Motorcycle Repair: 1969 Z50 flywheel, bill silver, strap wrench

Question
How do you remove the flywheel to a 1969 Honda Z50?  I
ordered a flywheel removal tool, but I'm not able to thread
the tool onto the flywheel.  Am I supposed to remove the
bolt in the center of the flywheel?  If so, how do I do that
without the flywheel turning?  This is my first restoration
project so I don't really know a whole lot.  The manual I
have doesn't say much about how to remove it.  Thanks in
advance for your help.

Answer
Desi, sounds like you are lacking in the air tool category, but it shouldn't be the limiting factor to solve your problem.

A large "strap wrench" can be helpful to hold the flywheel while you are loosening the center nut. A tool like that can usually be found at an auto parts store, often used for removal of oil filters on cars. Just find a large enough one to wrap around the outside of the flywheel.

If the engine is still together and has some compression, you may be able to just use a ratchet and socket combination on the nut and hit the end of the ratchet sharply with a soft mallet. The sharp blow often will loosen the nut before the flywheel can move the same amount.

Do not pound directly on the end of the crankshaft with any kind of hammer, however.

Bill Silver