Odd question for this forum.

[ko'70]

I was cruising google and came across a bike that I really like the looks of. I currently have a great/superbly running Ko in orange topaz and I have an 70 HKO frame with a running ko 3 speed motor, mismatched I know but it sounds great. There is a problem with the shifter but it seems to be a small problem. It runs and the fix would be very minor. Except for the fact that it wouldnt then be an HKO, criminal I know but I didnt do it. I lucked into this HKO.

I was going to trade off the current ko motor for a lifan just to get a higher rpm motorcycle but now I'm questioning that decision.

Is the ST-90 worth looking into if I want a motorcycle that can hit 45mph or higher with easier wheel roll and resistance on the road?

I know I can restore the 70, bore it out and retain nestalgia. BUT, I'd rather have a killer motorcycle (respectively speaking) with being as near stock as possible. I'm a honda guy!

Opinions? There's a fantastic HKO frame at stake !!!! Rock and a hard place. i\I'm seriously thinking about selling my car to have a small motorcycle to ride around my small town.

[racerx]

Quite the can of worms, with some contradictions thrown-in. I'll go out on a limb and make the wild-assed guess that what you're really saying is that you're working with a tight budget. Being a real "Honda guy" doesn't square easily with swapping-in a Lifan motor, even if it is the cheapest horsepower (even an L110 should deliver mid-50s). The ST90 isn't exactly what I'd call a "killer bike" in stock form, good for maybe another 5mph beyond a stock CT70. You could get that easily enough from an 88cc kit on a 70. It is bigger and the stock suspension is heavier. Where a CT70 is a 30-35mph cruiser with 40-ish top speed, the ST90 is more like 35-40mph with 45-ish top speed.

If you're after a road bike, some upgrades will be essential. The further you want to extend performance AND maintain balance + quality, the more changes & bucks will be needed. While the ST90 looks like a CT70 on `roids, it's a very different animal, even the engine mounts are different. The model was offered for a mere 3 years and was a big dud, in terms of sales. It's much more difficult just sourcing OEM repair parts for this model; as for performance parts...fughedaboudit!

That said, there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't add a bore-up kit or replace the K0 engine outright, along with any other parts such as shocks, brakes, front end, etc. Just keep the original pieces on the shelf for when/if you want to go back to original. That also allows you to complete the project as time/finaces allow. An infusion of horsepower and a good pair of shocks should get you a usable 45mph cruiser for less than 5C. There a number of ways to go about that. On the other hand, if I'm d/f wrong about the $$ end of things, let me know; that opens up a world of possibilities.

[canuck]

I had an st90 all through high school. It was orange and my dad brought it home for me. I can't say I was too thrilled because my friends all had XR 80's and 100's, which is somehow cooler when your 15. Anyways what I can remember was that it was a pretty heavy bike for the size, and wasn't nearly as nimble on woods trails, compared to some of my friends bikes. Also I remember Dad ordering a carb rebuild kit for it (after alot of searching) and I think it took half a summer to come it the mail! Even after the carb was rebuilt, it still was nowhere near "peppy". It was pretty decent in deep mud, though.