1969 z50 k1 bright yellow restore

Robert thran

Well-Known Member
I was going to pass on threading this build but airblazer requested it so here we go,,,, this was a blue bike Kirrbby posted on “deal of the day” a year or two ago,,,I’ve always liked the bright yellow color so I decided to go with the yellow although it does bother me a bit being I dont like changing from the original color they came in from the factory and I do like the blue ,,, oh well it’s yellow now and no trace of the blue so who will ever know other then maybe minibike mike? lol. The bike came disassembled so I forgot to shoot pics of it when I first got it so the pics start with a sandblasted frame and forks, guard,,,headlight bucket was a new nos part that I’ve had for over ten years,,,,also had to replaced the broke off rear tail light mount on the frame with one from mikes mini trails,,then filled all the micro rust pits and primed it in urethane primer ..
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0539.jpeg
    IMG_0539.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 29
  • IMG_0555.jpeg
    IMG_0555.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 31
  • IMG_0556.jpeg
    IMG_0556.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 28
  • IMG_0558.jpeg
    IMG_0558.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 23
  • IMG_0557.jpeg
    IMG_0557.jpeg
    1.5 MB · Views: 24
  • IMG_0543.jpeg
    IMG_0543.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 31
Next I ordered the correct color of bright yellow paint (base coat clear coat) from my source in Oklahoma and painted all the colored parts other then the tank , I have all the rest of the original parts restored and other new parts,, some Honda some aftermarket,, the original motor is rebuilt and ready to go in…,, see pics…..this is the status of the bike as of now,,I have the gas tank in primer and ready to spray ,,, anyone interested stay tuned for the assembly and tank paint job..
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0590.jpeg
    IMG_0590.jpeg
    3 MB · Views: 33
  • IMG_0562.jpeg
    IMG_0562.jpeg
    1.5 MB · Views: 34
  • IMG_0560.jpeg
    IMG_0560.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 30
  • IMG_0559.jpeg
    IMG_0559.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 35
Thanks for doing this Robert! I’m already jealous that your forward gas tank posts are the solid cylinder type rather than the previous tab style. Trying to weld on a new one where the original broke off has proven problematic.
I also need to get the older style tail light mount from Mike’s as that is broke too. Did you completely remove the old broken one and weld on the Mike’s replacement? That’s what it looks like on the photo of the bare frame in the truck.
Was the bottom race on the steering stem already removed when you got it? Mine is stuck on and I’m having trouble getting it to budge.
That’s a clean pile of parts - this bike is gonna look great. Thanks again!
Ryan
 
Yes I cut into the weld of the broken mount with a hacksaw closer to the broken part of the mount in places that are factory welded.. once I got one side broke loose I bent it back and forth till it broke off,,,not easy!! ,,then used a small grinder to remove the old welds from the frame,,the bracket from mikes needed a little filing to fit good and would never go on without a cleanly ground frame..I used the fender and the taillight bracket as a jig to get the new mount centered and in the right place,,..I brazed mine on with my acetylean touch being that’s all I have and knowing it don’t have to be super strong.,.. then when I was filling my rust pits I finished that area with a thin skin of bondo,, not a visible weld like factory but you really can’t see up in there and if you really look it looks better in my opinion……my fork frame races were in there and came out like normal…spray it with some penetrating oil and get a bigger hammer!! I once has a z50 with the flat tab gas tank mounts so I get what your saying on that…the pin style is much better and easier to repair…
 
