Planet Minis

qa50 · 09-13-2008, 06:56 PM

I thought some of you guys might be interested in my 2007 40th anniversary Monkey build up.

Bit of a background:

Here in Australia, probably much like the US, we haven't had a monkey style bike from Honda since the early 80s. Back then we got the Z50JZ which looks much like the current Monkey but 6V and three speed auto. Before that we got the Z50J1 which looks like the Z50Ak3 but with indicators, speedo etc. Both of these models were plated for road use.

Then, after years of Z50R's, Honda Australia decided to import a limited number of 40th anniversary bikes. Unfortunately for us (and ultimately Honda Aus) they were not plated for road use which severly limited sales to the collector market.

However, since the J models had a very similar frame to the new Monkeys, many are buying the new 40th and swapping frames with the older J model. That way, they are road legal.

Thats what I have done, and then some...

This is the 2007 40th anniversary edition, in all its ugly red and black glory!

After a few laps of the house, the bike was stripped in preparation for the frame change.

The red frame is the 40th, the black is the 1981 JZ.

The follow shows the few small differences between the frames. I made up some brackets to replicate the newer frame.

And so, with the extra brackets welded onto the old frame and some new black paint (I wanted to get rid of the red on the bike), I boted it all back up - now ready for road registration.

qa50 · 09-13-2008, 07:12 PM

The same day as the bike was registered, it was pulled down again. I put a few kilometers (about 12) on it first though just for fun. I have to say, it is probably the slowest Z50 ive ridden, they really are restriced, even compared to the old 6v engines.

First new part to go on was the G-Craft MX seat.

Here's the athsmatic engine - have a look at the size of the intake port! That coin is 3/4in diameter!

The engine was stripped completely in preparation for a decently serious build.

At the same time, some new parts arrived. G-Craft triple square +16 swingarm to suit 4.0 rim, and a set of G-Craft rims in 4.0 and 3.5.

Pretty wide!

Then, the engine parts arrived.

The cases were bored to suit the big cylinder and I mocked the engine up in the bike.

And, as it sits as of today. Thats an Earls cooler. Still need to make some lines up to suit.

Some more updates to come in the coming weeks...

dirttrackin280h · 09-13-2008, 07:12 PM

Nice work! That head is so crazy looking! I love it

FastMC · 09-13-2008, 10:54 PM

WOW !!!!! You have a great looking build going there mate. That bike is going to be super nice. You have good taste. The gold wheel centers look sharp with all the black... Keep us posted as you progress.

jrotten · 09-13-2008, 11:00 PM

WOW!....That is a sick little bike,is all i have to say

lawson87 · 09-13-2008, 11:07 PM

BOING!!! That looks really good. I will build bicuriously through you... if you dont mind. Toby.

50-50 · 09-13-2008, 11:24 PM

Oh my God that bike is looking so incredibly awesome!!!!

Z · 09-14-2008, 07:34 AM

Glenn,

The oil cooler will be a nice custom touch. Much better and cheaper then paying 2X as much for the JDM versions that are virtually the same thing with the same cooler body...

Most excellent!

Dan

bigdumbhead · 09-14-2008, 09:08 AM

wow! i'm loving the gold centered wheels on the black bike!!! i think my pants just got a little tighter

EddieNewYork · 09-14-2008, 08:59 PM

Whoa, that's some serious build mate!

Looking forward to seeing it's completion. Is the donor frame longer than the 40th frame or just an illusion? Nice on the brackets too!

50minikid · 09-14-2008, 09:13 PM

Very nice build, by the time you are done you will almost have enough parts to make a roller from the original bike.

357 Racing · 09-14-2008, 09:37 PM

Clean clean clean clean clean clean clean!!!!!!

Where can I buy a seat like that? And are those the stock forks with stiff springs?

qa50 · 09-14-2008, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. This build was supposed to be just big bore kit and a nice set of wheels! I now can see how easily projects get out of hand!

EddieNewYork - Looking at the photo now, the black frame does look longer! It's not though, they are exactly the same.

50minikid - You are right! Like i said, the project was only going to be a few upgrades and that was supposed to be it. If I knew than that it would go this far I would have starte with a bare frame and saved myself some cash! From the original bike im still using the tank, wiring, headlight and engine cases. Oh, and the rear hub - for now.

TankTheory · 09-15-2008, 08:41 AM

whoaaa, very nice work.

357 Racing · 09-16-2008, 10:46 PM

Any updates? What tranny you gonna use also what gearing?

qa50 · 10-13-2008, 02:18 AM

Getting closer now!

Only exhaust, engine assembly and some wiring to go...

EddieNewYork · 10-13-2008, 02:29 AM

OMG!! That looks dope!!

cdoublejj · 10-13-2008, 06:33 AM

Damn, might need a steering dampner.

Z · 10-13-2008, 07:15 AM

Glenn,

You are a quick worker! The home-grown oil cooler is looking top knotch!

If you don't like the Blue and Red fittings, earl's does sell the swivelseal fittings in black as well. I like the blue and red fittings, but others do not.

That's a nice looking bike!

