Thread: What have I done???

I was doing my morning craigslist scan looking for some bits for my road bike & saw an ad for this guy. The grainy photo looked just like my neighbor's when I was growing up...the one who never let me ride his bike. Long story short, I asked a friend to check it out & buy it for me b/c I had all-day meetings. Unfortunately, my friend knows less about bikes than me. I freaked when I saw the condition upon delivery b/c I was expecting that shiny circa 1976 trail 70 from my youth. I immediately had buyer's remorse. But my sons love the rusty little CT. And after the initial ride around the house (Note to self: check that the brakes work before riding a new bike), I haven't been able to wipe the grin off my face! I may sell this one & search for a nice one that can entertain us for a while. Too bad I discovered this site after my purchase!!

What do I have? How much is this guy worth? (I know, vague question.) How close am I to having a 'reliable', safe toy? Am I better off searching for something that better suits my limited mechanical skills? (I can change oil & perform basic checks, but I don't do anything significant on my larger bike.)

So far, this is what I know, see:
-- It starts, runs, & shifts.
-- Brakes need attention. No air filter.
-- No lights or battery or ignition switch. There's a toggle switch rigged.
-- Gaiters are rotted through. Tires are starting to crack. Fork springs rusty.
-- Various parts (rear rim) are painted. Though the frame/decals appear original.
-- Seat splitting started.
-- Left side peg & stand have surface rust, whatever that is.

We'll have fun whether we stick with this one or trade up.
Thanks in advance.
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Buyers remorse? I think you got a nice little bike.

Buyers Remorse all depends on your initial investment. How much did this one cost you?
Everything you described as being wrong can easily be replaced by several fine online vendors dealing in CT parts. If the engine runs decently and shifts good you are already ahead of the game. All you need is a shop manual and some patience to bring everything back to good working order. You don't have to do it all at once depending on how much you want to invest into it. Take it one step and one thing at a time. If you were looking for the perfect bike with nothing to cure than you are looking at a bike that could well have cost you a couple thousand bucks or more.
Original price in the 70s was around 325 bucks brand new. Times have changed and so has the price.

Great find - Welcome to the addiction

It appears to be a 74 K3 Topaz Orange (This is what mine started as) with a few minor changes. At first glance I see a plastic(which is good) gas tank where the original would have been metal. There is a non-original muffler guard. The bike is also wired for turn signals.

Glad to see you've taken pictures early so you can track your project. These are very easy to work one and this forum and a shop manual will go a long way.

Check out some of my pictures sometime

Stephen

(I see you are in Atlanta - Our home office just moved there - NCR)

I'm not sure how you expect a 40 year old bike to look like but this one IMO is average & above average. I've seen some that were total basket cases. The rust on this one is pretty much superficial!
Have fun with your new project!
ps. Mine has the original paint and yours reminds me of how mine looked. If you take some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, it will restore the color beautifully. It will have that OEM paint look not new but classic. If you wanted new, thats what the show room at the local dealers for.

Starts, runs & shifts. You've side-stepped 3 hurdles already which is great for a LMS guy. All that is missing is game for the hunt. Some parts are easy and others will prove to be more elusive.
Looks like you're in for about 400 - 600 maybe less to make the bike complete. It's really none of our business what you gave for it but if the total stays under 1200 I think you did well. Keep in mind that is just my opinion.
If you were to get a very nice bike the hunt is over. We don't know you yet but men were created to hunt. Proof of that comes from the # of bikes some of us have.
The nicer you make it, the more you'll want to protect it from the boys.
The bike you have has the most chrome of all CT's and is the 1st year for turn signals.
You'll have fun whatever path you take on this little diamond in the rough.

It's a K3 for sure. Based on the frame VIN it was built (9/73). I have one myself only a couple hundred off from your's. It's should clean up nicely and make an excellent rider. The missing turn signals are a tough to find.

Thanks for the feedback & helpful responses. I was up late scouring the internets learning about these guys; this site rocks. Yeah, no more buyers remorse (It didn't last long). I've got a clymer's manual on order; that should be a good start. Ttyl.