1965 Honda Trail 90 Restoration

1965 CT200 (Trail90) Restoration. 1964 and 1965 (the first two years of production) the Trail 90 bikes were modeled CT200. After that, Honda changed their model numbers (on all their motorcycles) to reflect the engine size. Thus, Trail 90s became CT90s.

[@beaubrummelmotorizedbicycles]

Well done, a very nice build. I like your attention to detail and it shows in the final product. A bike and job to be proud of.

[@jonlambshead5115]

GOOD JOB Well Done

[@eaytc6968]

Great video! Just started work on my 64 CT200. I purchased the exact same Lifan 125 kit. Your video has/is/will help immensely. Thank you!

[@johnheywood9826]

Glad it helped! Have fun with it!

[@eaytc6968]

@@johnheywood9826 Can you tell me what rear sprocket you used? The one that came with the Lifan kit is too large to bolt up. Thinking about staying with the 420 chain since the functionality of the larger sprocket would not be lost -never used. However, the 428 chain is a better size, just can’t find the right 428 sprocket that fits. Thanks

[@johnheywood9826]

@@eaytc6968 I used the original small sprocket. My bike is a CT200 and so it had the large and small sprocket. I just removed the large one and kept the small. I think I might have had to cut the chain down to size to fit.

[@shalenaross5779]

Oh I wanna take after this and do what you did with the aftermarket and modern accessories! beautiful breath of new life!

[@ozarkmixdj]

What a bike! My father in law just gave me one in yellow. About to get to work!

[@TheRealKalEll]

With much respect nicely done Sir!!!

[@TheRealKalEll]

Rumor has it that the air filter was placed high with the exhaust outlet in case of river crossings and floods.

[@johnheywood9826]

Thank you!

[@findingneutral]

You've got serious refurb skills! Beautiful. Love the color 😍

[@williamllorens2141]

Nice restoration, love the color ❤

[@staples138]

Wow, looks like I'm lucky to find one without rust

[@jeffreyelliott622]

Wow great job for bringing the ole girl back to life !!!!

[@johnheywood9826]

Almost all handle bar accessories are made for 7/8" handlebars. The Trail 90s are 3/4" and so they are all loose. My solution was to take a piece of 3/4" copper pipe and cut it to length and it slides right over the original handlebars. Then, the aftermarket accessories will fit. I used a two-part glue to secure the copper pipe to the original handlebars. Forgot to explain this in the video. If you look closely at the videos, you'll see some black-painted copper pipe on the handlebars.

[@shalenaross5779]

That a good idea! thank you for letting us know.

[@tturner7786]

Everybody's so set on making it stock but if you don't have a good base to go from yeah it gets crazy expensive. I kept mine stock cuz it was in great condition when I bought it and I only had to fill in a few parts. But I love it with people take one that's totally roached messed up and just make it their own. I think you did a great job. I would love to get one. That's pretty roached and just kind of make it into a custom design with the 125 or 140 nice work. Thanks for the video

[@johnheywood9826]

Thanks! I appreciate that. I am currently working on a 1964. It's one of the first 4,000 Trail 90s ever made. I'm going to keep it bone stock and I might not even paint it. It's the twin to the one I did in this video. Same condition. Abandoned in a field. Last registered over 60 years ago! Feel free to watch those videos!

[@148luke]

This is awesome! I’m working on a similar project I have 2 1968’s Definitely needed some of the info you had in the video, thank you thank you!! Great job!

[@148luke]

I’m kinda stumped finding ruber bushings for the front brake link arm. One that goes from the fork to the hub, we’re you able to find them anywhere?

[@johnheywood9826]

I'm glad some of it was useful! Good luck!

[@johnheywood9826]

@@148luke Sorry. I couldn't find them either.

[@eaytc6968]

Beautiful bike, thank you for the great video! I am completing the exact same project: year, condition, engine kit, finally convinced myself to abandon the very fine factory levers, throttle and switches… My question is, what brake cables did you use to connect the new levers to factory brakes? Also, any tips on the battery and bulbs? Thank you again, great bike, and great job.

[@johnheywood9826]

I think I just used oem brake cables if I remember correctly. They mated up to my after-market levers and of course, the oem brake system. I converted mine to 12 volt since the Lifan is a 12volt engine. I had to stuff a larger 12volt battery in, one that fit, but with NO extra room. I searched and searched for a 12volt brake and headlight. You can find them, but I remember the headlight was difficult. Then I had to find places for all the other electronics. I used the air filter box for most of it. I had to run all my own wiring, so it was a lot of time cutting and soldering wires, etc. My speedometer gauge area is filled with all the extra wires. Not ideal, but it's how I did it since my speedometer was trash. Have fun and good luck!

