Rizingson
Veteran Member
Here's a very popular model, which arguably could be the "poster bike" for a first bike that someone has owned, or at least to just be able to say "I used to have one back in the day...". Particularly if you were a teenager in the mid to late sixties growing up in the American Heartland. Generally for around $370 dollars, you could join all your friends in the fun and freedom this little sport bike would give you. The S90, or sometimes referred to as the Super 90, first made it's debut in October of 1964, and enjoyed a 5 yr production run. There are still quite a few around, however finding one in it's original condition is definitely getting harder, so I'll be keeping the S90's I have.
This 1967 Black version was ironically a first bike for my younger brother, purchasing it brand new at the age of 14. I also purchased a brand new CL90 the very same day, as my first "new" bike, trading in a well beaten Honda S65. I was able to locate and purchase my brother's actual bike in the summer of 2005, having been through 2 additional owners since my brother sold it in 1974.
It was found in a small three sided dairy calf shelter, partially buried in the dirt, with the rear wheel removed and the axle and bolts missing or buried. Presumably the kids riding it had a flat tire and didn't or couldn't finish the repair. It was in a sorry condition, but I only did a refurbishment to get it running, leaving a couple of telling scars that would tip him off when he got to see it again. Tank and fenders were repainted and eventually a new muffler, wheels etc. were installed with replacement of the missing or overly rusty parts as well.
I currently also have a red S90 in "show condition". It manages to get the most attention and comments of any bike I show, bar none. As well as more than a few people wanting to purchase it, which I think is a testament to the fact that this model really has the ability to tap into the power of nostalgia.
My goal was to get my brothers old S90 respectable again and give it back to my him, but since he had no place to store it properly (only a carport in Louisiana), I ended up putting my name on the title.
Here's a picture of my brother getting reacquainted with his first and only motorcycle after approximately 34 years. I think he enjoyed taking a ride on it again, saying he had often wondered what had happened to his Honda S90. I did get video of that ride, but not sure how to include it in this post.
Another family connection was made when I took my future bride back home to So Dak in the summer of '72, to meet my parents, prior to a November wedding. It was that summer when I got my first chance to teach her how to ride a Honda. This picture captures her first lesson, including the nervousness/embarrassment she probably felt.
Back in 2012, the Wife and I did a 40th anniversary photo shoot, using the same bike. Yes that's the same bike, same girl and myself a short 40 years later.
After riding it a bit and taking it to some shows, I've since retired it. Because of the connection this bike has to my family, I decided to put it into my special "Never for Sale" category and display it in my basement with some other special models that are special to me.
This page from the '66 Dealer Brochure booklet, is the only advertisement I've ever seen of the S90 in Black.
This 1967 Black version was ironically a first bike for my younger brother, purchasing it brand new at the age of 14. I also purchased a brand new CL90 the very same day, as my first "new" bike, trading in a well beaten Honda S65. I was able to locate and purchase my brother's actual bike in the summer of 2005, having been through 2 additional owners since my brother sold it in 1974.
It was found in a small three sided dairy calf shelter, partially buried in the dirt, with the rear wheel removed and the axle and bolts missing or buried. Presumably the kids riding it had a flat tire and didn't or couldn't finish the repair. It was in a sorry condition, but I only did a refurbishment to get it running, leaving a couple of telling scars that would tip him off when he got to see it again. Tank and fenders were repainted and eventually a new muffler, wheels etc. were installed with replacement of the missing or overly rusty parts as well.
I currently also have a red S90 in "show condition". It manages to get the most attention and comments of any bike I show, bar none. As well as more than a few people wanting to purchase it, which I think is a testament to the fact that this model really has the ability to tap into the power of nostalgia.
My goal was to get my brothers old S90 respectable again and give it back to my him, but since he had no place to store it properly (only a carport in Louisiana), I ended up putting my name on the title.
Here's a picture of my brother getting reacquainted with his first and only motorcycle after approximately 34 years. I think he enjoyed taking a ride on it again, saying he had often wondered what had happened to his Honda S90. I did get video of that ride, but not sure how to include it in this post.
Another family connection was made when I took my future bride back home to So Dak in the summer of '72, to meet my parents, prior to a November wedding. It was that summer when I got my first chance to teach her how to ride a Honda. This picture captures her first lesson, including the nervousness/embarrassment she probably felt.
Back in 2012, the Wife and I did a 40th anniversary photo shoot, using the same bike. Yes that's the same bike, same girl and myself a short 40 years later.
After riding it a bit and taking it to some shows, I've since retired it. Because of the connection this bike has to my family, I decided to put it into my special "Never for Sale" category and display it in my basement with some other special models that are special to me.
This page from the '66 Dealer Brochure booklet, is the only advertisement I've ever seen of the S90 in Black.
