'72 or '73? For the past year, I've been under the impression that my CT was a 73 K2 but I can not find the handlebar switches for this bike.
- Thread starter Ffranzwa
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kirrbby
Well-Known Member
Your bike was built in 1972. But no matter...It is a K2 model CT70.
Honda built K2's in 72, and in 73.
It is a kinda odd duck because it has switches and wiring for turn signals, but it never had any turn signals from the factory. That's just how they were ALL built.
You don't really NEED the switches, unless you are after "originality".
All you really need is a HL dimmer switch, and a horn button. Unless you are striving for originality, or planning a correct restoration.
I think the left side switch is still available new, and fairly cheap. The right side switch is harder to find, and can be expensive when you do find one.
look up DRATV on ebay. Then search their items for the left side switch. It may be listed for a z50j...not sure.
Honda built K2's in 72, and in 73.
It is a kinda odd duck because it has switches and wiring for turn signals, but it never had any turn signals from the factory. That's just how they were ALL built.
You don't really NEED the switches, unless you are after "originality".
All you really need is a HL dimmer switch, and a horn button. Unless you are striving for originality, or planning a correct restoration.
I think the left side switch is still available new, and fairly cheap. The right side switch is harder to find, and can be expensive when you do find one.
look up DRATV on ebay. Then search their items for the left side switch. It may be listed for a z50j...not sure.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
here's the switch
*OEM HONDA TURN SIGNAL & HORN BUTTON FITS CT70 K3 35200-130-640 35300-098- 361E | eBay
OEM HONDA! TURN SIGNAL & HORN BUTTON FITS CT70 K3 (5000). ANYWAY THIS IS NEW 0EM HONDA AND ONLY OUT OF THE BAG FOR THE PIC. IF YOU NEED MORE RELATED PARTS ?.
www.ebay.com
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Thank you Kirrbby! I am looking for originality, so if you happen to find one, please let me know. I've seen pics of 73's and they don't have the same switch. Weird!here's the switch
*OEM HONDA TURN SIGNAL & HORN BUTTON FITS CT70 K3 35200-130-640 35300-098- 361E | eBay
OEM HONDA! TURN SIGNAL & HORN BUTTON FITS CT70 K3 (5000). ANYWAY THIS IS NEW 0EM HONDA AND ONLY OUT OF THE BAG FOR THE PIC. IF YOU NEED MORE RELATED PARTS ?.www.ebay.com
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
Those aren't 73s.
Honda didn't have model "years" until 1976. Before 76 they differentiated the models by K designation...K0 K1 K2 etc. They DO have the Date Of Manufacture printed on the vin tags. But that is NOT what separates the different models of early CT70s.
Your bike, is a K2. K2s and K3s used the same switches. I'm 99.9% sure about that. K4s have different switches.
So it depends on which MODEL of CT70 you are looking at pictures of. And it depends on whether or not the bike in the pictures has been modified sometime in the last 49 years.
Here on the minibike forums, we figure that we ARE the experts on what IS "correct" on these little Hondas. If there ARE, any experts...we are it. If you're not sure, ask here...we can hash it out. We do it all the time
I'll watch for a good right side switch for you. I just sold a nice one yesterday. I might have another, good usable switch at home. I'll have to dig a little to find it.
Honda didn't have model "years" until 1976. Before 76 they differentiated the models by K designation...K0 K1 K2 etc. They DO have the Date Of Manufacture printed on the vin tags. But that is NOT what separates the different models of early CT70s.
Your bike, is a K2. K2s and K3s used the same switches. I'm 99.9% sure about that. K4s have different switches.
So it depends on which MODEL of CT70 you are looking at pictures of. And it depends on whether or not the bike in the pictures has been modified sometime in the last 49 years.
Here on the minibike forums, we figure that we ARE the experts on what IS "correct" on these little Hondas. If there ARE, any experts...we are it. If you're not sure, ask here...we can hash it out. We do it all the time
I'll watch for a good right side switch for you. I just sold a nice one yesterday. I might have another, good usable switch at home. I'll have to dig a little to find it.
