1st Clone

[Carlo C.]

Guys,
I was scrolling through market place over the weekend and found a 09 Chinese clone CT70 with 110cc for sale for a good price. I contacted the guy who was the original owner and he gave me the scoop on the little bike. He changed the blinkers, pipe and a few other little things since he owned it, but it mostly sat for long periods of time. He said it always starts right up and it runs good. We made the deal and I picked it up and it was everything he said it was. As soon as I got it home I started working on it and removed all the ugly decals off of it and installed some Honda decals that I had Leftover from another project. It started right up and runs and rides well other then some spongy front forks. He gave me a new pair of front forks that he bought for it that did not fit in the triple clamp. I measured them and ordered the right clamp for 26mm shafts from TB Parts. He also gave me the stock exhaust that he had taken off of it when he put some cheap Amazon exhaust on it. It had a bunch of surface rust on it so I blasted it, painted it with some VHT High Heat Paint cleaned all the chrome with a SOS pad and put it all back together with some stainless bolts.

I had a new KO style speedometer that I was not using so I ordered a KO taillight assembly, KO headlight and bucket that should make it look much better. I will post more pictures when all the parts come in and I get them on the bike. It has some really cool 1 piece aluminum wheels on it that I think are pretty cool. I think I will eventually put a old school Honda chain guard and grab handle on it and just enjoy it from that point on.

How it looked when I picked it up:


After a couple hours of TLC:



Original Exhaust after a good freshen up:

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

Guys,
I was scrolling through market place over the weekend and found a 09 Chinese clone CT70 with 110cc for sale for a good price. I contacted the guy who was the original owner and he gave me the scoop on the little bike. He changed the blinkers, pipe and a few other little things since he owned it, but it mostly sat for long periods of time. He said it always starts right up and it runs good. We made the deal and I picked it up and it was everything he said it was. As soon as I got it home I started working on it and removed all the ugly decals off of it and installed some Honda decals that I had Leftover from another project. It started right up and runs and rides well other then some spongy front forks. He gave me a new pair of front forks that he bought for it that did not fit in the triple clamp. I measured them and ordered the right clamp for 26mm shafts from TB Parts. He also gave me the stock exhaust that he had taken off of it when he put some cheap Amazon exhaust on it. It had a bunch of surface rust on it so I blasted it, painted it with some VHT High Heat Paint cleaned all the chrome with a SOS pad and put it all back together with some stainless bolts.

I had a new KO style speedometer that I was not using so I ordered a KO taillight assembly, KO headlight and bucket that should make it look much better. I will post more pictures when all the parts come in and I get them on the bike. It has some really cool 1 piece aluminum wheels on it that I think are pretty cool. I think I will eventually put a old school Honda chain guard and grab handle on it and just enjoy it from that point on.

How it looked when I picked it up:
View attachment 78630 View attachment 78631

After a couple hours of TLC:
View attachment 78632 View attachment 78633


Original Exhaust after a good freshen up:
View attachment 78634

I’m a huge fan of the clones. I’ve probably owned 20+ clones over the years. I bought a brand new Icebear and an Amigo Rocky, last summer. Here is a pic of a 2004 Lifan, that I gave the same treatment as yours. Pic is from 2013:

 

[Carlo C.]

I’m a huge fan of the clones. I’ve probably owned 20+ clones over the years. I bought a brand new Icebear and an Amigo Rocky, last summer. Here is a pic of a 2004 Lifan, that I gave the same treatment as yours. Pic is from 2013:

Mike,
Very cool bike and awesome background in the picture. I am having a lot of fun playing with this little bike. Should be pretty cool when finished.

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

Mike,
Very cool bike and awesome background in the picture. I am having a lot of fun playing with this little bike. Should be pretty cool when finished.

