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Archive indexI've heard of and seen quite a few 'clip-ons' but, while at our local library scanning the motor cycle books, I came across a Honda productions book and, behold, they did manufacture a clip-on. Called the Model F, it was aimed at the masses who could not afford a 'proper' motor bike, especially soon after the devastating effect of the war on Japan. This machine echoed the company's very earliest attempt being basically a 50cc, two-stroke engine weighing in at only 15lbs (7kg) and with a maximum power of 1bhp! Looking very neat, it was designed to fit quickly to a standard bicycle alongside the pushbike's back wheel and connected up by chain. A round petrol tank was bolted to the bike frame below the saddle: all looking very neat. The question is, was this an attempted copy of the BSA Winged Wheel? [No, the Honda pre-dates the BSA by over a year - Editor]
I wonder if any member has actually seen one of these, as they were produced in volume, ie: 7,000 per month, and sales were excellent in the East then.
If anyone is throwing one out, I'll happily catch it!
First published - April 1998