Topic: Honda CT90/110, or other "vacation" bikes

[Scott S]

 Been thinking about it for years, but now that we own a pickup truck I'm pretty intent on getting a couple of small, lightweight "vacation bikes".
 I really, really like the CT90/110, aka Trail 90.



 My only real "must" is that I want one with a title. These tings vary widely in price, from just a few hundred bucks to well over $2,000.
 Part of me says that for ~$2-2500, I can get, or build, a CB350 or the like. But the main attraction to the CT's is the light weight. I love the idea of NOT manhandling two larger bikes in and out of the bed of the truck.

 I want something street legal, powerful enough to get out of its own way and light weight. Vintage and/or cool is a bonus.
 We recently sat on a new Suzuki VanVan. Holy crap that thing is cool in a fugly, weirdo kind of way. But it's also ~$4,000. The common sense side of me says that I can get a damn nice CB550/750 for that kind of money. But the VanVan would be perfect.



 Then someone mentioned the TW200 as a competitor to the VanVan. Same deal. Proven bike, exactly what we're looking for, but also in the ~$3500-4000 range.



 I'm thinking that if I take my time that I can find a PAIR of CT90's for less than what the VanVan or TW200 cost.
 Any leads on Trail 90/110's with titles?

[02z06dave]

Ct90s pop up in my area all the time for usually 600-800 in decent shape but always without titles. Going the Vermont route on these is pretty painless since they're under 300cc. No vin inspection required.

[b52bombardier1]

+1 on Vermont. Very easy as long as you have a bill of sale and check to see that it is not stolen.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[grcamna2]

Scott,
I spent years riding the 71' CT90(the exact same year/color that you just posted in the pic above) and they are great bikes when you just want to do trail riding or Only small in-town street rides.They have an auto clutch and a Hi-Low range trans(I rarely ever used the low range:you could win a 'slow race' with it  )with 4 speeds.
I now have an 1981' CB125S(this bike I have now is great fun and brings me back to the past when i was riding/racing around on the CT90 at 12-14 yrs. old;it makes me feel young again as it 'feels' just like the same size bike as the CT90) which has oem CDi(first year for CDi) and will do a steady 65mph flat-out.I would consider getting the CB125S if it was me as you can ride two-up(I also have a luggage rack on mine) where the CT90/110 isn't possible/comfortable.I like the fact that an XL185S motor will bolt right into the 81-82' CB125S and the engine harness is full plug n' play with the option of installing an XR200 piston later on  .That way you only need one bike;the CT90 and CB125S both weigh about the same 
I also realize your Lady may want to ride her own bike along side you but either way the CB125S is very versatile and loves it in the trails also.

They did import the 1977' CT125 into the USA for only that year if you like the CT.

[grcamna2]

+1 on Vermont. Very easy as long as you have a bill of sale and check to see that it is not stolen.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

+2  VT. reg. is the way to go ! and you can work a better deal on a bike you find considering they don't have a title.

[Stev-o]

CT's are a "girls bike", you can do better [unless it's for your girl?"]

How 'bout something like a TS250?  [I have one]

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/6176873631.html

[Scott S]

CT's are a "girls bike", you can do better [unless it's for your girl?"]

How 'bout something like a TS250?  [I have one]

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/6176873631.html

 That "girls bike" stuff doesn't sway me. All I see is FUN.

 I'm open to other makes and models. The main three: street legal, light weight, enough oomph for real world traffic (in limited use).

[seanbarney41]

CT's are a "girls bike", you can do better [unless it's for your girl?"]

How 'bout something like a TS250?  [I have one]

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/6176873631.html

 That "girls bike" stuff doesn't sway me. All I see is FUN.

 I'm open to other makes and models. The main three: street legal, light weight, enough oomph for real world traffic (in limited use).

+1...time for a 2 stroke!...you don't know what "light weight" means until you get one.

[Scott S]

 The only bike that ever threw me (so far) is a '71 CL70 with a 117cc engine. Dumped my ass not 30 feet from the end of the driveway when it lifted the front end in 2nd gear. I still have the scars.

 That said, maybe I should just finish my CL's? I have a titled '71 CL70 that was running before the engine took a dump and the shop screwed me (long story). But, I have a wiring harness, Lifan 125 semi-auto, etc., just waiting to go in. All I lack is a 12V battery, a couple of light bulbs and the elbow grease and motivation to do it.
 Pic from when it had an engine in it:




 I also have a '67 CL90. Titled, suspension is done, new tires, tank lined, piles of parts. I have the stock engine but it would need a total rebuild. A Lifan 125 4-speed and the aforementioned elbow grease and it too could be on the road.

 

 Then there's the titled S90 I've been meaning to go get from my co-worker....

