In the late sixties, kids were tough. How tough (ask in Rodney Dangerfield’s voice)? Parents bought their kids motorcycles for Christmas! That’s how tough! Now those little motorcycles are selling for the price of a good used Harley! If you are looking to relive that bandaged and bruised childhood or pass along that treasured experience to your children or grandchildren, then we have a project for you. Take a look at the 1970 Honda CT70H for sale on eBay in surely you can’t be serious Shirley, New York. When you look, though, only cast your eyes on the one on the right, that is the one for sale, with bidding currently at $1,010 for this incomplete terrorizer of early seventies subdivisions.
America in the late sixties was a country that loved to spend time outdoors. From campers to four-wheel drive trucks to motorcycles, we were purchasing outdoor recreation products at a rapid rate. Honda was there to capitalize on that movement, with motorcycles that ranged from what would be called mopeds today to the big and completely revolutionary CB750 motorcycle. Somewhere on the smaller end was the Honda CT-70.
In the middle of 1969, Honda came out with a diminutive single-cylinder motorcycle with knobby wheels and just enough in the way of lights to get it registered as a road vehicle in some states. This was to be the CT-70, the terror of neighborhoods and campgrounds. The funny thing is that it was equipped with a seat big enough for two late 1960s Americans but put out just 6 horsepower. Some models came with a manual transmission, while others put the power to the ground through a semi-automatic transmission. The frame was, in Honda practice at the time, stamped steel.
The bike you see here is one that has lost a few parts on the way. Chances are it was a parts bike to the one on the left in the picture at the top. Bikes like this were once very popular, and everyone from kids to campers had one of these to tool around with. Now, with nostalgia being what it is, prices on nice examples have absolutely skyrocketed. This article from Hemmings written late last year chronicles selling prices up to $10,000 for bikes that sold for under $400 new. Surely this desire to make a buck before the tulipmania subsides is a reason this one has hit the market.
As you can see, a few parts are missing here. The seller has created a list of missing items and their cost to replace them via used parts on eBay. The claim is that around $700 would get the job done. Another option may be Honda. The company had a reputation for stocking parts for motorcycles long out of production. The recent interest in getting these little monsters back on the road has likely made that avenue unlikely, but it is a good excuse for going down to your local motorcycle dealer and looking around for something a bit bigger, albeit with less charm.
Did you have a CT-70 when you were a kid? Would you like to have one now? Let us know in the comments.
Crazy, bought a CT-70 for my kids to play with 30 years ago and was complete and ran for 300 dollars. This nostalgia wave driving these prices to these levels is absolutely mind blowing.
I don’t get it either.What do the buyers of these
do with them?
They’re not selling for $10k, $5k l, or even $3k. It’s fake news.
Either that, or two idiots got carried away at an auction (happens all the time). They do sell high, around 3 to 5K if not needing much work. Check sold auctions on Ebay- plenty of examples in that price range, and they are paying shipping on top
LOL! You are 100% W-R-O-N-G, TomP!
Check the over 130 CT70’s sold on BaT for the last few years and you will definitely have to rethink your comment about selling prices.
Yes you are right, and Hemmings too, and also big name auctions like Mecum.
They are selling for big money.
Go to Barrett or Mecham. They do sell for over 10k. Suckers born every minute
Remember that image of two really fat guys (I think they were brothers) riding these? The McCrary brothers. 700 pounds apiece. I can’t unsee the image
Freak show performers, I believe.
Professional wrestlers, so yeah, you are correct.
With a title they bring 3 to 5 k in good running original
nice condition. K0 4 speeds are cool.
These we a lot of fun in the day, but were $3-400.00 mini-bikes. As was pointed out earlier, Honda is selling a new version of these for around $4400.00. When still seems like crazy money to me for what these actually deliver as a riding experience.
I learned to ride a 4 speed motorcycle on mine. Then quickly moved up to a “real” trail bike. The drag racers on tv can justify paying $4k for these, maybe. I’d give this guy a hundred bucks for this stripped out memory lane.
My dad bought me a 1971 CT 70 when I was 12 years old in 1972. I still, to this day, count it as one of my best childhood memories. I spent hours and hours terrorizing the neighborhood with my two buddies and our mini bikes
What ever the seller is ingesting to come up with the idea of these prices, I wanna know. I’ll definitely stay away from whatever it is
I bought my 2,000 mile 79 CBX for $3000.00 in 86. Sold it at 7500 miles in 98 for $3500.00. Could get $20,000.00 for it today. Absolutely ridiculous pricing today.
