Completely disassembling Honda Trail 70 motorcycle | Redline Update #70

Davin dives into the next rebuild project, a 1973 Honda Trail 70 motorcycle. The nostalgia for this vintage mini bike comes flooding back as he takes it apart piece by piece, bolt by bolt. And even though it's in fairly good shape, there are a few surprises along the way as we get ready to completely restore this 70cc bit of history.
Thanks to our sponsor RockAuto.com. RockAuto.com is an auto parts retailer founded in 1999 by automotive engineers with two goals: Liberate information hidden behind the auto parts store counter (by listing all available parts, not just what one store stocks or one counter-person knows), and make auto parts affordable so vehicles of all ages can be kept reliable and fun to drive. Visit www.rockauto.com/?a=HG-YT-21Q3 to order auto parts online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have them conveniently delivered to your door. Need help finding parts or placing an order? Visit our Help pages for further assistance!
Subscribe to our KZbin channel for new videos every day! bit.ly/HagertyKZbin
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.com/media
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.com/media/newsletter/
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | Hagerty
Instagram | Hagerty
Twitter | Hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyChipFoose
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - [e-mail]
Press inquiries - [e-mail]
Partnership requests - [e-mail]
#RedlineUpdate #HagertyDriversClub #HagertyGarage

[@EllisFamilyBusiness21]

I am the grandson & son of original owners of Sandusky Motor Parts & the original dealer & seller of that Honda CT 70. We couldn’t be happier to see that bike still bringing joy happiness so may years later. We are also happy to see you restored our dealership sticker to pass down with the history of this bike for many more years to come. From the Ellis Family THANK YOU Raymond Ellis lll Ellis Family Motorcycle & ATV Repair Im sure Dad & Grandpa are looking down proudly 🙏 🙏

[@n4zou]

Honda could start selling the exact same motorcycle today by the millions. It's a timeless machine.

[@gabrielulibarri9950]

They have they new Monkey, which is pretty dang close. But with ABS and EFI ect.

[@marcryvon]

And the Cub 50. Same engine and trans. Had a 67 bought used - 50$ !) but with badly smoking. Fixed it myself, honing, new rings. Voilà. Did all my high school years with it. Sold it 300$. Should have never sold it. Now at 68 y.o. it would be perfect for me. Darn !

[@jlelaidier125]

There's a prototype floating around that looks like they might

[@jumawirhuang7477]

@Lassi Kinnunen 81 yeah i have wave 125i basicly same engine from monkey,grom

[@orangepekoe7096]

I think they're releasing it's bigger brother the CT 125i ABS.

[@michaelmathews295]

You need JIS screwdrivers to work on the Big 4 motorcycles. Any screw with a dot on it will strip out with standard phillips type bits.

[@michaelmathews295]

By the way; FIRST!

[@stopstalkingyouspookybastard]

are you sure? i think its possible that trail 70 has regular philips head since they were produced for us market. here in europe they are called st70 or dax and they are a bit different to us and canada version

[@honda8192]

@@stopstalkingyouspookybastard they’re made in Japan so use JIS (Japanese industry standard) screws.

[@ibast1]

@@stopstalkingyouspookybastard I wouldn't take it as a given that every screw on a 70s bike is JIS. Some of the early bikes it was the carbies only, for example. But it is worth noting it's a high possiblity.

[@billyhellboy6138]

U want jiz your suss your all sus talking about ya jisz

[@stellarluna2637]

Owned one of these in 1977 I was 10 . Saved up all of my Christmas and birthday money . Owned it until my son was born , restored it for him and he rode it for 3 years. Then it was time to move it along to someone else with a young boy. Looking forward to watching this one unfold.

[@car-man]

I am your fan in Korea. I am doing car maintenance in Korea. I'm always learning a lot while watching your cool videos. I'm a Korean car maintenance KZbinr like you. I definitely want to meet you someday.

