Honda Dream 50 and Honda Dream 50 R in the studio

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Honda Dream 50 and Honda Dream 50 R in the studio

Fantastically beautiful

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For the 50th anniversary of the company, Honda made a very special gift for lovers of classic shapes in 1998: the enchanting Honda Dream 50 in the style of the CR 110 factory racer from 1961. The limited 50cc racing machine from 2004 was even more seductive.

Whether you are a Ducatisti, an English fan or a fan of Japanese machines – with a Honda D.ream 50 even let die-hard brand fetishists drop all inhibitions. The small four-stroke racer with the great charisma hits every lover of classic shapes right in the heart.

Honda Dream 50 and Honda Dream 50 R in the studio

Fantastically beautiful

Not available from the official importer

And so the trained businessman pulled out all the stops to bring some of these dream machines into Swabian, as some friends and acquaintances shared his enthusiasm. However, the Honda Dream 50 was not available from the official importer. Which is why Soffa had to take care of the matter himself. "That was an enormous bureaucratic effort," the native Thuringian remembers with horror of the paperwork with Japan, customs and German authorities.

But it was worth all the effort, as the glow in his eyes reveals. Growing up in the racing town of Schleiz, the Swabian by choice was infected with the motorsport bacillus at an early age. At the age of 16 he was already driving a 125cc Jawa. After completing his training, he left the GDR in 1959 "to explore the big wide world". He first found it in Cologne, where he earned his first wage at Ford in Westmark. And immediately invested in a motorcycle. First in a Hercules K 102, then in a 175 Ducati, with which he regularly drove to the Nurburgring in order to do his laps on the Nordschleife at the weekend.

In 1961, Soffa started the day races that were popular at the time, which were mainly held in Holland, Belgium, France, Spain and – occasionally – Germany. "Those were lucrative events at the time because we starters got prize money as well as expenses, up to third place," the 74-year-old remembers his beginnings in motorsport in the 50s and 125s classes. A formative time with racing machines like the Honda CR 110, which explains Bernd Soffa’s enthusiasm for the Honda Dream 50.

Early 1960s Grand Prix style

With this four-stroke 50s, Honda has put a beautiful replica on the narrow wheels, which perfectly transports the style of the Grand Prix racing machines of the early 60s into modern times. Despite lighting equipment and disc brakes instead of drum brakes, the spirit of the CR 110 is always with the Honda Dream 50. With its red frame, the long, narrow tank and the hump seat placed above the rear axle, the filigree machine exudes an impressively authentic aesthetic that even puts many more expensive and larger motorcycles in the shade. And as with the original, the center of this work of art is a striking four-valve single with a massive dohc cylinder head.

Despite the technical effort, the Honda Dream 50 offered by some parallel importers for 7990 marks in 1998 did not have more than 5.6 hp at 10,500 rpm. A modest price-performance ratio, which should have protected the small Honda from falling into the wrong hands. It was always a case for real enthusiasts – like Bernd Soffa: “I’ve always liked the Dream 50. It seems extremely harmonious to me. The design is absolutely successful, the spirit of the old racing machines comes across. I also have a soft spot for such small machines, not least because of my own racing past. "

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Single existence: The Honda Dream 50 R has only one tachometer – it is enough for up to 18,000 tours!

Of course, the former racer had to bid when Honda Germany offered a few of the limited Honda Dream 50 Rs in 2004 – initially without an exact price. When Soffa was finally able to pick up the rare racing version from an authorized dealer, around 5500 euros changed hands. Money well spent. Not because the R variant is more expensive today. But because of the technology that has been significantly sharpened by Honda’s HRC racing department. Although the Dream 50 R is based on the anniversary model presented seven years earlier, it has some profound changes. Sharper camshafts, tighter valve springs, a higher compression piston, the lighter crankshaft and an equally slimmer alternator help the engine, together with the 20 mm cross section carburetor, which is sucked in via an open funnel, to seven hp at 13,500 rpm. With six more closely spaced gears instead of five on the street model, the tiny four-valve engine also brings better performance to the road.

This is also ensured by the more tightly tuned Showa fork and fuller damping struts, each with an adjustable spring base. The exhaust system of the R has a matt black paint, and the manifold and silencer are made in one piece. The Honda Dream 50 R also dispenses with side covers and kick starters, and the front fender made of polished aluminum saves a few grams compared to the steel of the street model.

Separation is out of the question for Bernd Soffa

In any case, Soffa has no problems with the sliding start, despite the jockey figure with the 78 kilograms, when he competes in selected racing and demonstration runs with his second, modified Honda Dream 50 R. Thanks to changes to the carburetor and a two -in-one exhaust, his sports equipment willingly rotates up to 15,500 tours – quite a lot for almost ten hp!

He’s also been offered a lot for one of his little Hondas. But in vain, a separation from his dream machines is out of the question for Bernd Soffa. Not even if prospective buyers should lose all inhibitions when it comes to price.

Technical data Honda Dream 50

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Honda Dream 50 and Honda Dream 50 R.

Honda Dream 50 / R * 

Engine:
Air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, four valves per cylinder, bore 40 mm, stroke 39.6 mm, 49 cm³, compression 10: 1 (11.7: 1), 5.6 HP at 10,500 / min (7 HP at 13,500 / min ), Slide carburetor, Ø 16 mm (20 mm), oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox (six-speed gearbox), chain drive

Landing gear:
Single-loop frame made of tubular steel, open at the bottom, telescopic fork, Ø 27 mm, two-arm swing arm with two spring struts, front disc brake, Ø 240 mm, rear disc brake, Ø 190 mm,

Weight with a full tank 88 kg (78 kg)
Tank capacity 6.2L

* Values ​​in brackets: Honda Dream 50 R

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