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Which year model Z50 to modify? '79 - '87

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
Am103 said:
Here are some additional differences I didn't see mentioned above....

1979 Z50's had actual bar clamps. The bars can be tilted forward and backwards, which cannot be done on the other Z50R's because the "bar mounts" are tack welded onto the bars so it is fixed in place at a specific angle. If you don't keep the stock bars on a z50r (besides the '79) , you can replace them with with 7/8 bar mounts, or find something that works. I did this on my 83 Z50 to give me the ability to run the Pro Taper Mini Racer Bars without spending the money on the bar mount kits. I believe the bar mounts I used were off of an XL70, snagged em on ebay for about 15 bucks and they polished up really nicely.

As Dirtbkr188 told me, The bars on the '79-'99 Z50R models are 7/8". The bar clamps used on the '79 are also used on the XR/CRF70 models from '97-'12, as seen here.
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That is really interesting. I notice a lot of '79 frames for sale, which led me to believe there was a reason for it. This may come in handy for my build, I would like to have some adjustable and also taller bars on it.


Am103 said:
If you really do end up going crazy modding it, and you have motor mods/aftermarket motor, aftermarket forks, extended swingarm, rims, etc....The only thing that will matter at that point is the frame honestly! Haha! If you aren't planning on repainting the tank or frame, they did switch from Tahitian Red to Blaze Red in '82...(big whoop ;)) And like mentioned previously, The frames and motors will pretty much all go together besides the short rod and long rod stuff. In the long run that's not too important, you can easily find parts for both motors. Sky is the limit on craziness, I'm doing a totally custom CT70 build at the moment with frame mods, and all sorts of craziness that has never been done before (that I know of....and if it has, I guess I'm not the only idiot in this world!! :D) I've already invested over a grand into the frame, and motor. Not hard to have fun and get "a bit carried away" as my friends might say.
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I do plan to go fairly crazy on this build. In particular I want the old metal gas tank and seat from the '79-'87 vintage, but with a new 12V CDI style engine (highly modded of course)... and I want to powder coat the frame. Would you suggest fitting everything first, then take it back apart and have it powder coated? I hate to miss something and then have to cut/weld on the frame after a fresh paint. Do you think that would be an issue, or are all these parts so interchangeable I would not have to do any cutting/welding? Like if I bought a '79 frame and wanted to put a highly modded '90s or '00s motor on it?

Am103 said:
My advice is to try to go into it with a plan. I used to spend countless hours just looking through EVERY SINGLE PICTURE in the z50 or ct70 pictures threads. It'll give you a lot of ideas, you'll see parts you thought you wanted on someones bike and decide against it and see how bikes look with different suspension, wheel and swingarm set ups that you may like or want, etc. If you have a general idea of what you want, it'll make it much easier. You will change your mind many times along the way I'm sure, but at least having some sort of direction helps a lot.
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I have been looking at a lot of pics and descriptions. I want a taller suspension for sure... I am currently researching that. Honestly, I will probably end up starting a thread as I get to each major component in this build.

Am103 said:
I like to make an Excel spreadsheet and total up my investment in parts including shipping to know exactly what I have in each bike. (Custom build or not) That way if you do have a budget, it's harder to get carried away and if/when you decide to sell it, you have a better idea of what to ask or at least know what you have in it. I will say, after you pour your heart and soul into reviving a mini and making it customized to your own liking....you won't want to sell it. It's addicting...BRB, gotta go pick up another z50. I've been needing to take another hit. ;)
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I am familiar with the spreadsheets. Mine include the 'projected cost' vs 'actual cost' ... these pertain to another addicting hobby (custom ARs)... but I have yet to say "look at that, I came in under budget!"
 
#22 ·
If you jump on de 12v/cdi route you can fit original(modded) honda cdi 50/70/90 engines up to 2007, including the honda wave100 and nice110 engine.


(For the big china engines, depends on the length of the engine, the recent china copies have a 30mm stretched frame to accommodate the longer engines. )
 
#23 ·
Cobrahead said:
Would you suggest fitting everything first, then take it back apart and have it powder coated? I hate to miss something and then have to cut/weld on the frame after a fresh paint. Do you think that would be an issue, or are all these parts so interchangeable I would not have to do any cutting/welding? Like if I bought a '79 frame and wanted to put a highly modded '90s or '00s motor on it?
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When I did mine, I didn't go too extreme with mods. I just straight up went for it. Got the forks, swingarm, and frame powder coated. Depends what parts you use. I'm almost certain the newer motors will bolt right up, even up to the brand new CRF50s I believe. I haven't done it myself to say for sure, but those Lifan 125s people throw into z50s and ct70s also fit in crf50 frames. Unless you go extreme and use a motor designed for a completely different bike, there really shouldn't be any welding or cutting things on the frame. The metal gas tanks will fit on any of the z50r frames, at least up to 1987. You can buy repop tanks already painted, they take a little shimming to get the fit right, but it's all part of the adventure.

