[Texranger]

Howdy!
Hello from TX. I've been riding for almost 30 years now and I always wanted a ZB50. Well, yesterday I picked up one and decided to join PM to have access to this community and knowledge folks here. I'm going to need some help diagnosing this thing until the service manual is delivered. Plenty of great info here and hope to contribute some!.
Nic

 

[tmas]

Welcome to Planet Minis. What do you need to know? Post a pic of your ZB.
tmas

 

[Texranger]

Thanks! Sure...here's it - 968 miles on this beauty but she was parked in a corner for way too many years. Trying to resuscitate it now. It's getting no spark. Previous owner bought an aftermarket CDI and coil when troubleshooting but I'm not trusting those.

Now, when I pulled the stator cover off, I noticed some internal damage to the cover itself. It appears the chain or sprocket came off breaking a portion of the cover and hitting the pulse generator. The backside of the generator (chain side) took a good whack but it appears it didn't go through the insulation. I get continuity from the generator to the harness plug but unsure what value is acceptable.

 

[tmas]

I will have a look in the ZB manual and post you some pics...
tmas

 

[tmas]

From the Honda manual.
tmas

 

[tmas]

A few more. Hope it helps.
tmas

 

[Texranger]

Outstanding! That's what I was looking for. This should help me get the no spark symptom diagnosed. If stator related, I'm guessing there are not too many options around this, correct? Either buy an OEM or one from Asia and re-pin as needed..?

 

[tmas]

The ZB50 stators are very hard to find. You are almost better off buying a used engine that comes with one. The 1991 -93 CT70 uses the same stator. It is a 12 volt CDI electrical system too. If you need any more help let us know.
tmas

 

[tmas]

Have a look at THIS thread. Brad used a stator that might work wit the zb motor. (not 100 % sure)
tmas

 

[slickz50r]

Welcome from another fellow Texan!
Those ZB's are something special for certain.

 

[kirrbby]

If it's just the little pickup coil that's damaged...just replace that.
There IS a reasonably priced stator setup for the zb tho. Genuine Honda too.

HONDA Z50 CT70 GENERATOR STATOR OEM 1988 - TO UP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HONDA Z50 CT70 GENERATOR STATOR OEM 1988 - TO UP at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Texranger]

Thank you!

I just inspected all the systems per tmas info posted above. Everything checked OK and within specs except:

I do get continuity from the pulse generator soldered terminal to the CDI plug but nothing when unplugging the 4P connector from harness and measuring between the BL/Y terminal and ground. I'm using a trusty Fluke 337 so I doubt it's the meter.

Can I replace just the pickup coil...is that available from aftermarket vendors?

Thanks again!

 

[Texranger]

And I did contact that Ebay seller earlier today and inquired about application of the stator for a ZB50; he responded within a few minutes with a "No, it cannot be used on a ZB50".

I'm thinking he's probably going by Honda part number books; since the stator he's selling has an extra coil and different connectors his first reaction is no, not applicable because Honda says so.

But I'm not afraid of splicing or soldering if I can get my ZB to spark!

 

[davmo]

Have you tried looking at the gap between the pulse generator and the flywheel? Yours looks to be bent out a bit. The gap between the metal tab on the outside of the flywheel and the tip of the PG should be about the distance of a business card. Also, virtually any pulse generator can be used whether original Honda or clone. It is a super simple device and rarely fails (the only time I have had one fail is when it was too close and contacted the flywheel.) Welcome to PM from another Texan and ZB owner!

 

[Texranger]

Thank you Davmo! (btw, just checked your page and fabwork...fantastic!)

I did check the gap between the pulse generator and the flywheel. Didn't measure it but it appeared to be ok. Thing is that after removing the stator and closer inspection of the generator, I'm pretty positive this thing is toasted...

 

[davmo]

Yes, looks like it made contact between the core and the windings. Like I said, it’s a super simple one-wire device. As long as you can get one that comes near that little plate on the fly wheel at the same point it’s good to go.

 

[Texranger]

10-4

So something like this should work, right?
STATOR PULSE PICKUP COIL Fits Honda 30300-HA0-033 30300-HA0-010 30300-HA0-013 | eBay

Hopefully the mounting holes will be kinda close...if not, I'll make it work! - Thank again!

 

[davmo]

The only thing that might stop you on that would be the dimensions. I can’t swear that that one would work I would be inclined to just get a clone or Honda unit just getting the whole stator assembly for a CRF 50, or 12volt Z50. You’ll find a lot more clones if you do the CRF 50 search. they have entire stator assemblies for as little as 20 bucks. The one unit that blew up on me was replaced with a CRF50 unit and worked fine. The unit that Kirby has listed above will work just fine too, you just might be able to find it a little cheaper since you’re only going to use the pick up portion.

 

[Texranger]

Howdy! Just a quick update on my ZB50. It was indeed the pulse generator. I first ordered one that I thought it was going to work but I was wrong. The coil itself was too big not allowing the cover to go back on plus the connection in the back was not practical.

Ended up ordering a different generator pulse (pretty similar to the original) and it worked just fine. Cleaned the carb a bit, installed a new plug and she fired up. I'm now waiting for some parts to arrive to keep working on it (chain, adjusters, bulbs, etc).

Thank you for the help!

 

[davmo]

Awesome!