New to the forum... Felt like saying hey

[SlapBassist531]

Hey everyone! Well, to start off, I have a 1974 Honda CT70, that does run (pretty well actually) that I'm looking to fix up a little bit and to have as a somewhat "project bike". I don't have pictures yet and I won't be able to have some till a little bit after Thanksgiving (parents are divorced, I live at my mom's and its still at my dads, but got a truck so I will be able to bring it back to the house I live at now), and I have a somewhat limited mechanical ability but I'm looking to fix it up.
The engine runs pretty well, a little bit of a gas leak, but I had just left my dads house and we had taken off the carburetor and cleaned it out (floats, jets, the works), but I left before I had the chance to get it up and back running (it ran great before, but it leaked gas (because I THINK from stuck floats)). The frame is in pretty good condition, no real rust, but the forks and other chrome parts have some surface rust on them (oh and the exhaust is basically rusted all over, but just surface rust). None of the lights work, and the blinkers are broken off (got it that way), and basically the only electrical thing that works is the horn.
Basically, I'm looking to sort-of 'overhaul' it, such as getting a new wiring kit, new headlight/taillight/blinkers, the works, to make it look new. As well to that I'm also really contemplating about buying a Lifan 125cc engine, and I've read a little bit on the swaps but I'm just curious how hard it would be (all the Lifans I see are fully manual, and well, I'd like to have a fully manual honestly instead of the semi-automatic transmission). My question is this: how hard do you think it would be for someone (of my experience) to do all of these things? And as well is it possible to legalize these things? I'm not planning on really driving it to school or work, but around the town would be nice I think on account of the gas......

Anyways, sorry for such a long post but I was pretty excited when my dad told me I could bring it down to my mom's house to have and I'm looking to fix it up to original condition (or better, if not that atleast roadworthy legally)..... Thanks alot everyone and looking forward to seeing your all's replies!

[ckyle29]

Welcome to the group! Fortunately for all of us, these little bikes don't require a great deal of mechanical ability and the rest you can learn as you go. That's how we all started out. For starters, I would recommend you get yourself a Clymer manual and an original Honda manual. These are usually readily available on ebay. Then familiarize yourself with www.DrATV.com or www.hondanuts.com. They will have just about every part you will ever need, except for big items like handlebars, engine guards or frames.

As for your questions, you can swap a Lifan out, but there are some wiring issues you will need to be resolve. There are several here who have done the swap, so ask away when the time comes. Also, if your left bar doesn't have a lever perch for the clutch, you will need to source one, but a univeral mount can be used.

As for your rust frame, just make sure the areas around the engine mounts, swingarm mounts and front forks aren't rusted through, as that could be life threatening. Surface rust is not big deal, but any rust through areas should be fixed or a different frame used. As for your float, check to make sure the float level is set correctly, then make sure they float doesn't have a small pinhole, allowing the float to fill with gas.

Finally, as for road-legal, that depends on your state. Most will require your headlight, horns, brake lights and turn signals all work correctly, because those are all original equipment to your year of bike. Some states may still not allow it on the road due to various laws, so it is best to check with your own Department of Motor Vehicles to know for sure.

Don't hesitate to ask questions, that's why we are here and there are alot of very knowledgeable, helpful folks here.

[SlapBassist531]

Yeah, I've already looked through a few of those, as well as some other sites just to look for "the best deal for a motor", and as well some parts such as the handle bars possibly (they're bent rather oddly... the middle of the bar touches the other and well, sadly I suppose I'll have to wait till I get it back down here before I can take some pictures). I'm pretty sure the battery is more or less fried, and I see the Lifan engines use the 12v, so I'm wondering if theres any place to find somewhat of "all the parts" needed to do an electric overhaul such as the battery itself, and the hookups from the battery to the tail light, blinker, headlight, etc....

Well, I'm not 100% sure what you meant by the lever perch, but the bike is 100% original, I'm just unsure how hard it would be to change the chords and whatnot because I know the left lever is connected to the foot break, so would I just disconnect it as a whole or should I just invest in trying to find a semi-automatic engine? I guess like you said I'll wait till the time comes :P

I never really checked around the engine mounting or swing arm mounting bolts to check if they're rusted through, but on the rest of the frame of the bike, theres no rot at all with rust, just the mixture of dirt with surface rust. Worst case, if theres a hole or two in the frame, at my school we have a really good welding class/program, so I could probably get some more minor things done there if need be.... I'm not really sure how you're supposed to set the floats, when I looked at them they looked like they moved up and down freely and there were no pinholes or anything to mess them up by filling with gas.