[@danconant6401]

Awesome work,just wondering if you have any video or photos you could add of it being rescued out the field. And before restoration .once again great job.that yellow pops!!

[@johnheywood9826]

Unfortunately I don't have any rescue videos. Wish I would have! It was an afterthought to put this on KZbin, so I wasn't thinking about it. Thanks for your feedback!

[@st2216]

Amazing transformation! I don't think I have the energy to do this restoration, my hat off to you! Any problem mounting the Lifan engine to the CT90 frame, just wondering...?

[@johnheywood9826]

Thanks much! I had to shave a bit of material off the frame (1/4") to get the engine to seat properly, but not a big deal. I wish I would have fit the engine before painting it, but it was fine.

[@t.j._edits9669]

Hi John, would you ever release a google doc with the links provided for the stuff you bought for this conversion? I'm trying to restore a 1970 Honda 90 (Same yellow color) and this conversion gives me hope I can do the same, Thanks!

[@johnheywood9826]

I don't have all of the links handy, but I found a lot of the stuff on Amazon. I wish I would have kept a record of what and where I bought everything, but I didn't. There are a couple of links from previous comments, but nothing extensive.

[@GuapoCoupe]

Cool bike, I want to do a motor swap also as you have given me much inspiration. I have the same bike that is in similar condition like when you fist got yours! Could you provide a link to where you purchased the motor. Thanks!

[@johnheywood9826]

I bought my motor on Amazon. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HYMNYPV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@jacquesmorincaballero5373]

Hello good work I have 2 of then pretty bikes. Did you fit the engine in the original holes or you had to make new holes. Thanks to show your work

[@johnheywood9826]

The engine fit into the original holes with some very minor trimming of the frame.

[@jacquesmorincaballero5373]

@@johnheywood9826 ok so you trimmed the frame. Yes. Good ...thanks ..I will see on mine

[@edwardgolonka-jd4sc]

Yea tips where did u get parts,?

[@johnheywood9826]

I bought a lot of stuff on Amazon. A few things on ebay. I searched the web for some of the original Honda parts like brakes and such. I wish I would have kept better track because now I can't remember where I got what. I know the Lifan engine was an Amazon purchase.

[@ronfrauts3678]

Where did the footrest come from?

[@johnheywood9826]

Footpegs-www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3QKH4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Footpeg Rest- www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P755CGP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*'FRANKENHONDA!'* *You've done a remarkable job of 'resto-mod' on the 'field-junk'* ( *Should have a 65-mph 'top-end' on the machine now, depending on your wheel-gearing* ) *Honda used to make a 'vinyl cover' for the down-tube decades back...I wonder if it's still available?* ________ *I also wonder if the new 'snorkel' air-intake would fit your machine, after you replace the 'Lifan' carb w/something better...it would look VERY impressive to have one installed, very 'tres moderne'* ) ( *Personally, I think your creation is worth at least $2K 'just like it sits' because demand is extremely high for this type of bike from the 'RV' crowd and the 'quasi-adventure week-end warrior' types because a simple back-bumper mount is enough for the size and weight of the 'Honda?'* ) ------------- *'Kudos' and a 'hat-tip' are warranted for your 'build-quality' and over-all appearance, because the machine is likely far superior now to what it was in the 60's era...and if that 'Lifan' engine didn't it's maker stamped-in, I would swear 'That's a Honda engine!"*

[@joharb]

Hi John where did your aftermarket parts from?

[@johnheywood9826]

Mostly on Amazon and Ebay. I wish I'd kept specifics, but I didn't. You can also find parts at www.davidsilverspares.com/CT200/

[@joharb]

Thanks for replying, bike looks great by the way especially the paint job.

[@piggonecrazy4913]

Would the new engine make it a full manual bike?

[@johnheywood9826]

It doesn't. You shift through the gears like the original, but it still has an automatic clutch. The levers on the handlebars are both brake levers. One is redundant since you also have the foot brake.

[@eaytc6968]

Did you use a petcock?

[@johnheywood9826]

I didn't. I'm stuck with only the main tank. Could be added

[@CharlieRoamin]

'restoration' ???????

[@scottp7587]

not a true restore

[@johnheywood9826]

Thanks for that

[@shalenaross5779]

CT200-130224 is the serial number on the one I just got!