Written off as an overpriced toy by many, the re-envisioned Honda Dream 50 was more an exercise in technical engineering and nostalgia than a sales and marketing ploy. Here was a bike that recreated a throwback from 1962, a fresh interpretation of the RC110 – Honda’s first 50cc Grand Prix racer. Exclusively offered in Japan over a two year span as a street bike and followed by an official (and very limited) import to the US as the CB50R competition only offering. That makes today’s 1997 CB50V street bike a legit rare example of a very limited edition model.
1997 Honda CB50V Dream for sale on eBay
If you ignore the itty-bitty bore, the rest of the Honda CB50 package is quite impressive and up to the specs of much larger machinery. A double overhead cam single cylinder revs to a 13,500 redline – albeit only about 6 magic ponies are set forth. Disk brakes front and rear ensure stopping duties, and the retro-nostalgia element is taken on by the round headlamp, wire wheels, long, flat tank, and abbreviated tail section with twin shocks. The reimagined Honda Dream was an exquisite bit of kit when released, and is still impressive today.
From the seller:
1997 Honda CB50V the original CB50R that was launched in the Japan, only to be remade again in 2004 as a race only bike in the USA. It currently has 1100 miles on board and it is street licensed in california as a 1977 due to the short vin number that coincided with that year.I’ve had this little bike for a number of years and its time to pass it on to a new collector. The bike runs great and can get me at 185lbs up to 60mph. It has a few cool upgrades such as Takegawa aluminum swingarm, vintage redwing shocks and HRC rear fender. It also has a nice oil cooler kit.
These bikes rarely come up for sale and if they do they tend to be missing lots of parts.
This bike will include the oem swingarm rear fender and shocks, along with a complete oem tank decal set. Oem handlebars and red front engine mounts included as well.
The elephant in the room here is clearly the usefulness of a high-end tiddler. While sprouting lights, instruments and horn technically make this a street bike, it is obviously not a great commuter here in the US. It is not freeway legal, and the top end is lower than many highways and faster roads. This is riding in its purest sense, but I would guess one would need to be selective in terms of routes. Still, the fun quotient is undeniable. A really expensive toy, a collector piece, a man cave exhibit, and teaching tool on the art of momentum – the Honda CB50V can really be all things to all people. This California plated bike (see seller’s text on how he managed that in such a restrictive state) is looking for a new place to call home with the opening bid set at $8,500. Check out all the details here, and Good Luck!!
