[monkeydad]

I bought this today. Knowing it is a 1969 K1 poorly built as a K0. I thought I would share to educate the collective. I knew what I was buying and am happy with the purchase. This is for education purposes only, and seller treated me right.

First; Eagle-eyes among you already see the problem. I'll put the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at the end of the pics. See if you can spot the errors

The Good: Tank is OEM K1, gas cap is OEM correct petcock is OEM K1. K1 coil. Wheels correct. Bolts on wheels correct "8's".

The Bad: Grips are black, painted over in white 9 (K0 subterfuge). Headlight ears are ground off. Missing plate bracket. Carb/aircleaner incorrect. Incorrect muffler. Seat incorrect. Missing headlight.

The Ugly: Tail light bracket on frame was ground off. Not sure if this is easily repaired. Battery box brackets ground off. Engine is a CT70 motor. Previous owner has the original headlight, but refused to include it in the sale or sell it to me. Don't know why. I knew the bike was a fake K0, and as we talked he figured out that I knew. But, with the extra parts it seemed fair with the exception of the headlight, and I missed it until I got home, the tail light bracket being ground off the frame.

The Good News After All: Two engines and a block included in sale; CT70 engine I believe a K0 version SN CT70E-165484, 1973 K4 Z50AE-431165 engine, 1974 K5 Z50AE-5002946 engine block. Original battery box and brackets included. Original wiring harness included. Original K1 Stanely tail light and bracket included. K2 Muffler very good condition. Carb/aircleaner assembly from a 1978 Z50A, and I have a 1978 Z50A that needs these.

I'm sure I've left out some things, but I just picked it up today.

Paid $1300 for all.

 

[RAZZO]

Wow. Welcome to the 2.0 version of this hobby before the greedy collectors and flea marketers entered.

Did he actually list it a 1968 K0?

 

[speedfrk]

Are those real K0 fenders? If so, pretty rare and probably sellable. TL brackets are available. The bike needs paint anyways, so a little welding is not a problem. It's all fixable. Any idea what the original color was?

 

[RogerA]

Even at $1300, and so many things wrong, I would have bought it. Sounds like with all the extras you still got a decent deal. If it was me, I would just ride it and enjoy.

 

[monkeydad]

Wow. Welcome to the 2.0 version of this hobby before the greedy collectors and flea marketers entered.

Did he actually list it a 19868 K0?

No. I just wanted to show folks what a faked K0 looks like to educate readers. It was listed as a '69, so the previous owner to the seller may have done all the frame and fork grinding, and painted the black grips white. Seller did have the battery box and brackets, rear light and bracket, and headlight. I draw no conclusions, and my eyes were open when I bought it. To sellers great credit, he gave me the stuff that was removed from the frame, and of course the engines, one of which I believe is a K0 CT70 engine that someone will be really happy to have. I knew what I was buying and I'm happy with the purchase.

Are those real K0 fenders? If so, pretty rare and probably sellable. TL brackets are available. The bike needs paint anyways, so a little welding is not a problem. It's all fixable. Any idea what the original color was?

They are. The rear is good, the front had something broken off and is bolted directly. I found a TL bracket, and I have the battery box brackets which spot weld back on easily. Will likely send the frame and frame bits to Motorcycle Repair Reading, PA - Motorcycle Symmetry to remount them and give the frame a once-over for trueness and paint, along with tank. Tank is correct/original K1 with a bad respray. Original color was blue, per the battery box and brackets, and headlight seller had but did not let me have or buy. Strange he didn't let me have that light.

Even at $1300, and so many things wrong, I would have bought it. Sounds like with all the extras you still got a decent deal. If it was me, I would just ride it and enjoy.

I think it's a fair deal too. I'm a weirdo and will bring this bike back to original K1 status. Only real fly in the ointment is an engine in the correct SN range. I may find one right away, or never fine one. Who knows!

I have to ways to go for the engine. Sell the K0 CT70 engine to someone who really needs it to complete their project and stick a Lifan in my bike until I find a correct engine, or, leave the K0 CT70 engine in it as a period correct hot-rot mod. A lot of folks stuck CT70 engines in these and the K0 CT motor is close in production to this Z50A K1, so it's feasible the original owner stuck a CT70 motor in for a performance boost and that engine has been in that frame since 1970/71.

 

[monkeydad]

Update: seller sold me the original headlight, and included two new tires, a Z50AE coil and plug, and the bikes original kill switch. $200. I now have every part that was taken off of the bike save two.

Two bits missing; engine, and the original forks are toast-the headlight ears were ground off, so I need K1 forks.

 

[RogerA]

Update: seller sold me the original headlight, and included two new tires, a Z50AE coil and plug, and the bikes original kill switch. $200. I now have every part that was taken off of the bike save two.

Two bits missing; engine, and the original forks are toast-the headlight ears were ground off, so I need K1 forks.

Great news. It will be a fantastic bike once you build it back.

 

[monkeydad]

Great news. It will be a fantastic bike once you build it back.

Now all I need is a 131xxx engine! 🤣🤪