You’re so nice: 1966 Honda C100 Super Cub
If you mentioned that you rode a motorcycle in the late 50’s at a cocktail party, you would soon be staring at your drink all by your lonesome. Due to Marlon Brando, et. al., the motorcycle rider was seen as a leather jacket wearing hoodlum that rumbled with his fellow riders on Friday nights with switchblades. Leave it to a Japanese company and its U.S. advertising agency to make owning and riding a motorcycle acceptable amongst right-thinking people. Find this 1966 Honda Super Cub for sale in Granite Falls, CA for $1,450 via craigslist.
The “You Meet The Nicest People on a Honda” marketing campaign, was, besides genius in changing market perception, a sales success as well. In 1961, prior to the launch of the campaign, American Honda sold 40,000 bikes. By 1970 Honda was selling 500,000 units annually in America. The ad campaign along with the sponsorship of the 1964 Academy Awards where American Honda spent $300,000 on airing the “Nicest People” commercials was the main driver. The product they were selling to the respectable set was the Honda Super Cub. The Cub was a step through motorcycle originally designed to be cheap and easy to manufacture for sale in developing nations. It went on to become the most produced motorcycle and is still in production today. Thru 2014, 87 million have been produced. In the Nicest People campaign it was marketed as a lifestyle consumer product vs. an enthusiast product that would drop oil stains on your drive and throw chain lube on your clothes.
This Super Cub is a C100, it is powered by a 49cc overhead valve air cooled single, producing around 4 hp. It put the power down to the road with an automatic three speed transmission that you could operate wearing wingtips. Note how the chain is enclosed to keep the greasy stuff off you and there’s a fairing to keep the bugs off your dress.
This bike looks to be in a good rider condition and comes with some spares including and original Honda luggage rack with clip on shopping basket. Additionally, it comes with a title and classic WA license plate, so you can ride it to the shops immediately.
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Gianni is Daily Turismo’s Pacific Northwest correspondent and dog aficionado.
My quirk meter is buried even if I decrease the gain. I want to hang out with this person.
Just curious if it is the Cub, the Citroen, or the dog that has you intrigued?
I really like this bike. I did not realize that these little Hondas were in the sub-50cc class. I am into Velo-Solex, so the idea of a four stroke with a multi-speed gearbox is like techno-heaven. And such style for such a small package.
But I am also glad someone mentioned the elephant in the room! From the little we can see, that DS has a really good look about it. I would love to see more.
What year solex had a small business that sold a couple no longer around NWSOLEX JB1025
Like many Americans, I have happy memories of these as my introduction to riding motorcycles, years before I had my driver's license. Does anyone know what/how they were 'clutched'? They were super easy to drive and encouraged heel-toe shifting. Ideally suited for the the pre-interstate days of 'leisurely' around (college)town or country lane excursions.
DT's discretion in never mentioning the Citroen is at an epic level.
Well noted. I for one experienced massive disbelief – but then again, it's nice to see someone not pluck at the proverbial low-hanging fruit.
Washington, not California
@ mister lou: Really! beat me to it!
Motorcycle Classics: Family Heirloom: 1962 Honda CA100 Super Cub