I got the wheels all built up, as well as the forks and the handle bars are loaded….the rezinked fork bearing cups are in as well as the new frame head tag..also I ran a chaser tap through all the threaded holes.,,,
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    3.5 MB · Views: 30
  • IMG_0597.jpeg
    IMG_0597.jpeg
    3.9 MB · Views: 31
  • IMG_0596.jpeg
    IMG_0596.jpeg
    4.1 MB · Views: 30
  • IMG_0595.jpeg
    IMG_0595.jpeg
    4.2 MB · Views: 32
  • IMG_0594.jpeg
    IMG_0594.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 32
  • IMG_0593.jpeg
    IMG_0593.jpeg
    3.2 MB · Views: 30
Thanks,,,,Yes the rim half’s were stripped, soaked in liquid rust dissolver and sandblasted,,the micro rust pits were filled and then I painted them in a signal stage enamel. New Bridgestone tires,,,The brake plates and top handle bar mount were polished and sprayed with diamond coat clear..the hubs were sand blasted and were rattle can sprayed with VHT silver engine paint and got new seals and bearings,,,the fork bushing, seals, fork boots are new,, the left lower fork leg is new oem Honda and the left lower is good clean used. The handle bars, cables and switch are new aftermarket but I don’t remember from where? Most of the hardware is new or rezinked. The grips,, all throttle parts and levers are new Honda,
 
Making progress,,, forks, fenders, ignition switch,coil,battery box installed…I have a question for you z50 hardtail experts,,does the wiring harness mount under the main frame tube,,on top of the frame tube or on right or left side? I can’t remember from when I took it apart or others I’ve owned…the parts book shows it kinda on the right side but thats just a pic…also anyone with pics or measurements of about where the two wiring clamps go on the frame would also be appreciated..so far everything going together nice.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0599.jpeg
    IMG_0599.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 23
If I remember, a long the top of the frame with a lean to the right. The key switch is a short harness with not much flexibility and the six pin connection.
 
Got some progress done,,, everything’s grounded and have good spark,,brakes and chain adjusted,,I got the tank straight, painted an clear coated in the base silver,,next I’ll wet sand with 800 grit sand paper and paint the yellow stripe on bottom of the tank followed by another coat of clear..the weather here in north Florida is cold so it might be awhile before I’ll be able to do any paint work,,.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0604.jpeg
    IMG_0604.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 28
  • IMG_0606.jpeg
    IMG_0606.jpeg
    2.4 MB · Views: 25
  • IMG_0605.jpeg
    IMG_0605.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 27
  • IMG_0608.jpeg
    IMG_0608.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 27
  • IMG_0609.jpeg
    IMG_0609.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 25
Last edited:
We finally got some warmer weather here so I got the gas tank finished,,first pic is the tank in silver,,second pic is silver and clear coat, then wet sanded with 800 ,taped off and sprayed the yellow bottom then another coat of clear on the complete tank,,, ,next pics are finished tank with early style petcock. I also have both style gas caps and not sure what one I will use. The tall one is new and the short one needs some touch ups…
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0631.jpeg
    IMG_0631.jpeg
    3.1 MB · Views: 11
  • IMG_0630.jpeg
    IMG_0630.jpeg
    3.3 MB · Views: 10
  • IMG_0628.jpeg
    IMG_0628.jpeg
    3.1 MB · Views: 10
  • IMG_0605.jpeg
    IMG_0605.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 11
  • IMG_0603.jpeg
    IMG_0603.jpeg
    2.4 MB · Views: 10
Looks awesome Robert! Your first hardtail...1st Z50...yes? Who knows...you might find out that you're actually a Z50 guy!

I have a few gas caps around here...if you need.
 
I actually built these two hard tails years ago,,I sold them both a few years ago,,the k-2 had a 70cc 4 speed motor sl70 carb and two brothers pipe and was sold on eBay to a guy in Canada and the k-1 was all stock and I sold it here locally and as far as I know the guy still has it..if you have a early (short) style gas caps with good chrome I would be interested.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0797.jpeg
    IMG_0797.jpeg
    2 MB · Views: 9
  • IMG_1091.jpeg
    IMG_1091.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 8
Nice job on the paint!! I’m curious which in tank fuel filter are you using with the early petcock?? I haven’t found one yet with correct I.D. to fit the early petcock. Or are you just riding dirty? Lol
 
Nice job on the paint!! I’m curious which in tank fuel filter are you using with the early petcock?? I haven’t found one yet with correct I.D. to fit the early petcock. Or are you just riding dirty? Lol
I found a tapered transmission governor filter that fits down into the petcock nice and snuggly like the one in pic,,I did have to clip the top off it to fit up in the tank,.see second pic.. I have plenty of them around if you need one.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 12
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 11
Back
Top