What’s the closest Clone to a Honda Z50?

[Landsvw]

We have an old 1969 or 70 z50 and thought it might be fun to have a second. But they are ridiculous in price. Wondered what the closest chinese knockoff is? I found a Yoshimura New for 599$ but other than the tank, is pretty different.

[culcune]

These guys still show them on their site. Not sure if they still have them in stock. Based on the model number 'ST125-P' I am guessing they are Skyteam branded. Icebear used to sell these as well, but now only offer the CT70 clone also shown on Motobuys site if you prefer the CT70 style bikes.

https://www.motobuys.com/st125-p-skyt.html

[Landsvw]

Thank you. Out of stock... huh. Might have to get a junky original and fix it...

[culcune]

They were out of stock? The other place that shows them is Pitster Pro, but they have been out of stock for months. I cannot check their site here at my work, so not sure if they finally got their 'Retro' bikes in. However, Skyteam (Pitster's OEM) is supposedly going through EPA/DOT testing, but, again, that has been for months. I guess it couldn't hurt to contact Pitster directly and ask.

[culcune]

Okay, looked around to see if the Pitster retro bikes were available since I cannot access Pitster's site here at work, and I found this dealer. Never heard of them, but they do show 2020 Pitster retro bikes, so maybe they are EPA/DOT certified? Again, never heard of this dealer, so cannot vouch for them (don't order without researching), but it does give me hope that these bikes might be available. The OEM for their retro bikes (other than their ADV 140/190) is Skyteam, who had very good reviews for their CT70 clones.

https://www.detwincam.com/new-models...-125-27814089b

[Bruces]

I would build my own if I wanted to keep one for my family to own and ride .I also would not bother with the hardtail ,they are worth more in collector value ,(I often get $4-6000.00) but they don’t ride as good and they are more expensive to build .I wouldn’t shy away from any of the years ,a few are worth much more but as a rider it doesn’t matter .I also can’t beleive some fools will pay $6000.00 for them ,you can buy a brand new with warranty crf50 from my local dealer in Canada for $1450.00 ,which is a better bike in every way if you are going to ride it and not just look at it .

[culcune]

I agree with you Bruces, but keep in mind the actual Z50 available now is not designed for adults, and street riding. Also the engines in the clones, at least the more recent (past 10 years), are 125cc. That doesn't mean there isn't a sub-industry of building real Z50s into adult-worthy bikes (the pitbike industry is huge), so a real one shouldn't be dismissed by any means.

[Landsvw]

I absolutely love the old hardtail z50’s. They can handle an adult with absolutely no problems. They are way overbuilt. Ours is a wreck and a mess, but after 50 years of hard use, still can haul we big folk around no issues whatsoever. I plan to somewhat put it back together, but, that will be a future project. I did just find one locally for 800$ and it’s also a 1969. Biggest issue is the tank is completely shot. But haven’t decided buy it since a new tank alone will probably run me 300$ and then all the other stuff needed. It’s in pretty rough shape. Frame looks great tho.

[dirtbkr188]

Originally Posted by Landsvw

I absolutely love the old hardtail z50’s. They can handle an adult with absolutely no problems...

+1, I can vouch for that...

[Landsvw]

Me and my kid, circa 1994. Bike looks about the same today heheh

[Oddball Matt]

Originally Posted by Landsvw

I absolutely love the old hardtail z50’s. They can handle an adult with absolutely no problems. They are way overbuilt. Ours is a wreck and a mess, but after 50 years of hard use, still can haul we big folk around no issues whatsoever. I plan to somewhat put it back together, but, that will be a future project. I did just find one locally for 800$ and it’s also a 1969. Biggest issue is the tank is completely shot. But haven’t decided buy it since a new tank alone will probably run me 300$ and then all the other stuff needed. It’s in pretty rough shape. Frame looks great tho.

If you can't get a tank locally a new one is about 80€ here including a cap and a petcock plus about 50-ish for shipping. If you want I can order one and handle the re-shipping to you. They're usually available in black, sometimes red and if I'm really lucky, chrome. Managed to find one place that sells Gorilla tanks too.

[stewbrash]

Since you'all are going Z50's on us, here is an example of a 2002 Lynx 50, copied to be an exact replica of the 98-99 Honda Z50r. My neighbor bought his kids a couple of those new Taotao 110 automatics and was junking this and wondered if I was interested in messing with it. (For free, he knew I was always messing around with something.) Well, mess I did...all new everything! The first picture is the Lynx 50, the snd is a real Z50r and the third is the transformed Lynx 50...looking more like an XR50 or a CRF50. I also installed a 4 speed manual 125 from a deal on Ebay.

[stewbrash]

Here's a better side view pic. Notice the skid-plate and racing exhaust! This thing is scary fast!

[stewbrash]

Here's the new CRF (with upside-down forks) triple-tree with risers, keyed ignition and Pro-Taper bars! Plus-all new caged bearings.

[stewbrash]

Little Z50R just got a 'little' brother! A Bashan Braven BSR 250!