Original Trail 70: 1971 Honda CT70H K0
Original vehicles are always interesting to see, they often bring us back to the era more so than restored vehicles do. Or, for me they do, just thinking about how they’re exactly as built, or almost exactly other than some normal maintenance replacement items. That’s the case with this 1971 Honda CT70H K0. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Davenport, Iowa and the current bid is $4,551, but the reserve isn’t met. Whoa.
This Candy Topaz Orange paint is original, as is almost everything, including the tires, according to the seller. They did replace the battery and air filter. I would add new tires, but that’s just me. 52 years is a long time for tires to be in safe riding condition. Although, the tires on my ’71 Rokon are original, but the tubes are new and that thing only goes 5 mph, give or take. The CT70 will do 35+ mph. The seller mentions that the original owner added a high-speed rear sprocket, but the original one is included
The CT70 is a nice-sized bike, says the guy who is 6′-5″ tall. Compared to Honda’s Z50-series, the 70 is on a different level and even for adults living in the past, like me, I could easily ride this bike through the woods for hours. This one is somewhat special in having a clutch-operated manual transmission and four gears. Most of them came with an auto-clutch transmission but the “H” designation means that it’s a manual.
With only 1,786 miles, this Trail 70 is barely broken in, despite being over five decades old. It isn’t perfect by any means, needing some cosmetic touchups if a person wanted to have a Concours-ready example. But, then it wouldn’t be original. I recently got a 1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing and every time I ride it, I’m surprised just how big and heavy it is. Maybe it’s because I’m used to the Motocompo, but at over 600 pounds, it’s four times as heavy as this CT70 is. I prefer small motorcycles.
You can see the original finish on the 72-cc single-cylinder engine, which would have had six horsepower when new. The seller has provided a video here on YouTube in case anyone wanted to see and hear this one running. Hagerty values have dropped a bit on the CT70s but they’re still at $4,100 for a #3 good-condition example and $6,800 for a #4 excellent Trail 70. How much will this one sell for?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now1 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now1 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now1 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now3 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now5 days$750
Comments
He’s back!!! ( sustained round of applause) We’ve seen plenty of these, one nicer(?) than the last. Why? Because all the crummy worn out ones are gone, leaving the unused ones stashed in a corner for years, unearthed at the estate sale. I think many of these were bought as “step savers”, kind of the pre-motorized wheelchair, for some, and for whatever reason, never used. It was a cheap gamble, and it’s clear, whoever had this, did NOT have any grandkids, or it wouldn’t be featured here today. 45mph, as indicated on the speedo for max 4th gear, is a bit optimistic, but maybe with the “speed gear”, but really, not meant for any street use, and a lower gear for slow trail riding, is best. Great find, and welcome back, SG!
I’d almost pay to see a 6ft.5 person ride this:-) I guess its all in how you look at it. Of my 3 Goldwings the 77 to me seems lightweight. That’s at walking speed, once I’m rolling they all seem light. And at highway speeds there is no such thing as too much weight.
Those bring back great memories for me. My friend had one of these in the mid 70s and I had a 65cc Harley Davidson mini bike. Great fun great memories
Wasn’t Harley’s moped an Italian Aerimecchi or Benelli? Evil Kinevil was doing his biggest stunts on Italian 2 stroke monster power 500&600cc Aerimecchi if I’m not mistaken, and someone in that supply chain wanted something for kids to want to upgrade to fat boy bikes starting out on mopeds from Europe badged as ‘Harley’. Harley purists got irate when it leaked, and Evil’s mechanics came up with an ultra leggera (ultralight) Harley for him to use. Even with drilling anything not structural and going smaller and lighter with everything and alloy wheels, it wasn’t as powerful and nimble as the Aerimecchi, and he started racking up wrecks… And broken bones!
I had this exact same bike! After a lawn mower engine mini bike, my parents got me a CT 70H. I was all of 13 years old. It was the best! I had the best time riding this bike. So many memories of riding with my friends.
The true value of these babies is in the nostalgia factor. Of course, it’s a Honda. So also pretty bullet proof … I’d love to get my hands on a nice early 70’s CB350!
Hi Neil, caution,,be advised, parts are scarce and pricey. I too would like a 70s Honda, only a CL to replace that dismal DRZ I had. For example, local guy had a CL 350, in so-so shape, the right front brake mount that had the turn signal(?)/start button too, anyway, that was broke. Couldn’t find one anywhere online. FINALLY, I saw a person had one, I forget where, Belgium, perhaps,,they wanted TWO HUNDRED BUCKS( $200) American, just for the mount/switch, no brake lever, that was also broke. I heard, things like lighting coils, and ignition coils, that were cheap to begin with, fail, and replacements can’t be found, save for in that pile of motorcycles on grandpas farm,,,way at the bottom. Even NOS in the boxes, deteriorate over time. Some things interchange with other bikes, but I think specific parts are getting hard to find.
Not sure what you’re talking about on parts availability. It’s a 70cc 4 stroke single cylinder. Easiest thing around to find compatible parts to get it running and ridable. The sand cast parts of the engine case and stamped steel frame parts are the value. Everything else can be easily sources in any major American city. If you’re referring to Pebble Beach Concourse condition, this bike is has that potential. But probably more value as a rider to go to parades, festivals etc with. Or motorcycle shows to piddle about on. Parts for single cylinder motorcycles as long as the engine case itself and frame are solid, there’s tons of parts to keep it running as long as gasoline is around. Even fuel injection and CDI ignition conversion parts, which if you’re wanting to ride it to show it off, is really worth considering. If it was a crate Trail 70 never ridden, I wouldn’t change anything. But it’s not. And it’s pretty enough to make it more reliable and not spilling gas all over itself. As far as 70’s TWINS & 4 bangers bikes from Europe and Japan, yes, that stuff is drying up. I had a 1969 CB400 complete project bike, and I needed some $. The guy I sold it to for $800 in around 2004 just needed forks and front brake. I never had the heart then to break up bikes for parts. Stupidity. The parts now would fetch almost as much as a show bike same model (it wasn’t rusty, but knock in motor turning with kick starter. Seat rotted, tank good but needed inner liner treatment; it actually looked good sitting there doing nothing!).
Sold my ‘70 blue one for $100. How could we know these would accelerate in value?
I remember seeing these in Sears, on sale next to the fishing rods and Craftsman tools. I was looking at how to add a basket and rod holders to go to the pier. Ended up getting a 5 speed bicycle with stick shift. A bit of a letdown, but the fishing was too good then to whine long. My memory is they were about $450 brand new then. Sears was really interesting before new owners used them for bank loan leverage to develop real estate projects. Real Estate Developers ruined everything, including the golden age of imports. Honda going back to their roots, and I would really like to see revival in small displacement imports from Europe and Japan. Nothing against China, just filling orders from Wall Street. Wall Street tells China how much ‘quality’ to add. Or not. It’s not a conspiracy. Paying low production cost with American investor cutbacks, it’s going to have lots of plastic and low quality metals. Simplicity of design is what I miss. Age of CDI and fuel injection, these small machines deserve a revival. Beautiful little example. Had a Trail 90 project bike I stupidly sold too cheaply. All you need is a tiny room to restore these beauties. They put a smile on everyone’s face. It’s really interesting how the Trail 70 mini makes even bigger smiles. Kids want one. Dad too, but he’ll say he’s buying it for his kids!!
Wow, $6,126 was the winning bid!