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A bit over a week ago I picket up this 1972 Z50 that just so happens to be my birth year. I have been watching for one for a while to use as a pit bike. I have a 1986 CRX that I race and I figured what better way to get around then on a classic Honda.
Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr
MayPIR_zpsb556d3be by Victor M, on Flickr
I realized before buying it a few things were off like the paint color, which the seller had matched to his 32 Ford, removed headlight and tail light, wrong chain guard and painted wheels. It was not running the best so I cleaned the carb and that really helped a lot but it was while digging in I found the other issues like a unique way to keep water out of the wheels. This explains why the front wheel wobbled.
Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr
Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr
As I dug further I found other things like the wrong throttle, all the electrical is gone only one wire going to the coil and using the headlight switch as a kill switch. Lots of little things that have been fixed incorrectly over the years to keep it running. I also found this little bike is a very early production of the first year to have rear suspension. It's vin is 1000355, so the 355 bike made. I was concerned that the motor was not original as the serial number is Z50AE-359420. I then saw a post from a member in April of 2016 asking about his 72 that has vin 1000344 and motor Z50AE-359418. I was shocked to see his bike was made eleven before mine and his motor was two before mine.
I am so happy to see there are places like CHP, DRATV and lots on EBAY for these bikes. Also a great source of information like this web forum. I went all the way back to 2014 threads in my quest for knowledge. Been buying lots of parts to get it functioning correctly and safely. After that is done I will work on making it look nicer. Eventually I will put all the wiring back and I will have to source new forks as the ears were chopped off of mine.
One thing I can't seem to find in reproduction for the K3-78 is the muffler stinger. Mine does not have one, the screwed a thing piece of chrome pipe to the end to extend it past the shock. I see the the earlier bikes have reproductions of this part but not the K3 and up. Does anyone know of someone who sells these?
Thanks and sorry for the long introduction, I could share more, EXCITED if you can't tell, but I would bore you I am sure. i am sure I will post progress and questions as I go on the rehab journey.


I realized before buying it a few things were off like the paint color, which the seller had matched to his 32 Ford, removed headlight and tail light, wrong chain guard and painted wheels. It was not running the best so I cleaned the carb and that really helped a lot but it was while digging in I found the other issues like a unique way to keep water out of the wheels. This explains why the front wheel wobbled.


As I dug further I found other things like the wrong throttle, all the electrical is gone only one wire going to the coil and using the headlight switch as a kill switch. Lots of little things that have been fixed incorrectly over the years to keep it running. I also found this little bike is a very early production of the first year to have rear suspension. It's vin is 1000355, so the 355 bike made. I was concerned that the motor was not original as the serial number is Z50AE-359420. I then saw a post from a member in April of 2016 asking about his 72 that has vin 1000344 and motor Z50AE-359418. I was shocked to see his bike was made eleven before mine and his motor was two before mine.
I am so happy to see there are places like CHP, DRATV and lots on EBAY for these bikes. Also a great source of information like this web forum. I went all the way back to 2014 threads in my quest for knowledge. Been buying lots of parts to get it functioning correctly and safely. After that is done I will work on making it look nicer. Eventually I will put all the wiring back and I will have to source new forks as the ears were chopped off of mine.
One thing I can't seem to find in reproduction for the K3-78 is the muffler stinger. Mine does not have one, the screwed a thing piece of chrome pipe to the end to extend it past the shock. I see the the earlier bikes have reproductions of this part but not the K3 and up. Does anyone know of someone who sells these?
Thanks and sorry for the long introduction, I could share more, EXCITED if you can't tell, but I would bore you I am sure. i am sure I will post progress and questions as I go on the rehab journey.