[grcamna2]

Those are all nice candidates for your intended purpose plus you already have them 

[b52bombardier1]

I have climbed a 40 degree muddy slope at 2 mph and 5000 rpm on that "girl's bike" using that 8-speed transmission.  Yes, a lot of fun that day.

Rick

[grcamna2]

Rick,
The CT90/110 has a lot of torque in that low range !

I live in an apt. building here and for now my little 81' CB125S is my favorite Basic transportation.I had a welder install a rack from a 70's BMW airhead so I can use BMW hardbags on it.I switched the bike from 6-12vts. which helps at night & when I want to charge my phone and I also installed an oem swingarm from an 85' model CB125S which they made 2" longer which helps when running around on the road above 70mph.
I park it on the street in this small town w/o issue and so far I haven't washed it or cleaned it up..,I just keep it running good.I do have plans to improve/modify the bike slightly as I ride and enjoy it for yrs.

[Scott S]

 S90 it is, then.
 1965 model, been sitting for decades. Clean title. Not sure if it turns over because the chain is off. P.O. says it did last time he tried. Very complete. Plan is to just dust it off and make it run/stop/go like it should and leave the patina.
 Wonder if I can get it done in time for Barber?

[grcamna2]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance back in their time.
I know the CB100 front fender will fit the S90.

[Stev-o]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance...

A 90 high performance?  Ha!

[grcamna2]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance...

A 90 high performance?  Ha!

Sure not by today's standards but I had a friend w/ a S90 who would blow my doors in on my CT90 when he rolled by me w/ his Dad's S90. 

[Scott S]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance...

A 90 high performance?  Ha!

 The guy I got it from used to drive it about 15 miles to work. Said it would do 70 mph.
 You gotta take it for what it is, man. I'll have two bikes (this and the CL70 or 90) that weigh around 200 lbs and are street legal and will do an easy 55 mph. What's wrong with that?

[Stev-o]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance...

A 90 high performance?  Ha!

 The guy I got it from used to drive it about 15 miles to work. Said it would do 70 mph.
 You gotta take it for what it is, man. I'll have two bikes (this and the CL70 or 90) that weigh around 200 lbs and are street legal and will do an easy 55 mph. What's wrong with that?

Nothing wrong with that at all, Scott.  I like the S90's, will prolly buy one at some point for my daughter.

Just the thought of a 90cc bike being high performance is funny to me.  It's all relative,  right?  When I think of mid-1960's Honda high performance, the CB450 comes to mind.

You made a good choice, the S90 will make a good vacation bike.

[grcamna2]

That's a nice Super 90 Scott,they were high performance...

A 90 high performance?  Ha!

 The guy I got it from used to drive it about 15 miles to work. Said it would do 70 mph.
 You gotta take it for what it is, man. I'll have two bikes (this and the CL70 or 90) that weigh around 200 lbs and are street legal and will do an easy 55 mph. What's wrong with that?

I'm fairly sure the S90 had a better cam than the CT90 plus Honda made the rims and spokes on it lightweight.
There are 250's now that weigh a bunch more than the S90 that have around the same performance while you're sitting upright;the S90 wants you to lean-down out of the wind in a 'tuck' to achieve more speed.

[jas67]

+1 on the S90, that's the coolest looking of the 70-90cc class.    One advantage of the CL70 is the larger CC Chinese motors bolt right in, plus, if you've got one with a stock motor, there are lots of big bore kits and other "hot rod" parts available for the 70cc motors.    The 90cc motors are different, and have different mounting.

I love the look of the S90 and the CL90 over the CT90 and your CL70 (the earlier CL70's had a tank similar to the CL90, which I like better).

The S90 and CL90 both have a normal (1 down 3 up) shift pattern, and a normal hand clutch, so, it's just like riding an normal motorcycle, only slower.

We all look forward to the pics after the restorations are complete.    Keep an eye out on eBay for an un-dented tank for the CL90.

[Scott S]

 I have something in the works today. If it goes through, both CL's will go bye-bye.
 The S90 is cool and complete, and the GF likes it. It's definitely worth saving.

[grcamna2]

Scott, I think you may be able to find a good deal on a CB125S after Labor Day

[Scott S]

 Today, I traded this...



 ...for this. 2008 Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Two seats, luggage rack, stock mirrors and signals included. Little over 5,000 miles and good title. Runs great. I think I did OK.




 Because I actually came home with a running, riding bike for one, I've decided to finish the S90 but cut the CL70 and CL90 loose. I'll also be selling the CB360 soon. Maybe once they're all gone I'll find a ready-to-ride CT90/110.

[Stev-o]

I think you did great!  Nice looking bike...

[grcamna2]

she's a big Thumper all right.