Land of the Pines Rally, Honda Z50's, CL70, Norton Commando, Yamaha XT500, Volvo P1800S repairs, revivals, and builds.

The annual North Texas Norton Owners Association “Land of the Pines Rally” was on the first week-end of October in the woods of East Texas. The 1974 Norton Commando Cafe racer and 1972 Honda Z50 were brought to show, and the “Hater” bike was brought to ride. The Norton took first place in the cafe racer class.

A fully restored 1970 Z50 K2 model that was painted and put together years ago, but just recently completed for a potential sale. i have been getting rid of some bikes here and there, as my abundance of Honda minis is being traded for bigger British bikes or more space.

Another hardtail built at the same time as the blue one above, and only recently started up. Both bikes were in the loft of the shop, and following assembly left alone without any fluids left in them.

This 1966 Volvo P1800S is being prepped for sale. A new set of seat covers, new wheels and tires, and most likely a paint job will tart it up a little.

These early Volvos were known to have drainage issues in the rear, with the trunk lid and fuel filler door being problem areas. This trunk drip channel is totally destroyed by rust, needing a replacement.

The channel has been replaced and is ready for paint. The new Volvo gas tank can be seen in this image. It is a brand new correct pressing authorized and sold by Volvo. Along with the tank, the new fuel lines, filter and electric fuel pump make for a completely fresh fuel supply.

A 1979 Yamaha XT500 enduro thumper found its way into the shop. This one is special. It belonged to a friend who let me ride it years ago in a big Texas field. It was and still is a torquey, strong ride. It has been getting some basic maintenance and repair before going to another friend. This is the bike as it came, with the right handlebar bent upward from a spill

When purchased, the point cover and condenser were crushed by a rockl in a Colorado trail ride. The skid plate took some damage and had to be straightened out as well.

This one came through the shop recently for a top-end rebuild and some other repairs.

A 1971 Honda CL70 that is going to be built into a rider. The e-start Chinese engine it came with will be changed out for a Honda model.

Feeling up inside the body of the CL70, I could tell there was something unfamiliar in there where the coil usually is. Turns out it was just a voltage regulator with an extensive natural insulator on top.

The 1972 Honda Z50 took second place in the competition class, losing to Richard Asprey’s beautifully restored Cannonball winning pre-war Norton. Hard to be disappointed about second place with such a cool bike in first place.

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.