Honda C110 Sports Cub | Photo Credit: Response.jp
In case you missed last week’s episode, Motorbike’s weekly iM Cubaholic series covers everything about the iconic Honda Cubs. The Cub is one of the most important bikes in both the motorcycle and Honda’s history. Honda changed the way people look at riding motorcycles with the introduction of the Super cub and the ad campaign “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” back in the 1950s. Since then Honda has sold over 100 million Cubs with a large Cub lineup/variants where some models are barely known. In this series, we cover everything from both known and unknown Cub models to their history, specs, features and many more. Are you a Cub addict? well, this is something you wouldn’t want to miss!
On this week’s episode of iM Cubaholic, we are having a look at another unusual Cub: The Honda’s C110 Sports Cub (aka Super Cub Sport C110).
The C110 “Sports Cub” was first introduced to Japan in October 1960, two years after Honda launched our favourite “Super Cub”. The C110 is one of those “unusual Cubs” because it was more like a traditional motorcycle rather than a “Cub”. The Honda C110 Sports Cub was produced by Honda from 1960 – 1969 for both the Japanese and International markets. It was also called C110 Super Sports Cub and CA110 Sports 50 in the US. Although the production lasted for some time only, the Sports Cub was extremely popular worldwide among youngsters.
Did you know, the bike Elvis Presely chases Ann-Margert in Viva Las Vegas is a Honda C110 Sports Cub? It all started when Honda Japan wanted to introduce the sports cub to the US and somehow they landed on Viva Las Vegas. Not just that, Elvis also had a part in Honda C110’s Ad campaign!
There have been numerous sub-variants of the Sports Cub with different styling and specifications. To begin with, the C111 sub-variant had no pillion seat and the C110D or C114 which were available in markets like Malaysia had a low exhaust pipe. If you are looking to buy a sports club, the C110D/C114 is probably the model you would come across the most.
The C110 Sports Cub is indeed one of the most charming 50cc sports bikes from Honda. The C110 Sports Cub was also instrumental to the development of other Honda models like the Honda Monkey! Did you know, the first Monkey bike, Honda CZ100 shared the same tank as the C110?
On top of this, in 1963, Honda introduced the enlarged OHV 86.7cc engine which produced around 6.5bhp. This engine was used in Honda C200 or CA200 90 which shared the C110 frame with more upright handlebars.
Honda C200 | Source: French and sons
Aside from this, the Sports Cub was also instrumental to the development of various other bikes like the S65, CD65, CL65, S90, CS65 and many more in numerous ways. Although you can see the design quirks of Sports Cub in these models, they are never labelled as a “Cub” like the C110. Looking back at the past, it really shows how Honda’s Cub lineup influenced the development of various other Honda models over time!
Honda C200 | Photo Credit: Dennis @ cuballstars
If you have any more information on the variants of C110, feel free to contact us!
Design
The Honda C110 Sports Cub had no design quirks with the Cubs we know, the C110 had no low-floor backbone frame, leg shields or an under-seat fuel tank. Instead, the C110 had an entirely different frame with the fuel tank on top of the frame and in front of the seat.
The overall design of the C110 is eyecatching, from the curvy 7-litre tank to the Cub style handlebar and the side exhaust makes the Honda C110 Sports Cub highly desirable even today.
The Honda C110 Sports Cub featured the air-cooled four-stroke 49cc OHV single-cylinder engine aka “Iron Engine” (As collectors call it). This engine with overhead valve push-rod design and iron cylinder head produced 5bhp at 9,500rpm!
With the increase of 0.5bhp (from 4.5 to 5bhp) from the first Super Cub, the sporty cub weighing only 66kg now it could hit 50 mph with no issues! In the case of the transmission, earlier Sports Cubs featured a 3-speed gearbox with manual clutch, this was later changed to 4 speed.
To begin with, the C110 sports cub featured an entirely new welded-tube/stamped steel frame. As for the suspension the C110 featured traditional hydraulic front fork and twin hydraulic shocks at the rear. The C110 rolled out with steel laced wire-spoke wheels with drum brakes at the front and back.
Back when it was launched, the bike was priced at 285USD (Roughly equivalent to 2,400 USD in 2020). Good news for you, a mint C110 Sports Cub goes for sale around 2,500 USD in the US. Similarly, a mint condition C110 costs around RM 10,000 in Malaysia. As they are slowly turning into collector’s items, BUY them before you can’t afford them!
Have a look at the specifications of the Honda C110 Sports Cub models from 1960-1969. If you are a collector this information might be very useful to you. Also, feel free to update us if you have any additional information!
Source: Cycle Chaos
Photo source: Car and classic