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1979 Honda PA50-II

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Honda

1979 Honda PA50-II

Name: 1979 Honda PA50-II
Brand: Honda
Price: 4750.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Regular price $4,750.00

Quantity

Only 1 in stock

CALL OR TEXT JR. (860) 471-0192

Sold Classics

Description

1979 HONDA PA50-II "Honda Hobbit"

Museum-Quality Frame-Up Restoration

Only 592 Original Miles

57.5-Hour Restoration With Extensive Documentation

If you're looking for the nicest Honda Hobbit available anywhere, you've just found it.

Kaplan Cycles is proud to offer this exceptional 1979 Honda PA50-II, a true time capsule that has undergone an incredibly comprehensive frame-off restoration. While restoring this little Honda made absolutely no financial sense, it was a labor of love—and the end result speaks for itself.

Over 57.5 hours of professional shop labor, plus over $400 in parts, were invested into this restoration. At our current shop rate of $150 Per hour, that's over $9,000 invested before considering the cost of acquiring the bike or the countless hours spent sourcing parts and documentation. The goal wasn't to build a profitable moped—it was to build one of the finest Honda Hobbits you'll ever find.

The result is a museum-quality restoration of one of Honda's most charming and dependable mopeds.

Highlights

Only 592 original miles
Comprehensive frame-off restoration
Original Honda PA50-II (30 MPH version)
Manufactured April 1978 by Honda Benelux (Belgium)
Original Honda V-Matic automatic transmission
49cc two-stroke engine
Pedal start (no battery required)
Approximately 100+ MPG
Lightweight, reliable, easy to ride
Perfect for collectors, campground transportation, beach communities, swap meets, RV owners, or pit bike use

Restoration Details

The engine was removed from the frame and completely serviced both mechanically and cosmetically.

Every major component was inspected, cleaned, serviced, restored, or rebuilt as needed.

Highlights include:

Engine removed and restored
Excellent 140 PSI compression
Fuel system completely serviced
Carburetor rebuilt and correctly tuned
Fuel tank serviced
Transmission serviced
Drive system completely disassembled and rebuilt
Bearings inspected and serviced
New drive chain
Brand new tires and tubes
Wheels and hubs professionally soda blasted
Chrome professionally restored
Every nut and bolt cleaned, polished, and reinstalled
Center stand refinished
Fork lowers refinished
Front fender professionally refinished
Additional paint touch-up where appropriate
Extensive frame detailing and preservation
and much more / watch the video for full details!

This restoration was completed by Mark Olson, one of New England's most respected vintage Honda technicians. Mark has restored everything from Honda CBX six-cylinder motorcycles to concours-level vintage Hondas, and his attention to detail is evident throughout this project.

Our detailing department then invested an additional 20 hours meticulously cleaning, refinishing, polishing, and preserving every inch of the machine.

Remarkably Original

One of the reasons this Hobbit deserved such an extensive restoration is because it started with an exceptionally original, low-mileage example.

Original features include:

Original seat
Original body panels
Original Honda decals
Original warning labels
Original Honda Hobbit graphics
Original tire and caution stickers
Original finish on most painted components

The only refinished painted components include the front fender, fork lowers, center stand, and select areas professionally touched up to preserve the bike's like-new appearance.

The original decals have remained intact—a rarity on any Honda Hobbit.

Extensive Documentation Included

One of the most impressive aspects of this sale is the documentation package that accompanies the motorcycle.

Included with the bike are approximately 20 pages of restoration records, including:

Three-page detailed restoration work order
Complete parts documentation
Parts receipts
Service notes
Honda specifications
Wiring diagrams
Technical information
Original Honda Hobbit brochure (copy)
Factory specifications
Carburetor and jetting information
Fuel and operating specifications

This level of documentation is almost never found with a vintage moped.

PA50-II Information

This is the desirable PA50-II, the factory 30 MPH version.

Although the steering head decal identifies the bike as a PA51, the engine, carburetor, jetting, reed block, frame color, and factory specifications all confirm this is in fact a genuine PA50-II.

Features include:

49cc air-cooled two-stroke engine
Honda V-Matic automatic transmission
Premix fuel (25:1)
Pedal start
No battery required
No clutch
Lightweight design
Simple, reliable operation

Why We Love These

We actually own three Honda Hobbits.

Two remain in daily service at Kaplan Cycles and the New England Motorcycle Museum, where our staff rides them back and forth across our 11-acre campus every day. They've proven to be incredibly dependable, economical, and fun.

This was the third bike, and we decided to restore it to the highest possible standard simply because we wanted to see what one could become.

The answer?

A beautiful rolling piece of Honda history that looks, runs, and rides like a brand-new machine.

Condition

Mechanically, this Hobbit starts easily, runs beautifully, shifts properly, and performs exactly as it should.

Cosmetically, it presents exceptionally well with outstanding chrome, beautifully restored finishes, original decals, excellent brightwork, and an overall appearance that rivals a showroom example.

Whether displayed in a private collection, museum, motorcycle dealership, office, or enjoyed on campground roads, neighborhood streets, or at vintage motorcycle events, this Honda always attracts attention and starts conversations.

Included with Sale

Complete documentation package
Restoration records
Parts receipts
Technical information
Honda brochure copy
Wiring schematic
Service documentation
Restoration notes

Why Buy From Kaplan Cycles?

Kaplan Cycles specializes in museum-quality restorations of significant vintage motorcycles. Whether it's Honda CR motocross bikes, CBX six-cylinders, XR75s, Z50s, Harley-Davidsons, Cushmans, or rare European classics, our restorations are completed to standards rarely seen in today's market.

This Honda Hobbit received the exact same level of care and attention that we devote to motorcycles worth many times its value.

It simply became a passion project.

Someone is going to own an extraordinary Honda Hobbit without having to spend the time, effort, or money required to build one.

If you've been searching for the very best PA50-II available, this is your opportunity.

Good luck bidding, and God Bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close.

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV.

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.

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