Planet Minis

Racinguy542 · 12-08-2007, 07:01 PM

I dug this little jewel out of the back of our garage the other day. It was bought in either 1972 or 1973 by my great grandfather and given to my father. Every part on it is exactly how it was when it was bought in the 70's. It use to start...but the gas probably gummed up in the carb and needs a little cleaning. I'd like to make it look good and run again but the tranny has some issues. I need to find a place where I can buy these parts though...

Any ideas on what this thing is worth?

jedsled · 12-20-2007, 12:37 AM

i'm digging retro-bikes!

noVtecHERE · 12-20-2007, 01:09 AM

that things cool...

50-50 · 12-20-2007, 05:42 AM

That thing is ugly, but cool at the same time. Nice find!

Lair · 12-20-2007, 06:31 AM

I sold this one on Ebay last week for $610. It's a runner, and is probably 75% cosmetically.

I took the seat off to show the complete tool kit underneath it.

mdkuder · 12-20-2007, 08:23 AM

Funky and I'd ride it. The cylinder looks weird from what I'm used to seeing.

Racinguy542 · 12-20-2007, 11:10 AM

$610 for a bike built in the 60's-70's probably isn't bad...I didn't know if they had any "antique" value or not... but its all cool, I would never sell this thing anyways. After a good cleaning this bike will probably be really nice cosmetically, it just looks terrible since it's filthy. Hopefully she runs...
Thanks for the feedback guys!

50minikid · 12-20-2007, 11:15 AM

there is a couple threads on them in the honda minibike section

Lair · 12-20-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdkuder

Funky and I'd ride it. The cylinder looks weird from what I'm used to seeing.

The cylinder looks weird because there's no cam in it. The QA50 has a pushrod setup instead of an overhead cam with chain drive, so all that mass on top of the head isn't there.

It's a strange animal. It only has a two-speed gearbox, also.

They're actually pretty cool, and they weren't as popular as the Z50. The orange one that I just sold was a wheelie machine, though. The handlebar/seat configuration kicks the crap out of the stock old-school Z50 setup - makes it easy to balance.

Lair · 12-20-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racinguy542

$610 for a bike built in the 60's-70's probably isn't bad...I didn't know if they had any "antique" value or not... but its all cool, I would never sell this thing anyways. After a good cleaning this bike will probably be really nice cosmetically, it just looks terrible since it's filthy. Hopefully she runs...
Thanks for the feedback guys!

Yours looks like a easy sell. That's the most popular color, and since the fenders and seat look good, it'll probably bring good money. There's a retrofit for the trans problem that you can get from the Honda dealer. The early QA's all jumped out of second gear.

Don't underestimate the nostalgia factor with early bikes. I've seen several sell for more than $3500, and recently a '68 K0 Mini Trail Z50A went for more than $5000.

I got $2000 for this one a few years ago. It wasn't a perfect restoration, but it turned out great. If I had stayed with the original color and rear fender, I would have gotten more.

Racinguy542 · 12-20-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lair

There's a retrofit for the trans problem that you can get from the Honda dealer. The early QA's all jumped out of second gear.

I'll definitely have to check into that with a honda dealer...That's exactly what its doing. I'm glad they make a fix for it. Now the snow needs to melt here so I can get it out and do somethin with it...

AHPminis · 12-20-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lair

Yours looks like a easy sell. That's the most popular color, and since the fenders and seat look good, it'll probably bring good money. There's a retrofit for the trans problem that you can get from the Honda dealer. The early QA's all jumped out of second gear.

Don't underestimate the nostalgia factor with early bikes. I've seen several sell for more than $3500, and recently a '68 K0 Mini Trail Z50A went for more than $5000.

I got $2000 for this one a few years ago. It wasn't a perfect restoration, but it turned out great. If I had stayed with the original color and rear fender, I would have gotten more.

Nice I am just starting to restore one like that now!