MiniBike Mike’s Garage
Well-Known Member
Yep, never give a CT70 prior to the 1976 model a “year” designation, always use the K model.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
Agreed. That red knob is what is the hardest piece to come by...in good shape. The early softail K3-4-5... Z50 uses the same knob on it's kill switch...if you can find one of those in good shape, you could repair your current switch back to good.
Last edited:
JHminitrails
Well-Known Member
Agreed x2. I'd start looking around for a switch off another 70's or 80's model Honda and harvest the knob off it. S So many Hondas used that style kill switch knob. Likely more plentiful and a much cheaper way to go than to buy one specific for the CT70 or Z50. Cannibalizing parts is fun and rewarding if you're not destroying rare and hard to find items.
Gary
Well-Known Member
Your exactly right,Honda did not. But American Honda did assign year dates to the bikes,but like you say don't go by that. Here is the MSO to my Z50, very early black tag dated 9/69. Just 2 days before it's frame and tank date stamps they were silver tags. Note the year American Honda states that it is. I think this document is hard to find even though every Honda had one. If you titled the bike it went to the state and was never returned. If not titled most seemingly were lost. My mom was a meticulous record keeper, that's why I still have everything that came with mine. I'm not able to check right now but I did buy a new XR70 in 99- not sure what it has for documentation,a title or MSO I'll have to look into that. They are the only 2 Hondas I ever bought new.
Thanks for your help!Those aren't 73s.
Honda didn't have model "years" until 1976. Before 76 they differentiated the models by K designation...K0 K1 K2 etc. They DO have the Date Of Manufacture printed on the vin tags. But that is NOT what separates the different models of early CT70s.
Your bike, is a K2. K2s and K3s used the same switches. I'm 99.9% sure about that. K4s have different switches.
So it depends on which MODEL of CT70 you are looking at pictures of. And it depends on whether or not the bike in the pictures has been modified sometime in the last 49 years.
Here on the minibike forums, we figure that we ARE the experts on what IS "correct" on these little Hondas. If there ARE, any experts...we are it. If you're not sure, ask here...we can hash it out. We do it all the time
I'll watch for a good right side switch for you. I just sold a nice one yesterday. I might have another, good usable switch at home. I'll have to dig a little to find it.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
The only other part that I've found that uses the very same red knob is from the early softail Z50s. I've seen lots of other, similar but different, knobs, but they ARE different. If anyone finds another source for them...I would be interested.
There are some Honda kill switches that use a similar red knob, but they are different, and larger at the base, but they can be whittled down and made to look OK. But...yes...different.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
The ones that you've seen are probably just kill switches. This is a combo switch, dimmer/kill. Only used on K2-3 CT70s.
JHminitrails
Well-Known Member
Is this possibly the same knob kirbby.....could be an avenue if so. I think I even seen some reproduction Honda multifunction switches with the same style knobs, but not sure if the mechanicals are made the same, one would need to tear a switch apart.
1977 Honda xl125 kill switch | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1977 Honda xl125 kill switch at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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I can't understand why Honda was use a switch on such a limited supply of bikes. I do have a couple of spare switches off various bikes- unless someone has one to sell, I guess I'm destined to experimentation!Is this possibly the same knob kirbby.....could be an avenue if so. I think I even seen some reproduction Honda multifunction switches with the same style knobs, but not sure if the mechanicals are made the same, one would need to tear a switch apart.
1977 Honda xl125 kill switch | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1977 Honda xl125 kill switch at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
JHminitrails
Well-Known Member
I may have a z50 switch with a knob on it, just not sure if it's identical as kirbby stated. I will dig it out tonight and let you know
MiniBike Mike’s Garage
Well-Known Member
Gary,
Question…..do you think your attached document came from American Honda headquarters or is it an Illinois form that Honda needed to fill out to ship bike to Illinois dealer? To me, it reads as a generic form from the state and Honda filled in the blanks. Just curious on your thoughts.