Honda Trail 90's, Cub's and Elite's

Chain Gun · 05-26-2006, 06:31 AM

This week I got to to do some work at the shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana operated by Northrup Grumman. What surprised me was all of the Honda Trail 90's, Cub's and Elites that were in use.

I asked one of the guys I was working with about the Trail 90 he was riding. He told me he got it new in 1980. The odometer read almost 24,000 miles. It had some rust on the exhaust and some pieces were missing and he didn't know when the last time the oil was changed, but it would start with one kick. He said the Elites were not as good as the Trail 90's or Cubs. As a side note, all of these bikes had weathered Hurricane Katrina.

The other thing that surprised me was the fact that here was a U.S. company that was allowing the use of motorcycles to accomplish daily tasks. As big and as busy as the ship yard is, I cannot think of a more economical and efficient way to move a person from point A to point B.

I don't know what type of training was required to ride at the ship yard, but
everyone who was riding was wearing a helmet and appeared to be riding safely. I relize that my observations over just three days doesn't mean much, but in this day and age of litigation if there were any real problems the use of motorcycles would have been stopped a long time ago.

I apologize for not having any pictures, but being that they were working on U.S. Navy ships, cameras were not allowed.

It was great to see the old stuff still working in such numbers on a daily basis. In this day of advanced electronics, I still wish all bikes came with "KICK STARTERS."

(just in case!)

FatChance · 05-26-2006, 07:30 AM

They are very versatile.

PapaYolk · 05-26-2006, 10:57 AM

Here’s one (mine) not mocked up with a scabbard that would knock one’s face as forks compressed, one small advantage to old leading link front end. Note 38 (got big cats?) on rear pack, and shovel. All motorcycles operated in National Forest must have spark arrestor (CT 200 [old pushrod 90] was first production bike with SA), shovel and bucket. Newer amendment allows helmet to substitute for both.

Saddle bags, $5 at Army-Navy store.

chuckklr04 · 05-26-2006, 01:43 PM

My buddy Frank use to repair them at Avondale.He still loves little bikes due to that experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain Gun

This week I got to to do some work at the shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana operated by Northrup Grumman. What surprised me was all of the Honda Trail 90's, Cub's and Elites that were in use.

I asked one of the guys I was working with about the Trail 90 he was riding. He told me he got it new in 1980. The odometer read almost 24,000 miles. It had some rust on the exhaust and some pieces were missing and he didn't know when the last time the oil was changed, but it would start with one kick. He said the Elites were not as good as the Trail 90's or Cubs. As a side note, all of these bikes had weathered Hurricane Katrina.

The other thing that surprised me was the fact that here was a U.S. company that was allowing the use of motorcycles to accomplish daily tasks. As big and as busy as the ship yard is, I cannot think of a more economical and efficient way to move a person from point A to point B.

I don't know what type of training was required to ride at the ship yard, but
everyone who was riding was wearing a helmet and appeared to be riding safely. I relize that my observations over just three days doesn't mean much, but in this day and age of litigation if there were any real problems the use of motorcycles would have been stopped a long time ago.

I apologize for not having any pictures, but being that they were working on U.S. Navy ships, cameras were not allowed.

It was great to see the old stuff still working in such numbers on a daily basis. In this day of advanced electronics, I still wish all bikes came with "KICK STARTERS."

(just in case!)

RocketJohn · 05-26-2006, 03:21 PM

How fast will a Cub 90cc go?

Srbenda · 05-26-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketJohn

How fast will a Cub 90cc go?

That proabaly depends on how fat you are....

FatChance · 05-26-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketJohn

How fast will a Cub 90cc go?

205mph!

KL5A · 05-27-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketJohn

How fast will a Cub 90cc go?

50 mph flat ground.......

65 down hill, flat out.......and on that bike it's fast enough!

PapaYolk · 05-28-2006, 09:03 AM

killing the poor thing

05-26-2006, 06:31 AM	#1
Chain Gun ^OP 2nd Time 'Round Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Fly over country Oddometer: 94	Honda Trail 90's, Cub's and Elite's This week I got to to do some work at the shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana operated by Northrup Grumman. What surprised me was all of the Honda Trail 90's, Cub's and Elites that were in use. I asked one of the guys I was working with about the Trail 90 he was riding. He told me he got it new in 1980. The odometer read almost 24,000 miles. It had some rust on the exhaust and some pieces were missing and he didn't know when the last time the oil was changed, but it would start with one kick. He said the Elites were not as good as the Trail 90's or Cubs. As a side note, all of these bikes had weathered Hurricane Katrina. The other thing that surprised me was the fact that here was a U.S. company that was allowing the use of motorcycles to accomplish daily tasks. As big and as busy as the ship yard is, I cannot think of a more economical and efficient way to move a person from point A to point B. I don't know what type of training was required to ride at the ship yard, but everyone who was riding was wearing a helmet and appeared to be riding safely. I relize that my observations over just three days doesn't mean much, but in this day and age of litigation if there were any real problems the use of motorcycles would have been stopped a long time ago. I apologize for not having any pictures, but being that they were working on U.S. Navy ships, cameras were not allowed. It was great to see the old stuff still working in such numbers on a daily basis. In this day of advanced electronics, I still wish all bikes came with "KICK STARTERS." (just in case!) __________________ Bangkok Cowboy

05-26-2006, 07:30 AM	#2
FatChance Road Captain Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Oddometer: 9,321	They are very versatile. __________________ Pain in the Butte Ranch Durango, Colorado - Calculated risk or forbidden fruit?

05-26-2006, 10:57 AM	#3
PapaYolk Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Roswell Idaho Oddometer: 1,172	ct90 Here’s one (mine) not mocked up with a scabbard that would knock one’s face as forks compressed, one small advantage to old leading link front end. Note 38 (got big cats?) on rear pack, and shovel. All motorcycles operated in National Forest must have spark arrestor (CT 200 [old pushrod 90] was first production bike with SA), shovel and bucket. Newer amendment allows helmet to substitute for both. Saddle bags, $5 at Army-Navy store. Attached Images PapaYolk screwed with this post 05-26-2006 at 11:03 AM

05-26-2006, 03:21 PM	#5
RocketJohn Hook em' Horns! Joined: Apr 2002 Location: Denver Metro Oddometer: 11,036	How fast will a Cub 90cc go? __________________ RocketJohn™ 1974 Honda CL350 / 2013 Yamaha Super Tenere Smugmug Coupon Here / SuperTune Motorsports in Denver My SuperTenere Blog

05-28-2006, 09:03 AM	#9
PapaYolk Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Roswell Idaho Oddometer: 1,172	uphill? killing the poor thing Attached Images

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