Restored vs Original: Can you tell the difference?

[CobraDan]

Hi all,

I'm looking at an ultra-low mileage 1969 CT 70 and can't seem to answer this one question. How do I know it's really a 100 mile bike and not one that was restored with an NOS (or restored) speedometer? Would they both be worth the same?

Thanks,

Dan

[dennis d]

Lot's of things to check,but mainly the paint would be the giveaway.Details just as where it's painted and what has basically overspray.Does it have an original seat,tool kit? Any papers ? Check the date on the tires.How's the bolts,do they look to be ever monkied with,replated,etc.. Check the cables and see if they appear original,should find some Honda markings. LOL

[dennis d]

Another tell tale sign would be to look at the side badges.All the reproduction side badges have larger font than the originals.

[ckyle29]

I would ask for papers, and if they don't have any I'd be real skeptical. Anyone that goes to the trouble to buy a bike 38 years ago and keep it all this time without riding it would have kept the papers. Just like with collector cars, it's all about the documentation.

[tcss396]

yeas if you have been around these bikes long enough you know the difference, To me nothing beats an untouched original bike, I have a 1970 CT70H 4-speed with 47 original miles, 47!!! the orig. Nitto tires are are beautiful, the foot brake pedal still has protective plastic on it, the top body trim strip still has protective plastic on it partially, th tool kit was never out, and the original battery is there,,, I love these little bikes, when I was 13 I had one, used it every day for years, winter thru summer, and drove 2 other kids around with me on it at times, when I was done with it still had alot to give to someone,, that was 27 years ago and I cannot tear myself away from them.......

[clubford00]

Original would be worth more , however a good resto job should still fetch a pretty penny. Mine is not original but i took my time and made a nice little rider. What kind of $$$ were you thinking?

[tcss396]

3500

[racerx]

There are a few rare exceptions out there, for example a low-mileage, early-production, `69 K0 with the plastic levers that can bring the extra buck. Things like replated hardware (zinc, not chrome) and a few truly NOS replacement items in place of something that became shopworn shouldn't make any difference...as long as the bike is genuinely as represented. We're not dealing with Bugatti or Picasso level collectibles. True, solid, provenance is virtually non-existent for small bikes, but that doesn't preclude finding an original "proof bike". They're just few & far between and it's really "buyer beware". Meaning it has to be carefully inspected, preferably in-person and you'd better know your model specifics.

Well-executed restorations generally bring more money at this point, which is only logical. It's the only way to get a "brand new" vintage bike with zero miles, ready to be ridden. Things play out a little differently on ebay...but then, ebay is not the world, more like a world unto itself.

Time-capsule-survivor vs restored are both good for Honda minitrails as a marque. Which is better is up to the individual and oftentimes involves a certain degree of "fuzzy math".

[tcss396]

thank you for mentioning the "plastic levers" I had an 800 mile 69 bike I let go a couple of years ago, it still had those plastic levers (black) on it! I was unaware of the fact that plastic was used on the early models only.

[dennis d]

When you get ready to let go the new one please let me know.

Thanks, Dennis