My Honda JA as found.
The 53 Honda J was the first in the J series line. The J model had a 90 cc engine. The JA followed it in 1954
but was fitted with a 138cc engine while the JB in 1955 and the JC models in 1956, 57, 58 all had 125cc engines.
The JA shared the same basic engine configuration as the J model with some internal parts being interchangeable.
Like all of the J series machines, the JA had a 3-speed transmission. The JA had many design improvements that set
it apart from the J-model. Among the changes were a speedometer, and rear suspension.
Accurate production numbers for the JA are not known, but many believe it was not produced in large numbers. Honda was going through very rough times during this period and was close to going out of business. What is known about the JA is that the bikes are extremely rare with only two known to exist at this time. There are certainly more somewhere. Other examples could be in the hands of very private collectors in Japan, or sitting in the back of a storage space or under a workbench. We just don’t know for sure, but to give you an idea on the rarity, the Honda museum in Japan does not list the JA model on their inventory.
This machine is under restoration. When purchased it was roughly assembled but the engine internals were all
in two cardboard boxes. The transmission was seriously damaged (the probable cause for the engine disassembly).
Spare parts for the JA engine are nearly impossible to find. The bike was acquired in 1989 and although some
work was done, it was basically stored until engine parts could be located nearly 20 years later. All the
engine work is now complete with new and refitted internal parts completed by my friend and master machinist
Peter Johnson. Now all that is left to complete is restoration, and assembly of every part, including making
molds for the replacement seat and other rubber parts. It may be completed in a year or two.