Thread: Newbie in IL needs tons of information

Hi,
I don't have a CT70 but I am surely interested in acquring one. A little history first. I am 35 now, but when I was 14 I used to live in Japan. A friend of mine used to have an "ST 70 DAX". Often he would let me ride it. That used to make my day back then. I pleaded and pleaded my dad to get me one but he did not. I realise now that it was a question of finances and not my dad just being mean. Regardless, fast forward 21 years. I am now financially independent and can afford a little expense. I drive a Subaru STi and a BMW 530xi is on order, but at times I still miss those rides I enjoyed as a 14 year old. A week ago memories of longing for an "ST 70 DAX" came back. I told myself, perhaps they are still around and started surfing/searching.
Now the plethora of questions.

(1) Is the "CT 70" (in the US) the same bike that used to sell elsewhere as "ST 70"?
(2) How much would a running CT 70 cost me in Illinois?
(3) Can I drive with my "class D" Illinois licence or do I need another one?
(4) Is the "CT 70" street legal? In other words, if I have a title, insurance and plates on it, can I drive it in the streets in Naperville, IL?
(5) Is there a place close by where I can potentially find one to purchase?

Any comments, advice, tips would be welcome.
Reagards,
Saif.

Hi Saif and welcome aboard

The ST70 Dax and CT70 have more in common than differences. Practically speaking, unless you're after a concours-level OEM restoration, they're the same bike, right down to the frame. Most of the differences are relatively minor. The ST was sold as a 50 and a 70, depending upon the country, since 50cc bikes were considered mopeds. CT models were all 70cc. The "Dax" moniker wasn't even used the first couple of years of production. The main difference is that the ST models were more road-oriented and had fixed footpegs/centerstands and fugly low-mount fenders, while the CTs all had folding footpegs/sidestands and high-mount fenders (which look a lot nicer but don't do much to keep the bike clean ) The more trail-oriented CTs got hydraulic forks beginning with the 1972 K1 models, STs didn't get them until about 1980. CT70s had engine guards until 1978, STs never had them. Some early STs had a demountable front end, this was never offered on a CT. ST models had a steering lock flange on the head tube, CTs never did. The rest of the differences are relatively minor: headlights/taillights, colors, which models had turn signals, decals etc. ST models were country-specific, CT70s have fewer variants as they were sold only in North America. The ST brake arm is about the only non-interchangeable part, though most of this information is good for entertainment only.

The JDM Daxes you saw in Japan are models unto themselves with unique colors and CT70 parts such as engine guards on some of them. Unfortunately, I know of no source that documents the JDM bikes.

The RH side lifting handle that's become semi-popular in recent years is actually an ST70 part. They bolt-up to the CT70 frame because the same holes are present in both.

Here's a couple of links that will explain a lot of it:
http://www.ct70honda.com/History.html
http://www.ct70honda.com/CT70ModelId...tionGuide.html

A running CT70 will probably set you back $600-900 unless you're willing to settle for a barnyard beater. This is the time of year to purchase a bike. If you want a reasonably complete, clean, stock bike, then you should be able to find a relatively low-miler on ebay in the $1500 range. Oftentimes you'll be money ahead spending an extra couple hundred bucks to get a really nice original,if you plan to keep it that way. Quality restoration work can reach $2500+, depending upon what you start out with. If you want to build a full-on custom bike that can cruise along a near-freeway speeds all day long, with the brakes and suspension to match, then plan on at least $3k to do it right. It all comes down to how much bike you really want. STs are hard to come by even in EU countries, in the US they are almost unknown. I see maybe three a year in the US and these are usually pretty sad examples.

I'm unfamiliar with Illinois driver licensing. In Michigan, you need a motorcycle endorsement.

