Project 3 Revkev6: Honda Z50 custom/restoration

[revkev6]

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.

[revkev6]

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!

[revkev6]

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!

[revkev6]

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 those tires are 40 years old doh!

[revkev6]

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.

[revkev6]

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

[DVA]

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.

[revkev6]

[67cudafb]

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.

[I_Love_Plasma]

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