Lair · 12-20-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHPminis

Nice I am just starting to restore one like that now!

Sweet. Post some pics when you start making progress. I have a yellow '71 that's almost finished, and I just started on another blue '71. My yellow one is going to be as close to original as I can make it. The blue one may be a custom.

The yellow one:

The blue one: (Ugly as hell, but it's all there.)

Racinguy542 · 12-23-2007, 07:46 PM

Here is my bike all cleaned up. I changed the oil and cleaned out the carb. After I get it fired up I'll see what I have to do with the tranny issues...

One question I had..which my dad brought up... At the time that these bikes were made, the fuel that was used wasn't unleaded. With this motor should I be using lead additive in the gasoline? This additive is something we have to use with our 1969 Camaro for it to run the way it is supposed to, so it seems fitting that I'd have to do the same with the bike...have I answered my own question here?

50rider340 · 12-23-2007, 08:24 PM

i think you did answer your own question. But im sure that it woudl be fine with the gas that is at your local station now too. Awesome bike btw, i always wanted one of those to just cruise around on, such a small 50cc push rod motor sosoosos cool.

MxRcr127 · 12-23-2007, 08:42 PM

Dude,
HOLY $#!T - I have the exact same bike in that exact same color sitting in the back corner of my shop under/behind some stuff. Mine was a runner as well but I haven't touched it in years. From what I understand, these little guys were extremely prone to having tranny issues, especially with 2nd gear. As I remember, mine used to pop out of second under load? Let me know if you find any fixes for the tranny, seeing yours has made me want to dig mine back out soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racinguy542

I dug this little jewel out of the back of our garage the other day. It was bought in either 1972 or 1973 by my great grandfather and given to my father. Every part on it is exactly how it was when it was bought in the 70's. It use to start...but the gas probably gummed up in the carb and needs a little cleaning. I'd like to make it look good and run again but the tranny has some issues. I need to find a place where I can buy these parts though...

Any ideas on what this thing is worth?

Racinguy542 · 12-23-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MxRcr127

Dude,
HOLY $#!T - I have the exact same bike in that exact same color sitting in the back corner of my shop under/behind some stuff. Mine was a runner as well but I haven't touched it in years. From what I understand, these little guys were extremely prone to having tranny issues, especially with 2nd gear. As I remember, mine used to pop out of second under load? Let me know if you find any fixes for the tranny, seeing yours has made me want to dig mine back out soon!

From what Lair said earlier in this thread there is a retrofit for the transmission, so I'll have to look at that fix and see what I find out. I guess the torque of these things were amazing...my dad actually described his 200+ lb grandfather going up big hills with this exact bike. Mine was just like yours from the sounds of it though, just buried and unused. I can't believe it took me this long to dig it out and make somethin worthwhile out of it. I showed my friend some pictures and he about fell over because he also has the same bike/same color/same everything. Its cool to see that these bikes are still appreciated by alot of people though.

Lair · 12-23-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racinguy542

From what Lair said earlier in this thread there is a retrofit for the transmission, so I'll have to look at that fix and see what I find out. I guess the torque of these things were amazing...my dad actually described his 200+ lb grandfather going up big hills with this exact bike. Mine was just like yours from the sounds of it though, just buried and unused. I can't believe it took me this long to dig it out and make somethin worthwhile out of it. I showed my friend some pictures and he about fell over because he also has the same bike/same color/same everything. Its cool to see that these bikes are still appreciated by alot of people though.

The trans was fixed in '73 or '74 IIRC. I'm 215 lbs, and I rode the orange one for a couple of hours after I got it straight. Hauled me around no problem. First gear wheelies were a snap.

Racinguy542 · 01-17-2008, 06:03 PM

Bringing and old thread back with this question...but, well...I have a question.

