Thread: oem Honda do-dads on my clone?

Few things, I did mention wanting to change a few things on my previous post and got some ideas/answers.

Here's what I am looking into right now and wonder if anyone has seen any of them done or done them and what problems (if any) I will have.

my bike is a 2003 Rupp trail 90 (lifan kick start only, 4speed, the bike is chonginq or something like that)

1. original honda chainguard.
I guess the holes (which are indented on the clone) would need to be drilled out at the top. I looks like my side cover would accommodate, I may have to cut something at the rear-maybe. TBparts has one listed that is red and looks like the same candy color as whats on my bike.

2. engine skidplate/guard.
Holes would need drilled at the top frame (at least on the left side) But the flat spots are pressed onto the frame-dunno if they are in the right spot or not!
A buddy with a clone thinks one should work seeing as my motor does not have electric start. I guess nobody makes repro or oem one anymore? I just need to look of a good used unit??

3. side information decals.
Just dont like that pressing on the side of the clone, just looks like you lost an emblem or something. Certain years did not say "trail 70" across the top of the decal, just information. I was thinking of using them and covering over the Honda wings at the bottom of the decal. I thought I hears that the pressing on the frame was incorrect in some way and oem decals don't fit right, Is that something where I can just trim the decal up or is there a big difference?

4. rear taillight assy.
want to put an early assy on, I don't care if it will make it dirtier when riding or whatever I wanna loose that big late model plastic mud flap and taillight.

5. front fender (maybe)
not too keen on the low mount fender. I don't really see any accommodations on the bottom of the triple mount for where a high mount honda would fit though

6. tires
Not OEM but I am thinking of the Pirelli sl60's My bike has 3.50x10 street tires, the pirellis are bigger and I guess the smaller ones available is around the same as a 4.00x10 (they list the pirellis in metric) I need to go taller on the gears allready so the tires would help. My thoughts are that these woudl be a little better on the street than the oem trail wings, but still give me a little control on the trails

7. seat
again I would use probably another clone seat, but I would like one that all black and looks a little more vintage (mine has a gray top to it. I guess that the clone seats should all be about the same the way they mount? Mine uses the hinge in front with the helmet lock as the latch.

as you can see, I can't leave well enough alone I should just buy a real ct and build it, but I have way too many vintge bikes torn apart being redone a little at a time, don't want to add another to the list. This stuff I can bolt on at will as I use and abuse it as a rider

Thanks!

Originally Posted by markus

Few things, I did mention wanting to change a few things on my previous post and got some ideas/answers.

Here's what I am looking into right now and wonder if anyone has seen any of them done or done them and what problems (if any) I will have.

my bike is a 2003 Rupp trail 90 (lifan kick start only, 4speed, the bike is chonginq or something like that)

1. original honda chainguard.
I guess the holes (which are indented on the clone) would need to be drilled out at the top. I looks like my side cover would accommodate, I may have to cut something at the rear-maybe. TBparts has one listed that is red and looks like the same candy color as whats on my bike.

2. engine skidplate/guard.
Holes would need drilled at the top frame (at least on the left side) But the flat spots are pressed onto the frame-dunno if they are in the right spot or not!
A buddy with a clone thinks one should work seeing as my motor does not have electric start. I guess nobody makes repro or oem one anymore? I just need to look of a good used unit??

3. side information decals.
Just dont like that pressing on the side of the clone, just looks like you lost an emblem or something. Certain years did not say "trail 70" across the top of the decal, just information. I was thinking of using them and covering over the Honda wings at the bottom of the decal. I thought I hears that the pressing on the frame was incorrect in some way and oem decals don't fit right, Is that something where I can just trim the decal up or is there a big difference?

4. rear taillight assy.
want to put an early assy on, I don't care if it will make it dirtier when riding or whatever I wanna loose that big late model plastic mud flap and taillight.

5. front fender (maybe)
not too keen on the low mount fender. I don't really see any accommodations on the bottom of the triple mount for where a high mount honda would fit though

6. tires
Not OEM but I am thinking of the Pirelli sl60's My bike has 3.50x10 street tires, the pirellis are bigger and I guess the smaller ones available is around the same as a 4.00x10 (they list the pirellis in metric) I need to go taller on the gears allready so the tires would help. My thoughts are that these woudl be a little better on the street than the oem trail wings, but still give me a little control on the trails

7. seat
again I would use probably another clone seat, but I would like one that all black and looks a little more vintage (mine has a gray top to it. I guess that the clone seats should all be about the same the way they mount? Mine uses the hinge in front with the helmet lock as the latch.

as you can see, I can't leave well enough alone I should just buy a real ct and build it, but I have way too many vintge bikes torn apart being redone a little at a time, don't want to add another to the list. This stuff I can bolt on at will as I use and abuse it as a rider

Thanks!

