The Honda Super 90 was one of Honda’s first small bikes with an overhead camshaft engine. It had a conventional tubular hydraulic fork, not their pressed steel leading link design. Like their bigger sport bikes, and factory road racers, it had trim silver fenders. There’s a decent amount of chrome. Frame and swingarm and other chassis bits were either black, red, blue or white. The fuel tank, low handlebar and full size 18 inch wheels enhanced the look; it appeared more like Honda’s bigger bikes than it’s step-through 50 and 90cc machines. If you were riding a moped, a scooter or a Whizzer the S90 may have been a “next motorcycle” you lusted for.
Like other Japanese bikes, the S90 was durable. As long as you kept the oil level up, and were a good shifter, the roller and ball bearing engines could be flogged mercilessly. Brakes were decent. If you were a budding mechanic, service was simple as long as you had metric wrenches and a Phillips impact driver though the chain driven overhead cam might give you pause. Large screw-on covers opened up the rockers for simple valve adjustment. The battery and points ignition needed little attention. Unlike the touring 90, the CA200, and the CA95, the final drive chain was not enclosed so maintaining it was easy.
A few years into production, the high pipe CL90 came along. This basic engine also powered Honda minis like the ST90. Today, Honda is still focusing on the smaller engine machines with the Grom and recently released Mini-Trail.
This Honda Super 90 is on loan to the National Motorcycle Museum from David Schillig.
Specifications:
-
- Engine: OHC Single, Air-Cooled
- Bore & Stroke: 50mm x 45.6mm
- Displacement: 89cc
- Carburetor: Keihin
- Ignition: 6 Volt, Points & Condenser
- Starting: Kick Only
- Primary: Gear Driven
- Clutch: Wet, Multi-Plate
- Transmission: 4-Speed
- Frame: Pressed Steel
- Wheels/Tires: 2.50×18 / 2.50×18
- Brakes: Drum, Front & Rear
- Wheelbase: 47 Inches
- Horsepower: 8HP at 9500RPM
- Weight: 176 (dry)
- Top Speed: 62MPH, Claimed
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
I had one of these as a youngster and did flog it mercilessly. It held up well and could keep up with most traffic.
Bring back the Vintage Rally.
I love the little bikes! I don’t need anything over 500cc. In the 55 years i have been riding i have had 17 bikes. None over 800, only 2 over 500.
I put 100,000 miles on a CB125S in 19 years. They last forever
1966 my best friend and I rode our Hondas from Chicago to Houston, Texas and back. I had a 160, he had a 90. He drafted semis on the way back, made much better time. Both bikes ran flawlessly. Great memories.
Vintage Auction & Swap Meet is happening June 25!
But there are some changes: we are adding a VanDerBrink motorcycle, parts and memorabilia auction, and you can consign items to sell. It’s on-line first, previewed June 24 then on site June 25.
As in all past events, there’s a swap meet and you can sign up for spaces, but please do so soon.
There are mini-bike races as well. And of course good eats.
If you go back to the email the Museum sent to you today, at the top is basic information on the event and contact information for the auction.
As last year, there is no motorcycle show, but plan in advance and consign for the auction, get a swap meet space, or bring a mini-bike to race.
See you June 25!!!!!
Thanks,
Mark