Honda Z100

The Honda Z100 is a Honda minibike that was introduced at the Tama Tech amusement park in Tokyo, Japan, in 1961. It was never meant to be produced and sold to consumers, but its success as a prototype convinced Honda to make and sell the minibike. The park opened in 1961, was owned by Honda and featured many kinds of motorsport, and Honda had built a new Suzuka Circuit so that park goers could experience driving; the Z100 was meant to be ridden around Tama Tech and soon became its most popular attraction. Because it was not a production motorcycle, its engine was repurposed from the 49 cc 1961 Super Cub. It had small 5-inch wheels, a white fuel tank and a bright red frame, was built small to suit children, but also appealed to adults, who looked large on it, which is how it came to be called a monkey bike.