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[Gyrhead]

Hi Folks,

In 1975, I was incredibly pleased when my dad bought me a nearly new Tangerine colored 1973 CT70 K2. Until I moved away for school, this bike was one of the centers of my world, and carried me for thousands of trouble free miles. On this bike I learned to ride, learned to explore, learned to repair and maintain. I suspect that's been many people's experience with the CT...

Sadly, once I moved away, it sat untouched in the garage from 1982 to this very saturday. I spent the day digging it out and hauling it home. It's filthy dirty, and pretty sad looking with flat tires, surface rust on the wheels and fenders. Engine spins easily, so it's not seized. Ignition key is long lost, so I'm hoping to find a replacement switch and tumber..

Very pleased to have found this forum, and I hope to learn (relearn) all about my K2. Please bear with me as I learn the ropes. Will be looking for advice regarding parts sources, tech tips, etc.

Having owned and restored dozens of classic musclecars, I've longed for the day when I could restore this great Honda.

Thanks for listening!

Tom

 

[dnyhuf]

Tom,
Welcome aboard, I think you have come to the right place. Much can be learned from this site. I think that I speak for many here when I say PLEASE POST PICS and keep us informed of your progress. The more detailed the better.

 

[Bugandi]

Welcome aboard.
These little bikes are a lot of fun.
There is somebody out there that can get you a replcement key, if you can provided the numbers off of the switch for them. I spoke with Mike at NE Vintage Cycle and he gave me the name of a guy that has all sorts of Honda keys. Others on this board may be able to give you some direction here as well. Replacing the key is far cheaper than replacing the whole switch. Just an FYI.
Now, Let the madness begin.

 

[Gyrhead]

Thanks - my goof

My bad on the model ID. It's actually a 1974 K3, by virtue of the graphics and turn signals....

Good news on the ignition key, thanks for the recommendation!

Madness yes, I can feel it coming on.

 

[steampick]

That's a nice CT model. That model CT was the All Chrome Bonanza special, with the chrome rear shock skirts, the chrome headlight bucket ears, the chrome strip around the seat, and it still had the chrome skid guard and spark plug guard (hope you still got that). Well worth restoring to it's orginal gleam.

 

[Gyrhead]

Mostly There..

It's all there except the spark plug guard. That was missing when I first got the bike. Right side engine guard bar is slightly dented where the spark guard would mount, and it looks like the upper tab got snapped off.

Thanks for the kind words guys, really looking forward to getting to know you and beginning this project.

My sons are riding too, my oldest on a 2007 CRF80 and the youngest on a 2001 XR50. I hope they find the same enjoyment from their rides that I had from this CT70....Something tells me that they do.

 

[johnmacd]

Please keep us posted with lots of pics of the restore...I personally love going over the resto pics...and thanks to you who have posted your resto pics as well....

 

[Gyrhead]

Wow!

Guys:

This site has set the hook in me but good. I found a replacement key, and have ordered a few parts to get the bike up and running once again.

I was very pleased to find many mechanical parts for my CT70K3 still available from Honda and (compared to Ford 428 Cobrajet parts prices) very reasonably priced.

Before going to town on ordering all the parts I need, is there a recommended source for genuine Honda parts?

This winter I plan to send the motor off to MotoEnzo for a freshening and cosmetic restoration (plus both exhaust studs are broken) and at the same time I'll probably send out all the the chrome for triple plating.

While waiting for chrome and engine, we can tackle frame paint, wheel rebuild/powdercoating and the like.

The fantastic restoration projects in this forum have inspired me, and I like the thought of a restoration project that doesn't completely occupy my 4 bay shop!

Thanks again for the warm welcome, look forward to sharing our progress!

Tom

 

[mrdouble]

That's a nice CT model. That model CT was the All Chrome Bonanza special, with the chrome rear shock skirts, the chrome headlight bucket ears, the chrome strip around the seat, and it still had the chrome skid guard and spark plug guard (hope you still got that). Well worth restoring to it's orginal gleam.

