Tozzi's 1974 k3 topaz orange ct70 & 1970 k0 sapphire st70

Hi everyone

I'm Daniel. New to the honda mini-bike scene but not so new to the pit bike scene.
I hope to meet some new friends and mini bike fanatics. I'm always looking to help where I can, all your feedback and insight would be great!!

Having owned 4 pit bikes 3 in the past and one currently I defiantly knew my way around the problems these bikes commonly suffer and didn't find servicing and modifying at all difficult. Have always loved the simplicity of mini bikes and pit bikes.

Still have a tonne of parts in the shed, enough to build a bike. But I'm no bike restorer/builder

-1st gen atomik 125cc semi auto (ducar engine) talking mid (2005)
-provert 140cc (2006) manual
-assassin 140cc (2010)
-atomik nitrous 160cc (my current bike) (2012)





About a month ago I happened to be on the market for a motovert rx125 which I was going to register and modify to be a fun little suburban machine, until I found what was to be a 1974 Honda ct70.









I hadn't ever seen anything quite like it. It was new to my eyes and I simply couldn't stop looking at its potential. I always knew about the z50s but never these things!
I searched them up on google, and found that there was a huge market for these overseas and they were road registrable. Further research lead me to find some cool forums such as this one. I was defiantly keen on showing everyone what I can do. Seeing as though there's a huge scene on vintage honda minis.

After I saw the huge amount of parts on the market I was now well off the idea of the motovert and had to have this ct70. So this would be my first ever restoration project and build.

The particular one I was looking at was on eBay. Still 3 days remaining and I was worries as there were 33 bidders already. Keeping my head high I placed my highest bid and 3 days later I had won the bike only just.

I was now the owner of a k3 1974 candy topaz orange ct70

But the bike was in Wagga Wagga and I'm in sydney so it wasn't going to be a trip in the park pick up. My 4wd was off at the mechanics until the following week and I defiantly didn't want to wait that long.

Planned the trip for that Saturday and left for Wagga at 6am. Other than hitting a wombat at highway speed and blowing a tyre at goulburn. The trip in my dads 1986 Toyota hilux automatic 3 speed (scrap metal ute) was ok. Oh what the hell!!
Let me just say, I won't do a drive like that again without the comfort of cruise control and the peace and quiet of new door and window seals hahaha.

Other fails - carby motor that doesn't move and screams worse than my 1 year old nephew at 60. Had to fill up 4 times. Gear ratios on thin ute defiantly not for highway use. NEVER AGAIN lol!



Got there around 1-2 and paid the man!
It was official, a receipt, the keys and a big smile on my face.
The ct70 was mine, never had seen one in person so I was like a kid at Christmas.

Drove back to sydney, much better drive back. It defiantly felt good to be home after 12-13 hours on the road. I sat in front of the bike with a notepad and started noting down what I saw I needed to do and buy.

Here is how she sat when I bought her





Things wrong/missing:

-front indicators and indicator stem missing
-Tail light bracket, tail light, Rear indicators missing
-Key to ignition different to helmet lock (previous owner had lost it)
-snapped brake lever and cable (front)
-throttle cable worn
-rear brake switch spring missing
-indicator switch console missing
-damaged front fender
-minor dent on rear fender
-frame handle missing
-seat torn and rusted underneath
-rubber battery flap missing
-exhaust heat shield dented
-steering stem bearings felt sticky and worn
-headlight ears/fork top covers dented
-broken right fork reflector

And along with some very minor surface rust on some of the chrome pieces.
I'm sure I've missed a few little things but that's all the big stuff that needs attending/replacing. The rest was just dull and dirty from years and years of storage.

The lights were not working when I had bought it but I knew that wouldn't be a huge issue to fix seeing as though the battery looked to be at least 20 years old and wiring kits were readily available online.

After a few busy days at work I took some time to start this build and see what else was needed in the spots I hadn't looked yet.

The stripping process had begun!








Front forks are in great nick, just in need of some polishing, some new oil and seals. Will be kept aside to restore this bike back to 100% original one day.


Like I thought. The wiring loom is in excellent condition and won't need to be replaced. No cut wires anywhere. Just some that have been added by someone in the past for some strange reason.

Seeing as the plan for now is to restore the bike to OEM standard (for now) I will keep the 6v electrics.


[more soon, just writing up pt 2 and uploading pics]
I'll reveal the k0 sapphire st70 soon also

-Daniel

The bike now was at its last stage of diss-assembly.
The final finishing parts removed, everything nice and carefully

Except the rusted out exhaust bolt!!! dremel did the job cutting that out.

and there we have it




The structure.

Did some panel work today on the head light bucket which was slightly dented. Thought id use normal metal bog. Paint was stripped using metal brush attachment on a standard impact driver. I used this technique for all my paint stripping. Gives it a nice file finish without eating at the metal.




(wire brush attachment fitted)

The powder coater sent me home with a stick of "sellys" knead it metal epoxy.
Much harder to work with and sand, but it dried up like metal and can withstand the baking heat for the powdercoat.


i reccomend this stuff to anyone! It fixes anyting that fillers cant. Kneadable steel putty in basic words.