Teens, can be cruel. While riding my blue one they yelled: “ hey lardass, get a horse”!
SOLD for $1,525.
These things abounded when I was a kid… these and the little QA-50… Rode them everywhere… no open field, trail through the wood or sand pit was safe…
no parents involved. Lots of missing skin and sprained ankles after a day. Bumps on the head too… we didn’t need no stinking helmets… Different times.
All my friends had one of these back in the day except me, so I had to ride on the back, damn near fell off many times, as we rode thru the woods on never ventured before “paths”. It was fun though.
I’ve got a blue CT-70 , surviver , all original and I’ve got the original title !
The only thing that is not original is the chain, throttle and brake cables, the bottom heat shield on exhaust, and seat !!
Those parts were replaced with OEM genuine Honda replacements. It’s a 3 speed, starts on first kick every time, I might consider selling it if someone was interested ? I’ll check back in coments !!
Hi Steve, why don’t you let us auction it right here on Barn Finds?
Hi Steve
Can you provide some pics ?
Thanks, Steve
I have 2 Lifan 125s in my garage. Chinese replicas of the 70. Had them 20yrs. Still running. They’re a blast. However my 1972 Honda 50 is worth more than both of them. Go figure.
I don’t really get it either, not rare, very basic and simple, not good looking. Nothing against them, can see them being fun, but I can buy a nice UJM for less money. I remember them being around as a kid, but no real strong nostalgia for them.
I have a Pristine Topaz Orange 4 speed, also a Lime 4 speed needing some parts, & a Red 3 speed parts bike. Started collecting these about 30 years ago. They are aTon of Fun! Also very useful at Drag Strip! Had more of these before but people were begging me to sell to them for their Kids. As to Prices, Everything Is Going Up Out Of Control.
I think TV show Pawn Stars has one of these displayed on upper shelf in main show room.May be an older show, reruns ya know.
Can I recant a comment to add more?
I’ve got a Green 1971 Honda CT-70H with a 4 speed manual clutch. It’s got 740 miles on it and I love it. I had a gold colored 3 speed CT70 and traded it for this one. They are one of a kind
Funny as I run Minigunz.com, 45 years of restoring bikes and engines for50″s and 70’s, I currently am building a personal CT70H 1970 model with every part except the frame brand new in Honda packaging. All NOS parts purchased 35 years ago.
Handle bars, fork crown, knobs, cables,harness, key switch, fuel tank, seat, battery box, rectifier,Muffler, heat shields, skid plate, Carburetor, cyl head, cylinder, crankshaft, ignition, flywheel, 4 speed trans, clutch, rims, wheel hubs, brake plates, bridgestone tires, tail light bracket, tail light assembly. headlight bucket, head light assembly. horn switch , Horn, hi/lo switch, grips, throttle assembly. Air box assembly, ignition coil, the whole bike is NOS Parts 4 speed speedo, fenders, bolts/nuts, this is going to be a genuine brand new Honda CT70-H off the show room floor, not restored just built with factory Honda NOS parts acquired in a huge stash I purchased from a personal friend. I am documenting every part in the packaging before I assemble the complete bike. Minigunz.com
I bought the Topaz Orange on the right off of eBay. Paid $1525. Stripped it to bare metal , painted it , and having the engine rebuilt . I am in a wheelchair or I would do the engine myself. I love to rebuild these bikes because I had one when I was a kid . It gives me something to do also , because I can’t do much more . These bikes are smoking hot . I will be listing this bike on this website soon , I also have a 69 ST 70 that is basically new , every nut and bolt is brand new , mostly built with Honda parts
@steve3nn8 – We can auction it for you!
Sounds good to me Jesse !
Here is the bike on the right . Just waiting on the engine to come back from the builder ( Enzomoto). The bike has turned out great so far .
Serial tag
One just sold last week on a big name auction site, it was a red one owned by John Wayne, they had lots of paperwork for proof, it sold for………….$29,000!!!!
Here’s the bike on the right , all finished , , Jesse ,will you guys allow 2 bikes on the same auction?