ST50 Resto

[IL]

I have been hunting for one of these for about 4years, they have become increasingly valuable, more than anyone other than a bearded collector would want to pay..

One for sale currently.. More than the price of a Brand new MSX125/ Grom

They are slow, small and it’s very unlikely to ever get ridden, but I had one as a kid and I always wish I’d kept it.

So I got one..

Just what I needed another Project..

It will keep me busy on winter evenings when I’m not working on the Midget or TR7, or when I need a change of scenery from them both..

Turns out to be pretty complete, didn’t think black was it’s factory colour as I hadn’t seen one before, but it is according to the Chassis number..

First hurdle was to get keys sourced to suit the ignition, they are long gone and a V5 as it Doesn’t seem to exists according to DVLA..

Ordered a Plug, Oil, a new Battery, Engine Gasket kit, & New keys..

Total cost £30 lol I need to stick with bikes!!

The frame will be getting painted, not sure whether to keep it black or paint it blue like the one I had as a boy!

I think keeping it original might be better but the black doesn't do it any favours!

Any tips on cleaning heavily oxidised main crank cases? Ideally vapour blasting but hoping to not have to pull the full engine down.

Oven cleaner & Brass wire brush any good?

 

[Apis]

If you need the reg sorted, the VJMC can date the bike and provide the paperwork. They have a guy dedicated to providing this service. You just have to pay £28 (I think) to be a member.
Might find a code on the side or bottom of the ign barrel to help source a key. David Silver Honda spares probably has them.

 

[IL]

If you need the reg sorted, the VJMC can date the bike and provide the paperwork. They have a guy dedicated to providing this service. You just have to pay £28 (I think) to be a member.
Might find a code on the side or bottom of the ign barrel to help source a key. David Silver Honda spares probably has them.

Thanks Alastair, that will be my backup plan if they don't like the info I have sent them already along with the V62..

2x Keys in the Post yesterday from Express Keys from the ID on the Ignition Barrel, didn't realise it was that simple!

 

[mikey]

Fun stuff! Get a Stomp 140 in it for a bit more craic. If you’re keeping the original engine a brass brush and autosol will get it shone up but you will be forever keeping on top of it to keep it looking good. When the uncle is restoring the bikes he uses autoglym wheel silver on the engine casings with a 2k lacquer on top. Never had issues with the heat. If you polish the casings and lacquer over it it will look good for a while but inevitably the ‘white worms’ will make an appearance under the coating.

 

[IL]

Fun stuff! Get a Stomp 140 in it for a bit more craic. If you’re keeping the original engine a brass brush and autosol will get it shone up but you will be forever keeping on top of it to keep it looking good. When the uncle is restoring the bikes he uses autoglym wheel silver on the engine casings with a 2k lacquer on top. Never had issues with the heat. If you polish the casings and lacquer over it it will look good for a while but inevitably the ‘white worms’ will make an appearance under the coating.

not really into the polished look, too bling for me.. more into a degrease and back to bare flat alloy look!

I have used the wheel paint in the past, really easy applied, hardwiring and nice finish, think I’ll get stocked up on that for the silver bits!

 

[gixermark]

That will be a tidy wee toy mate

 

[IL]

That will be a tidy wee toy mate

Odd wee things lol they are getting scarce..

Lots of bits in the post last week to fully assemble the bike, that’s the plan now to build it first to find out what all in missing / needing attention and resolve all the faults before sending the frame etc off for paint.

Stripped the carb last week, Idle and Main jet where caked solid, Choke mechanism was fully seized and someone had tried to horse the leaver and sheered it off.. carbs and carb parts no longer available so managed to find this carb top half on ebay last week..

This should allow me to assemble one decent carb from the two & hopefully get it running this week

 

[gixermark]

You love the projects man!!!

great work, keep the pics rolling

 

[fabiostar]

what a great we yoke to restore

 

[IL]

You love the projects man!!!

great work, keep the pics rolling

Absolutely, always eyeing up the next one!!

what a great we yoke to restore

I think they are cool, always have!

The new Carburettor arrived today, quickly gave it the once over, cleaned the Jets, washed it out and installed it on the bike..

but really struggled to get a spark!! I went online and ordered a CDI unit & new Coil, but after another half hour of fault finding I realised the ignition barrel had to be earthed / installed in the frame to activate the ignition..

In true Honda fashion it fired on the first kick, quick tune of the mixture & idle screw and its running lovely..

My lawnmower sounds like it has more power




The chain should be here this week so i'll be able to take it a quick test run to ensure the gearbox is doing as it should be!

 

[Todd]

Love this project!

 

[IL]

Now i'm satisfied it runs, it was time to fully strip it..

A box of Parts for the Blaster, Powder Coater & Electroplater..

I'll spend the next week or two tidying up the Engine, Wheels & Forks etc

Not much else to be at with the pubs closed...

 

[gixermark]

I was going to say you must be saving a fortune with the pubs closed...... but......

 

[IL]

I was going to say you must be saving a fortune with the pubs closed...... but......

That would make sense but unfortunately not! Just needlessly blowing it on a new ornament!

 

[IL]

1st time using an Electro Plater for badly oxidised Parts, Very impressive and keenly priced..

Before -

After -

Hopefully drop the frame off to be blasted tomorrow, but can't decide on a final colour..

Really not that keen on the Original black, Maybe Silver Grey or Red..

 

[RevT]

I agree on the black, doesn’t do much for the wee bike even though it’s the original colour. If that doesn’t bother you that much I’d be going grey or red, quite like the grey.

 

[gixermark]

tell me more about this electro plating mate ?

are you using the one guy for all the different finishes ?

i was talking to a guy through the week about potentially vapour blasting the exhaust manifold for the Jedi....

 

[Todd]

View attachment 304857

Liking this, i think it really suits the bike.

 

[IL]

tell me more about this electro plating mate ?

are you using the one guy for all the different finishes ?

i was talking to a guy through the week about potentially vapour blasting the exhaust manifold for the Jedi....

The plating it more for nuts and bolts Mark, I guess maybe keracote would be the job for your exhaust, its like somewhere between powder coat and ceramic coating & can withstand up t0 500degs. There is a Chap in Rafriland does it, so not a million miles from you.. Just vapour blasting it would clean it but not protect it, assuming its mile steel?

Yes I think grey is the front runner atm

 

[gixermark]

Never heard of Keracote... do you have any details for that guy?
I had been in contact with a guy around glengormely that can do the vapour blasting of the exhaust.
I’m clueless on it all!

 

[IL]

A wee lick of Oven cleaner & Elbow grease on my lunch break today..

Wanting it to look tidy, not brand new!

Collecting powder coated parts tomorrow & Frame should be ready to collect next week from the blaster.

 

[IL]

Finally got the Frame back from the blasters, it was blasted with glass & epoxy primed.. everything looks good and straight other than a few wee holes on the swing arm

I’ll get those repaired tomorrow and then away to the painter on Wednesday

 

[Peter]

Looks great! it's a joy putting a bike together that's all new and shiny!

 

[IL]

Looks great! it's a joy putting a bike together that's all new and shiny

It’s been good fun so far! So simple in terms of fault finding and assembly,

I’m hoping the post system is back to normal soon so I can get all the bits ordered up that I need for the final build up!

 

[hannakournikova]

Iain who did you use for your plating?