[@jasondk5127]

I distinctly remember when my dad introduced me to the impact driver and I had to have one of my own. Unfortunately I have his now and will pass it on to my son.

[@kmburges]

Wow that comment hit me particularly hard. I have some duplicated tools too that I’d gladly give back. Much as you stated, I will enjoy giving them forward though. 😥

[@christiansanchez1486]

Sometimes the stuff that’s handed down are some of the best things you’ll ever get to own

[@christiaanbrown4278]

Yup, got my dad's impact driver and everything else that wasn't stolen.

[@nobs7199]

Most fun and best mini bike ever made - Period!

[@datgamerboy123]

Am I the only one who finds the tear down/rebuild videos satisfying?

[@davidt6895]

Great find for me. I'm restoring what appears to be the same bike. I have a late 1973 CT70K3. Just started this week. I'm installing an 88cc bore kit, gained a few pounds since 1969. Thanks for the tip on impact screwdriver. And you're spot on, was true back in 1969 as it is today, so much fun to ride, can't wipe the smile off my face. Appreciate the video.

[@CarsandCameras]

These bikes are the BEST! 190 swap it!

[@motorsportmach]

I was just thinking how John and Ike would love this for new build.! 👍 Nice solid bike from the start.

[@SDS-1]

Lol hi Jon hi Isaac

[@PumpkinJack3939]

Noo gotta keep it honda, a big bore and stroker would make it go 60 easy and look better than any chinese engine

[@idubz]

No

[@titusjoe7309]

With lots of love from India, we all like your projects...

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great share man , I am 49 years old & I bet I have had that many of those in my years . Use to fix them up and sell them for 2-3 hundred bucks .. Now they go for 1,000 to 2,500 .. ENJOYED !!

[@joeroad6618]

I recommend Vapor Blasting the aluminum case and parts and then a clearcoat to keep them fresh looking.

[@jimclarke1108]

Usually you meet the nicest people on Hondas, Davin ))) Top mechanical show on KZbin

[@noisybarinavalon]

I had a Honda XL-70 back in the 70s of the same color. Good times is rural North Carolina. That thing helped me to develop a traveling bone and I've been all over the world since.

[@jrjames9106]

I'm watching this video cause I'm in the process of rebuilding my own 1970 k0 from when I was a kid , 30 years later and I wanna bring her back alive

[@TOM-C.]

This one will be interesting. My friend, back around 1972 received this same bike for his birthday. I'm not sure I would have wanted other people riding my Trail 70, but he was a generous sort, and let all the kids ride it. some were better than others, and it quickly got some wear in dings, and scratches, but what fun times we had on that little bike.

[@dennisward1361]

I think one of the top 5 bikes Honda built ,,,,literally indestructible ,would love to have one .

[@ecarasig]

I really don't know why I love these little honda trails so much, but I think they are so cool!

[@Hagerty]

We feel the same way! Even with as poorly as it was running, we all had blast rallying it around the garage and the parking lot before Davin took it apart!

[@gregbishop3167]

In 74 I got the Honda MR50. 3 speed and two stroke with a clutch. Had lots of friends and a cousin with one of these. We’d race all around the fields and trails. Great times.

[@BBCharger5spd]

My mother had one of these growing up in the early 70s --- It's actually sitting in my shed... it's the blue model but its a 1969 model - I'll be following this build ! planning on restoring that old bike

[@josephhoover7175]

Those trail 70s Have gotten to be such the trend. They look like such the cool short distance cruzer.

[@EllisFamilyBusiness21]

Hi my RJ Ellis I know where that Honda CT70 was sold by the sticker on the left side of the fram. Sandusky Motor Parts our family business from 1953 to 2006 my Grandfather probably sold that CT70. We are very proud to see you keep the sticker in the restoration.

[@johnhenke6475]

I was in Casa Grande Arizona in 1972. One night two guys showed up at a gas station on these things. They had come from San Diego California and were on their way to someplace else, I don't remember. But we were all impressed.

