Newbie help

[lu25fitter]

I am new to the ct70 hobby. I am looking to buy one for my son and I to have fun with and have a grand to spend to get started. What condition can I expect one to be in for that price? I'm looking for sometiong that runs fine and it's just to have fun on.

[XSIVE]

For $1000 bucks I would expect it to be straight with not a lot of rust. What you want to look for is a straight frame with no dents. Some scratches, fading, and surface rust can be expected. Fenders should shine up good as well. Handlebars should be straight. Look under the seat at the seat pan and make sure it is not broken. I have seen where owners will try and lift the bike by the back seat and bust the pan. It should also start fairly easy and run well without any smoke. Exhaust should be intact but you will most likely see dents on the heat shield. Parts for these bikes are easy to get but their are some high dollar items. make sure those parts are in good condition. Thant would consist of the Speedometer for the early KO's ('69 to 71) the fenders, seat pan (seat covers can be had reasonably priced) overall frame, exhaust, and engine. Its faily easy to tell if a bike had been abused. My 74 I got for $1200 and my '71 I got for $950.





Depending on location, cost and conditions can vary.

[XSIVE]

I was also going to say, be familiar with the bike when you go to look at it so you can make sure it is the correct year and has the correct parts. I have seen some frankenbikes out there. Here is a link to the honda gallery site so you can look up various years and check against the vin number. Although it has been pointed out that the site is not 100% acurate, it would suffice to ensure you know what you are getting and that the bike is acurate for that year. You can also check the vin number for the motor. If it is not too far off from that of the frame, it is safe to say that it is the original motor.

You also will pay more for a 4 speed manual than you would a 3 speed auto in the same condition.

I would say that for around $500 to $600, you would find a bike that would suffice as a bike to bomb around in and would require maintenance and have cosmetic issues. Closer to $800 to $950, should be mechanically sound and be all there. $1000 to $1200, should be in very good shape. $1500 and up should be imaculate and all original.

You never know, you might stumble accross a nice bike that the owner does not know what they have and get a real bargain.

Honda CT70 Mini Trail Motorcycles

[texasmike]

I am brand new to the forum. I've been going to Vintage Motorcycle Days in Ohio (from Texas) since 1995 when I raced there. I watched the CT70 prices go from $100 to unreasonable (+2,500) and about three years ago discovered Lifan. Three months ago I bought a Lifan LF110GY (manual shift 4 speed) and am pleased. No it doesn't have (present day) Honda Quality but (as an owner of a 1965 Honda C110 back in 1966) it is a great little machine for just about $1,000. It currently (with just under 300 miles on it) runs close to 50mph. My wife followed me and the Speedo is accurate in MPH, the odometer (I have confirmed) is accurate in Kilometers. I needed a street legal bike with title as I will use it in state campgrounds and all the CT's I found did not have title. If that is not a problem then buy a clean chassis and a Lifan 110 or 125 motor and have a ball.

[cookiemonster131]

$1000 can get you a really nice one if you shop around on craigslist and local trading papers. if you buy one from ebay you can get a running one for $1000 but not much else. if you can wait checking in a 100 mile radius on craigslist can get you a long way.

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[Flash]

Originally Posted by XSIVE

my '71 I got for $950.

Wow! You have your '71H lookin' good now. Much better'n last time I seen it...