The heart ( the standard engine ) has now been sent to RICHIE (RCRAFT) for a overhaul and restoration back to original. Heard a lot of good things!
Motor is expected back end of this week looking and performing as new as it did 40 years ago.

Frame and swing arm sent to the sand basters and is expected at the end of this week also!

Along with:
-fuel tank
-fuel tank face bracket
-footpegs complete rail with stand
-headlight bucket
-speedo bracket

Which are all coming back powdercoated gloss black.
(pix will come when i get everything back)

I took a trip a bunnings earlier last week to buy some wet and dry sand paper and some metal polish. (the oldschool way)
until i had come to a section where i had found a whole isle on buffing pads and accessories for converting your ordinary bench grinder into a polishing machine.



I knew i had an old bench grinder lying around that dad had not used in years so i bought Buffing disks, Buffing disk adapters and metal cutting and polishing compound. Hoping id give it a try and get some results (it was a first for me)


i got home did the quick and easy buffer conversion and wallah!
My new polishing station.
(headlight bucket now sanded and level with "knead it") Ready for Powdercoat!

I must say i didnt know how to start, but read some instructions and watched some youtube tutorials and i was ready to get into it for myself.



Here are the results:











I will take better pictures of the shine with a better camera. There aren't any imperfections and nothing but shine! Ive saved myself a lot of money on replacement parts which just needed a good clean and buff.



Thats all for today.
more progress tomorrow!

goodnight

-Tozzi

Sorry for the the late progress post, ive been busy on the bike. This is the latest news.

My engine builder Richie at (R-CRAFT) has told me i will need a new piston along with the usual gasket and rings. Seeing as though bringing it back to oem will cost me about the same as getting the Takegawa 88cc kit with cam which Richie stocks as he' s the only person in australia that distributes Takegawa and at killer price.

So ive decided to go the 88cc kit
I will have it back by mid next week.

Today i took another trip to Bunnings today in search for some smaller metal polishing pads and new wire brush attachments to get the rims and hubs done.

this is what i picked up


Josco make the best products for paint stripping and metal polishing, i have only used their products throughout the project and their products simply make it too easy! This particular kit was to turn a ordinary drill into a metal buffer/polisher.


Along with new bench grinder pads.

Went into the shed and started disassembling the rims.
For someone who was used to pit bike hubs this was very new to me.
I didn't know how to start? until i found a thread online telling me i had to remove the circle snap ring. Which wasn't easy at all! is there a trick to it?
I needed my mrs help me jam a screwdriver in the gap while i used two screwdrivers to force them open then i used the jammed screwdriver to yank up and pull it off. No damage to the snap ring, but surely that isn't the right way to get that off.



Rim hub was then easily removed off the rim, mind you the tyre was stuck on tight! That was by far the hardest part of the job.


I now had everything ready to be polished.

I had now realised rims were steel, and i had a feeling i wasnt going to get the finish i wanted.

I had to try anyway!
I started polishing!







NO RESULTS. other than a no shine clean.
I tried and i tried. Being a perfectionist, and this being a 99 point restoration (lol), i had chosen to go a different path.

Used a wire brush attachment on the rims and started filing away all the grit, oil and what seems to be Hondas original rust protection layer on the rims.

Not to worry, everything will be back to factory shiny silver tomorrow!
I will be giving them a prep tonight ready for some paint tomorrow.






Heres a clearer picture of my polishing for those who wanted to see.



Tonight i will be working on polishing up a brand new polished up (factory finish) oem honda engine cover that was dropped by the previous owner. I picked it up for $30

I had to strip it down using the file brush attachment killed me to do it!
It was such a nice finish, but i wasnt going to have scratches on my engine cover. I hope to get a chrome finish all round, shinier than factory





Anyway thats enough for now, ill update more later tonight

-Tozzi

Wicked - keep the pics coming .
I recon the journey to a complete restoration is where all the fun is, although riding them does put a big smile on your face.

VERY INDUSTRIOUS Looks like your enjoying yourself!
Circlips can be tricky to remove, a pair or external(expanding) circlip pliers would of helped to spread it but you usually still have to carefully slip something behind(thin knife or razorblade) to lift it clear.
Polishing's looking good, Dirty but very satisfying innit
Cheers

Its looking good.... sadly we don't have CT70 bikes over here...

wiseric wrote:Wicked - keep the pics coming .
I recon the journey to a complete restoration is where all the fun is, although riding them does put a big smile on your face.

First restoration and I'm loving it, can't wait to ride all my hard work !

Chief wrote:VERY INDUSTRIOUS Looks like your enjoying yourself!
Circlips can be tricky to remove, a pair or external(expanding) circlip pliers would of helped to spread it but you usually still have to carefully slip something behind(thin knife or razorblade) to lift it clear.
Polishing's looking good, Dirty but very satisfying innit
Cheers

I have bought a pair since wish I had these when I was doing it before! Now I have them for my next build and re-assembly ! I love polishing, it's defiantly my new skill

White wrote:Its looking good.... sadly we don't have CT70 bikes over here...

Oh really? I didn't know that.
Their not so different to the st70 or dax at all.

