Thread: 1974 honda ct70 k3

Hi, this is my first post, im new here. I recently purchased a 74 ct70 k3. I have a few questions, It has a plastic gas tank which im really sure isn't original??? Also the lights don't work, I looked behind the ignition switch only to find a huge ball of black tape, all the bulbs are good but it doesn't have a battery. It runs pretty good its just a pita to shift sometimes, im also thinking about swapping the engine to a lifan 125, any help would be appreciated. thanks.

Heres some pics. I think its mostly stock except the gas tank.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...6/IMG_0433.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...6/IMG_0432.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...6/IMG_0431.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...6/IMG_0434.jpg

That things in decent shape.
Love that Candy Topaz Orange!
Looks like an amature electrician has been practicing on your bike (same as my bike when I bought it). Likely it had a minor problem in the past like a failed rectifier which usually leads to a cooked battery and blown headlamps. Unfortunitly it is usually misdiagnosed and thats when people start cutting and splicing wires. You'll want to find the clymer manual available for download on this site and begin to access the damage to the wiring harness. I ended up having to replace mine. A word of caution about aftermarket ebay harnesses though, when installed mine I had numerous things that didn't work, no spark. I ended up taking apart my harness and re-configuring to match the wiring schematic. Hot battery wires connected directly to ground!!
I encountered shifting problems in my bike also. To fix, I removed the clutch cover (i did this with the engine out, but don't think its required), removed the clutch and re-installed the shift pawl screws, 1 of which had falled out. While apart you may want to loctite these screws to prevent it happening in the future.
I own a 1970 and a plastic gas tank is correct. Not sure about a '74 but I think it is also correct.
Looks like you've got a nice!
Best of luck,
Matt

I too have a 74 K3 and you are right when thinking the plastic gas tank is not original. Mine is metal. Before doing anything to the wiring install a fully charged 6volt battery and then try the lights as they will only work thru a battery. The battery acts as a voltage regulator on these little bikes. Nice find on the Copper Topaz, I'm kind of partial to the Topaz Orange 74's. This year was the "Chrome Bonanza" of all years of CT's. As the chrome was on top of the shocks, headlight ears, and the chrome strip around the seat.
Welcome to the "Club"!

Thanks for the warm welcome, ill enjoy my stay as i dont think ill ever sell my ct70 lmao. I checked the rectifier, its good, im gonna go buy a new battery today and see what happens.

can you help me find the clymer manual download, i cant find it lol.

Hope the link works.
Planetminitrails forums: Resources and Links

http://planetminitrails.com/CT70/doc...railmanual.pdf

Good Luck

Thanks for the link, also how would i test my stator? It runs so i know the primary coil is good, but the coil for the lights? Also i wont be able to get a battery until Friday.

some one told me that the k3s handlebars didnt have metal perches for the brake levers, is this true?

That is correct. The K-3 was the first year for turn signals, thus entirely different L/R switches were needed to operate the signals. These new switches also incorporated the new throttle system, which was now a part of the right side switch housing. Mirrors also appeared for the first time this year. As a result of these changes, the perches were removed and everything was integrated into the switch housings.