Wheres a good place to look up what the regulations? If anyone feels up to it I live in Tennessee, and I think they'd be pretty leniant in getting it. SC (where my dad lives) and TN are alike, and well, my dad got his drag bike licensed.... It doesnt have lights of any form and it had an offroad title, so I may be in the clear hopefully, but to be sure I can try checking or someone else haha....

Thanks alot man, good to see people actually answer and do it pretty quickly I'll call my dad tomorrow and ask him to take some pictures of the bike so you all can have an idea of what it looks like and such. It has the orange metallic paint and the decals are there, a little faded and covered with dirt, but there nonetheless.

[ckyle29]

On occasion, I've seen some engines sold on ebay with the CDI, wiring harness, carb, throttle cable and such as a package deal. But you will still need to source a 12V battery and I believe the battery holder is different. The nice thing about 12V is the lights are much brighter, which is important if you are going to ride it on the road.

As for your lever, some of the bikes (like my 1978) did not have a lever on the left handlebar. If you have a brake lever already in place you can just swap it out for the clutch lever.

[SlapBassist531]

Do you think I should try to find and engine with all of that when the time comes? I'm damn sure the bike I have never had an electric start so I don't think that the wiring would do anything with the performance of the bike, and do you have any idea how hard it is to set up? Good to hear about the brake lever. Damn I wish I would've been able to bring it down a few days ago when I came back from my dad's house (mom's BF has a truck but he wasn't able to do the little trip that we have to do, and my mom can't drive a truck), thus the reason I have to wait till after Thanksgiving (visiting up there, and on way back I'll bring it), but oh man, its only a month away and I'm quite excited!! I looked through one of the threads where a bunch of you all posted pictures, and one of them looks right beautiful IMO.... (belongs to Makotosun... http://planetminitrails.com/webboard/thread/14/291/8/)....

I'm thinking of doing something similar, with the exception of a more original looking seat, I have the original skidplate, and more original looking handlebars....

On another question.... How in the world do you get the speedo fixed and somewhat accurate? I know you can spend 10$ at Walmart to get one of those sub-par digital speedometers, but I'd like it if the original one could function.

EDIT: Sorry, also I felt this would be a semi-important question.... When my dad had gotten the minibike (a friend gave it to him), it never had a key and well, I think someone just put it on the ON position and pulled the key out or forcefully put it to the ON position (assuming that the key won't come out when its turned on).... I was just wondering because sometime in the future I don't want to pull up to the gas station and have the chance that if some kid just tried kicking it, it would kick over, or just if someone broke into the garage in my house and could easily take it and have it running since well... it doesn't need a key. Sorry if that was somewhat rambling on this edit, I just wanted to have everyone's input (aka ckyle29 at the point haha)

[hecklerkoch]

Welcome to the forum!

Keys are available online I believe they are somewhere in the range of $10. You just need the number off of your switch. Even without a key its easy for someone to stick one of these in a truck very quickly. Its a good idea to get a stout cable/chain and lock and lock your bike to something if you will be leaving it parked outside. These little bikes attract a lot more attention than your normal scooter or moped.

http://www.hondakeys.com/key_id.html

[SlapBassist531]

Good to know. Do I need to buy whatever the key slot hooks into or what? (Oh how I wish I had the bike here NOW so I could see and be more specific with you guys), or is it just the place where you insert has certain # and you buy keys according to it? No doubt on the keeping it outside, I'm not too worried because I'm mainly just going to use this around town and to/from work to conserve gas (that is once I get the engine swap because I'll have to go on the turnpike :P), But I sent an e-mail to my dad tonight and I'll try calling him tomorrow to see if he got it and if he can take some pictures for you guys. I'll try my best to keep you all posted.

[motodevo]

The key number is stamped on the ignition itself just below the slot. It will be a H followed by four numbers, this is all you need to get a key. I just got some of evilbay for my 75 ct70. They're sik bikes, good luck

[hecklerkoch]

Im not sure but I think you suggested drving your ct70 on the turnpike ... If you really do that I want video of it. I guess as long as you go 45 the cops cant say much lol.

[clubford00]

Don't most states require at least 150cc for highways ? I know Ill does.