND / TYPE 2
MT50S 1984 (E) AUSTRIA
MT50S 1984 (E) BELGIUM
MT50S 1984 (E) ENGLAND
MT50S 1984 (E) NORWAY
MT50S 1984 (E) NORWAY
MT50S 1984 (E) SWEDEN

1985 MT50 S-F chassis number starting AD01-5109771
MT50S 1985 (F) NETHERLANDS
MT50S 1985 (F) NETHERLANDS

1986 MT50 S-G chassis number starting AD01-5200034
MT50S 1986 (G) ENGLAND
MT50S 1987 (H) BELGIUM

1988 MT50 S-J chassis number starting AD01-5400001

1990 MT50 S-L chassis number starting AD01-5500002
MT50F 1990 (L) EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
MT50S 1990 (L) BELGIUM
MT50S 1990 (L) ENGLAND
MT50S 1990 (L) NETHERLANDS
MT50S 1990 (L) NORWAY
MT50S 1990 (L) SWEDEN
MT50S 1991 (M) SWEDEN
MT50F 1993 (P) GENERAL EXPORT / KPH
MT50S 1993 (P) NORWAY
MT50S 1993 (P) SWEDEN
MT50S 1996 (T) NORWAY
MT50S 1996 (T) SWEDEN