[309Antonio]

Hello All,



I am new to joining the forum, but have been prowling it for quite some time. There is a lot of great information here for everyone with a mini bike. I still need help though!



Here is my situation. I'm a huge honda fan boy! I bought a modified 1988 Honda ZB50. I thought it was such a cool little bike. It has been modified into a pit bike. Thus, it is a little beat. Nothing major, no bends, cracks, scratches. Just dirty and pounded on. It's been painted. A nice color, but not what I want. I absolutely love it for the pits. It's a monster! Keeps up with the 150's.



It has upgraded front / rear suspension. Not sure what it is though. The engine is sort of special. 1972 CT70 bottom end, transmission from Honda 125 something old, and a takegawa 88cc top end kit with a bunch of hardened internals.



Everything was built by a honda tech of 25 years. He had lots of cool honda stuff in his shop.



After bringing it home from the pits, I was cleaning it and realized how nice of a bike this was, and how much fun it would be to put it on the road. And how much easier it would be to keep clean if done so!



I want to strip it down, stuff a crf230 engine in there and powder coat it matte black. Thats step 1. I don't want to do much fabrication to the frame, so if it can't be done. I'll find another way. But I don't feel like spending 4 grand on an engine that is only 200cc.



After that, I need help with brakes and suspension! It's still stock drum brakes, which are great. But don't know how they will do at 60mph. I'd rather convert to hydraulic disk brakes so I don't have to find out!



I've been looking at NSR 12 inch rims and tires with the hub for disks and rear with the sprocket. What front suspension will I need to mount a caliper that will fit stock zb50 frame. and what swing arm should I get for the same upgrades?



Any help would be greatly appreciated! I would like to keep entire build sub 2000 if possible. I just sold a bunch of other toys to make room for this new project. I'm not just a kid with a dream, I'd love to show you all what I can accomplish with this rugged little bike!



Thanks so much!

 

[Drained]

Not sure what Maine's criteria is for registering motorcycles, but I would look in to that first. Did you recieve a title with the bike, or previous registration? Might be difficult without at least one of those documents. But like I said, Maine laws maybe alot different than Mass. Just a thought..

 

[309Antonio]

Hey!



I am in the process of getting a salvage maine motorcycle title. I do have a bill of sale. That's all I needed!

 

[Drained]

Cool, so your first hurdle is cleared! I saw your bike on craigs when it was for sale. Definatly a shame that it was used in the dirt, but with some time and work, (and money) I'm sure it can be brought back to life. I think it's cool that you saw how special that bike is, and that you want to restore it for the road as it was intended. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. There is information and alot of knowledgable people on here that can help. ND.

 

[z50 chopper]

tank looks great, but the frame could be a different colour

 

[309Antonio]

Hey Thanks! Yea, like I said, powder coat the frame matte black. Maybe the tank a nice ralley red! I wwas thinking about making it look like my f4i!

 

[tmas]

I've been looking at NSR 12 inch rims and tires with the hub for disks and rear with the sprocket. What front suspension will I need to mount a caliper that will fit stock zb50 frame. and what swing arm should I get for the same upgrades?]

You will need NSR 50 30 mm front forks that have the mount for the caliper. I believe from the 94 model. You can use a variety of aluminum swingarms. If you use the NSR rear swingarm you will need the shock offset adapter.

tmas



NSR 50 forks

 

[309Antonio]

I love you tmas! You're an instant favorite! Thanks so much. Your zb50.........whoa!

It's something I'd like to shoot for. Buuut, a Crf230 engine!

 

[309Antonio]

tmas, do you have any parts your selling?!

 

[tmas]

tmas, do you have any parts your selling?!

I have some....For parts check the classifieds. Z50, CT70, ZB50 and other Honda Parts - Planet Minis

Check ebay and if you want high end Japanese parts get hold of Brad or Z at MotoshopZ

tmas

 

[z50 chopper]

I'd personally leave the tank the colour it is and just paint the blue parts black

 

[309Antonio]

I'm certainly thinking about it. The silver tank looks pretty damn good. MInus the blue gas cap.

 

[z50 chopper]

headlight, taillight, signals, speedo, black paint, street tires , exhaust system and mirrors is basically all that I can see that you'll need and that is probably around $1500us

 

[309Antonio]

Yikes! I think I can do more damage then that for 1500! Plus, I want a new engine. This goofy little frankenengine is 6v points. I don't wanna bother getting everything for that. I would like to start with the 12v cdi from the crf230 and get all the parts I want. Like the Koso RX2!

 

[z50 chopper]

Yikes! I think I can do more damage then that for 1500!

If you want to use elcheapo brand you could get more than that, but like the saying goes you get what you pay for

 

[309Antonio]

No, no cheap crap! No chinese parts. I'm just saying. crf230 exhaust isn't much, stock is fine, maybe a slip on and custom header, but thats easy stuff! Street tires, sure. I would like to get some nsr 6 spoke with tires hub, disk, $600 for that?



Lights, signals, speedo, none of that amounts to much!

 

[Dan-o 50z]

Is it even possible to stuff a crf230 motor in there? I mean I don't know personally, but that's a vertical motor and the ones that bolt in are horizontal. I can't imagine that the mounting points are anywhere near the same plus can you clear the frame? It just seems like it wouldn't work to me, but I have no imagination. I might have some cash for your motor and exhaust to help you fund it. PM me if you want to sell anything.

 

[309Antonio]

Hey Dan,



Well, I'm gonna find out. There is plenty of room for the enigne height wise I think.....we will see. I haven't gotten my hands on a bare motor to measure yet. I know it won't just bolt in. the tank has a serious arch in it, and as long as I can insulate it from heat, I think it will have plenty of room. I'm looking forward to making custom motor mounts with the steel and an angle grinder! Im 22, dumb, and have a big imagination.



I want to sell the swing arm, front forks, wheels, and tires, engine and exhaust. Not really sure what it's worth. Let me know if you are interested in any of that!



I am looking for the nsr swingarm, and nsr forks. I think thats what I need to get. can anyone verify this for me?



Thanks so much!

 

[FrodoGT]

Just so you know, Maine doesn't require titles on bikes older than, I think, 15 years old. Titling services like to use Maine and Georgia alot for this reason. They Only require a signed bill of sale from the previous recorded owner. Also, if you take your registration to another state that DOES require titles...FL for example, they will not contest another states issuance of registration, and will issue you a new title and registration!

 

[309Antonio]

Holy crap! cool! Thanks Frodo!