Introduced in 1974 amidst Honda’s move to off-road two-strokes, though, the MR50 took things to a whole new level. Remembered fondly as the “Mister Fifty” or “Baby Elsie,” the 49cc MR was unmistakably patterned after the bigger CR motocrossers, with spoked wheels, knobby tires, plastic fenders, swingarm rear suspension, a manual transmission and conventional hand-operated clutch. “Attention all young motocross fans: Your bike is here,” enticed Honda’s full-page magazine ad. “It’s like a scaled-down version of last year’s most raved-about motocrosser, the CR250M Elsinore.”
Killjoy parents could limit speed and acceleration with a four-position throttle stop, but soon a thriving aftermarket was producing everything from expansion chambers to ported cylinders to aluminum swingarms for MR owners who wanted every advantage.
The first-year ’74 Honda MR50 Elsinore on offer here comes from a Southern California collection. In original condition, the bike was just recommissioned to ready it for sale and, as can be seen in the video, rides exceptionally well.
Engine no. MR50E-1008819
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
