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Hey guys, I was given a 1972 honda Z50 minibike several years ago. it had a leaky gas tank and caught fire at some point and was left for dead in a barn. I did a quickie patch and seal on the tank and got it running within a couple hours. Here's a shot of the project right at that point.
Although I got it running, it never ran well. The carb was wasted, it smoked worse than a two stroke and wouldn't start without starter fluid. Not very fun for your guests if they have to wait a half hour for you get the toy running! I started looking up parts for a rebuild when I found out there's tons of companies that have copied this bike. Turns out it was cheaper for me to buy a brand new bolt in 140cc motor than it was to buy a top end rebuild kit for the stock 50cc motor. HMMMM which way do you think I went!
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At that point I pulled the bike completely apart and found that pretty much everything was bent broken or worn out!
I found out that a swing arm off of a 70's xl75 was a pretty close fit but 3" longer than the z50's. cut the brackets off, grind a little off the mounting points and weld on a bung for the rear brakes and we have 3" more wheelbase!
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one of the reasons I started this project was to get some experience with some things that I want to use on the 32 ford in the background. several small brackets had to be welded onto the frame. the new engine came with an oil cooler and I changed to a different style tank that needed a mount fabricated. I also needed to paint everything and wanted some experience with a spray gun.
here is the new tank mounted and the seat brackets cut and moved so the seat is back a few more inches (more leg room!!!). at this point I took it around the block. when I got back to my driveway my phone GPS said a top speed of 51mph :O those tires are 40 years old doh!
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after the "shakedown run" I pulled it back apart to do all the finish work. up to that point most everything had only been tack welded to check for fitment and use. after things worked it's time to do bearings, bushings, cleanup and paint!
the paint was done "on the cheap" as well. I wanted experience spraying so I tried the "thin rustoleum and add hardener" route. I had issues with my prep work on the forks and swing arm (fish eye from oil) but it sprayed out pretty dang good. fish eyes were sanded out, reprepped and came out as good as the frame.
here it is mostly finished. nice and shiny black with a 1400c, 4spd clutched transmission in place of the stock 50cc 3sp autoclutch. she scoots along pretty quick for the size! had a little 65th birthday party for my FIL last weekend and had a bunch of laughs watching the women try and ride it around the yard lol
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A friend of mine had one when we were teenagers in early 70's. I tell you from experance it will hurt you if you add drinking in the mix bad things happen. Be safe.
those little bikes are so much fun. tough as nails and the wide tires were great for getting into a little bit of mud.
It's funny those things still hold their value. It's not uncommon to see them listed over $500.00! Are you going to put some logo's or graphics on the tank?
the first time I took it out after changing the handlebars I didn't have the clamps on right. I took off a little quicker than I meant to and let off quickly to check for traffic. my weight pushing on the bars swung them forward which pinned the throttle and swung the clutch out of reach. Bike came right out from under me at full throttle. I wasn't wearing a helmet.. (nor drinking) I managed to hold onto it, but my pride was done erreperable damage because my wife saw the hole thing lol. Learned to respect it that day!Quote:
Originally Posted by 67cudafb
I don't expect to see much actual dirt use with it... actually would rather put it on the street if I could like a scooter for driving around town/neighborhood...Quote:
Originally Posted by jerky
they do hold their value pretty good, but that's because they are usually so beat! this one was in pretty tough shape. I have some red and white/black newer honda wings decals I could put on the tank but I kind of like the clean all black street fighter look. it needs some more parts like lights so I'll see how it goes after I get that stuff ordered and installedQuote:
Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265
Times like that you wish you were drinking then you could look at your wife with a dumb look and go What what what lol be safe Remember when you get old you will feel the pain good times though
I'm just glad she didn't have the video going!Quote:
Originally Posted by 67cudafb
Nice Z50, that is the first type of bike I rode when at about age 4 or 5. I do not think my wife would be down for purchasing one for our 3 year old son.
I have a 2 year old son. I bought him a power wheels and an old kitty-cat snowmobile before he was one! The kitty cat has been upgraded from a 3hp 2stroke to a 6.5hp 4stroke. I don't see him riding the bike till he's much older. it's a big boy little toy lol
Wow that looks really good! Hunk-a-junk to guts n glory! One thing, posts back on page 1 you put 1400cc...lol I don't believe that you could fit a 1400cc in that space haha ;) typo error I'm guessing