The Golden Boys. Honda 1972 Z50 Cafe Racer, 1970 CT70, and 1972 CB175 gold bikes.

Here they are. The late sixties and early seventies Hondas used beautiful candy colors and chrome to compliment their creations. Although gold was not the favorite color of mine, the tank on the Z50 inspired this chain of bikes. Once done, the Z50 build inspired the CT70 build, a frame-only project that had been sitting on the shelf for years. With those two bikes done, the CB175, another project that was awaiting revival, was pulled from a friend’s shed and put back on the street. Details on the Z50 and CT70 appear in previous posts for anyone interested.

Here they are. The late sixties and early seventies Hondas used beautiful candy colors and chrome to compliment their creations. Although gold was not the favorite color of mine, the tank on the Z50 inspired this chain of bikes. Once done, the Z50 build inspired the CT70 build, a frame-only project that had been sitting on the shelf for years. With those two bikes done, the CB175, another project that was awaiting revival, was pulled from a friend’s shed and put back on the street. Details on the Z50 and CT70 appear in previous posts for anyone interested.

A few changes have taken place since the pictures in the last post. For one, the mufflers were put back on. The header portion of the exhaust pipes had been borrowed for the Cabracer360, and a used set had to be sourced to replace them.

A few changes have taken place since the pictures in the last post. For one, the mufflers were put back on. The header portion of the exhaust pipes had been borrowed for the Cabracer360, and a used set had to be sourced to replace them.

A new seat cover and a set of tires and tubes were fitted. All the chrome was polished out by hand, and the rest of the bike was given a thorough wipe down.

A new seat cover and a set of tires and tubes were fitted. All the chrome was polished out by hand, and the rest of the bike was given a thorough wipe down.

The original electrical system was intact and functional, only needing a new set of keys, points, plugs, condenser, a battery, and a couple screws on the turn signals to be complete. The electric start on the bike works perfectly, and the bike starts easily and idles smoothly.

The original electrical system was intact and functional, only needing a new set of keys, points, plugs, condenser, a battery, and a couple screws on the turn signals to be complete. The electric start on the bike works perfectly, and the bike starts easily and idles smoothly.

Both front and back wheels were rusted, and were replaced with a used set of wheels taken also from the Cabracer360 bike. Though not perfect, they look pretty good after polishing.

Both front and back wheels were rusted, and were replaced with a used set of wheels taken also from the Cabracer360 bike. Though not perfect, they look pretty good after polishing.

Gold and chrome. What a sweet combo.

Gold and chrome. What a sweet combo.

The front forks were also switched out for a nice used set that came with the bike originally. The rust on the fork uppers was concealed by the covers, but the seller must have been aware and found the replacements. The lower chrome portins of the covers is also in better shape than the originals.

The front forks were also switched out for a nice used set that came with the bike originally. The rust on the fork uppers was concealed by the covers, but the seller must have been aware and found the replacements. The lower chrome portins of the covers is also in better shape than the originals.

Other new parts include a fuel petcock from Honda, and drive chain.

Other new parts include a fuel petcock from Honda, and drive chain.

Texas gold.

Texas gold.

Minibike Texas update.

Nothing but Honda bikes getting done around the shop. A set of 1970’s Z50’s finally rolled out of the shop, a 1980 beater Z50R gets a new life, a 1992 Z50R left with a new owner, and a 1972 CB175 is revived and getting a little freshening up.

Something about these years of Z50 is just perfect. They were the last Minis Honda made with lighting, and that resemble full-sized street bikes. The candy colors and chrome on the earlier models is just beautiful. The Tupperware bikes that followed might perform better, but have none of the charm.

Something about these years of Z50 is just perfect. They were the last Minis Honda made with lighting, and that resemble full-sized street bikes. The candy colors and chrome on the earlier models is just beautiful. The Tupperware bikes that followed might perform better, but have none of the charm.

Primary colors. Each of these bikes is fully restored, with performance mods on the blue 1973 and yellow 1976 models.

Primary colors. Each of these bikes is fully restored, with performance mods on the blue 1973 and yellow 1976 models.

108cc stroker kit, race head and cam, big bore exhaust and carb, 4 speed tranny and heavy duty clutch. The swingarm and front forks are extended, and Takegawa rear shocks, plus some of their wheel goodies went on the bike.

108cc stroker kit, race head and cam, big bore exhaust and carb, 4 speed tranny and heavy duty clutch. The swingarm and front forks are extended, and Takegawa rear shocks, plus some of their wheel goodies went on the bike.

