Topic: Honda Z50

[BenelliSEI]

The  chain case/ flywheel cover was missing a section, inside. Looks like a broken drive chain must have “bunched and chunked” it’s way through. The ignition components under the flywheel were covered in lube and dirt  Cut a small piece of alloy, two rivets and a bit off JBWeld. Should keep it cleaner. Not a show piece, for sure. Can’t believe I’m wasting time on this, instead of digging into the Sandcast or the Rickman. It is fun to work on something different. Installed new points and condenser before the flywheel. Grand kids are coming to downhill ski this weekend. Like to show them my progress. My son (and his son) completely stripped the older bike. Frame etc., are off for powder coating. It’s getting a full resto.

Interestingly, these early Z50 have no mechanical ignition advance. Set to the advance mark, and that’s it. Fine adjustments are made using a timing light, and adjusting the points gap. Strange?

[BenelliSEI]

Good progress today. No photos, the shop was so cool the battery in my IPad went away! Repaired the exhaust system and blew some paint on it too. Kids are coming for a ski day this weekend so hope to have something to show them!

[BenelliSEI]

A bit more today. Need to install the foot peg crossbar and then may have to fire it up! Small package but still lots of little jobs.....

[RAFster122s]

Looking good John. Is your son going to do a repaint on this one sometime? Or, leave it original?

[BenelliSEI]

Looking good John. Is your son going to do a repaint on this one sometime? Or, leave it original?

This tank actually has a pretty “porous” base plate. I closed it up with JB Weld and will probably line it, with a CASWELL product.

Hope to find a used headlamp and leave it “as is”. I kind of like it this way and no one has to worry about dropping it occasionally (which has happened more than a few times!).

[BenelliSEI]

Ran the “freshened” motor today. It fired instantly and settled down immediately to a nice, super smooth, quiet idle. Checked ignition timing and it was so close to spot on, I’m not touching the points gap! Clicked through all three gears and found neutral easily. Starts first kick, when warm. It can cool down over night and I’ll re torque the top end tomorrow.

On a hunch, I started up on the original carb that was on the older Z50. I’m sure this one came with a Chinese knockoff carb. I never got it to run well (last Fall when Chris dragged this thing here). Next test will be to see if I can make it work now. If not, straight in the bin and we’ll be looking for NOS.

Scrubbed the chain and final coated the foot pegs. I want this thing off the table so I can get back on the S/C Project.

[RAFster122s]

Congratulations John, satisfying to have all the planets align well like that...
DrATV has good quality carbs, picked up one for my C70 and other than a small bit of tuning it ran well out of the box. In case you cannot find a good OEM one ...

[BenelliSEI]

Congratulations John, satisfying to have all the planets align well like that...
DrATV has good quality carbs, picked up one for my C70 and other than a small bit of tuning it ran well out of the box. In case you cannot find a good OEM one ...

Thanks. I’m pretty sure I’ll be needing one. First real blizzard of the Winter today. May be a while before I can find the shop.

[MauiK3]

Did the steering stop get broken? Tank is dented like it was.
Great little bike, looks good.

[BenelliSEI]

Did the steering stop get broken? Tank is dented like it was.
Great little bike, looks good.

Good spot! Every one of them has the stop broken off..... it’s a small lug, welded to the bottom of the steering stem bearing tube. The welded portion stays attached, but the lug snaps off where it is unsupported. Working on a different solution.

[RAFster122s]

Make it from black box metal, they are indestructible...
That's a joke if you didn't realize...

Got a photo of it? I am having trouble visualizing it.

[BenelliSEI]

Make it from black box metal, they are indestructible...
That's a joke if you didn't realize...

Got a photo of it? I am having trouble visualizing it.

Will take a photo later. It’s basically a small, rectangle shaped tab, welded (facing down) on the back side of the headstock bearing frame tube. The bottom plate of the tree has a notch cut in it, that the tab sits inside. Unfortunately, the constant knocking eventually snaps off the tab..... then the top of he tree hits th tank. VERY common failure.

[BenelliSEI]

Ready to ride! Next I have to rebuild the motor for the earlier one!

[BenelliSEI]

As an aside: swapped back the “Chinese” repro carb and the damn thing ran even better...... not touching it again!

[Stev-o]

As an aside: swapped back the “Chinese” repro carb and the damn thing ran even better......

Hard to believe but great!   Will that little bike be a "snow rider"?

[34barab]

That is one hot little ride!

[MauiK3]

Very, very cool.
I want one!

[BenelliSEI]

As an aside: swapped back the “Chinese” repro carb and the damn thing ran even better......

Hard to believe but great!   Will that little bike be a "snow rider"?

“Snow Submarine!”...... it’s deep enough here this bike would disappear.

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks guys. My grandson was pretty excited when he saw the pictures. He and my son are “restoring” the older Z50. They both reminded me I promised to freshen that engine too.

I don’t rememberer my Dad (or grandfather) ever taking an interest in any of my projects!

[RAFster122s]

Crazy the carb ran better when reinstalled...might have had an air leak...or something was hung up that freed up by the R&R...I wouldn't touch it either!
Bike looks great! I agree with Son and Grandson's assessment!
Hopefully you can teach the grandson how to wrench on motors and bikes sometime and how to properly maintain a bike. Would be a good idea to make them do the walk-around, pre-ride inspection, checking air and fluid levels, etc. before every ride now to instill in them the discipline required and ingrain the behavior.