Is that right. I have the same bike only its ugly candy blue.. nice to know.. thank you

 

[John Pond]

Oh, i don't know about the 428CJ parts. I just found a C70Z-9155-A fuel filter for mine online, and it was only $45! Such a deal.*

I order most of my Honda stuff either from my local Honda dealer or from Service Honda. Either way, I look up the part numbers using Service Honda's website. My local dealer appreciated my bringing in the part numbers, so he gives me a 10% discount. Service is still cheaper, though - but on small orders the shipping eats up any savings. For stuff that you can't get from Honda US I order through CMSNL.

Welcome and have a great time!

John

*The big difference, is, of course, that CT's leak a *lot* less oil.

 

[Gyrhead]

Thanks!

John,

I owned a restored 1969 428CJ ram-air 4 speed Cougar for 20 years - and "correct" restoration parts were expensive indeed! Fortunately, my car was a complete one-owner vehicle, and none of the really rare CJ stuff was missing.

That car is gone now, but in it's place we're now enjoying an `87 Buick Grand National - that while basically stock runs low 12's with over 170,000 miles on the unrebuilt motor.

If you ever get the chance, check out my company's web site at: http://www.gyrhead.com

I really like the on-line catalogs I've found at many web based Honda dealers - like a kid in a candy store!

 

[CobraDan]

So this is where the Cobra Jet guys go when prices get too high. I wondered why I felt so at home so quickly. I look at the cost of original rocker panel chrome trim for my CJ-R Mach 1 and quickly figure how many Honda parts I can buy for the same amount. UPS brings me lots of Honda stuff, but few Mustang parts anymore.

Dan

 

[Gyrhead]

Yup!

I agree Dan, last night I ordered up a bunch (nearly 50 items) for my CT, and barely broke $250!

That wouldn't buy much for the 428CJ....

 

[John Pond]

I agree Dan, last night I ordered up a bunch (nearly 50 items) for my CT, and barely broke $250!

That wouldn't buy much for the 428CJ....

I don't know - if you factor them by their relative weight, the CT70 is crazy expensive! I've got about $7k in parts just for one of the bikes sitting in the den at the moment...

I've had my '70 Mach 1 since 1971, when the original lessor returned the vehicle from lease. It is very complete. And did I mention that I was a dealer parts manager for Ford in the '70's? The car has been an SCJ since '74-'75. I purchased the last NOS crank Ford had...

Cheers!

John

 

[Gyrhead]

Picture Link..

John, Dan:

Here's a quick pic link to my old 1969 428CJ Cougar. Nice to know there are some Muscle car fans here too!

 

[bjatwood]

My favorite year also!

Welcome aboard, as you can see by my Avatar pic, 1974 CT70 in Candy Topaz Orange is my favorite also. I rode my bike this Saturday for over 2 hours and had a grin from ear to ear! These little bikes are the bomb!!!

PS. I even try to post in Candy Topaz orange!!!

 

[Gyrhead]

New Question

OK folks,

I did read the manual, but the answer is still not clear.

On my 74 K3 throttle slide, the needle is basically floating free, and can be pushed entirely out of the slide from the bottom. All that's on the needle is a C-clip, the "W" shaped retainer is missing. The needle is dropped in from the top of the valve, and the c-clip is preventing it from falling into the carb. This seems backwards/wrong to me.

My understanding is that the needle goes into the slide from the bottom end and the c-clip prevents upward travel of the needle in the slide, while the W clip retains the needle/c-clip firmly in the valve. Is this correct?

Not sure how long it's been in that condition, I don't remember ever having fiddled with the needle as a kid - but heck, it was over 25 years ago..

 

[steampick]

The needle is dropped in from the top of the slide valve with the c-clip set to adjust how far in the needle drops (this adjusts carbing at various levels of throttle). Then the "w" holds that in. The spring then drops into the slide valve and holds everything in there a bit too.

 

[Gyrhead]

Cool, Thanks

Thank you Steampick!

My c-clip is set on the lowest groove (closest to needle tip) Is that a good default setting for a stock motor?

Not sure just where that W clip has gone to, any chance it's fallen into the carb somehow? I'll try to order a new one anyhow...

 

[mrdouble]

For factory position.. its the second one from the bottom, if I remember right