Our inbox has been overflowing with neatly done restoration jobs, and the most recent one to catch our attention is a maxi-scooter that is more than 32 years old. IndianAutosBlog reader Dr Jeswant Thomas is a collector of rare bikes and cars, and one of his prized possessions is the Honda Elite 250 that is a family heirloom. Other two-wheelers in his garage include Yamaha Enticer, Rajdoot 175, Kinetic Lazer 170 and LML Pulse among others.
Dr Thomas’ uncle, Elwin Paul originally purchased the scooter in Canada in 1986. It was brought to India almost 20 years later. Elwin Paul, who also owned a Hyosung Aquila, Royal Enfield Bullet and a Bajaj Pulsar, was allured towards the Honda. The scooter was seldom used and was the centrepiece of the living room of his house. Paul passed away in 2015, leaving behind the scooter to his sister, Dr Thomas’ mother.
Dr Thomas says that his Honda Elite 250 is the only unit in India. The Honda was most recently seen at a scooter meet held in Bangalore in September 2018. Speaking about his special connection with the scooter, Dr Thomas said:
I still feel the presence of my uncle when I use the scooter and I plan to put it for a lot more shows and programs. She is a beautiful piece of technology, a high performance moto scooter and for me a symbol of my love and passion for rare bikes and cars.
The scooter gets a black paint with contrasting graphics on the apron, body panels and saddles and top box. Do note that the saddlebags and top box were added by Dr Thomas to enhance the cruiser scooter look. The headlight sits on the front apron while a pair of auxiliary lights is placed on the handlebar. Targeted to offer a relaxed cruising experience, the scooter features a tall windscreen for protection from windblasts.
The scooter is powered by a 244cc, liquid cooled, 2-valve, single cylinder, 4-stroke engine that delivers a maximum power of 19 hp at 7,500 rpm and a peak torque of 21 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The motor is mated to a Honda V-Matic belt-converter automatic transmission.
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Drum brakes on both ends perform the stopping duties. A bottom link suspension at the front and a dual shock at the rear handle the shock-absorption tasks. Equipment list includes a digital instrument console, tubeless tires and an electric start. We wish Dr Thomas many happy miles with his prized possession.
