From Basic to Blazing: The Honda Camino Moped Makeover

Before e-bikes or fixies ruled the streets, there was the moped—a true original rebel ride. The Honda Camino, a fuel-sipping dream machine, hit the streets in the late ’80s. For a brief, shining moment, it became the ultimate anti-establishment ride.

With its Mag wheels and thrift-store price, the Camino truly embodied DIY culture. Even today, its sleek, minimal design feels surprisingly fresh. So, if you’re ready to break from the mainstream and join the enlightened, the Honda Camino is the retro-futuristic ride you never knew you needed. I stumbled upon this gem on Instagram, thanks to lvrcustomz and their incredible collection of Honda Camino builds.

Honda Camino Appearance

This restoration is a true stunner, looking fresh and factory-new with just the right retro vibes. It sports bronze six-star mag wheels, each accented by polished chrome rims that catch the light beautifully. Chrome fenders shine at both the front and back, while the frame, forks, gas tank, and rear rack pop in a striking green—a color choice that brings out the bike’s bold character. Extra chrome touches give it flair, from the rear rack and shocks to the fender supports, pedal arms, and handlebars.

Adding to its clean look, all plastic trim pieces are finished in sleek black, covering the engine side covers, top cover, and horn cover. One rare and eye-catching feature? A vintage-style hand air pump, conveniently mounted on the frame near the rear wheel—an accessory you don’t often find on most Camino or Hobbit models. This detail is a thoughtful nod to classic functionality, making this restoration as practical as it is cool.

Engine

The Honda Camino, much like the Honda Hobbit (also known as the PA50 or PA50II), shares a similar style. Most later models feature a 50cc two-stroke engine, with a top speed of around 30 mph. Meanwhile, this model’s engine appears restored to pristine factory specs. Both the Camino and Hobbit make interesting choices for moped fans, as they only need minimal tweaks to improve performance. Notably, some Camino models include a single-speed transmission, whereas all Hobbit models come with a variated transmission.