[@Rick_B52]

I still have mine! Bought it from a kid at school. We got two actually for 10 bucks! Did a frame off total restore 15 years ago. Love the thing.

[@dantuttle2050]

I got a '75 Trail 70 last spring for $150. I had wanted one of them since I rode one the 1st time when I was 10. 1974 was a long time ago! Of all things it was missing the bolt for the camshaft, the flywheel and side cover. And it had been stored outside for who knows how long. So rust in the cylinder and full of leaves. I got a complete topend for $80, a used flywheel and an NOS side cover. It started right up and is now my pit bike for when I go to El Mirage. Need to replace the clutch and rebuild the forks this winter. And maybe some fresh tires. I love these little motorcycles!

[@JoDoDesigns2011]

When I was younger I had a 70 Honda 3 Wheeler, and being a young kid around 10ish I went to replace the spark plug, and cross threaded it, so my dad made me tear it apart to take the head to get fixed, so we, me with his watching, did a freshen up on the top end.

[@lot27a]

When I was growing up we had Campus bikes, Rupp (TT500) minibikes and that was it essentially. When Honda brought out the Trail 50 and the Trail 70, we all knew these were game changers. As much as I liked the Briggs and Tecumseh motors for minibikes and go carts, the Honda motors brought high technology with these little wonders. So happy Davin has decided to do this because I have a big chunk of my childhood right there. Laser focused on this build!

[@heavenlyblue]

Wow does this bring back memories from 1971 racing my friend around a little circle dirt track who had one of these. I had a Yamaha 60 Enduro, so was some good fun racing.

[@motorcityoctane6713]

I had 2 CT 90's & 1961 Honda Dream that was my dads. Had to sell them after he passed & I miss them, but I still have all the memories which will be with me forever

[@asarand]

It's interesting to note that the trail 70 was the second mini bike. The first one was the trail 50, which had the same 50cc engine that was used in the original Honda 50 motorcycle. I always thought it was amazing that they took what was originally the power plant for a full size motorcycle and made it the power plant for a mini bike when the full size bikes reached 350 cc's and bigger.

[@Mr-hn6sn]

In 1974 I had a Candy green one . I loved that little Trail 70

[@shedbuiltmoto]

Two greasy thumbs way up ! 👍👍

[@daveevans7438]

Davin, great video! I'm downstate in GR.. redoing a 1973 Suzuki RV125. I already have everything blasted and powdered coated. Starting to reassemble it now. ( Haven't touched the motor yet). I'm redoing the whole paint scheme. Blacked out everything and using all stainless hardware. So far looking good...👍

[@danhambrick6331]

Very excited for this build.😁My very first motorcycle was the CT 70.I was 7 yrs old.That was over 40 yrs ago....

[@ftby59mikeD]

Davin holding up that mighty 70cc engine was like a 'Lion King' moment!😂 Thanks Hagerty!

[@vaggelisdogas]

In Greece as a teenager if you are quite into motorcycles there's a good chance that you start with a motorcycle that has a variation of that exact engine,honda powered c50,GLXs, anything . For many of us disassembling the top end of these engines with friends is like a 40min job tops,they are quite simple and easy to upgrade them(it's not weird to see a honda crankcase of that family to be bored even at 60mm), they are bulletproof if they are maintained correctly , I've seen engines that has 100k KMs and they perform excellent, no burning oil no nothing .

[@kalvinle2201]

My dad used to be a Moped and small motorcycle mechanic in Vietnam. This video remind me of him. Thank you Davin for this Video. We also had a 1964 Honda Chaly with same orange color like this trail 70, still running strong today.

