1980 Z50R Mild Revamp

[Brodie]

I think you should use black stickers so that it is just a small amount of yellow around the outside. Should look awesome that way. Ohh and I would blacken the back of the front plate as well but that is just me. Keep us updated!

[PlanetMinis.com]

[olyelr]

Got it all back together and gassed her up. She started right up and purred like the little mouse she is. All thats left now is to get some black backgrounds for the number plates, adjust the chain and ride the piss out of it.

I will get some better pics later... maybe...

[bronco bobby]

Turned out nice

[ashz50r]

Props my man, that looks frickin' awesome! I must get a new seat for mine while their still available. You got the mini bug?!

[jets76]

I like it.

[olyelr]

Thanks fellas.

Yeah, I got bit by the bug bad. Really bad.

[Brodie]

Looks awesome. It will look even better once you get those stickers in place. Any plans for it motor/suspension wise?

[olyelr]

Looks awesome. It will look even better once you get those stickers in place. Any plans for it motor/suspension wise?

Thanks brodie.

I would like to do something with the motor in the future, but for now I will be keeping it stock and just have fun with it the way it is. Its slows a hell, but its still fun.

As far as suspension goes, I installed heavy duty fork springs in it from fast50's and bolted up heavier sprung 280mm rear shocks. From the ten minutes I have rode it around the yard it seemed to be way better than the worn out stock stuff was.

I would maybe consider a slightly longer swinger in the future, but I really want to keep it mostly stock and MINI.

[olyelr]

Welp, the Z was good to me all summer long. Winter is not far away and I'm itching to tinker again.

Anyone have any luck with the cheap Chinese bolt in motors? I want more power and speed, but of course don't have the cash or experience to be rebuilding the stocker with bigger parts.

Any suggestions? First hand experiences?

[Brodie]

The Z160HO I have is crazy. I had to modify the frame a little to get the clutch basket to fit right. A friend of mine has a YX140 and that engine has gone hard for quite a while.

How much power are you looking to get out of it?

[olyelr]

The Z160HO I have is crazy. I had to modify the frame a little to get the clutch basket to fit right. A friend of mine has a YX140 and that engine has gone hard for quite a while.

How much power are you looking to get out of it?

Well, I want it to be safe/useable power. My plan is to keep the bike mini (no big suspension/brake upgrades... well... at least thats the plan), so I was thinking one of those 110's or even 90's would probably be fine. I just want some more get up and go... and some more top end. I saw that 140 and it caught my eye, but is that too much power? A screamer would be sweet, but is it too much? I want something I can simply bolt in. No notching the frame and raising the tank and stuff like that.

Also, do those cheap ($300) motors come with everything needed like they say? That just seems soooo cheap. Also, would I need a new exhaust?

Thanks! I got some researching to do!!!

[olyelr]

So, this motor from T-bolt *Piranha 140cc Engine fits Pit Bikes and other Minis - Engines - Piranha Engines - WHS-1143 - TBolt USA, LLC I can buy and just slip right in? And the carb, is it worth upgrading to the 26mm one, or is the 22 it comes with work well enough?

[olyelr]

And dosnt that motor have a clutch? I dont see anything in the parts list that it comes with a cable/lever, but nothing in the "needed" list either....

[Gmbond]

yes the piranha is a manual clutch - tbolt sells the cable and parts needed ask vince

i've got a 4 speed manual lifan 125 in my 91 Z50 and its TONS of power for a wee lil bike ...... tough to hill climb, but a blast to ride and it freight trains away from my buddies 88 kit and 88 race head kitted bikes. ... i just need more gearing for the speed it wants to pull

if you are trail riding the snowblower tires are nice too

[MisterGraphic]

Did you end up finalizing the stickers?
Here's a random preview....

[Brodie]

I would say a 125 will do you well. I have a Lifan 125 in my '82R and it is a tight squeeze for the carby to fit. If I had a different manifold it would be fine.
Being that the 125 I have is a zombie engine (was dead for a long time and I brought it back to life some how) it has plenty enough power for a fun bike.
Once you start looking at things like 140 and up it gets into the wheelie on gear change stage and some of the run around fun goes away.

