{{Short description|Honda's first production minibike}} {{Infobox Motorcycle |name = Honda CZ100 |aka = Mark I and Mark II |image=Cz100 mk2 800x600.jpg |caption=CZ100 Mark II |manufacturer = Honda |production = 1963-1966 |predecessor = Honda Z100 |successor = Honda Z50M |class = Minibike |engine ={{cvt|49|cc|abbr=on}}, OHV, air cooled, four stroke, single |transmission = 3-speed semi-automatic transmission |frame = Backbone |brakes = Drum |tires = |related = {{flatlist|* Honda Z100 *Honda Z series, *Honda Z50M, *Honda Z50A, *Honda Z50J}} }} '''Honda CZ100''' was the Honda Motor Company's first minibike which was sold to consumers. The CZ100 minibike was first introduced in 1963 after Honda saw how well their Honda Z100 prototype was received at The Tama Tech park.
== Background == In 1961 the Honda Motor Company opened the Tama Tech park. The park attractions involved motorsports. It was at the park Honda first introduced a minibike called the Honda Z100. Honda recognized that the bike was popular with park visitors.<ref name="Chung"/> When Honda first developed the Z100 minibike it was never meant to be a commercial product, it was only meant to be an attraction at the park.<ref name="Fujishima"/>
== History == Honda recognized the popularity of the Z100 minibike and they decided to manufacture a street-legal version of the bike.<ref name="Jitchotvisut"/> By 1963 they had created a production version of the minibike and they called it the CZ100 Mark I. The 1963 CZ100 Mark I series, had a white fuel tank and a rigid frame which was painted red.<ref name="Polson"/> In 1964 they released the bike in the Japanese market and called it the CZ100.<ref name="Jitchotvisut"/> The CZ100 Mark II series was then produced and it was virtually identical to the Mark I series with the exception of paint: the tank and frame were both painted red. Honda continued to produce the CZ100 but it was not sold to consumers in the United States. In recent years collectors have begun to import examples of the bike from Europe.<ref name="Polson"/>
The CZ100 was street legal and only offered to consumers in European and Asian countries. The minibike sold enough for production of the bike to continue until 1966.<ref name="Boehm"/><ref name="Polson"/>
==Specifications== The Minibike was fitted with a 49 cc engine. Honda had much success with the 49cc, and it was fitted in other bikes like the Honda Super Cub.<ref name="Discovery"/> The CZ100 had small 5" wheels and the minibike had a white fuel tank and a bright red frame.<ref name="Chung"/>
Honda also used a fuel tank which was meant for another bike: they used the tank from the Honda C110.<ref name="Sathurshan"/>
==See also== * List of scooter manufacturers * Minibike * Pocketbike * Pit bike
==References== <references>
<ref name="Sathurshan">{{cite web |last1=Sathurshan |title=iM Cubaholic Ep.2: Honda C110 Sports Cub – The Roadster Cub |url=https://imotorbike.my/news/en/2020/04/im-cubaholic-ep-1-honda-c110-sports-cub/ |website=I Motorbike |date=30 April 2020 |publisher=iMotorbike World |access-date=25 December 2021 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225231913/https://imotorbike.my/news/en/2020/04/im-cubaholic-ep-1-honda-c110-sports-cub/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="Discovery">{{cite web | url= http://www.yourdiscovery.com/greatest_ever/motorbikes/index.shtml | website= Discovery Channel | title= Greatest Motorbikes Ever | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115013157/http://www.yourdiscovery.com/greatest_ever/motorbikes/index.shtml | archive-date=2011-11-15 }}</ref> <ref name="Fujishima">{{cite book |last1=Fujishima |first1=Kosuke |title=Oh My Goodness |date=2017 |publisher=Dark Horse Magna |location=Milwaukie, Oregon |page=63 |isbn=9781630088804 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=coc6DgAAQBAJ&dq=honda+z100&pg=PA63 |access-date=25 December 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226160459/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Oh_My_Goddess_Volume_34/coc6DgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=honda+z100&pg=PA63&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="Jitchotvisut">{{cite news |last1=Jitchotvisut |first1=Janaki |title=Here's The Honda Monkey Bike That Started It All 60 Years Ago |url=https://www.rideapart.com/features/529805/honda-z100-1961-monkey-history/ |access-date=25 December 2021 |publisher=Ride Apart |date=30 August 2021 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225165217/https://www.rideapart.com/features/529805/honda-z100-1961-monkey-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="Polson">{{cite book |last1=Polson |first1=Jeremy |title=Honda mini trail. |date=2017 |publisher=Wolfgang Productions |location=Stillwater MN |isbn=978-1941064320 |page=9}}</ref> <ref name="Boehm">{{cite news |last1=Boehm |first1=Mitch |title=Honda Z50 Mini Trail Bike |url=https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/hondas-z50-mini-trail-minibikes-classic-motorcycles-throwback-bikes-roots/ |access-date=25 December 2021 |publisher=Motorcyclist |date=10 September 2015 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225232628/https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/hondas-z50-mini-trail-minibikes-classic-motorcycles-throwback-bikes-roots/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="Chung">{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Dennis |title=What The Heck Is A Monkey Bike? |url=https://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/what-the-heck-is-a-monkey-bike |access-date=25 December 2021 |publisher=VerticalScope Inc |date=12 July 2013 |archive-date=6 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206022356/https://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/what-the-heck-is-a-monkey-bike |url-status=live }}</ref>
</references>
== External links == *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwlmjgdN6g8 Video of a Honda CZ100]
{{Honda minibikes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda CZ100}} CZ100 Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1963 Category:Minibikes Category:1963 introductions