Other than price, the best thing about a clone is that you can modify or build it however you want…..without hearing crap from the crowd that worries too much about value or originality. No one cares what you do with a clone! 🤣🤣

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

Mike,
Very cool bike and awesome background in the picture. I am having a lot of fun playing with this little bike. Should be pretty cool when finished.

Here is a 2005 Skyteam clone that I chopped the frame to fit a SL70 tank.

 

[kirrbby]

I've missed...passed on, a few low mile clones over the years. They weren't...JUST RIGHT. But I regret it now. Nothing is getting cheaper.
I'd buy one for sure. Then, as mentioned, I could swap parts...any mods, without a second thought, etc.

 

[Anthony Campano]

Guys,
I was scrolling through market place over the weekend and found a 09 Chinese clone CT70 with 110cc for sale for a good price. I contacted the guy who was the original owner and he gave me the scoop on the little bike. He changed the blinkers, pipe and a few other little things since he owned it, but it mostly sat for long periods of time. He said it always starts right up and it runs good. We made the deal and I picked it up and it was everything he said it was. As soon as I got it home I started working on it and removed all the ugly decals off of it and installed some Honda decals that I had Leftover from another project. It started right up and runs and rides well other then some spongy front forks. He gave me a new pair of front forks that he bought for it that did not fit in the triple clamp. I measured them and ordered the right clamp for 26mm shafts from TB Parts. He also gave me the stock exhaust that he had taken off of it when he put some cheap Amazon exhaust on it. It had a bunch of surface rust on it so I blasted it, painted it with some VHT High Heat Paint cleaned all the chrome with a SOS pad and put it all back together with some stainless bolts.

I had a new KO style speedometer that I was not using so I ordered a KO taillight assembly, KO headlight and bucket that should make it look much better. I will post more pictures when all the parts come in and I get them on the bike. It has some really cool 1 piece aluminum wheels on it that I think are pretty cool. I think I will eventually put a old school Honda chain guard and grab handle on it and just enjoy it from that point on.

How it looked when I picked it up:
View attachment 78630 View attachment 78631

After a couple hours of TLC:
View attachment 78632 View attachment 78633


Original Exhaust after a good freshen up:
View attachment 78634

Bike looks great I have a 2004 jincenching with 28 original miles that I bought NEW. I think I paid 1600.50dollars put Honda ct-70 decals on it changed the carburetor and filter still have the original box. The only reason I bought it was to smell look 👀 and feel of the Honda ct70 I had as a child the clone starts on 3rd kit and runs new from what I read the jenching was the best of the clones they don’t make them anymore Honda sued them if anyone has one please let me know. Anthony c providence to.

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

Bike looks great I have a 2004 jincenching with 28 original miles that I bought NEW. I think I paid 1600.50dollars put Honda ct-70 decals on it changed the carburetor and filter still have the original box. The only reason I bought it was to smell look 👀 and feel of the Honda ct70 I had as a child the clone starts on 3rd kit and runs new from what I read the jenching was the best of the clones they don’t make them anymore Honda sued them if anyone has one please let me know. Anthony c providence to.

I don’t currently have a Jincheng, but I’ve owned a handful of Jincheng Pandas over the years. I wouldn’t say they weee any better or worse than any other clone.
I’ve never heard of a Honda lawsuit against someone producing CT70 clones. It’s my understanding that Honda allowed the patent to expire in 1998/1999 and beginning in 2000, clones started appearing.
The earliest clone I’ve owned was from 2000. I don’t remember which manufacturer made it, but it was spot on copy of the CT70K0, right down to the 72cc engine. Most clones today are based on the 1990’s CT70.

 

[kirrbby]

I think it was racerx that is a fan of...Zongshen? engines..."Zongers". Maybe Jingcheng too..?