I have been looking at a lot of pics and descriptions. I want a taller suspension for sure... I am currently researching that. Honestly, I will probably end up starting a thread as I get to each major component in this build.
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Good idea, If you start your own thread, post lots of pics and updates. It's fun for us all to watch builds come together and see the challenges along the way. And you'll literally have a record of the entire process which is pretty cool to look back at as well.

I am familiar with the spreadsheets. Mine include the 'projected cost' vs 'actual cost' ... these pertain to another addicting hobby (custom ARs)... but I have yet to say "look at that, I came in under budget!"
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I feel your pain man! Magpul, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, and Daniels Defense have far too much of my money! Hahaha!

Aaron
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
Am103 said:
I feel your pain man! Magpul, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, and Daniels Defense have far too much of my money! Hahaha!
Aaron
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I am thinking about a FDE/Black color scheme bike. Not sure how that would come out. I seem to use that color combo on my AR builds alot. :nerd: Might just go mostly black with a brushed steel/aluminum instead.

I will certainly start a thread, first I need to get a frame!
 
#25 ·
Well my man.....About an hour ago I saw a craigslist ad locally for an 84 z50r, so I ran over and snagged it. Not sure where you're located, but if you're interested, I'd sell ya whatever parts you need and ship it on over. I'm taking the beat up and dented gas tank for my "offerings to the gods of speed" shelf. ;) If you're interested, shoot me a pm and I can get ya some pics. Didn't look super close at it yet, literally just got home with it now.

Aaron
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Am103 said:
Well my man.....About an hour ago I saw a craigslist ad locally for an 84 z50r, so I ran over and snagged it. Not sure where you're located, but if you're interested, I'd sell ya whatever parts you need and ship it on over. I'm taking the beat up and dented gas tank for my "offerings to the gods of speed" shelf. ;) If you're interested, shoot me a pm and I can get ya some pics. Didn't look super close at it yet, literally just got home with it now.

Aaron
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PM Sent.
 
#29 ·
Looks like a good start! As stated above, Z50/XR50/CRF50 fork internals are all interchangeable so you can use newer stuff on your bike. Keep in mind the XR/CRF's have mounts for the fork guards. You can cut them off or just run the fork guards. If you're looking for a longer swingarm, XR75 swingarms are a common swap and +4 longer than stock. They do require a bit of work to fit. Some mounts need to be cut off, others must be welded on, and some need to be modified. I provided this service to a few people years ago and could do the same for you if you're interested.
.
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
arlindsay1992 said:
Looks like a good start! As stated above, Z50/XR50/CRF50 fork internals are all interchangeable so you can use newer stuff on your bike. Keep in mind the XR/CRF's have mounts for the fork guards. You can cut them off or just run the fork guards. If you're looking for a longer swingarm, XR75 swingarms are a common swap and +4 longer than stock. They do require a bit of work to fit. Some mounts need to be cut off, others must be welded on, and some need to be modified. I provided this service to a few people years ago and could do the same for you if you're interested.
.
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I was thinking about this kit. What would be the largest tire/wheel combo I could run with that? What would be a proportional rear end lift? Something like this?
 
#31 ·
That fork kit looks to be a pretty good setup. The delrin bushings are a nice upgrade over the stock plastic ones which are notorious for slop. I do remember years ago when I bought HD springs that they were very stiff. I ended up using one stock and one HD spring. That swingarm kit looks like a good setup too, don't forget you'll need to buy shocks too. You will definitely be able to run any 10 inch wheel setup with both of those. Hopefully someone else can confirm if a 12 inch setup will work. I can't comment on prices. I've been out of the game for a while. I remember things being a lot cheaper.
 
#36 ·
Discussion starter · #37 ·
T Bolt USA said:
Excellent choice
but you will need a longer swing arm and rear shocks
Heres some tech on building them up
TBolt USA Tech Database - TBolt USA, LLC
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Right. Is there any other front suspension lifts that adds 3" to a '79-'87 Z50?

Also, will my stock Z50 wheels attach to this or do I need some extra parts/wheels?

Thanks

Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk
 
#38 ·
I got creative and used a set of early 80's XR80 forks with a late 80's XR100 top and bottom triple clamp setup, but it required quite a bit of lathe work to the Z50R hub on both sides, to fit in between the fork lowers. And then I also had to have a little bit milled out on the fork lowers where the wheel seats, to prevent binding when the axle was tightened down.

The end result can be seen below on a '98 R with a +4 swingarm and 330mm shocks.
 
Discussion starter · #39 ·
dirtbkr188 said:
I got creative and used a set of early 80's XR80 forks with a late 80's XR100 top and bottom triple clamp setup, but it required quite a bit of lathe work to the Z50R hub on both sides, to fit in between the fork lowers. And then I also had to have a little bit milled out on the fork lowers where the wheel seats, to prevent binding when the axle was tightened down.

The end result can be seen below on a '98 R with a +4 swingarm and 330mm shocks.

View attachment 179610
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That's pretty slick.

Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk
 
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Cobrahead
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