Planet Minis

fitty

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of making my '76 Z50 street legal. I'd like to put signal lights and a horn on it.

I've seen some stuff in online stores that always seem to be for a Z50J. Can I use a signal light/horn switch combo that was for a J on my A?

I plan on doing a 12V big bore swap at the same time of all of this so I'm sure that will make things interesting, no?

Does anyone have any photos of what the bars look like after all the goodies are installed?

Does anyone have a parts list that I should gather in order to get things rockin'?

HondaZrider

Thats what I did. The J stuff fits no problem.

Z

Completed 1976 Z50A Restomod

I used JDM Z50 J1 turn signals and a whole lotta Z50J parts on the above project.

I have a set of 4 Z50J winkers taken off a brand new 2003 Monkey that are mint (and for sale). There are many, many ways to get what you are going.

There are some fundamental differences between a Z50A frame and a Z50J frame in regards to the rear taillamp, the rear fender and how the shocks and tank mount. Other then that, most Z50J parts fit a Z50A.

If you need any help on your conversion, myself, Razzo and others have been through this process and will be happy to help.

fitty

Thanks for getting involved on this thread guys.

Is there a spot for lights on my forks that I should know about? I don't mind fabbin' something up if there ain't.

Unless you think there's a place to mount the lights in the back I think I'll weld a tube across the rear light bracket or...?

Is there a designated spot for the horn?

Can you guys PM me with prices for any parts you have (and think I might need) that would contribute to this?

Thanks!

Z

Post a picture up on exactly what you are starting with. This will go a long way on the direction you need to go with the conversion.

fitty

I'll try. I've always had problems posting photos on forums though.

Z, is that the plastic headlamp the Taiwanese have been ebaying? I almost pulled the trigger on one the other day. It had the chrome bucket, lense/bezel, blue light, spot for ignition (cool), high beam/neutral indicators, for $75.

I think I'm just going to go with aftermarket suff from hondaminitrails.com instead.

gstegman

Have you tried honda50.com? I have ordered from both and found I save money in the long run by getting the best stuff on the first try with the later. Brad Reynolds can save you some headache and hook you up.

Z

NO! Mine is a factory Japanese Honda piece from the 2000 Chrome special Gorilla with a glass OEM Honda Stanley headlamp and chrome trim ring. I'm not a fan of plastic headlamp lenses.

cdoublejj

DA MN! i kinda can expect that from you Dan you do some high end stuff sounds like a reeally rare head lamp and pricy too. sorry to thread jack

Z

Not rare, it's a readily available part from Honda of Japan. In headlamp terms, I wouldn't consider it expensive. It's a plain-jane Honda of Japan assembly that came stock on the 2000 gorilla.

fitty

Do I see pilot lights on the bucket that blink when your signals are on? I guess I should ask where I should enquire about that setup. The stuff on some sites looks like it'll cost about $90 after I get the bulb and everything.

I guess I'm going to need a brake light switch for the front and rear breaks. I think I've seen a couple for the back but I've never seen anything for the front.

Z

To do what I did:
12V Monkey or Monkey Clone Wiring harness (I used a monkey harness)
Voltage Regular
Turn signal relay
Battery Box and small 12V gel battery (The battery will run $15) and you'll add in a fuse to the system)
12V Coil
CDI Box
Honda Monkey Left Clamshell with lighting controls or Clone clamshell
Honda Monkey Right Clamshell (includes brake lever with built in brake switch)
Honda Z50J1 Taillamp Base (tbparts.com sells these)
Turn Signals
Headlamp, Taillamp, Horn
Rear Brake lamp switch

The chrome Taiwan headlamp buckets that are complete aren't a bad deal considering it's the same company who makes that assembly from Kitaco.

If you want to do it on the cheap, find a company who sells the Honda Monkey clones and buy the harness and all the attached componentry for it.

fitty

Holy crap! I just got a reply back from one of the internet suppliers and they said that headlight bucket for a '76 is plastic, too. If I knew that, I would have bought the taiwanese one off ebay. Plastic gives me the heebeegeebees.

Z, that list rocks, man! I'm going to start collecting stuff right now.

I think I'm going to modify the stock tailight mount because I want to keep everything tucked up nice and close to the rear seat.

Z

The Taiwan unit on ebay is chromed plastic. My Honda Gorilla piece is chromed plastic. However, I have a chrome trim ring and glass on my unit where the Taiwan units have a plastic lense with reflector base.

fitty

Cool info, Z. It's funny, I've never actually seen another monkey other than mine in about 10 years. Mine doesn't have a headlight so all I can do is look at pictures and imagine what this stuff looks like.

Are original buckets plastic? If the buckets on the suppliers sites are all plastic then I will just buy the taiwanese one and swap the stuff out of it later on I guess.

Z

You mention Monkey Above. Do you have a US/Canada spec Z50A, or JDM Z50 J1 or J2? They had different headlamps and the JDM/Aussie bikes had speedometers in the headlamp shells. The spacing is also different on the front forks of the Honda Monkey buckets and the Z50A/J1-J2 bikes.

You need to post up a pic on what yo are starting with as it all makes a difference on fitment.

fitty

I really need to figure out how to post photos in forums someday. This is the best I can do.

n873565156_5887121_9023 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

mattmofob

Here is a picture of a Taiwan monkey headlight and z50k5 legs. It is not even close to fitting. The tabs are not long enough and they are not spaced wide enough either.

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fitty

Whoa!!!!! Thanks Matt. You saved me from a nasty surprise. I'd like something that fits and something that I could eventually put a speedo in.