 

[Anthony Campano]

I don’t currently have a Jincheng, but I’ve owned a handful of Jincheng Pandas over the years. I wouldn’t say they weee any better or worse than any other clone.
I’ve never heard of a Honda lawsuit against someone producing CT70 clones. It’s my understanding that Honda allowed the patent to expire in 1998/1999 and beginning in 2000, clones started appearing.
The earliest clone I’ve owned was from 2000. I don’t remember which manufacturer made it, but it was spot on copy of the CT70K0, right down to the 72cc engine. Most clones today are based on the 1990’s CT70.

Thx for the information it doesn’t have the grab handles but it looks like there’s a dimlple punch we’re it would go I saw 👀 it on a few of the parts site’s.

 

[Carlo C.]

Guys,
I worked on the clone a little more over the weekend. I removed the clone taillight and installed a KO style taillight and bracket. I also changed out the droopy front forks. The guy I bought the bike from had a brand new set of forks that he bought for the bike that he said would not fit in the triple tree. I measured them and the are 27mm O.D. and are much bigger then the cheesy ones on the bike. The only thing I could find that was close was a triple tree from Trail buddy for 26mm forks so I ordered it. When it came in I tried to fit the forks and as expected it was too tight of a fit, but luckily I had a course 29mm ball hone and I honed the triple tree till they fit. Removed the old ones cleaned and re-greased all the ball bearings with some good waterproof grease and put it all back together. The new forks made a world of a difference and the bike rides much better without the droopy old forks. I also ordered a KO headlight bucket headlight and fork ears from Josh Norton. Once the fork ears arrive I am going to drop off the Headlight Bucket, Fork Ears and KO style chainguard to get painted the same color of the bike. I am also going to put a bigger rear tire on the bike.

New Forks and Taillight:


New Headlight:


Carlo C.

 

[Anthony Campano]

Guys,
I worked on the clone a little more over the weekend. I removed the clone taillight and installed a KO style taillight and bracket. I also changed out the droopy front forks. The guy I bought the bike from had a brand new set of forks that he bought for the bike that he said would not fit in the triple tree. I measured them and the are 27mm O.D. and are much bigger then the cheesy ones on the bike. The only thing I could find that was close was a triple tree from Trail buddy for 26mm forks so I ordered it. When it came in I tried to fit the forks and as expected it was too tight of a fit, but luckily I had a course 29mm ball hone and I honed the triple tree till they fit. Removed the old ones cleaned and re-greased all the ball bearings with some good waterproof grease and put it all back together. The new forks made a world of a difference and the bike rides much better without the droopy old forks. I also ordered a KO headlight bucket headlight and fork ears from Josh Norton. Once the fork ears arrive I am going to drop off the Headlight Bucket, Fork Ears and KO style chainguard to get painted the same color of the bike. I am also going to put a bigger rear tire on the bike.

New Forks and Taillight:
View attachment 78718 View attachment 78719 View attachment 78721 View attachment 78722

New Headlight:
View attachment 78723

Carlo C.

Wow my 2004jincenhing looks exactly the same as yours same color spot on the only thing I did different was took the factory airbox off and changed the kick stand or should I say added a kick stand still have both original pieces in mint condition I know I’m certifiably nuts 🔩 but you have 2 head lites on it. Thx Anthony c providence ri.

 

[Anthony Campano]

Guys,
I was scrolling through market place over the weekend and found a 09 Chinese clone CT70 with 110cc for sale for a good price. I contacted the guy who was the original owner and he gave me the scoop on the little bike. He changed the blinkers, pipe and a few other little things since he owned it, but it mostly sat for long periods of time. He said it always starts right up and it runs good. We made the deal and I picked it up and it was everything he said it was. As soon as I got it home I started working on it and removed all the ugly decals off of it and installed some Honda decals that I had Leftover from another project. It started right up and runs and rides well other then some spongy front forks. He gave me a new pair of front forks that he bought for it that did not fit in the triple clamp. I measured them and ordered the right clamp for 26mm shafts from TB Parts. He also gave me the stock exhaust that he had taken off of it when he put some cheap Amazon exhaust on it. It had a bunch of surface rust on it so I blasted it, painted it with some VHT High Heat Paint cleaned all the chrome with a SOS pad and put it all back together with some stainless bolts.