With the extended fork legs and swinger, plus the taller tires, the wheelbase and ride height are a little better suited for the added power.

With the extended fork legs and swinger, plus the taller tires, the wheelbase and ride height are a little better suited for the added power.

The 1972 was done as a stock rebuild, with only some small changes like a chrome-plated triple tree top clamp.

The 1972 was done as a stock rebuild, with only some small changes like a chrome-plated triple tree top clamp.

This poor 1980 model Z50R was rode hard and put away wet. The drain lug was stripped, the brake arm was badly bent and had gouged out a significant hole in the clutch cover, there was a huge hole in the bottom at the muffler can, missing kill switch, a crappy seat cover and beaten tank graced the top, but other than that, it was all there, and in reasonable shape.

This poor 1980 model Z50R was rode hard and put away wet. The drain lug was stripped, the brake arm was badly bent and had gouged out a significant hole in the clutch cover, there was a huge hole in the bottom at the muffler can, missing kill switch, a crappy seat cover and beaten tank graced the top, but other than that, it was all there, and in reasonable shape.

There was also a bad bend in the handlebars, and the rear wheel was trashed out with rust and an ugly hub. The brakes were not functional because of missing brake arm components. Someone coated the tank inside with Kreem, but only put it on the bottom half of the tank…destined for early failure. In the process, they apparently ruined any chance of saving the tanks original paint by spilling acetone on it (the purplish discoloration is the telltale giveaway.) I can usually push the dents out from the inside, touch up the paint, buff it out, and add new decals to get a surprisingly good rider-quality piece, but this one was a little too far gone..

There was also a bad bend in the handlebars, and the rear wheel was trashed out with rust and an ugly hub. The brakes were not functional because of missing brake arm components. Someone coated the tank inside with Kreem, but only put it on the bottom half of the tank…destined for early failure. In the process, they apparently ruined any chance of saving the tanks original paint by spilling acetone on it (the purplish discoloration is the telltale giveaway.) I can usually push the dents out from the inside, touch up the paint, buff it out, and add new decals to get a surprisingly good rider-quality piece, but this one was a little too far gone..

A new set of tires on a pristine set of original paint wheel halves and hubs, fresh axles and hardware, reproduction seat, plastics, and handlebars, new clutch cover, straightened brake arm, a stock carb to replace the Chinese one it came with, a repainted exhaust from another bike, repaired kill switch, and new ignition components made a monster difference, and a sweet little rider. At this point, she starts easy, idles smooth, and has plenty of power.

A new set of tires on a pristine set of original paint wheel halves and hubs, fresh axles and hardware, reproduction seat, plastics, and handlebars, new clutch cover, straightened brake arm, a stock carb to replace the Chinese one it came with, a repainted exhaust from another bike, repaired kill switch, and new ignition components made a monster difference, and a sweet little rider. At this point, she starts easy, idles smooth, and has plenty of power.

A buyer for this bike showed up almost immediately, and wanted an 88cc big bore kit. With the new kit, this bike is smoking fast and a thrill to ride.

A buyer for this bike showed up almost immediately, and wanted an 88cc big bore kit. With the new kit, this bike is smoking fast and a thrill to ride.

A restoration from a number of years back, this 1992 Z50R left with a new owner. People ask me why I don’t advertise the bikes for sale, but the answer is there are a lot of tire-kickers when it comes to an item that is a toy instead of a necessity, and the serious ones will actually seek you out.

A restoration from a number of years back, this 1992 Z50R left with a new owner. People ask me why I don’t advertise the bikes for sale, but the answer is there are a lot of tire-kickers when it comes to an item that is a toy instead of a necessity, and the serious ones will actually seek you out.

This was one of the smoothest running Z50 engines I have had. It just seemed to almost whizz as it was accelerating, in a smooth, almost linear fashion. I was sorry to see it go, as it was the only stock restoration of this era that I owned, but the additional space in my shop is what I am after.

This was one of the smoothest running Z50 engines I have had. It just seemed to almost whizz as it was accelerating, in a smooth, almost linear fashion. I was sorry to see it go, as it was the only stock restoration of this era that I owned, but the additional space in my shop is what I am after.

This 1972 CB175 was sourced out of Colorado five or six years ago, and is just now getting a revival. The bike was started fairly easily, thanks to whoever put it away last. They drained the tank, carbs, and crankcase, avoiding the fuel system nightmares that are so common on old bikes. The plan is to switch out the rusted wheel set for a used pair in better shape, install a nice set of used front forks that came with the bike, new tires and seat cover, all new ignition components, a battery, and a good clean and detail. The mufflers were taken off years ago to rob the header portion for the Cabracer360. Another used header set was found and will go on with the original low mufflers.

