The Honda Trail 90 barn find success story

[windburn]

The cold weather near freezing was giving the throttle a very difficult twisting problem. I took the right hand controls off and cleaned and lubed the throttle. It was gumed up with old hard grease. This is not a difficult project but being new to this I took my time and got advice from the CT 90 site and local experience. When I was done the throttle worked very well and every thing about the shifting was feeling like silk with new oil and Lubing the controls. Every time a do some work on this bike I learn, it's a great education. Here's a pic from my morning ride.

[JerseyBiker]

Looking good!!

[Rideopentours]

Originally Posted by windburn

it started with craigslist an advertised honda trail 90 for $750. I went to look at and due to the failure to start we settled for $350.
What have i got here? Was on my mind a motorcycle or a boat anchor.with help from the men at ct90 site and a local shop we did this:
New battery, new fuse, new spark plug, new points and condenser,new rear tire and tube, new fuel line, new air filter.
Carburetor rebuild
valve adjustment
parts and service cost $350
total cost to date $700

it is now running very well

nice!!!

[Coopdway]

Very nice Windburn!

[windburn]

Truly the Honda Trail 90 is outstanding in it's field. Perhaps most unique would be the high and low range gear box allowing for mountain goat climbing ability along a trail no wider then a footpath, under a load. Four speeds in each high and low range making 8 speeds. Low weight for easy handling. Durability in the well know drive train and steel body construction. Economy in cost and operation, 80-100 MPG.

[windburn]

I take it out in the mornings for a warmup run climbing to the highest point in our county, hardly a bump to most people. Shifting is smooth, throttle is smooth and responsive, a third and second gear climb on country tar.

[Speedo66]

Have some CT-90 parts for sale here http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784960

[HandKPhil]

I don't know, Windburn - I'm kinda tempted...
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/mcy/2979233854.html

[windburn]

I'm thinking the Mars orange color is an unusual and desirable color in the CT 90's. That is very low miles. If you got this we could have a Midwest Ralley. LOL

If I thought my wife would ride I would buy another but she has other interests, like the 17 grandchildren.

[windburn]

Yesterday I made an order with the good DRATV and this weeks project will be to add a rear left hand brake to go along with the right foot brake. When I'm moving down hill slowly in the Rockies the left and right hand brakes will allow me to keep my feet free. I'm looking to make a trip west in June / July. My daughter lives at the North end of the Great Salt Lake.

Today I took a 20 mile ride on the Trail 90 and it ran very well.

[FAW3]

Nice to see another CT90 come back to use.

I got our '74 CT90 in the same Mars Orange about 6 months ago...a few parts from DRATV (fantastic parts service!) and a visit to DMV (tags) and were good to go. I took it up to a national park and hit the mild trails and the interior park roads - what a blast!

I scored a VersaHaul receiver type MC carrier off of Craigslist so it is easy to haul it where we want to play. See photos:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...353699&page=14

Enjoy!

[windburn]

I understand that spark aresters are required on public lands what is it and where do I get one? I'm assumeing I don't have one already.

[FAW3]

Originally Posted by windburn

I understand that spark aresters are required on public lands what is it and where do I get one? I'm assumeing I don't have one already.

If you have the CT series OEM muffler with the tailpiece insert baffle...your good. You may also see markings/stampings indicating "Approved Spark Arrester" on the muffler body...which is what the nice folks with the funny hats with the badges want to see.

[Stretch67]

Oh wow, this is inspiring.

When I was 17 (in 1984), I bought a 1971 Trail 90 from a friend for 70 bucks!

And I STILL HAVE IT!

It is quietly reposing in the shed, waiting on me to get off my arse and restore it. While I was in the Marines my Dad stored a sack of fertilizer on the rear rack and it rusted badly, so a few years ago I started collecting parts on eBay...

I found a nice rear rack, a front fender (I had installed an XR-80 high fender), a kick-starter (I had broken the original), quick-release handlebar clamps, a centerstand, and some other goodies.

I believe it's about time to get this [new] old project started.



This is going to be hilarious. I'm 6'6" (a full two meters) tall. Riding this tiny thing again... I'll look like a Spider-Monkey fucking a football.