1970 CT70 KO two piece frame

[captainkettel]

I have a 1970 CT70 KO that is Ruby red and has a two piece frame. The frame bolts together on the top of the center bar. Is this very common? Appears to be made that way to take apart. Ignition unplugs. Anyone else have or have seen a model like this? Thanks...Dennis...

 

[MSZ]

It's not a CT70 then. It's either a Dax, ST70 or ST50 which was virtually the same bike distributed in Japan or Europe. What's the first 4 digits of the VIN on the frame?

 

[captainkettel]

This is a California titled CT70 with all the original stickers. All saying CT70! I will have to get the serial numbers tomorrow. I had checked the numbers off the honda mini trail page and found them to be listed as a 1970 CT70. I don't much about a DAX but this motorcycle was imported into California for sure. I'm the second owner.

 

[captainkettel]

The tag on this bike says 8/70 CT70-2063XX. The tag is riveted on the frame. All the decals and everything else indicate that this is indeed a CT70. Only difference from my other CT70 except for the color is the center frame can be taken apart so you have two pieces. Checked the DAX site and found nothing even close to this.

 

[Hondax]

Any chance it's a cleverly designed shade tree mechanic's attempt at making a better design? Jeff

 

[captainkettel]

Jeff, it is definitely made that way. The plate is in between the chrome strip that runs along the top of the center frame. Which is located 3" from the center of the handle bar bracket. The acorn nut that hold it together is chromed. The plate has a tab that fits in the bottom portion of the frame. That way it only takes one nut to take it apart. No I'm NOT the nut! This is the only frame like that I have ever seen.

 

[makotosun]

Looks like we need some pictures with details.....

 

[Tim S]

Yep we need photos
Tim

 

[captainkettel]

Pictures

Here are several photo's of what the connection bracket looks like. What do you think?

 

[mtkawboy]

Thats a new one to me, never saw one before if its factory. Maybe an early prototype or something. Id hang on to that.

 

[makotosun]

Looks like it was done after the fact to me. The edge of the chrome strip looks kinda ragged in the photo, which would not be up to Honda production standards even in the '70s.

Does the paint around the bracket look at all different from the rest of the bike? I know that when these bikes were being built, you could go to the Honda shop and buy the base coat, candy color, and clear in fizzy cans. I repainted my old '50 in about 71 that way. Too bad those aren't still available!

Whoever did the bracket did a pretty nice job however, but I would say it is not original. OTOH, if it is an early prototype, gotta be worth some real money, cuz it's gota be rare!

 

[captainkettel]

More Pictures in & out

Boy if this is a custom job somebody really knew how to weld! Check out the smoothness in the seams. The chrome strips are indeed cut square with no ragged edges. I removed the piece of dried grass to give you a better look. The touch up paint is a little faded, but the paint on the inside matches the original frame. Still pretty cool set up...

 

[captainkettel]

Couple more!

Here is the last of the photos and a shot of my other CT70...

 

[makotosun]

Upon closer inspection, it appears that this might in fact be original!


Amazing!

 

[mtkawboy]

I dont know what the purpose of it would be unless they were trying different front ends before production. Some one could have had one wrecked in the front and another wrecked in the rear too, who knows. Id keep it until I found out for sure. The welding looks good which is very un honda like for the era but the bracket is kind of crude for what Honda would use. Beats the shi* out of me, anythings possable

 

[hayabusa1967]

would suck going down the road and the nut come out ...lol would happen to me

 

[volksworker]

Could be

I used to have a trail 90 that split in half for use in aircraft. The mods were done by a company based at the orange county airport in Cal. They took new bikes and cut them. They usually installed break apart connectors for the harness somewhere also. It was a neat bike and they were sold worldwide. Commercial airline pilots were big customers. Just pull it out of your DC 8 and drive into downtown Tokyo, or Paris etc etc.... That looks like one to me.
Tom

 

[Dan_Lorenze]

I can't imagine that's how it came out of the factory. Looks like someone did a nice job on the welds..

 

[LongWayAway1]

Those were made in the factory in Japan

I just joined this forum. From my understanding these split frames were made by Honda in their Japan plant and originally intended for the Japan market. A few were sold in other places around the world. I wish I had one! Want to sell the frame? It would go great on my 12 volt ST70 Dax.

 

[dennis d]

Can't remember where but there was a site that had these.If memory serves me correct they were made by a company in Ca. and were made to be taken aboard small aircraft.You might check out "You Tube" since it was a video that i had seen.

Dennis