I tried firing up my QA50 recently. Well, OK I didn't exactly get that far. As it turns out, there is a leak under the gas tank. For lack of proper terminology, the "pipe" that goes into the tank above the fuel on/off lever looks like it rusted, and somehow got twisted, therefore causing a crack between the "pipe" and tank, so gas leaks out everywhere (surprise, nice clean up for me, garage still stinks of gasoline) anyways. I REALLY don't want to replace the entire tank, rusted or not, because it's completely 100% original and the whole reason I think its cool is because of that fact. What would be the best way to go about sealing the crack between the two pieces so I can use this same tank?

Lair · 01-17-2008, 09:54 PM

Post a pic of the crack.

12-08-2007, 07:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Racinguy542 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 681 My Mood:	QA50 Mini Fixup I dug this little jewel out of the back of our garage the other day. It was bought in either 1972 or 1973 by my great grandfather and given to my father. Every part on it is exactly how it was when it was bought in the 70's. It use to start...but the gas probably gummed up in the carb and needs a little cleaning. I'd like to make it look good and run again but the tranny has some issues. I need to find a place where I can buy these parts though... Any ideas on what this thing is worth?

12-20-2007, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
jedsled 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,276	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup i'm digging retro-bikes!

12-20-2007, 01:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
noVtecHERE 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,512	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup that things cool...

12-20-2007, 05:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
50-50 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 1,844 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup That thing is ugly, but cool at the same time. Nice find!

12-20-2007, 06:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lair 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL (Not a native.) Posts: 400	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup I sold this one on Ebay last week for $610. It's a runner, and is probably 75% cosmetically. I took the seat off to show the complete tool kit underneath it. Attached Thumbnails

12-20-2007, 08:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
mdkuder 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Infidel States of America, specifically Pryor, OK Posts: 1,651	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup Funky and I'd ride it. The cylinder looks weird from what I'm used to seeing.

12-20-2007, 11:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Racinguy542 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 681 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup $610 for a bike built in the 60's-70's probably isn't bad...I didn't know if they had any "antique" value or not... but its all cool, I would never sell this thing anyways. After a good cleaning this bike will probably be really nice cosmetically, it just looks terrible since it's filthy. Hopefully she runs... Thanks for the feedback guys!

12-20-2007, 11:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
50minikid 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 936 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup there is a couple threads on them in the honda minibike section

12-23-2007, 07:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
Racinguy542 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 681 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup Here is my bike all cleaned up. I changed the oil and cleaned out the carb. After I get it fired up I'll see what I have to do with the tranny issues... One question I had..which my dad brought up... At the time that these bikes were made, the fuel that was used wasn't unleaded. With this motor should I be using lead additive in the gasoline? This additive is something we have to use with our 1969 Camaro for it to run the way it is supposed to, so it seems fitting that I'd have to do the same with the bike...have I answered my own question here?

12-23-2007, 08:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
50rider340 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CT Posts: 3,083 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup i think you did answer your own question. But im sure that it woudl be fine with the gas that is at your local station now too. Awesome bike btw, i always wanted one of those to just cruise around on, such a small 50cc push rod motor sosoosos cool.

01-17-2008, 06:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
Racinguy542 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 681 My Mood:	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup Bringing and old thread back with this question...but, well...I have a question. I tried firing up my QA50 recently. Well, OK I didn't exactly get that far. As it turns out, there is a leak under the gas tank. For lack of proper terminology, the "pipe" that goes into the tank above the fuel on/off lever looks like it rusted, and somehow got twisted, therefore causing a crack between the "pipe" and tank, so gas leaks out everywhere (surprise, nice clean up for me, garage still stinks of gasoline) anyways. I REALLY don't want to replace the entire tank, rusted or not, because it's completely 100% original and the whole reason I think its cool is because of that fact. What would be the best way to go about sealing the crack between the two pieces so I can use this same tank?

01-17-2008, 09:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
Lair 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL (Not a native.) Posts: 400	Re: QA50 Mini Fixup Post a pic of the crack.

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