New CT70 owner

renttis

New Member
Hi folks,

I was given a nice old CT70 and would like to find out exactly what I have. It's orange and on the frame is, "CT70H 126671". I was told it has been sitting in a shed for 30 plus years. I'd like to get it back on the road but not really sure where to start. Any information or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter
 

Anderz

Member
Welcome to the Honda forum

It sounds like an 1970 6-7 month HKO in original topaz orange paint and 4 speed with a hand clutch.

Some pictures would do great. Depending on your goals with it and how it looks now its all up to you. Is it complete? To rusty? Does the motor turn over? Do you get any spark from the plug (replace with a new one)?
 
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renttis

New Member
Honda 007.jpgHonda 011.jpgHonda 017.jpgHonda 018.jpg

Thanks Anders, If the photos attach, here's my "barn fresh" Trail 70. Very little rust and the engine does turn over (but no spark). I'd like to put it on the road but assume the battery and maybe the tires need replacing. Of course, I want to do the right thing with the engine and not harm it. Would it be ok to just change the fluids, get a spark and see if she'll run?

BTW, what does the "KO" denote?
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
That bike is a real beauty. My money is on that bike to run. Change the oil, flush out the tank and carb if they lookdirty. Put a little oil in the plug hole and get a spark. New plug, maybe trim a smidge off the plug wire, make sure even a old battery is plugged in, clean up and set the points, key on. It will run. Points are usually the culpret. And you need the correct modular plug on the battery. These bikes run and run and run...

.
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
I usually change the oil just in case there could be water mixed in with it. Not likely on your bike so you may want to wait till you heat the motor up before you drain it, unless it looks bad for any reason. You will likely need to clean the carb as they plug up easily. If the inside of the tank looks clean, I would just put some fresh gas in it and see what happens.
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
Check out the service manual on this thread. http://lilhonda.com/webboard/f13/detailed-shop-manual-st50-70-ct70-ct70h-842/. Your bike is a CT70 K0 H model. The H denotes that its a 4 speed with a manual clutch as opposed to the more common 3 speed semi automatic. The K0 is the model and means basically that it's the first generation of CT70's. Then there would be a K1, K2... Be sure to use motorcycle oil and not car oil. Make sure the kick lever bolt is tight before you start kickin, and then simply spin the motor when you kick it over. Don't start kickin the heck out of it or your likely to do some damage.
 
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CT70sKid

Member
Wow! That's an incredible find! And it was GIVEN to you?! You are going to have a ton of fun with it! Don't hesitate to ask any question on here-everyone is great and more than willing to share their vast knowledge. I'm new on here myself and have already had several nice interactions.
 

Anderz

Member
WOW +1

The tires look allright and not rotten or signs of cracks but apart from all the other advise given give the chain/cables/brake arm/levers etc. some lubricant like fresh oil not only the motor. The battery needs to be changed after so long but its more for lights and horn. Maybe the caburator needs to be cleaned too but time will tell.

You got a great CT70H here. I would love to find one like it for that price.

Just remember to turn the key on when testing for sparks too! It might sound stupid but I don't know how much experience you got with ct70's at all.
 
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cjpayne

Well-Known Member
Congrats! Looks like you have a nice, unmolested original. With the other posts talking about oil and carb, be sure and lube the speedo cable. How many miles on the speedo?
 

renttis

New Member
Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice. I'll work on the bike as time allows and let you know how it goes...

PS, has just over one thousand miles .
 
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cjpayne

Well-Known Member
Nice score.

Don't forget to also check the air filter, after 30 years it might have turned to dust.

He's right! There might be a nest of some sort in there too, or the rest of the bike for that matter.LOL
I would also look over the wiring for bite marks from mice. Those little creatures can do some damage.
Don't be suprised if someone makes you an offer for that thing. I would if I had the $$$$.
 

Anderz

Member
Sometimes I miss the obvious; thanks Anderz. We now have a spark!

Well I'm happy that I was able to help you. :D I would exchange the sparkplug anyway.

How was it stored? It must have been indoors in a nice klimate as it is not often you see a CT70 HKO in this condition.
 

renttis

New Member
Nice score.

Don't forget to also check the air filter, after 30 years it might have turned to dust.

Good call bc. When I removed the filter, it looked fine until I touched it. Glad I didn't suck that through the engine. I'll add an air filter to the list of parts to purchase. Any recomendations on where to buy parts?
 

renttis

New Member
How was it stored? It must have been indoors in a nice klimate as it is not often you see a CT70 HKO in this condition.

It was in a storage shed that I was repairing. The owner had received it as a present when he turned 13. He rode it for a number of years and then put it away. He's now a Harley guy and didn't want to keep storing the Honda. Right place, right time...
 

CT70sKid

Member
Your local Honda motorcycle dealer will be able to get the air filter and many other parts. You'll be surprised at how many parts Honda still makes for these little bikes. Another good source is CHP Motorsports. Their website is hondaminitrail.com.
Good call bc. When I removed the filter, it looked fine until I touched it. Glad I didn't suck that through the engine. I'll add an air filter to the list of parts to purchase. Any recomendations on where to buy parts?
 

69ST

Well-Known Member
Very nice find!

I'd replace the fuel lines, which makes it easy to check for the ceremonial mouse nest & chewed wiring- since the tank must be pulled first. 3 to 1 you won't find either problem. If you do, new repop wire harnesses are readily available for ~$45 delivered.

I would also pull the carb float bowl and RH engine cover. If you find a dirty float bowl, you may do well to clean & rebuild the carb...a $40 DIY project. You'll probably find at least some sludge in the crankcase and a fair amount of hard, claylike, debris inside the oil spinner (located behind the throwout bearing flange). Some scrubbing, with mineral spirits, followed by a moderate shot of brakleen, should remove all of the crapola. Reassemble, refill with fresh oil, and if the motor is as healthy as the rest of the bike appears to be it'll remain so for many miles to come...the perfect capper to your happy adventure into minitraildom.:4:
 

renttis

New Member
An update for all of you who have been so kind to offer your helpful advice

Very nice find!

I would also pull the carb float bowl and RH engine cover.

Getting ready to place a parts order and am wondering if I'll need gaskets if I pull the covers?

BTW, after inspection and the bike looking pretty good, put a bit of gas in it and kicked it over. Started after about ten kicks. Tail light came on but not the headlight. Went in and out of gear but, curiously, would not stop when ignition was turned off? It ran for about a minute and then I drained the oil. No sign of water or any solids...
 
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