1968
Honda Z50A K0 #16
VIN#
Z50A-100923
Scarlet
Red / Ivory
If
you are a Honda Z50 aficionado or collector, then you need
to pay attention to this one. This is one of the first
Z50's produced for U.S. import and features a really
unique look. If you look closely at the handlebars,
you will see that they are taller than normal....by over
2". The first 1,125 of these bikes received these
bars and this is one of only a handful of these bikes left
in existence. Assembly pictures follow the completed
ones.
This
is serial number #923, Z50 K0. The bike wears an
original Z50 K0 seat, 415 size chain and sprockets, an
original Honda muffler and diffuser, and the most rare of
all.......the long tail engine cover. If you look at
the engine cover on the left hand side, you will see that
the tail at the rear flows down to almost a point.
Look at almost any other Z50 and they won't have this
part. These were easily damaged the first time the
chain came off the front sprocket and the replacements were
always the later style.
"Texas
Longhorns". Tall bars from the first 1,125 Z50
K0's.
The
"Slant Guard" exhaust protector made famous on the
first 5,306 Z50 K0's.
An
original Z50 K0 seat. Notice it doesn't have the high
flip of the K1 models, and the Honda script on the back is
different.
Here
is a shot that shows the long tail engine side cover.
415
chain isn't much bigger than that for a bicycle.
A
few assembly pictures follow.
Here
is one of the more interesting projects that I've wanted to
do for a long time. What you see here is serial number
923 of the Z50 K0's which by itself makes it one of the very
early bikes, but it has some very interesting
characteristics which are different from the later
K0's. The frames seem to be made from a thinner
material and required a 'saddle' or brace on the main
tube. This was supposed to strengthen them, but all of
the early bikes that I've seen had structural problems which
is why Honda probably went to thicker material at some
point. The even more interesting part of the bike is
that it is one of the "Tall Bar Bikes" which were
the first 1,125 bikes assembled. The handlebars were
over 2" taller than the later pieces and actually make
it decent to ride for an adult. I don't think anyone
knows why Honda changed the bars, but they in fact did after
number 1,125. With this bike being an early bike, it
also has all the Slant Bar, long engine cover tail, 415
chain and K0 seat items. The pictures that follow show
some of the assembly.
Click on the image
to enlarge picture
Here
is a picture of the frame prior to putting the tank
on. You can see the unique 'saddle' that was welded
onto the frame for extra strength. Once the tank is
on, this is hardly noticeable.
Proper
K0 Rear Fender with thin brackets.
Original
muffler from a K0 with the correct short diffuser.
The
K0 front forks are identified by not having the 2nd hole for
the optional speedometer offered for the K1's. They
also did not have any provision for the headlight ears which
were welded onto the forks.
Here
is a close up shot of the long tail engine cover. Not
many of these exist anymore.
Original
K0 carburetor with pressed in drain tube. Butterfly
fuel valve.
Marblesmotors ©2004
|