This 1972 CB175 was sourced out of Colorado five or six years ago, and is just now getting a revival. The bike was started fairly easily, thanks to whoever put it away last. They drained the tank, carbs, and crankcase, avoiding the fuel system nightmares that are so common on old bikes. The plan is to switch out the rusted wheel set for a used pair in better shape, install a nice set of used front forks that came with the bike, new tires and seat cover, all new ignition components, a battery, and a good clean and detail. The mufflers were taken off years ago to rob the header portion for the Cabracer360. Another used header set was found and will go on with the original low mufflers.

The spokes on both wheels were badly rusted, and there is surface rust on some chrome parts, but the new wheels will solve that.

The spokes on both wheels were badly rusted, and there is surface rust on some chrome parts, but the new wheels will solve that.

1965 Triumph TR6SRT build update, a custom tail light fixture, 1979 Z50R refresh.

Getting a lot of random things done in the shop. A bunch of re-arranging and cleaning, finishing some bikes, and building here and there, in between (mostly when parts show up.)

The engine is finally done aside from the ignition. There were so many worn-out parts on this engine. The entire primary is new, and all the shifting mechanism, bearings and bushings were replaced in the engine and tranny. The side covers were all replaced, as well as the shifter and kicker. New oil pump, cams, followers, pistons, valves, guides, and springs, engine bolts ,washers, and nuts, new bottom drain plugs, inspection covers, and oil pressure valve rounds out the list.

The engine is finally done aside from the ignition. There were so many worn-out parts on this engine. The entire primary is new, and all the shifting mechanism, bearings and bushings were replaced in the engine and tranny. The side covers were all replaced, as well as the shifter and kicker. New oil pump, cams, followers, pistons, valves, guides, and springs, engine bolts ,washers, and nuts, new bottom drain plugs, inspection covers, and oil pressure valve rounds out the list.

Still need shocks to get it off the table. The shocks need to be 14.5 inches to get the stance right. At this point, a pair of Racetech shocks is being considered.

Still need shocks to get it off the table. The shocks need to be 14.5 inches to get the stance right. At this point, a pair of Racetech shocks is being considered.

One piece of tubing off the oil breather needs to be put on, and the oil system plumbing will be done.

One piece of tubing off the oil breather needs to be put on, and the oil system plumbing will be done.

The brakes are done, front and back. The folding pegs are on and the exhaust brackets are being worked out. A set of Norton Commando rubber shock mounts in the frame passenger peg brackets are being used to make the rear tailpipe bracket.

The brakes are done, front and back. The folding pegs are on and the exhaust brackets are being worked out. A set of Norton Commando rubber shock mounts in the frame passenger peg brackets are being used to make the rear tailpipe bracket.

The Ceriani front end is on, with a fork stop on the to-do list. The fender is a 1965 alloy reproduction. Rubber bumpers on the fork brace keep it in place for now, but there will be supporting struts added.

The Ceriani front end is on, with a fork stop on the to-do list. The fender is a 1965 alloy reproduction. Rubber bumpers on the fork brace keep it in place for now, but there will be supporting struts added.

A little fun. This was started a while back, and I just moved it along a little farther. Obviously an exhaust clamp, there is a glass lens from a WW2 US navy airplane, and an LED light fixture in there as well.

A little fun. This was started a while back, and I just moved it along a little farther. Obviously an exhaust clamp, there is a glass lens from a WW2 US navy airplane, and an LED light fixture in there as well.

To attach the LED and the weather boot, a custom threaded nut was made with a concave surface to fit the domed rear of the fixture, and a ridge that secures the lip of the boot.

To attach the LED and the weather boot, a custom threaded nut was made with a concave surface to fit the domed rear of the fixture, and a ridge that secures the lip of the boot.

The domed back is made from a cymbal scrap.

The domed back is made from a cymbal scrap.

It is very bright. Though a single filament element, the brake/running light brightness will be controlled by diodes and a resistor in the lines.

It is very bright. Though a single filament element, the brake/running light brightness will be controlled by diodes and a resistor in the lines.

This 1979 Z50R came through recently for some engine work. A stock top-end refurb was done, and a new Z50J model muffler replaced the stock rusted unit. The heat shields from the 1979 model fit perfectly

This 1979 Z50R came through recently for some engine work. A stock top-end refurb was done, and a new Z50J model muffler replaced the stock rusted unit. The heat shields from the 1979 model fit perfectly