Motorcycle Repair: honda z50, american honda motor, honda motor co

Question
hello jack im after the year of manufacture on a z50 frame (z50j-1110838) and engine (z50ae-463787)any info onthese would be greatly appreciated as i keep hitting deadends with my search

Answer
Hi Chris....

Boy do I love a good mystery!!! Ok.. here's what I found out: I used the Honda Motorcycle Identification Guide (1959 - 2000) published by American Honda Motor Co. (ISBN 0-9642491-1-1). It would seem that your Z50 is a 1972 Z50AK3 Mini Trail 50... BUT... the reason you may be having a hard time figuring out the year is cuz of that pesky "j" following the z50 on the frame number. If the frame number said z50a-1110838, then it would be a 1972 made in Japan for sale in America (the US model). But that "j" indicates that the bike was to be sold in Japan. One more thing that may be used to verify this is if the mini bike has not been painted. Is the paint original? If so, what color scheme is it and what does the logo on the tank look like? If ya can show me, then I can cross reference it in my guide book. Hope this helps and feel free to post a follow-up about the color!!!

Thanks Chris,

Jack