The Honda Urban Express isn’t just a moped; it’s a testament to Honda’s knack for blending style and function. Honda, known for its innovative engineering and legendary vehicles, brought fresh energy to city rides with the Urban Express. From the late 1970s, Honda aimed to redefine the urban commute with this sleek, compact moped.
The Urban Express stands out with its minimalist frame and dependable performance. Its smooth ride and classic design make it a perfect mix of retro charm and practicality. Honda’s signature reliability and that undeniable vintage flair. This is another excellent Honda moped built by Ryouta Kobayashi.
Honda Urban Express Appearance
Let’s start with the standout feature on this moped: the front springer forks, giving it serious vintage vibes. Then, check out the dual square amber LED headlights, each rocking visors that scream retro-futuristic cool. Moving up, you’ll find the large handlebar risers that hold those chopper-style handlebars, effortlessly edgy. The details don’t stop there. Polished Honda controls add a refined touch, while sleek silver braided brake lines elevate the look. Finally, the chrome mirror and minimalist blinkers tie the whole front together with a slick, modern finish.
Not much was altered on the frame, but it still captivates. The black paint matches the forks perfectly, while gold leaf swirl decals add that subtle touch of flair. The original foot pegs were swapped out for slick folding ones, bringing in a practical yet stylish twist. To top it off, the crossbar between the pegs was replaced with cool, twisted tubing that adds unique character.
Check out the slammed chopper seat—it ditches the stock Express seat’s bulky comfort for a sleeker, low-profile vibe. The gas tank now sits snugly inside the frame, while the oil tank rests cleverly beneath the seat. Typically, you’d see the gas tank above the rear wheel, right behind the seat, but this setup is refreshingly different.
This chrome lower rear shock totally revamps the vibe, dropping the rear for a sick chopper stance. Meanwhile, it eliminates that awkward gap between the wheel and polished fender – sleek, right? Additionally, the polished variator belt cover and carburetor air filter box bring some serious shine. The last custom features I noticed are the bicycle pedal kickstart and the custom side kickstand.
Engine
I don’t know much about the engine in this build, but some details stand out. From the looks of it, the bike rocks a performance exhaust upgrade, which screams style and power. If I had to guess, it probably includes a carburetor and cylinder upgrade to match that exhaust. Those tweaks would boost performance, giving this ride some serious street cred.
The NU50 and NU50M, also known as the Honda Urban Express, took over from the Express II in 1982. They only saw production until 1983, making them rare finds. These models featured a belt-driven, variated engine similar to the NX50, but with longer belt-side cases. This design tweak helped boost the top speed, with most bikes cruising at about 30 mph.
The NU50M offered an electric start, adding a modern touch to the Urban Express lineup. Standard features included oil injection, blinkers, a 12v battery, CDI ignition, and an alternator. The bike came with an oil tank indicator, beefier shocks, and larger wheels compared to the regular Express. For Iowa and similar states with strict speed laws, Honda created the restricted NU50I version. These models maxed out at 25 mph straight from the factory, appealing to those craving both compliance and vintage vibes.
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