Lets have a civil discussion about all original bikes compared to Resto-mods and resale values of both.

[Carlo C.]

Fellow Honda Enthusiasts,

I do a lot of reading on forums just like this one to social media pages that seem to pop up everyday. I have been quite amazed lately at some of the comments I read from purists who completely are against even one part that never came on a certain bike to guys who modify everything until they actually stop looking like a CT70 at all. I see a place for them all, but don't agree with most comments on either side of the isle. I more then appreciate the guys who spend a lot of time and money tracking down all original parts, having original parts re-chromed and factory bolts re-plated. I get it and if that's your thing I will admire the work that goes into it. I also see the guys that have to modify everything on the bikes from 212cc engines, inverted forks, dirt bike style handlebars, big wheel and extended swingarms. If that's your thing then again I will admire the work that goes into them.

Here is where I have been a little upset with the entire community as a whole. Both sides will pick the other side apart and I just don't agree with that at all. I think an all original bike in show quality condition should get is fair price in the market place. I also believe that a tastefully restored resto-mod bike in show quality condition with better quality parts that is intended to actually be ridden should also get its fair price in the market place. Our beloved little bikes in factory original form are a lot of fun to scoot around on, but are not even in the same league as a bike with even a simple 125cc engine swap. I remember years ago when the Lifan style engines hit the market all we heard was how junk they were. Well in 2009 I had just found my Z50 from when I was teenager and it was a beat up mess. It was the very first bike that I actually took the time to take apart and redo. I put a Piranha (YX) 140cc engine with MiniGunz exhaust and Mikuni VM26 Carb on it and I ran the hell out of it for a long time. Still to this day when I put some fuel in it, it will crank right up and do over 70mph with me on it. The point I am trying to make is I think that these bikes in whatever form you choose to have them in as long as it is done in a professional manner should all be worth whatever the market will pay. I don't think a original clapped out bike should be worth more then one that has been redone with a clone engine or some aftermarket parts. I can tell you there is not one part on any of my bikes that is not nicer now then it was when it was brand new. I would not trade any of my bikes for the same year all original. I enjoy riding my bikes and they are built the way they are because I want to enjoy them. I have a all original H Model that needs some attention, but is all there and ran the last time I tried to start it. It is my least favorite bike and I already dread the time when I decide to make it really nice.

My first build:

I think the amount of time and work that goes into making one of these old bikes nice has to be appreciated no matter what the final product is. I have hundreds of dollars just in stainless hardware on my bikes as I can not justify using anything else. The blasting, painting, coating and prep work just consumes man hours on these little bikes. I have had good offers from people to buy some of my bikes and I just tell them they are not for sale. I don't build them to sell them I build them because I enjoy them. I just recently had someone offer me $5000 for my latest Silver CT70 Build. Although it made me think about it, I am just not interested, but was glad to see that my Resto-Mod was worth that much to someone who can appreciate the work that goes into these bikes.

My latest CT70 Build:
Purchased This

Built This

My First Hardtail:
Purchased This

Built this

Carlo C.

 

[MiniBike Mike’s Garage]

They’ve always been minibikes to me. I’ve never given one second of thought toward value, when I work on a bike. I started building horizontal Hondas in 1992 and have owned hundreds of them. The goal from Day 1 has always been to build a reliable rider and do so within a reasonable cost. Since I’m not restoring them or worried about resale value, whether the part is made in Japan, China, Taiwan, USA, etc……I could care less. I appreciate the nicely restored bikes, but I’ll take a fun rider any day.

 

[hambone]

I like them all, build what you want to build, not what someone would like you to build, your resto mods are nice, I wouldn't change a thing, I'm going to build a resto mod CT70 in the future.

 

[lukelaw1]

I totally agree, haters just want to hate. The one thing, I don't think people realize/understand is the amount of money and time it takes to restore or custom build a bike if done correctly. I get it everyone wants a good-great deal, sometimes that deal is shelling out big buck for someone else's work.

 

[Old Guy Too Many Bikes]

If you're in it for the money, that's your problem. A dollar value is just what it's worth to any one person at any one time. Sh*t's expensive. It's the same thing with old cars, just on a different scale. There are purists and perfectionists with money and patience to buy or build what makes them happy. There are rodders with speed their main concern and that's what makes them happy. There are customizers whose consider them art forms and that what makes them happy. Some value quantity or quality, some the reverse. Some don't give a crap about anything or anybody except the pleasure of riding the hell out of them. Some guys are a little of everything. But if you're reading this, chances are you'd rather be in the garage on a Sunday afternoon tinkering with little bikes, than flaked out on a couch watching golf, and we all are brothers in that respect. ( Though it's kinda nice to know that an 40 year old Honda CT70 is worth a lot more that a 30 year old Honda Accord).

 

[loopiemclooperson]

Good points by all.

Like most on here I think these bikes are a lot of fun. But as they say about “how to make a small fortune in the wine business”

Tastes being what they are everybody has their own. That being said pristine, near show room, original examples will alway bring the most $$$. Followed by the nicest bike of either camp. Restored or modified.

I have always found it funny about the title status. High dollar bikes without titles? Always seemed odd that people will go through the trouble to get every detail perfect then put it up for sale for big money, but not go through the effort to get paperwork.

I like original patina’d frame/tanks with high dollar Kitaco/ Takegawa/ Daytona performance engines. With meticulous high dollar custom bits and touches. Pennies on the dollar come resale time! My favorite!

 

[Carlo C.]

Guys,
When I build one of these bikes they usually are basket cases that have good bones. I try to picture what I want it to look like when I am done so I have a direction. One of the things I am a stickler about is using Stainless bolts throughout the build I just cant see doing all this work to put those cheap bolts back on the bike. I like to use the little button heads just because the look so much cleaner. I also like to use a factory style wire harness and modify it to work with all the 12v stuff. I use all the factory style Honda connectors so that everything is still color coded and if someone else ever wants to the bike can be put back to factory it is possible. I am also a big fan of the front disc brake on these bikes with the bigger 125+ engines. I understand some of the grief from the purist about guys making these bikes not even resemble what they originally looked like. I try my best to tastefully build these bikes with modifications that don't take away from there original looks but make them more enjoyable and fun then they were originally. I don't really enjoy riding the original bikes with the 70cc engine, but that's just my opinion. I am glad that so many original bikes pop up everyday so that I don't feel bad about building my bikes into Resto Rod style. I have a H model that someone tried to restore probably 20 years ago. I honestly don't know what to do with it because I am not the purist style guy and i don't want to ruin it. Maybe I will trade it for a couple project bikes, I will figure it out I guess. It is good that there are so many styles of builds out there it is making for a fun hobby.

From this:

To this:

Carlo C.

 

[ez50]

There's a place for both in my garage and I appreciate them all. Some things people do are distasteful to me and that's okay. I'm not going to be a bitch about it.
At my house restomods are more fun, get ridden and my original H gathers dust too Carlo.