As for that piranha engine the manifold on that looks like it should fit under the tank without you having to raise it. I would stick with the 22mm carby if you are going to use the stock exhaust.
I have a 26mm on my 160 and and high flow exhaust to match.

[olyelr]

yes the piranha is a manual clutch - tbolt sells the cable and parts needed ask vince

i've got a 4 speed manual lifan 125 in my 91 Z50 and its TONS of power for a wee lil bike ...... tough to hill climb, but a blast to ride and it freight trains away from my buddies 88 kit and 88 race head kitted bikes. ... i just need more gearing for the speed it wants to pull

if you are trail riding the snowblower tires are nice too

Thanks for the info! Yeah, when I do the motor upgrade I will for sure be upgrading the tires. I was thinking those oversized stock looking ones would be ok, but for some reason the thoughts of the snowblower tires keep overpowering them.

Did you end up finalizing the stickers?
Here's a random preview....

Hahahaha, that dosnt look too bad! You must have some serious computer skills to whip that out.

Most of the summer I had just a black background on the plate (with the outer yellow ring showing) and for some reason it just didnt work for me. So I peeled them off and have been running just the yellow. Thats got me thinking though!!!!

I was checking the project you have going on earlier. Good luck with that, looking good so far!

If you ever get that vinyl computer printer/cutter setup, I can be the test mule and you could whip me out some backgrounds for my number plates!!!!

I would say a 125 will do you well. I have a Lifan 125 in my '82R and it is a tight squeeze for the carby to fit. If I had a different manifold it would be fine.
Being that the 125 I have is a zombie engine (was dead for a long time and I brought it back to life some how) it has plenty enough power for a fun bike.
Once you start looking at things like 140 and up it gets into the wheelie on gear change stage and some of the run around fun goes away.

As for that piranha engine the manifold on that looks like it should fit under the tank without you having to raise it. I would stick with the 22mm carby if you are going to use the stock exhaust.
I have a 26mm on my 160 and and high flow exhaust to match.

Thanks for the info Brodie. Yeah, the 140 seemed like it would be just a bit big for a fun everyday cruiser. While it would be fun to RIP IT, I still want to be able to cruise too.

So the stock exhaust would work ok with a new motor? Obviously a high performance one would be better, but if it will run ok with the stocker than I am all for saving some cash.

[Brodie]

It would run ok with the stock exhaust but the flow will be restricted. That is why the 22mm carby would be better, less intake as the exhaust is restricted. When you take the exhaust out just give it a good clean and see if you can smooth up any areas to help with flow. I am not sure there is anything that can be removed from the muffler to help but someone else might know. Will be interesting to see what you decide. Also I believe you can get semi-auto 125 if you are still after that.

[olyelr]

It would run ok with the stock exhaust but the flow will be restricted. That is why the 22mm carby would be better, less intake as the exhaust is restricted. When you take the exhaust out just give it a good clean and see if you can smooth up any areas to help with flow. I am not sure there is anything that can be removed from the muffler to help but someone else might know. Will be interesting to see what you decide. Also I believe you can get semi-auto 125 if you are still after that.

Im thinking I should keep it at 125 or less. Probably end up going the 125 route though. I just dont want to be mad that I didnt go with the 140. But I think you have pretty much justified to not go that big for my intended use.

As far as manual or semi, I am still torn. I think a clutch would be bitchin, but at the same time I am pondering about the times I putt around in the yard and woods with my son, where a semi auto would be way better. Hmmmmmmmm. I have a lot of time to think about it. But right now I am thinking clutch. I wonder if the clutches hold up well on these things?

[MisterGraphic]

Haha, no problem!

Roland (printer supplier) never got back to me with more information
so I put that aside for a few months. (I should follow-up with them...)

Your bike looks good! bet it's a blast to ride