So, I’ve been messing around with this old 1970s Honda 50cc bike. It’s been a real trip, let me tell you.
First, I found this thing. It was sitting in a friend’s shed, covered in dust and looking pretty sad. He said he hadn’t touched it in years, and if I wanted it, I could have it. Sweet!
Next, I got it home. That was a bit of a pain, had to borrow a truck and strap the little guy in. Once it was in my garage, I could really see what I was dealing with.
The Breakdown
- Rust: Everywhere. The frame, the tank, the wheels…you name it, it was rusty.
- Flat tires: Totally expected. They were so dry-rotted, they practically crumbled when I touched them.
- Engine?: Didn’t make any cliking * not bad.
- Missing parts: A few bits and pieces were gone – a mirror, a turn signal, stuff like that.
So, I started with the basics. I took off the wheels and scrubbed the heck out of them with a wire brush. Got most of the rust off, but they were still pretty pitted. I figured I’d just paint them later.
Then I tackled the frame. Same deal – wire brush, lots of elbow grease. It was slow going, but I started to see some shiny metal peeking through.
The engine was a mystery. I pulled the spark plug, and it looked okay. I kicked it over a few times, and it seemed to have compression. That was a good sign!
I ordered some new tires and tubes online. While I was waiting for those to arrive, I started cleaning up the carburetor. It was gunked up with old gas and varnish, but I managed to get it all apart and cleaned out.
Once the new tires arrived, I put them on the wheels. That made a huge difference! The bike actually looked like a bike again.
Getting It Running
I put some fresh gas in the tank, hooked everything back up, and held my breath. I kicked it over, and…nothing. I kicked it again, and…still nothing.
Then I checked the basic settings.
I tried a few more times, adjusting the choke and throttle, and finally, it sputtered to life! It was running rough, but it was running!
I let it idle for a while, then took it for a short spin around the block. It was slow and shaky, but it was moving under its own power. That was a major victory!
Still to Do
- Paint: The frame and tank need a fresh coat of paint. I’m thinking of going with the original Honda red.
- Wiring: Some of the wiring is frayed and needs to be replaced.
- Missing parts: I still need to track down a few replacement parts.
- Fine-tuning: The engine needs some more tweaking to get it running smoothly.
But overall, I’m pretty happy with how it’s coming along. It’s been a fun project, and I’ve learned a lot about these old bikes. Can’t wait to get it fully restored and cruising around town!
