Need your opinion please

[nascarnate326]

I recently restored a CT70, just your normal 3 speed. Its a 1970. I was wondering what the KO, K1, means. I know H means 4 speed. Any idea on how many H's were made to 3 speeds? Im sure its been covered, i couldnt find it.

Also, I just bought a nice solid H motor off ebay and was wondering:
Would it be worth my time to buy and H frame so that I have a 'real' H model, or just throw the motor in mine and be done with it? What would you do? H frames are fairly cheap, and it gives it a sence of being 'real' but these arnt COPO Camaro's, so I don't know what to do.

Also, when I am doing this motor swap, is there anything else I will need to do, or should do?

Here is the bike as it sits:

nascarnate326/1970 Honda CT70 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




Thanks

[rfranks]

Okay, KO mean 69-71, K1 means 72-73. HKO means 70-71 . If you do a HKO the frames are the same for 70-71.

[hondaman]

You seem to have the wrong frame decal on there for a 1970 KO 3 speed. It should just be a decal that says HONDA with a vertical black stripe.

[XSIVE]

Thats what I was wondering. What is the beginning of the serial number on the frame?

[XSIVE]

After re-reading your post, If I understand, you did an amazing nice job of the restore but maybe got the wrong frame decals. You could swap the motor and have a lot of fun with the bike. Since you have the left handlbar lever, you would just replace the rear brake for clutch cable. You would need to replace the rear sprocket with a 44 or 45 tooth. That would be the cheapest way out. If you want 2 bikes, get the frame and start building. Can get expensive.

[hornetgod]

There are a many number of routes you can go with current bike and or future bike. It ultimately comes down to your preferences.

I'm obsessed with a near perfect restoration on my 1970 HKO (4 Speed) and have spent a lot of time and money to get my bike to look as original as it was the day it was first purchased 38 years ago.

My friend Ryan, on the other hand, has done a "resto-mod" on his 1971 KO (3 Speed). He's used stock and good quality aftermarket parts to make a very nice looking bike (minus the seat). He has saved a considerable amount of money as compared to my efforts.

If you want to maximize the resale value than, I suggest you find a CT70H frame with a serial number as close to the 4 speed engine number as possible. If you intend to keep the bike, than just install the 4 speed motor and keep the 3 speed motor on the shelf for later use or resale.

The only difference between KO and HKO frames is the serial number. CT70-XXXXXX and CT70HXXXXXX. Converting a KO bike to accept a 4 speed motor is relitively easy. (Install a clutch cable in the place of the rear brake cable, , install 45 tooth rear sprocket, install a spacer in place of the rear brake wire arm, and install a clutch cable guide on the right hand carburetor manifold bolt. Roughly $30.00 to $50.00

To each his own. There's really no wrong way to go.

[nascarnate326]

Yes frame decals are wrong, its a KO frame. I've wanted a HKO for about ten years now and kinda fell into my KO for 75 bucks..I couldnt say no. When I was restoring it I decided to just make it what I wanted, thus the H decals. When I am done, I hope to have created the bike my dad got his A@@ whopped by when he was younger

Thanks for the opinions guys, I cant wait for spring to come. Im thinking that I am going to just throw the new motor in, ride it for 2009 and over the winter of 09/10 I am going to do the full frame up resto using an H frame, that I should have done. These bikes are wayy too addicting, my 450 hasnt seen half the attention it normally gets lolz

[nascarnate326]

Anyone else? What would you do in my situation?

[motodevo]

mate, sweet looking bike, if it were me i'd just ride it, who cares if its got the wrong decal on it, i build my bikes for me to enjoy not anyone else, its not like people are gunna pull you up on the street saying your decals are wrong, chuck in the motor, put some miles on it and have fun, if sometime down the track a H frame comes along for the right price get it and paint it up, that way if you ever need to sell it you've got the correct frame in new condition, but hey i'm guessing you didnt build it just to sell it , enjoy it.

[nascarnate326]

Hey guys, today was the day. Took the 3 speed semi auto and put the 4 speed manual in. Went pretty smooth until I found out the foot peg bolts are smaller on the H motors. Hopefully tomorrow I can fire it up. Somehow I managed to forget to order a clutch cable, so I am 4 bolts and a clutch cable away from riding it. Anyways... PICS.Im starting to realize this project will never be 'completed'