My st70 will be revealed soon

-tozzi

There has been a heap of progress since we all last met.
Heres the low down.

Since we last met i made a trip to super cheap to buy some clear coat for some of the bolts i was polishing up, rust remover and a stripping grinder disc as recommended from someone online on the forums for my wheels.

All 3 were found and i went home to get some progress done.

The striping disc purchased was one called "Norton stripping grinder disc" only made in 115mm size and only stocked at supercheap in extra course.





I fitted the disc onto my new makita lxt cordless 115mm angle grinder and started attempting stripping the wheels to bare metal.





As stated by a helpful forum member these discs seemed to be VERY effective.

I then spent about half an hour per rim half and these are the results. I used the wire brush attachment on the drill to get the fine "hard to get corners"

This is how they turned out!





Before - After





I cant be more pleased with the results.
I then proceeded to do the other rims ( pictures in next progress post )

I received call later that day from my powder coater and sandblaster.
All my parts were sand blasted, the small bits were awaiting gloss black powdercoating so i just took the frame and swing arm hoping to find a painter asap.



Coincidentally Richie (R-CRAFT) texted me along with a picture while i was at the powder coaters, my engine was ready for pick up!
"looking, and performing like new inside and out"



Today was going to be an expensive day, as i was not going to sleep without having my engine in my possession. So i drove to a atm and went to richie.

After a small chat i decided he was the guy for my paint, so i left my frame and swing arm there while we source the closest to original colour we can find to:

-Candy topaz orange

I then picked up my engine and drove home to have a proper look.
Heres the beauty!





and after fitting the engine cover which as you can see polished up nicely, but finishing off for final polish tonight. I also cleaned some grime build up around the front sprocket area along with test fitting the original carb. ( which will be replaced by a kitaco flat slide )





I now really do feel like a kid at christmas!

Wait for more tomorrow

-tozzi

Guys I'm back, I had to put the project on pause due to commitments and funds. As I have mentioned before I'm currently out of work and looking to get back into it soon after being retrenched.

This build is the only thing keeping me sane whilst looking for work!

Anyway during this time not too much progress has been made other than all the parts needed now ordered "everything oem" , powdercoating and front end purchase.

My front fender was a goner, no chance/point reviving her for this 100 point resto.

Rear fender is fine other than a small dent on the lip!







I'm a perfectionist with OCD and I have bought a new set of fenders from chp!
Rear fender for sale! $45

Amazing to see one side perfectly chrome and the other in such weathered state! But all fixed and rust treated now!!

I decided to paint the bottom of the fender matte black.
Not sure wether ill keep these fenders but for now and the budget I will.
(Now selling fender)

The bottom of the rear fender was all rusted out.
Using some acid and wire brushes AND a rapid strip disc I managed to get it to bare metal.


I took a trip to vg auto paints to pick up my paint!

What I picked up: DNA premixed candy orange 1L, DNA micro flakez 12cc (50 micron) for the intense glimmer effect.





These micro flakez are so fine you can mix them into the paint. No nozzle clogging, and no need for a flake gun! Mixed the flakes straight into the candy and shook. Opened it up and looked inside the lid. Amazed with the results I quickly made a call to my painter.
I took over the paint to Richie at R-CRAFT so he can start painting as he already had finished priming and rubbing back my swingarm, frame and chain guard.

Ill see it in a weeks time, can't wait!

This front end defiantly looks neat, and for the price at $200 I couldn't say no. Even if they were sh1t. I picked them up at "Brookys motorcycle accessories" at brookvale. The owner was a nice bloke, defiantly will be visiting again!



I wanted to put these for a test run.
(Different spring combos, oil viscosity etc..)
If they work well I will try snap up a deal on a few sets for future builds.

The kit includes -

Front End with Disc Brake & Hub

5cm Above Standard Front End

Width Between Fork Legs 150mm

Steering Length (From top plate to bottom plate) approx 155mm

Steering Stem Ø23mm

Front Fork length (from top to bottom) approx 585mm

Front Disc Ø 156mm

Tapered Roller Bearings (Top & Bottom)

Speedo Cable approx 610mm

Complete Front Master Cylinder with Chrome Lever & Brake Light Switch

8mm Mirror Perch

Fork Legs Metallic Silver

Chrome Headlight Ears & Top Plate & Centre Nut
.............................................................................................

Not bad for the price eh
And 5cm longer than stock for z50s
And 5cm shorter than stock for my ct70
(Didn't realise till I was home) at first bummed... But then I realised "low rider"!

Stock forks are being brought back to life with new seals and paint as we speak, when I decide to bring everything back to oem one day! I now decided to keep my ct70 original and use these on my hardtail!


Anyway went to my powdercoater and picked up this !
Loving the results!! (A little dusty) but they look amazing in person!














(Dusted)

(I have also since purchased every part needed from nut and bolt to make this k3 oem again! Every rare part sourced! From k3 fork ears to k3 tail light bracket Took me months and many fights with the mrs because of my OCD and this build)
Total approx $1300+ in oem parts
Defiantly not a cheap build this one

Arriving soon! Pix when i start getting things in the mail!

Ohh almost forgot!






Everything waiting anxiously!

-Dan