Dan

klx 110 master · 10-13-2008, 07:25 AM

that thing is going to fly and it looks so sick

09-13-2008, 06:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
qa50 1st Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 104	My Monkey Build I thought some of you guys might be interested in my 2007 40th anniversary Monkey build up. Bit of a background: Here in Australia, probably much like the US, we haven't had a monkey style bike from Honda since the early 80s. Back then we got the Z50JZ which looks much like the current Monkey but 6V and three speed auto. Before that we got the Z50J1 which looks like the Z50Ak3 but with indicators, speedo etc. Both of these models were plated for road use. Then, after years of Z50R's, Honda Australia decided to import a limited number of 40th anniversary bikes. Unfortunately for us (and ultimately Honda Aus) they were not plated for road use which severly limited sales to the collector market. However, since the J models had a very similar frame to the new Monkeys, many are buying the new 40th and swapping frames with the older J model. That way, they are road legal. Thats what I have done, and then some... This is the 2007 40th anniversary edition, in all its ugly red and black glory! After a few laps of the house, the bike was stripped in preparation for the frame change. The red frame is the 40th, the black is the 1981 JZ. The follow shows the few small differences between the frames. I made up some brackets to replicate the newer frame. And so, with the extra brackets welded onto the old frame and some new black paint (I wanted to get rid of the red on the bike), I boted it all back up - now ready for road registration.

09-13-2008, 07:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
qa50 1st Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 104	Re: My Monkey Build The same day as the bike was registered, it was pulled down again. I put a few kilometers (about 12) on it first though just for fun. I have to say, it is probably the slowest Z50 ive ridden, they really are restriced, even compared to the old 6v engines. First new part to go on was the G-Craft MX seat. Here's the athsmatic engine - have a look at the size of the intake port! That coin is 3/4in diameter! The engine was stripped completely in preparation for a decently serious build. At the same time, some new parts arrived. G-Craft triple square +16 swingarm to suit 4.0 rim, and a set of G-Craft rims in 4.0 and 3.5. Pretty wide! Then, the engine parts arrived. The cases were bored to suit the big cylinder and I mocked the engine up in the bike. And, as it sits as of today. Thats an Earls cooler. Still need to make some lines up to suit. Some more updates to come in the coming weeks...

09-13-2008, 07:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
dirttrackin280h 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oakley, California Posts: 1,008	Re: My Monkey Build Nice work! That head is so crazy looking! I love it

09-13-2008, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
FastMC Sporting the Merkin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: boston area Posts: 5,072 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build WOW !!!!! You have a great looking build going there mate. That bike is going to be super nice. You have good taste. The gold wheel centers look sharp with all the black... Keep us posted as you progress.

09-13-2008, 11:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
jrotten 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: everett,wa Posts: 564	Re: My Monkey Build WOW!....That is a sick little bike,is all i have to say

09-13-2008, 11:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
lawson87 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 574	Re: My Monkey Build BOING!!! That looks really good. I will build bicuriously through you... if you dont mind. Toby.

09-13-2008, 11:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
50-50 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 1,844 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build Oh my God that bike is looking so incredibly awesome!!!!

09-14-2008, 07:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Z 5th Gear Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: KANSAS Posts: 8,540	Re: My Monkey Build Glenn, The oil cooler will be a nice custom touch. Much better and cheaper then paying 2X as much for the JDM versions that are virtually the same thing with the same cooler body... Most excellent! Dan

09-14-2008, 09:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
bigdumbhead PM Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 27	Re: My Monkey Build wow! i'm loving the gold centered wheels on the black bike!!! i think my pants just got a little tighter

09-14-2008, 08:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
EddieNewYork Buck Fifteen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,913 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build Whoa, that's some serious build mate! Looking forward to seeing it's completion. Is the donor frame longer than the 40th frame or just an illusion? Nice on the brackets too!

09-14-2008, 09:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
50minikid 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 936 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build Very nice build, by the time you are done you will almost have enough parts to make a roller from the original bike.

09-14-2008, 09:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
357 Racing 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,079	Re: My Monkey Build Clean clean clean clean clean clean clean!!!!!! Where can I buy a seat like that? And are those the stock forks with stiff springs? Last edited by 357 Racing; 09-14-2008 at 09:39 PM.

09-14-2008, 09:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
qa50 1st Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 104	Re: My Monkey Build Thanks for the comments guys. This build was supposed to be just big bore kit and a nice set of wheels! I now can see how easily projects get out of hand! EddieNewYork - Looking at the photo now, the black frame does look longer! It's not though, they are exactly the same. 50minikid - You are right! Like i said, the project was only going to be a few upgrades and that was supposed to be it. If I knew than that it would go this far I would have starte with a bare frame and saved myself some cash! From the original bike im still using the tank, wiring, headlight and engine cases. Oh, and the rear hub - for now.

09-15-2008, 08:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
TankTheory 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: .860. Posts: 549 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build whoaaa, very nice work.

09-16-2008, 10:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
357 Racing 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,079	Re: My Monkey Build Any updates? What tranny you gonna use also what gearing?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

10-13-2008, 02:18 AM	#16 (permalink)
qa50 1st Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 104	Re: My Monkey Build Getting closer now! Only exhaust, engine assembly and some wiring to go...

10-13-2008, 02:29 AM	#17 (permalink)
EddieNewYork Buck Fifteen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,913 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build OMG!! That looks dope!!

10-13-2008, 06:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
cdoublejj 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: St.Joe MO Posts: 1,371 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build Damn, might need a steering dampner.

10-13-2008, 07:15 AM	#19 (permalink)
Z 5th Gear Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: KANSAS Posts: 8,540	Re: My Monkey Build Glenn, You are a quick worker! The home-grown oil cooler is looking top knotch! If you don't like the Blue and Red fittings, earl's does sell the swivelseal fittings in black as well. I like the blue and red fittings, but others do not. That's a nice looking bike! Dan

10-13-2008, 07:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
klx 110 master 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT Posts: 972 My Mood:	Re: My Monkey Build that thing is going to fly and it looks so sick