ct values by year
- Thread starter lentel
- Start date
My personal opinion is the first model year 1969 is the most valuable. Any CT from 69 to 75[in my opinion] are all more valuable than the later years. 1969 to 1972 are the prime choices. Every collector or CT enthusiast has different opinions on this. This is mine for what it is worth.
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An early `69, w/silver tag, plastic levers, etc is the rarest & most highly-sought by collectors. An "original" chrome special would likely bring the same bucks...though the market for these vintage "dealer customs" is both smaller & less predictable. `69 - `72 would be next, with HK1s being the lowest-production up to `72 as well as the best 4-speed model.
Rarity becomes decoupled from the value equation, after `72. K2-K3 is where values begin tapering-off, more or less steadily, right through the end of production.
The "Mighty Green" `75 and "Bright Yellow" `79 both have sort of a cult-like following and have been exceptions; oddly enough, the `79s have tended to command the higher resale value. Values go "off the cliff" by 1980, though these are better bikes...mechanically. The `90s models are the best of the lot and have the lowest resale, topping-out around $1500 in recent years - and that's for a clean low-miler in top condition. Lastly, there are the "non-existant" `83 & later bikes, that seem to get no recognition or respect.
Rarity becomes decoupled from the value equation, after `72. K2-K3 is where values begin tapering-off, more or less steadily, right through the end of production.
The "Mighty Green" `75 and "Bright Yellow" `79 both have sort of a cult-like following and have been exceptions; oddly enough, the `79s have tended to command the higher resale value. Values go "off the cliff" by 1980, though these are better bikes...mechanically. The `90s models are the best of the lot and have the lowest resale, topping-out around $1500 in recent years - and that's for a clean low-miler in top condition. Lastly, there are the "non-existant" `83 & later bikes, that seem to get no recognition or respect.
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
I'd say any pre-76' Trail 70 would fetch the most dollars with very rare exceptions. I rank them as follows....
1.) Early 69' Silver Tag KO (1969)
2.) CT70HK1 (1971-1972)
3.) CT70HKO (1970-1971)
4.) CT70KO (1969-1971)
5.) CT70K3 (1973-1974)
6.) CT70K2 (1971-1972)
7.) CT70K4 (1974-1975)
8.) CT70K1 (1971-1972)
1.) Early 69' Silver Tag KO (1969)
2.) CT70HK1 (1971-1972)
3.) CT70HKO (1970-1971)
4.) CT70KO (1969-1971)
5.) CT70K3 (1973-1974)
6.) CT70K2 (1971-1972)
7.) CT70K4 (1974-1975)
8.) CT70K1 (1971-1972)
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
I went the way that I did since the K3 was the first with Turn Signals and most Chrome. There's also something about the Mighty Green I like too. My opinion is mostly likely tweaked since I own (2) K3's and (1) K2.
That's kind of obvious...and understandable. It also illustrates the fact that personal preference matters as much as anything. If one eliminates the small handful of rare exceptions, market value spread for these models, in perfect condition, is maybe 15-20% - tops. Between any `70 - `72 model, 10% is more typical... not enough (imho) to justify forgoing the model you really wanted in the first place.
lonetow
Member
There were a small number of all-chrome (frame, swingarm, shock covers, upper fork asm, chain guard, headlight shell) K0s made in late `71. There was a huge Honda dealership locally that had about a half-dozen going into the Xmas season that year. It was a one-shot deal, the bikes went quickly and that was it. I don't believe that these were created by Honda. "Collector provenance" ($10 jargon term meaning "documented originality") is a dicey issue. Last one I saw that might have been an original changed hands for $5800...back in 2002; the bike included what appeared to be a legit & complete promo package from a Chicago Honda dealer. Best wild-assed guess is that these were akin to CT70 luggage racks - aftermarket, sourced & sold through a few large dealerships - now accepted as legitimate originals.
That said, an all-chrome K0 is a spectacular sight. No reason you could create your own, just a matter of money. Having a CT70 frame properly metal finished & tripled-chromed could easily lighten your wallet by 4-figures. That's just the frame, not the swingarm, fork, etc. Having a plastic K0 headlight shell chromed is expensive, too.
That said, an all-chrome K0 is a spectacular sight. No reason you could create your own, just a matter of money. Having a CT70 frame properly metal finished & tripled-chromed could easily lighten your wallet by 4-figures. That's just the frame, not the swingarm, fork, etc. Having a plastic K0 headlight shell chromed is expensive, too.
lonetow
Member
Wow didn't know such an animal existed. I have of course seen the chrome Christmas Z50s. Thanks
mileage
can the speedometers be messed with , giving the impression of low mileage when it really isnt that low? I ask this as I am no expert and want to protect myself against someone doing this.
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zack_novak
Member
Yes. You can crack the speedometer open manually and turn the dials to the desired mileage or you can connect a drill to the speedometer cable and drive it in reverse... But the second one is really time consuming.
ctbale
Member
I take what the odo says with a grain of salt on most bikes I see that are this old, and are ridden by kids (at least ridden by kids in the first half of thier lives!) broken or disconnected speedo cables are very common, I kind of look at the bike as a whole, tires. hand grips, engine cases ... to get an idea of amt time it was used.
Gary
Well-Known Member
In Hondas early years, chrome specials were presented to the dealers for sales. I believe by the time of the ct70's the program was long gone. The chrome Christmas models were regular altho brief production models