Honda PA50

The Honda Camino ( from the Spanish camino " way"), factory code PA 50, was in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a well-known and popular moped in Germany. Due to the excellent performance characteristics of the engine it was one of the most popular scooters. For the conditions at that time the design of the moped was very modern. Because of its reliability, the Camino was also used as a service vehicle of the post.

History

Made the mopeds were not in Japan but in the Belgian factory in Aalst or sales office Zellik in the municipality of Asse ( Belgium).

Depending on the country of sale, it was in a slightly different equipment and other motor strength than moped offered with a speed of 25 km / h and a moped with a maximum speed of 40 km / h and 45 km / h.

Today, the Camino has almost disappeared from the streets. Especially in Belgium, there are still a substantial, solid fan base, the Camino change with tuning parts and still move in everyday life or in the context of moped racing. The Camino is still used, among other things because of the very low weight and good durability in moped racing, with the small drum brakes on front and rear wheels and narrow tires, however, the maximum deceleration is small by today's standards.

From the spark plug to the spring under the saddle almost all wear parts are still available. There are even decades after the production stop still tuning parts and new developments, which speeds exceeding 100 km / h can be achieved with a 65 to 70 cc tuning cylinder, larger carburetor and adapted translation. By that time widespread a conversion kit with water-cooled, larger cylinder tuning of the Tuning Malossi was offered, the water cooler must be conspicuously mounted under the fuel tank.

Years after the end of production of the Camino was an Asian replica under the name " DAYANG DY50 III A " on the market. This differs in details from the original. So it was with Kickstarter and a capacitor discharge ignition, Eng. CDI, instead of the usual contact breaker ignition produces.

Equipment

Depending on the version and year it was available with spoke or composite wheels, rectangular headlights plastic or chromed metal spot, saddle or seat and also with direction indicators and brake light.

Initially, the Camino was available in four different outfits (L, LC, VL, VLC). All variants have a saddle and a squared-off headlamps with plastic lining. The simplest equipment is L, which is only equipped with a centrifugal clutch and painted fenders. The models with " C" in the name Amenities include turn signal, brake light and chrome fenders. Caminos with "V" as an equipment designation are the VARIOmatic models. So in each case results in two comfort and transmission versions.

Further, subsequent designations are DX, S, and the Custom upscale amenities featuring, opposite the Camino without further abbreviation appendix or as St. or referred standard.

For the countries Germany, Belgium / Netherlands, France, Switzerland and England, the Camino was built slightly differently, especially the electrical equipment differed somewhat. The blink -conditioned hotel facilities had 21 watt bulbs, all other countries equipment 10 watts for Germany. At 18 watts, the battery for the England model merely contributed only 6 watts than in any other, where only 15 watts was provided or for France.

Technology

The Camino was fixed gear, or with a then state of the art VARIOmatic ( HondaVmatic called ) as automatic moped available, which is used today in nearly all scooter models. Evident are the VARIOmatic models on the bulge of the left hub cover in the area of the rear wheel, by which a part of the VARIOmatic technology is installed. Many other technical details and construction types were groundbreaking for today's scooter models. The motor had been driven by a membrane. Under the right hub cover lies a conventional drive chain, which is to take the engine and the optional pedal operation used.

Technically, the Camino engine shares many components with the Honda PX (R). However, this has an electric starter and oil injection, which was not provided for the lighter and cheaper Camino.

As the moped itself, even the entire drive has been designed very compact, light and at the same time easy to maintain. This allows the motor unit along with center stand and rear wheel by loosening a bolt, four screws on the running boards, two strut bolts, disconnect the harness connector, the fuel line and two cables away within a few minutes and set up separately or with compact dimensions ( eg in a defect in the trunk transporting a car to the workshop ).

Specifications

As a moped for the Netherlands it has 1.1 kW at 3800 min-1 and 3.05 Nm at 3000 min -1, in the 40 km / h version 1.32 kW at 5000 min-1 and 3.3 Nm at 3000 min -1, in the 45 km / h version 1.39 kW at 5500 min -1 and 3.72 Nm at 3500 min -1. The 40 km / h and 45 km / h variant must refuel 1:25 mixture, the moped version is content with 1:50. The engine capacity is 49 cc in all models, the compression at the moped 7.0:1, 6.7:1 for the other.

In a well retracted the moped engine version can achieve a real top speed of 35 to 40 km / h and a typical speed for mopeds that time.

Data of the Camino moped version:

• Engine Type: Air-cooled 1 -cylinder 2- stroke engine ( membrane- controlled)
• Power: 1.1 kW (1.5 hp) at 4000 min-1
• Engine size: 49 cc
• Maximum speed: 25 km / h ( factory specification )
• Stationary: 59dB
• Drive-by: 70 dB
• Carburetor: Keihin Seiki
• Type: BB20B
• Dry Weight: 48 kg ( L ) to 59.7 kg (Custom)
• Fuel Tank: 3 liters
• Brakes: drum brakes front and rear, 80 to 80.2 mm inner diameter
• Suspension: suspension fork with coil springs front, 2 shock absorbers with coil springs rear