1 & 2... There are no threaded bosses welded into the frame in these locations. 6V Honda frames have them. For your application, I'd use Nutserts unless you're going to repaint the frame. Welding & paint don't play together very well. Unless you're using a Kawasaki-based PRC engine, it should have the same footpeg location & spacing. Better yet, borrow a Z50 or CT70 motor and bolt the engine guard to it. That'll help you duplicate correct placement of the holes in the frame, with no guesswork. It'll also give you the option of fitting a Honda motor, down the road.

3. Your frame probably has the smaller 12v sidebadge incuses. That limits your choices, as far as off-the-shelf items. Best to measure them first. You might consider making your own from sheet aluminum.

4. Buy whatever makes you happy. At most, you'll have to fab a small adapter to make it work. Beware the Dax version with the turn signal mounts. Nice unit, but doesn't fit US license plates.

5. You're on your own with this one. However, it should be easy enough to figure out the locations for the mounting holes. The first one pilots off the centerline of the steering stem. The rest follow from that. Keep in mind that the low-mount fender makes life easier if you use an oil cooler. The OE-style high-mount blocks air flow from the "natural" location.

6. For dual-sport use, the Trailwings are about as good as it gets. 4.00 x 10 is 100/80 x 10. Off pavement, street tires suck. Knobbies don't suck anywhere near as badly on pavement. IMO, the OEM Bridgestones are the best compromise between traction & tread life. They get better, on pavement, as the tread wears down. You can probably get something like 4000 miles from a rear. Fronts last a lot longer. Just don't get carried away leaning into corners.

7. Why not have an upholstery shop recover the existing seat. They can modify the padding to whatever shape and density while they're at it. A custom seat, built to your specs, is money well spent.

Well here's some of my changes so far, nothing really major as moneys thin and I am spreading funds between the clone, a Benelli and an Italjet/indian minibike restorations.

I ordered a set of repro decals for a ct70 I honestly did not realize how major the size difference was on the indents, its pretty major. I made template and started comparing the it with the ct decal and best I could come up with was to cut the top off and trim it down arouind the edges. IT actually came out pretty good. While there is not a chrome edgine around it anymore to me it just looks so much better with that indent filled. I need to cover the honda wing up still. Maybe just a red dot or something.....







Note I also ordered a the wider foot peg assembly when I ordered a set of blinkers recently (visible in above pic). This made a big diference for footing. I also took a large pice of tubing that slipped over the the footbrake pad and stuck a floorjack under the bottom most curve of the assembly and bent it down to be more in line with the footpeg. Big differnce as well, don't have to step up to hit the brake anymore!

Next one was a freebie mod and not on my list, I don't like the little mudflap on the front fender. That flared edge to me just looks bad. I was going to simply take it off but then you have those hole and that would probably bug me more So I took it off and trimmed the flare right off it. smoothed out the edges and stuck it back on. Definitly not as chunky looking anyway.





As far as everything else, well I'm working on it. Trying to decide if I want to just use an OEM late model black taillight assy or get the chrome dax one. Not concerned about he tag mount, Hell the one on this bike does not fit the american plate either, I've made a few adaptors allready on other bikes.

Found the seat I like the best, its cheap and has the look I like (buttons on the side with ribbed top) just have to order it!

I'd like to see a pic of your Indian minibike. The trimming you did on the mudflap looks really good.

Originally Posted by kmcrab

I'd like to see a pic of your Indian minibike. The trimming you did on the mudflap looks really good.

Well its not much to look at right now. This was before I took it apart:


here's how its looking right about now:



I started strong, but A.D.D. kicked in and I started messing with something else, and its all sitting in couple of boxes right now

Thanks...Thats a cool little bike! Of course being an Indian, thats no surprise!

Originally Posted by kmcrab

Thanks...Thats a cool little bike! Of course being an Indian, thats no surprise!

These will set me back working on the clone even farther! Picked these 2 up tonight, a rare Indian mt5a and an Italjet (same as the indians) 50cc, not sure the designation on this bike just yet. Doesn't matter will most likely become a donor bike anyway