Need advice on breathing life back into old bike.

Hopefully this won't be too long. Spring cleaning at my grandparent's house turned into bringing a 1968 Honda 50 SS motorbike home. I would love to post pics of the thing, but I killed the camera in a mountain bike race. Anyway, this is my first motorcycle, and first time really working on one. It looks pretty simple to restore for the most part. It only has minor rust. The motor still has compression and turns over. It's a four speed 50cc four stroke, which is pretty interesting to me. The original brochure is listed down below. I doubt it will get 212 mpg like the brochure says but it most likely will pull 100mpg, especially with my 130 pound butt on it. I'm not really sure the best way to do this. I figured it would be a fun project and that this board could give me pointers on where to find information and advice on how to fix the thing up decently. Although, my friend who is an ex AMA superbike champion was telling me that I should scrap the whole restoration/vintage, and give it a modern twist of using bicycle mirrors and things of the like. Here is the link to the original brochure.

http://www.vf750fd.com/blurbs/brochures/ss50/ss50e.jpg

Is this it?

Do all the basics you would on any other motorized vehicle. Squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinder and let it sit a while. Drain everything, refill with fresh. Wash it to see what you've got. Polish and wax the paint, steel wool and Semichrome the bright work, slosh out the gas tank and put in some good stuff.

Kick it, drive it.

Dan

Wow thanks Dan. Yea that's it, actually looks to be in the same condition except mine is black. Yours must be a little older because the exhaust on mine just goes back without the angle. Maybe this is a dumb question, but I'm actually planning on riding the thing to school and fun little trips. I know it won't be able to get on the freeways and all of that, but how fast can these things go? My grandpa said it could do 45 easily. But he hasn't ridden the thing since 1975.

First it isn't mine, I just Googled it up.

When I was in the eigth grade in Florida EVERYBODY had one, I couldn't wait to be a ninth grader so I could get one. We moved that summer to New York where I had to wait until high school.

Get it running the best you can, it will get better with a little exercise, then see what it will do. If you're not comfortable in traffic, it doesn't matter what the brochure says, you're just not comfortable.

Drive it.

In addition to Dan's good advice, I'd plan on rebuilding the carb, replacing the points and spark plug, and...that's about it on the engine side. These motors are gloriously simple.

As for the rest of it: Replace the tubes and tires - seriously, they might look fine, but hard rubber is not what you want to be riding on. Take a good, long look at the chain, make sure it adjusts properly and doesn't have really tight spots, replace it if you feel the need. Make sure your cables (throttle, both brakes) are in good shape and working properly; again, replace them if you have any doubt.

I'd get my hands on a shop manual (and owner's manual) and read it back to front. Make your own checklist of the maintenance items the manuals cover, and go over the bike with a fine-toothed comb using that list.

On the speed issue, 45 on top seems reasonable, but I'm guessing it'll take some time getting there. I'd plan on rides around the neighborhood to feel it out before diving into traffic.

Those things are about as reliable and durable as a stone ax, so i wouldn't be surprised if it starts and runs fine, after cleaning the carb and some other basic service. Clean it up and ride it as is, or restore it if that's needed. Don't pay any attention to what the ex AMA superbike champion says, you're not going to be able to turn it into some sort of cafe racer. They're somewhat collectible these days, so any hacking will only decrease its value and its usefulness.

This site Beatrice Cycle had a lot of stuff for my Trail 90 as well as many other small, old Hondas. I don't see your bike there, but maybe I am just not seeing it. A quick Google search finds all kinds of resources for the SS 50 though.

Make sure nothing nested in the exhaust and is blocking it. I would also want to replace all fuel line to avoid gasoline sprays.

Cyclecam, I've used these guys a few times to recover seats. My GPz-1100, BMW, V-45 and my son's GS-450. Excellent work fairly priced. The most I ever paid was $180 for the BMW but that was two separate seats.

I would guess that yours would be ~$80 - $90.

http://www.sargentcycle.com/

Dan

I really appreciate the support. I'm definitely going to need the seat to be refurbished, so thanks for the link Dan. So I'm starting today. This is the plan. Take the whole thing apart and scrub everything to get the rust/cancer off. Hopefully it won't be too complicated, although it looks about as simple as my full suspension mountain bike. I guess I should paint the few pieces that need to be painted, with what some generic automotive paint? After I get the bike mostly pretty haha. I will deal with the motor after, just getting the thing to run that is. Where is a good place to find tires for this thing? It looks like the front wheel is 16 inches and the rear looks bigger or the tire is significantly meatier. Best way to get rust off? Just sand everything? Also I want this to be really inexpensive. So as much as an awesome restoration project this could be, I really wouldn't mind just getting the thing to run and be safe and then maybe really getting into the cosmetic stuff.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=1055426&id=1077565529&fbid=1353290347130

I used one of Sargent's diy seat cover kits on my Nighthawk and it turned out very nice. Only cost around $60.

Sargent is good, but just so you have a choice B&H in Texas also sells reproduction seat covers. I've used them a couple times with good results. http://www.motorcycleseatcovers.com/ As far as parts availability, the first place to check is the dealer...Honda is better than most at supporting their older models. Of course, there's eBay, Honda motorcycle-specific NOS parts dealers (http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/ in England is probably the best known, but there are others.) For general parts like tires, filters, chains, cables, etc. try http://www.denniskirk.com or http://www.bikebandit.com/. Finally, there has to be a web board out there someplace dedicated to that particular bike.

edit: Here are a few more parts sources for old Hondas. http://www.hondarestoration.com/ http://www.westernhillshondayamaha.com/ http://www.randakks.com/

Your photo doesn't show up for those of us who aren't on Facebook, but I assume it's a typical vintage Honda with a pressed steel frame. I don't know its current condition but before you go wild with sandpaper or a wire brush, see what you can do to clean up the original finish...scrub it down with soap and water, and maybe use some rubbing compound or polish to see if you can bring it back. It is possible to do a pretty good job with spray cans, I've restored a couple bikes that way that have won awards.

Finally, I haven't seem him around lately but there's a member here who has a collection of vintage tiddler motorcycles; he's posted photos of his bikes (including some Hondas) and they're really well done. Hopefully he'll see this post and chime in with advice.

I'd make sure it at least runs before you take it apart. Just to be sure you're not polishing a dead horse...or something.

What everyone said. Keep it stock, worth more. Get it running first before polishing or you may end up with a pretty garage decoration. Plan on rebuilding carb, they're simple. Oil in the cylinder then drain and change other fluids. Change sparkplug. Flush gas tank of old gas and add fresh. Change rubber - tires, tubes, lines, etc. Inspect chain and while it's off look at the sprockets for wear. Wheel bearings and brakes are often neglected, at least check`em. Replace battery and fire it up and drive it up & down the driveway then polish to your hearts content.

FWIW, that photo that is shown above (the white bike) isn't a SS50. That's a C110/115.

The C110/115 has the earlier pushrod engine. The SS50 is the later OHC engine. Totally different look to the frame and tank.

My C110 project bike:

Chris H.

I just drove 2 hours north for a Goldwing 1100. It's been here for <36 hrs. The fairing/windshield , bags, trunk thing , are all gone.

Mess with it, have fun. Isn't that what it's all about?

Dan