1972 HONDA Z50

Frame-Off Restored "California Custom"

Runs Excellent, Beautifully Finished, Ready to Enjoy

Professionally Restored and Turn-Key

If you're looking for a classic Honda minibike that stands out from the crowd, this beautifully restored 1972 Honda Z50 California Custom is sure to impress. Tastefully built with a blend of vintage Honda styling and carefully selected modern upgrades, this Z50 captures everything enthusiasts love about these iconic minibikes while adding a fresh custom look.

This motorcycle received a comprehensive frame-up restoration with the goal of creating a machine that is as fun to look at as it is to ride. The result is a stunning custom that starts easily, runs beautifully, and turns heads everywhere it goes.

The brilliant new red fuel tank with fresh graphics absolutely pops against the polished chrome and restored engine, giving this Z50 an unmistakable classic custom appearance.

Mechanical Highlights

This Honda has been thoroughly gone through mechanically and cosmetically from top to bottom.

• Engine completely serviced and cosmetically restored

• Starts easily—typically first kick

• Runs, shifts, and rides excellent

• Carburetor professionally rebuilt

• New free-flow air intake with K&N-style filter

• Intake system resealed

• Valves serviced and adjusted

• Cylinder professionally refinished

• Cylinder head polished to a beautiful finish

• Tuned and dialed in for reliable performance

Restoration & Custom Features

• Frame-up restoration

• New-style fuel tank

• All New paint and graphics

• New locking fuel cap

• New side covers

• New chrome aftermarket front and rear fenders

• Custom aftermarket taillight

• Working headlight with both high and low beam

• Custom billet aluminum choke mount

• Custom front fender brackets

• Original exhaust refinished

• Original heat shield professionally polished

• Chrome components polished throughout

• New grips

• Seat fitted with an replacement seat cover

• New chain and sprockets

• New tires

• New front brake lever

• New fork boots

• Fork uppers refinished

• Triple clamp serviced and greased

Suspension & Brakes

Unlike many Z50s that are set up for smaller riders, this bike has been upgraded with heavier-duty rear shocks better suited for adult riders while still maintaining excellent ride quality.

• Upgraded heavy-duty rear shocks

• Front and rear brakes function properly

• Excellent handling and riding characteristics

Riding Impression

Anyone who's ever owned a Honda Z50 knows exactly why these little motorcycles have become legends.

They're incredibly easy to ride, reliable, and nearly impossible to ride without smiling.

Whether you're adding it to a Honda collection, displaying it in a museum, taking it to vintage motorcycle events, or simply enjoying it around the neighborhood or campground, this Z50 delivers exactly what these iconic minibikes are famous for—pure fun.

The combination of the bright red paint, polished aluminum, gleaming chrome, and tasteful custom touches gives this motorcycle a distinctive look while preserving the timeless character that made the Honda Z50 one of the most beloved minibikes ever built.

Overall Condition

This is an exceptionally clean, professionally serviced and detailed motorcycle that has received significant time, attention, and investment. It both looks and performs like the quality bike it is.

If you've been searching for a classic Honda Z50 that's ready to ride and enjoy immediately, this bike deserves a place at the top of your list.

Please review all photos and watch the video.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Kaplan Cycles
860-454-7024

Shipping is available nationwide, and we are happy to assist your transporter or recommend trusted motorcycle shippers.

Thanks for your interest, and God Bless America!

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.