Don't go newer than 1980 if you want to keep the registration hassles to a minimum. Pre`73 (the most collectible models anyway) aren't even required to have turn signals. You can easily obtain a title through international Title service for $75 http://www.its-titles.com. $200/year will buy agreed value coverage through Hagerty insurance. My brother lived in Naperville for a couple of years, from what I can recall, you shouldn't have any problems where the speed limit is 35mph or lower. (A stock bike doesn't have enough power to reliably cruise much beyond 35mph )

You've a good central location in a major metro area. If you're willing to drive, then you should have a decent selection, with a bit of patience, within a 3 hour radius of suburban Chicagoland. Check ebay, its a buyer's market right after Christmas.

Good luck

I wouldnt buy something unless I could see it and hear it run personally. Its cheaper to buy the best one you can find then to fix up a crapper. Buy a nice one and take care of it and it will never go down in value. Just my 2 pennies worth

i just got a hold of a 1991 ct70. it has turn signals, the locking steering column and it's street legal. i don't know how much it's worth but i'd say it's in great condition. i haven't seen any of these around here, i live in oregon but i have seen some on ebay.

Don't know how many Honda sold in the `90s, but it probably wasn't a huge number. The local Honda megastore still had a couple of new CT70s on the floor in `97(!). By the time Honda resumed production, after nearly a decade-long hiatus, a lot had changed...except the appearance of the bike which was rather cheesy/plastic and damned long-in-the-tooth. It's a bit sad, because this run of bikes, with all of the running improvements, was arguably the best.

Low-mileage `90s models, in top condition, have typically sold in the $1500 range over the past couple of years.

Originally Posted by racerx

Don't know how many Honda sold in the `90s, but it probably wasn't a huge number. The local Honda megastore still had a couple of new CT70s on the floor in `97(!). By the time Honda resumed production, after nearly a decade-long hiatus, a lot had changed...except the appearance of the bike which was rather cheesy/plastic and damned long-in-the-tooth. It's a bit sad, because this run of bikes, with all of the running improvements, was arguably the best.

Low-mileage `90s models, in top condition, have typically sold in the $1500 range over the past couple of years.

Watch Ebay. A 1991-1994 CT70 with low miles usually goes for between $1000-$1300 unless the seller is motivated by greed. However, all the parts are still available from Honda... They are very ugly in factory trim, and look much better with a decal kit and chrome fenders that are readily available in the aftermarket. And with these bikes, you get a 12V motor and lighting system with CDI to boot which translates in easier starting and virtually zero maintenance... I've owned the older 6V bikes and the have a 12V bike now, and I'll never own a 6V points bike again unless I have plans to convert it over to 12V operation with all the new electronics.

Thanks to all of you for the tips and comments. However no one (yet) has touched two of my questions.
(1) Is there a used bike place somewhere in the Chicagoland area where I can possibly search for one? I am not comfortable with buying a vehicle off eBay.
(2) Licensing issues in Illinois. I know I am being lazy. I can probably call SOS in Illinois and get the official verbage. I just though that there may be IL residents here on the forum who can quickly answer that question of mine.

Anyway, I really appreciate your comments and tips, keep them coming. I did notice that someone is IL had 4 "CT 70" on sale. I dropped an email to the listed seller and await a reply.
Regards,
Saif.

..."Watch Ebay. A 1991-1994 CT70 with low miles usually goes for between $1000-$1300 unless the seller is motivated by greed..."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I know, it's a 1980 model, but pretty much the same as a post `90 minus the better 12V electrical system. That's a surprisingly strong showing for this time of year when the market is semi-comatose. During the riding season, I've seen similar `90s bikes bring $1500-1700. It's just what the market will bear at any given time.

Saif- Dont know of any places to buy here, but I know you would need a motorcycle endorsement on your license, L for I think up to 150cc and M for any motorcycle. My ct70 was last licensed in California, and I have the title so all I'd have to do would be to send the paper work in.

Gary,
So are you still in CA or you have a ct70 with CA plates in IL? Sorry if I sound really confused.
Thanks,
Saif.