1977 CT70 Basket Case

[OLD CT]

That sounds like a plan, new bolts, chase the threads brakleen/blow them out with compressed air and blue lock tight.

 

[Robert thran]

I’m thinking go to Napa and buy a 8x125 heilcoil kit and repair the threads ,, normally those threads are either good or bad, with heilcoils installed it will be much stronger being when you tighten the bolts your pulling on steel threads instead of aluminum.. a kits not big money and you can buy the coil refills if or when you run out of coils,,being you’ll have the special tap and installer..

 

[nightgrider]

Thanks for the input. I figured if I can get at least 3 out of the 4 to hold I should be ok. They didn't feel right when I was backing them out on the chopper. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw the bolts. I figured I'd try chasing the threads first. See how it feels, then step up to a heli-coil if just cleaning up the threads doesn't go well.

 

[OLD CT]

Worse comes to worse, do one heli coil like Robert suggested. A kit with 6mm and 8mm is a good item to keep in stock.

 

[nightgrider]

I picked up some new bolts for the footpeg assembly the other day. Tried the new bolts in the crank case. The threads didn't look or feel bad in the crankcase. Threaded the new bolts in and out a few times by hand. I don't quite understand it but, think I got lucky. Everything threaded in easy and seems to be holding fine. Snugged all the bolts down. I love having the center stand and glad I no longer have to just lean the bike against something.

 

[nightgrider]

Time to start my favorite part of the project... The wiring... I'm really not that excited, but it must be done.

 

[nightgrider]

Oh yeah, wiring is definitely my favorite...

 

[nightgrider]

I need a new gear shift lever, since the one from the chopper is a forward linkage set up. @OLD CT , @kirrbby , and @Robert thran what's the measurements for the length on the stock gear shifter lever? I'm seeing a lot of different lengths on the aftermarket ones but thought a stock length would be a good starting reference. Thanks

 

[kirrbby]

I need a new gear shift lever, since the one from the chopper is a forward linkage set up. @OLD CT , @kirrbby , and @Robert thran what's the measurements for the length on the stock gear shifter lever? I'm seeing a lot of different lengths on the aftermarket ones but thought a stock length would be a good starting reference. Thanks

Overall length, about 5¾"

 

[nightgrider]

Overall length, about 5¾"

Thanks @kirrbby

 

[nightgrider]

It's not my favorite ebay purchase, but the price was right and should do for now.

 

[nightgrider]

Because apparently I'd rather work on something easier than wiring..? I took the old tire off one of the rusty wheels. A lot of WD40, some pneumatic action, and a lot of hammering with crowbar. The tire is free from the wheel. Only another one to go..?

 

[airblazer]

Is this the first time you’ve removed that tire? How do the rims look? If they’re pretty rusty you should hold them up to a light and check for pinholes - a sure sign they need to be replaced.

 

[nightgrider]

Is this the first time you’ve removed that tire? How do the rims look? If they’re pretty rusty you should hold them up to a light and check for pinholes - a sure sign they need to be replaced.

Yep, first time I've had the tire off that wheel. That's probably the second least rusty wheel of the bunch. Overall it looks pretty good. But good point, best to make sure and check for pinholes and thin spots. The wheel currently on the rear is the most rusty. But the tire is decent. The hope is to salvage the tire off the rusty wheel (a possible fool's errand) to put on the one I just removed the tire from, after a clean up and paint.

 

[nightgrider]

Probably was common knowledge, but I didn't know the hardware for the seat trim was serviceable. Pretty awesome honestly. I figured the trim and the post were all one piece.

 

[nightgrider]

Got the rest of the wire harness freed from the the chopper frame and partially labeled. Now I need to start laying it out in the CT70 frame see what needs to be lengthened and shortened. Got some connectors on order, so I can't get too crazy. But I can keep picking at the wiring.

 

[airblazer]

Time to start my favorite part of the project... The wiring... I'm really not that excited, but it must be done.

Is that two bikes in #226, or are you putting these together?

 

[nightgrider]

Is that two bikes in #226, or are you putting these together?

I'm raiding the engine, wiring, and other useful parts from the chopper to build the CT70.

 

[nightgrider]

Got the harness laid out better for the CT70 frame. I'll have to lengthen a few wires, but I'll wait till my new bullet connectors come. You feel like you'll have a lot of space in the frame, until you remember the gas tank still has to go inside. Once I get everything laid out nicely and tested. I'll pull out the harness to wrap it. I also straightened up my right side headlamp bucket ear. It was bent pretty good from a wreck by a previous owner. It isn't perfect but some time in the vice made it a lot better than it was before. Also threw a grab handle on the frame. I need to pick up the right length bolts. The ones I'm using currently are way too long, just wanted to see it on the bike.

 

[nightgrider]

Other original '77 owners can confirm, but I'm pretty sure either my headlamp bucket is not correct, or my ears are very out of wack, or both (the most likely culprit). But I had to add some spacers on the sides to get the bucket to bolt up and not put extra stress on the plastic headlamp bucket. Now I need to get some longer bolts as the ones I purchased are too short. All the joys of putting together a bunch of random junk parts. Good enough for me and this rustoration. Still waiting for it to get consistently warm out to repaint the bucket to make it a tiny bit more presentable. Don't mind the gap between the trim ring and the bucket, it isn't screwed in tightly. Just enough to hold it in place.