1978 Z50 Rebuild

[Jmunk]

I picked up a 1978 Z50 from a friend that has had it for a few years and hasn’t touched it.

The bike looks rough but hopefully it isn’t too far gone once I dig into it. I did order a new gas tank, side cover, and set of forks from TB Parts all painted in Candy Red. For the money it was an easy choice. With that said I’m not going for a OEM rebuild just something nice and clean.

I was looking for a fastener kit but I didn’t see one for the Z50’s. Anyone know if there is a kit available anywhere? Worst case if it looks like the original fasteners won’t clean up well I could try Fastenal for zinc fasteners. The stamping on the heads of the Fastenal bolts may bother me but I may not have a choice, not looking to spend too much going with new Honda fastners.

I want to get a set of chrome metal fenders, anyone know a good source of aftermarket fenders?

 

[cjpayne]

I'm pretty sure you can still get the bolts from Honda, but they wont have the "8" on them.

 

[kirrbby]

CHP has some bolt kits for CT70s...maybe they have some Z50 softail kits too..?

I bought this one a while back...the tank was a separate purchase.
Just recently bought a exhaust for it too...but that will need a repair.

 

[Jmunk]

I'm pretty sure you can still get the bolts from Honda, but they wont have the "8" on them.

For cost savings reasons and appearance I may get the CHP bolts to get the stamping on the heads and then order the nuts and washers from an online retailer in bulk. I can get all the nuts and washer for less then $10 from Bolt Depot online in Zinc or Stainless. I think CHP’s bolts are all Zinc.

Also, I need a steering stop. Anyone have a source for them?

 

[Jmunk]

CHP has some bolt kits for CT70s...maybe they have some Z50 softail kits too..?

I bought this one a while back...the tank was a separate purchase.
Just recently bought a exhaust for it too...but that will need a repair.

View attachment 69911 View attachment 69912

Kirby, if you need a side cover let me know.

 

[Tripod]

Also, I need a steering stop. Anyone have a source for them?

https://mikesminitrail.com/paint/parts/ols/products/ct70-steering-stop-ct7-str-stp1

 

[cjpayne]

For cost savings reasons and appearance I may get the CHP bolts to get the stamping on the heads and then order the nuts and washers from an online retailer in bulk. I can get all the nuts and washer for less then $10 from Bolt Depot online in Zinc or Stainless. I think CHP’s bolts are all Zinc.

Also, I need a steering stop. Anyone have a source for them?

The CHP ones look like good quality and are from Japan. However, the 10mm bolt heads have a demple in them. I emailed them about this and they said they got the template from an original. I've never seen them like that. I, also, have not looked at them lately and they may have made the change.

 

[kirrbby]

Kirby, if you need a side cover let me know.

I do need a side cover for this bike. The plastic one...and a stator side cover too. They don't have to be in great condition either. I just want to make it complete.

 

[Jmunk]

I found some flat bar laying around that’s 3/4” wide by 3/16 thick. I think I’ll try and cut out what I’m missing from my steering stop and see what I can weld on.

I did find a cheap source for steering stops: https://mytrailbuddystore.com/trailbuddysteeringstop.aspx

I may get the frame, swingarm, and footrest powder coated. Anyone have any pricing estimates? I’ve never had anything powered coated before.

 

[Jmunk]

I got the bike stripped and did some minor work. I made a steering stop and welded it on, I’m not entirely happy with it and may try another one that someone made up.

I found that the left hand side boss where the swing arm bolt enters that side of the frame was a little egg shaped. It looked that the bushing in the swing arm went and then the boss in the frame was collateral damage. I heated the boss up and gave it some love taps. It’s better but I’ll work on it some more. Right now when putting the swingarm bolt into the frame there is about 1/16” or so side to side play with the swingarm off, is that normal?

I found a local powder coated who said he’s strip and powdercoat the frame gloss black for $100. That includes the swingarm and footrest/kickstand assembly. The swingarm has some surface rust, nothing too bad but I’m wondering how well that will clean up in a sandblaster and if the powdercoat will come out smooth, anyone with previous experience? Worst case I can get a used one.

 

[OLD CT]

I would roll the dice, the swingarm looks like it will clean up and turn out good. It's worth a shot.
100 is a good price, I paid 30 to have a chain guard for a Harley blasted/powder coated.

 

[kirrbby]

If you have your parts pc'd...you'll definitely want to make SURE you have a plan to either NOT allow PC into the threaded holes...and other necessary holes...like the steering head...the holes for the swing arm bushings. You may not want pc on the brake lever post...and anywhere else. PC is VERY tough to remove if it goes in/on places where you don't want it. Either keep it out of those places, or have a plan to remove it after.

I don't think I can help with your other questions. The swing arm mount, on the frame must be susceptable to that type of damage. I've had at least one frame with damage there.

 

[Jmunk]

I took off the countershaft sprocket and saw this odd wear. Maybe it threw a chain, the left hand stator cover is cracked inside? Case seems fine besides the cosmetic gouge.

On a positive note, I bolted up the swingarm after my repair and when it’s tightened it’s solid with no play. I can always build up that boss on the frame with some weld and smooth it out for extra strength.

 

[cjpayne]

Typical for loose chains to bust the side cover. The engine case wear may have been caused by an oversized chain or wore out sprocket and/or sprocket retainer.(?) Maybe a bunch of tall grass, crap, ect., got caught up in there for awhile? Once you get that assembly back together, check the clearance.

 

[Jmunk]

Typical for loose chains to bust the side cover. The engine case wear may have been caused by an oversized chain or wore out sprocket and/or sprocket retainer.(?) Maybe a bunch of tall grass, crap, ect., got caught up in there for awhile? Once you get that assembly back together, check the clearance.

CJ - I did find the sprocket retainer to be fairly loose. That maybe the culprit. When I got the bike it didn’t have a chain and for the 5yra my friend had it, it was in the same condition. I saw you recommended VHT (SP735?) paint as a substitute for Cloud Silver. I think I will give that a try. On the last few bikes I used Duplicolor wheel paint and it was decent but VHT maybe a closer match.

 

[cjpayne]

CJ - I did find the sprocket retainer to be fairly loose. That maybe the culprit. When I got the bike it didn’t have a chain and for the 5yra my friend had it, it was in the same condition. I saw you recommended VHT (SP735?) paint as a substitute for Cloud Silver. I think I will give that a try. On the last few bikes I used Duplicolor wheel paint and it was decent but VHT maybe a closer match.

Yes, its VHT caliper paint. Needs baked on @200F for an hour, as per directions. I'm not a paint expert, but I'd say its 98% dead on and I really cant tell much difference. I also clear coat it.
As for your case damage, I later thought that could have happened just from a chain coming off too. Also, I have found that those front sprockets wobble just a tad even with new parts.

 

[Jmunk]

I cut off the old steering stop and welded one on that I got from a member on here (Thanks again).

It needs a little more clean up but I can live with it, much better then the one I fabricated.

 

[kirrbby]

That stop looks really good on there. Nice work...and, you're very welcome

 

[Jmunk]

I have the frame, footpegs, and swingarm ready to take for powdercoat. If he keeps maintains the price of $100 once he sees it in person I’ll go ahead with it and see how it turns out, I’ve never went this route before.

I may have him do the seat pan as well, not sure yet.

I used two sockets and a vise to press out the swingarm bushings, went very easy. I’m not sure what the best way to put them back in without hurting the finish after the swingarm is powder coated.

 

[Clayton]

The same way you took them out is how I put mine back in, I use a wood block and a old bath towel folded up several times to keep from scratching the powder coat on my press.