No Reserve – 1981 Honda Motocompo

Description

Additional photos are available here for your perusal.

Nowadays, you can hop on a Bird or a Lime for your “last mile” transport needs. But Honda had a different idea for Japan in the early 80s. At the time, the company was selling a subcompact car called the City. But in a densely-packed city like Tokyo, it was difficult for even the drivers of tiny cars to find parking near their desired destination. Honda’s solution was the Motocompo, a scooter that was designed to fold up so that you could store it in the City’s trunk. Ride into town, park your car, and then get your scooter out for mobility among the masses!

Paul d’Orleans (of The Vintagent fame) has saved a old City ad that briefly features the adorable Motocompo:

The motor is a 49cc 2-stroke that was good for a blistering top speed of about 19 miles per hour (30 km/h). The slow speed just makes it easier for everyone to check you out. Wet weight is a pound short of 100, and the handlebars/seat would fold up almost flush with the bodywork for easier storage in the City’s trunk.

As the ‘compo was only offered for three years and only in Japan, they’re hard to find in the homeland, let alone here in the USA. 53,369 were built between 1981 and 1983. Riding one is an odd experience, but if you crave attention it’ll be hard to beat this.

This example is VIN: AB121020265. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan; prior history is not known.

There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.

Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean the carb, drain the fuel, remove rust from inside of the tank, clean corrosion from the engine, and give the bike a detailing. We also installed new IRC MB52 tires with date codes of 3223 and 3423.

Yonni did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:

Gas Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Year Front: / Rear: NEW
Tire Life Front: 100% / Rear: 100%
Tire Press Front: 25PSI / Rear: 25PSI
Brake Life Front:/Rear: 70/70
Hydraulic: N/A
Oil 2T: Ok
Coolant: N/A
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: N/A
Kill: N/A
Horn: Ok
Battery: 6.0V
Notes:
○ Test Ride ok, Unit operates as designed.

Modifications:
Hirokawa sticker.

Inside of the tank:

The sale includes one key.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any Motocompo stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!