HONDA Z50 K1 Mini Trail information wanted?

RogerA · Feb 22, 2021

So I had one as a kid and loved it. I'm thinking about getting another one to ride around the neighborhood here in Sun City. Under 50cc, so no helmet or license required here in Texas. Plus it's much cooler than a golf cart, and takes up less space in the garage. I know they are a pricey little collectables now, but that's ok too. My question is, what is the BEST web site for info on these little bikes? History and serial number look up? Tips and maintenance how to's? A quick search showed up several, but anyone have a favorite site? How about a good supplier for reproduction parts too? I'm sure some of you guys mess around with these little toys too. Any info or advise will be greatly appreciated. THANKS!
Roger

RogerA · Feb 22, 2021

One like this

A first series style hard tail model is what I'm looking for? Not mine, picture found on the net.

MSgt G · Feb 22, 2021

My sister and I had these; mine blue, hers red. Three cousins also had one each. We had some wonderful times riding them.

delcrossv · Feb 22, 2021

I had a red one as a kid. Loved it!

67tempest · Feb 22, 2021

When I was a kid the guy across the street from me had a Honda Mini Trail, I had a Rupp Scrambler.

ColbyBruce · Feb 22, 2021

Honda sort of reintroduced that as the “Monkey”. Not cheap, but neither is rebuilding an older bike.

ColbyBruce · Feb 22, 2021

Before you gag on the price of a Honda Monkey, consider parts and labor to restore a 30-40 year old bike.

My brother refurbished this Honda for my F-I-L around 2007. He spent close to $1,000.00 for parts and they fit into a single, large paper grocery bag.

Kinman · Feb 22, 2021

Two rich kids down the street each had one, one blue one green. The had folding handlebars and were easy to throw in a 60's era sedan.

S&W629 · Feb 22, 2021

As it was pointed out....finding parts to restore a Z50...is a challenge....and wanting to do the same as the OP...I went with......just for cruising the neighborhood

delcrossv · Feb 23, 2021

ColbyBruce said:
Honda sort of reintroduced that as the “Monkey”. Not cheap, but neither is rebuilding an older bike.

125 instead of 50cc, and clutch instead of "automatic". Seems more for adults .

I'd imagine parts for a mini trail wouldn't be easy to find though.

ColbyBruce · Feb 23, 2021

delcrossv said:
125 instead of 50cc, and clutch instead of "automatic". Seems more for adults .

I'd imagine parts for a mini trail wouldn't be easy to find though.

Yes, but the OP is an adult. The little 50’s were built for children. Three to four times the weight it was intended to haul. My son had one of those little Honda’s when he was a child. I looked like a circus bear on it. The suspension collapsed under my weight and the brakes were insufficient.

Honda is awful proud of their parts.

ColbyBruce · Feb 23, 2021

I found some of the receipts for parts that went on my F-I-L’s Honda.

fishwishin · Feb 23, 2021

I was in the same position as you OP, but with the CT110 platform. My friend had a CT90 when we were kids and I always wanted to recapture that charm. I found not only one, but two CT110's in great mechanical and cosmetic shape, please note how I did not and cannot say great operational shape.

Once they were running they ran strong and hard. They were the perfect cross town grocery getters, coffee shop spectacle and river levee runners. After a short period of time though the fuel formulated for the country of California would eat up gaskets and I would continuously chase my tail with them.

I sold them, but I have not lost me desire to have what I had in them. My wife and I will get two of the newer Trail 125 version. They are fuel injected and do not succumb to the fuels like the older carb systems.

CH4 · Feb 23, 2021

My little sister had a yellow Z50, my brother had the Honda ATC 70 3 wheeler and I had a CT90, still have it; two of my buddies had cool XR75s.

crstrode · Feb 23, 2021

Don't do it. Those mini-bikes are death machines!

In the early 1970's I was riding motocross on a BSA 650 lightning - a great big heavy and hard to operate beast. One day a kid came by on a Honda mini-trail and offered me a test ride. In less than 5 minutes I had broken fingers and was bleeding from numerous scrapes and scratches. One of the worst motorcycle crashes in my history.

Fast-forward about 40 years and I was doing some work on a Honda CT-70. That darned thing got away from me and again I was covered in road-rash scabs for weeks. At that time my regular ride was a fire-breathing Honda VF-1000F Interceptor.

Go figure . . .

delcrossv · Feb 23, 2021

ColbyBruce said:
I found some of the receipts for parts that went on my F-I-L’s Honda.

It's as bad a Brit bike parts.

delcrossv · Feb 23, 2021

crstrode said:
Don't do it. Those mini-bikes are death machines!

In the early 1970's I was riding motocross on a BSA 650 lightning - a great big heavy and hard to operate beast. One day a kid came by on a Honda mini-trail and offered me a test ride. In less than 5 minutes I had broken fingers and was bleeding from numerous scrapes and scratches. One of the worst motorcycle crashes in my history.

Fast-forward about 40 years and I was doing some work on a Honda CT-70. That darned thing got away from me and again I was covered in road-rash scabs for weeks. At that time my regular ride was a fire-breathing Honda VF-1000F Interceptor.

Go figure . . .

I had an A65 Lightning. Used it on trails too.

Looks like those minibikes had it in for 'ya.

Kinman · Feb 23, 2021

My kid brother had a "Lil Indian", my dad bought it for him as a peace offering after he left our mother. I came home from Vietnam, hopped on it and took off down a dirt road, it seems to me that even though it had a centrifical clutch it shifted into high gear...seems like it went fifty, I was used to motorcycles and it was about the twitchiest thing I ever rode, how he ever managed to get away unscathed was a miracle to me. I wouldn't get on a mini bike today for love or money, I remember seeing guys at the track on those tiny little miniature racers and killing time zipping up and down gas alley...looked like fun.

delcrossv · Feb 24, 2021

That Monkey does look fun.

Hmmm.

soFlaNative · Feb 24, 2021

ColbyBruce said:
I found some of the receipts for parts that went on my F-I-L’s Honda.

Hadda laff... "Bike Bandit".

HONDA Z50 K1 Mini Trail information wanted?

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