I had a new KO style speedometer that I was not using so I ordered a KO taillight assembly, KO headlight and bucket that should make it look much better. I will post more pictures when all the parts come in and I get them on the bike. It has some really cool 1 piece aluminum wheels on it that I think are pretty cool. I think I will eventually put a old school Honda chain guard and grab handle on it and just enjoy it from that point on.

How it looked when I picked it up:
View attachment 78630 View attachment 78631

After a couple hours of TLC:
View attachment 78632 View attachment 78633


Original Exhaust after a good freshen up:
View attachment 78634

What didn’t you like about the after market exhaust also was it hard to put the grab handles on I think I have the dimple press on the frame to add them I’ll try to post some pictures of mine like I said they could be twins 👯‍♀️. Beautiful clone Carlo.

 

[Carlo C.]

What didn’t you like about the after market exhaust also was it hard to put the grab handles on I think I have the dimple press on the frame to add them I’ll try to post some pictures of mine like I said they could be twins 👯‍♀️. Beautiful clone Carlo.

Wow my 2004jincenhing looks exactly the same as yours same color spot on the only thing I did different was took the factory airbox off and changed the kick stand or should I say added a kick stand still have both original pieces in mint condition I know I’m certifiably nuts 🔩 but you have 2 head lites on it. Thx Anthony c providence ri.

Anthony,
The aftermarket exhaust was just too loud and ugly. I like to cruise around my neighborhood without my neighbors getting mad at me and that exhaust was obnoxious. With all my bikes I like to modify them, but I also like to stay as much as possible with the factory looks of the bikes. Too much stuff and the bikes start not to even resemble our beloved trail 70's anymore. Mine does not have a grab handle, but if I was to add one there are two options. First option that would probably be best for you would be what is called a Rivnut ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rivnut+k...efix=rivnut,aps,114&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_6 ) this makes it very easy to add threads to a hole in sheet metal. You basically drill the size hole recommended for the size fastener you plan on using which in this case would be a M6 then put the insert in the hole and the tool squeeze's it to fit in the whole. Next option is to drill the holes and have someone weld M6 nuts to the backside of the frame. this option is best, but it will mess up the paint.

The reason that one picture of the bike has two headlight was just to to show the KO style headlight I bought for the bike. Once my fork ears show up, I am going to bring all that stuff including a Honda Chain Guard to my painter for him to paint it all to match the color on the bike.

Carlo C.

 

[Anthony Campano]

Anthony,
The aftermarket exhaust was just too loud and ugly. I like to cruise around my neighborhood without my neighbors getting mad at me and that exhaust was obnoxious. With all my bikes I like to modify them, but I also like to stay as much as possible with the factory looks of the bikes. Too much stuff and the bikes start not to even resemble our beloved trail 70's anymore. Mine does not have a grab handle, but if I was to add one there are two options. First option that would probably be best for you would be what is called a Rivnut ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rivnut+kit&crid=2NAG9APQY4QJY&sprefix=rivnut,aps,114&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_6 ) this makes it very easy to add threads to a hole in sheet metal. You basically drill the size hole recommended for the size fastener you plan on using which in this case would be a M6 then put the insert in the hole and the tool squeeze's it to fit in the whole. Next option is to drill the holes and have someone weld M6 nuts to the backside of the frame. this option is best, but it will mess up the paint.

The reason that one picture of the bike has two headlight was just to to show the KO style headlight I bought for the bike. Once my fork ears show up, I am going to bring all that stuff including a Honda Chain Guard to my painter for him to paint it all to match the color on the bike.

Carlo C.

Carlo thx for the Amazon link you sent me for installing handles I’m going for the rivot method I’m no mechanic I’m a union teamster so the mechanic we’re I work will do it I will try to send you a picture of my bike just wondering what state you live in.