50Ryder420's Z50A K1 Build/Question Thread

[50ryder420]

Well after 10 years of sitting in my garage I am going to restore my 1969 Z50A K1.

I have many questions and need a little advice on a few things.

First off let me list what I plan on buying and changing on the bike.

New Parts:
Fenders
Headlight itself (I think the bucket is ok to reuse)
Tail light and tail light bracket (never had to begin with)
Pegs/Peg mount/Kickstand
Rebuild forks
Wiring
Battery
Brake cables
Handle bars and controls
Chain guard
Exhaust
Gas tank (fix it or buy new one)
Plus lots of little crap
Frame, forks, headlight bucket, and tank will be repainted or powder coated
And for the engine I have a 2007 Honda bottom end with a TB88 ready to go in

Now the many questions that I have:

1. Registration with the DMV

As most of you know registering bikes is California can be a biotch. For me to register this bike to be street legal do I need anything else besides what was originally on the bike (it has a headlight and tail light but do I need blinkers and mirrors etc...). Also would it be better to go through the inspection process with the original motor or could I swap out for my new motor (I am not sure if they check the engine code when inspecting).

2. Wiring and Lights

Since I am going to convert the bike to 12v I know I would need to change things like light bulbs, battery, reg/rec etc... My question is the replacement wiring harness that say CHP sells would replace my original wiring but do I still need the harness that Dr ATV sells to convert to 12v or can I modify the CHP wiring to work?

3. Forks

I was just doing to rebuild my original forks and have them powder coated but any other ideas?

4. Handle Bars

I am not sure if I want to keep the original look by keeping the stock bars. Anyone put regular bars on a hard tail or have any pictures of one?

5. Rims and Tires

My rims have a couple of bent and dinged lips. If my hubs are ok then I'll I need are the rim half’s right? Also anyone know a good DOT approved street tire for 8in

6. Gas Tank

As you can see from the pictures below that the tank has some dents in it and some rust on the inside. I was thinking of saving the time and money to fix it by buying one of those reproduced prepainted tanks from CHP. Anybody have one?

7. Speedo

Anyone ever think of trying to put a Speedo where the top headlight emblem would be. I am already missing the emblem and it looks like you could fit a Speedo in there.

8. Tail light tab on frame

Mine is broken off so any suggestions. I was planning on just making something and welding it on myself.

9. Exhaust

I really like the type of exhaust that goes under your foot then up and out the back. Any suggestions on an exhaust that won’t kill my wallet. Dr ATV has that cobra exhaust that is only 100 bucks and looks pretty good

10. Frame

I do not think it is choppered but are there any spots I should check that are prone to damage

Any questions, comments, or advice are greatly appreciated

Thanks

-Bert




Gas Tank



rust inside of tank





broken frame tab for tail light bracket

[supernes550]

do you have the original title?

as for the parts... it looks like you don't care too much about keeping it oem stock. restomod i take it?

looking forward to seeing your project progress

[50ryder420]

Yes i have the original title but it has not been registered in like 15 years.

I am definatly not going OEM. More of a restomod or restorod (in hot rod terms) like you said

[cyclerider57]

Start by setting a budget... Then look here and see what hits your fancy...

Custom 1969-1971 Hardtail Z50's

[50ryder420]

Why o why did you have to put up that link.............lol

My budget was around 1500 but after looking at some of those bikes probally need 3k

Even if it is not the best looking in the beginning I want something i can cruise around town on that will be relaible. I have no problem spending around 1k now to get it running good and street legal and then later dump more money on it

[FastMC]

#5...contact member Reilly118 on here. He has some chrome 8" wheels with Kings street tires for sale. They probably only have about 15 miles on them. Rims and tires only for 4 bolt hubs.

[50ryder420]

Really need an answer to question #1.........anyone????

[3pinr]

I'm pretty sure you are going to need a horn.

[50ryder420]

I know what is required by the DMV but what i don't know is if my bike is exempt from having what they require (turns sigs horn etc) because it did not come with those things from the factory.

[50ryder420]

I hope all i need is a headlight (hi and low beams), Hi beam indicator light, brake light, battery, and maybe a mirror

[supernes550]

i'd bring it in with the stock motor then upgrade afterwards

[RAZZO]

To answer #1 - If Calif. has 'VINTAGE OR ANTIQUE" reg/tags for motorcycles, after getting your normal plate, apply for them. They are self-inspection!! HAH! No worries then. Any motorcycle 25 years or older will qualifiy for antique tags. Collector insurance is much cheaper too.

Mod away then! You are the inspection station! I've done it here a quite a few times. "Of course Officer, that is the original motor."

[klx 110 master]

r u new at this

[50minikid]

yeah, and when you get collector plates here in WA you never have to get tabs again

[hooptytank]

Originally Posted by 50ryder420

Really need an answer to question #1.........anyone????

If you have a title, there is no inspection, just get insurance for it before going down there and set up an appointment to avoid delays. pay the fees and leave with a plate and stickers. My ZB costs $40 per year to insure with a less than stellar driving record.

only if you lost the title will you have to take load the bike up and take it for inspection. even then those morons at the DMV are clueless. if you have to get it inspected, just point to the frame # and grunt. if they look for a engine serial # on an china engine, play dumb... I've registered a CB750 that had to get inspected (no title) and it had no wheels, forks, swingarm, tank. just the frame and engine loaded in the back of the truck. I got an odd look but had no problems. The DMV only cares about the VIN. Cops are the ones that will bust you for problems with the bike like mirror, etc.

I think head/tail light, horn and mirror are needed to be street legal, use your hands for signals. if the bike never came with them, which I'm sure it didn't, they are not required

[50ryder420]

Originally Posted by klx 110 master

r u new at this

Ya I've never registered a bike for the street thats why I'm asking

And if you read through the DMV handbook it gets a little confusing

Originally Posted by hooptytank

If you have a title, there is no inspection, just get insurance for it before going down there and set up an appointment to avoid delays. pay the fees and leave with a plate and stickers. My ZB costs $40 per year to insure with a less than stellar driving record.

only if you lost the title will you have to take load the bike up and take it for inspection. even then those morons at the DMV are clueless. if you have to get it inspected, just point to the frame # and grunt. if they look for a engine serial # on an china engine, play dumb... I've registered a CB750 that had to get inspected (no title) and it had no wheels, forks, swingarm, tank. just the frame and engine loaded in the back of the truck. I got an odd look but had no problems. The DMV only cares about the VIN. Cops are the ones that will bust you for problems with the bike like mirror, etc.

I think head/tail light, horn and mirror are needed to be street legal, use your hands for signals. if the bike never came with them, which I'm sure it didn't, they are not required

Thank you hoopytank thats the info i was looking for. Now just to get insurance and then i be headin to the DMV

[tmas]

Originally Posted by hooptytank

My ZB costs $40 per year to insure with a less than stellar driving record.

Man, thats cheap.
tmas