[@joeleyendecker5346]

Those are pretty valuable nowadays. I remember, not long ago, when you could buy one that "Ran" for about $50....not anymore.... I thought I was already too big for one of them when they came out. A couple of my little brothers friends had them though. They were fun to ride close to the Camp. My Parents started me out on a Suzuki 150 street bike with knobby tires we put on it to make it a little more "Sand Worthy". Then when my parents thought I learned to ride well enough they bought me a used Hodaka 100. My first of many real "Dirt Bikes". A far cry from the "Barge" "Squirrely in the Sand" Suzuki twin.... We'd go camping in the Desert about every other weekend as kids. Either to Glammoths or Split Mountain (Blow Sand), In the Lower California deserts. I knew every inch of those riding areas. We did a lot of "Smoke Bomb" races out there... ("Smoke Bomb".... A race where They'd lite a bunch of old tires on fire about 20 miles away across the desert. You'd race to them and back to where we started from...usually took about a tank of gas a lap. Usually did 2-3 laps for a complete race) I still call them "The Good Old Days"....lol 👍

[@hunterjones9822]

My first dirtbike as a kid!

[@flooringpro]

Rode them at camp then uncle brought up two xr75s we fought over those. The good old days

[@seangray933]

First bike I ever rode was a trail 90. Thing was indestructible.

[@gabechiplin8140]

Thanks Davin. In Oz we have ct110's hidden in sheds everywhere as they were/ are used by our postal service since the 80's. Quite the revival of them going on.

[@paulshamblin6260]

My first motorcycle. Great bikes. Super tough.

[@user-ue9qn9ju3m]

兄から譲り受け 若い頃乗ってた。46年前、力があって乗りやすく、音もステキでしたよ、

[@hawkdsl]

One of the very best trail bikes ever conceived. They never die, easy to work on. This is very exciting!

[@tim0025]

No matter what type of engine, always committed and those jokes ... Good luck!

[@josephdougherty2399]

Having rebuilt, built and restored more bikes than I can remember....to really clean aluminum cases, jugs etc .. give em a good washing, then a liberal bath in brake cleaner and stiff plastic bristle brush ... Last step is glass beading in blast cabinet.....will look like a brand new casting

[@fw1421]

An impact driver was a mandatory tool back in the 70’s if you owned a motorcycle. Stripped out heads were common and changing them from Philips to Allen heads was mandatory.

[@sonyhk3824]

So interesting, many thanks to you all guys

[@RTDragonCommando]

These bikes are making a big comeback the past couple of years, it makes me happy. The first motorcycle I ever rode was a 1983 one, looked pretty much exactly the same. Then I got my own bike, a 1977 XR75. After that I borrowed a friend's 81 XL125s for a few years, still wish I'd bought it.

[@timothyearp631]

I have a C-70 Passport that I found a guy to modify to get more power out of. The barrel, piston, head, cam, carb, and intake were all replaced. He also suggested replacing / modifying the oil pump and the oil passages in the block. I wish I had more details but it has been at least 5 years since I hade the mods done. I found the guy selling parts on Ebay and he was local to me so I took the bike to him out in Beaverton, OR

[@p.d.nickthielen6600]

I remember these fondly in the mid 1970s and I remember the first time I saw an impact driver used was on one of these motors. I had a friend with the automatic version

[@ditzydoo4378]

You meet the nicest people overhauling a Honda... ^~^ now there's a twist on an old commercial advertisement... ~_^

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I nearly bought a 74 the other day in the same color, in really clean shape for $900. I was literally 1 minute too late responding to the ad. Person before me bought it without seeing it in person.

[@danasharpe3247]

Had a QA 50 as a kid, I loved it...

[@andrei.g2588]

...Davin, you're a Joy. Congrats to you and the team behind.

[@rogerw3818]

My cousins had that same color on theirs. Got handed down through the three of them, then through another generation. Nothing could match the longevity of those little Hondas.

[@dbeasleyphx]

Drinking game! Drink a shot every time Dave says “Relative to...”!

[@dickhansen8594]

Pretty cool teardown. Thank you

[@michaelmurphy6869]

Those were awesome bikes!! A friend of mine growing up had one. I think it was a '74 model same color. It was a 3 speed topped out at about 40-45 mph. We rode it everywhere. If I remember right it cost about 35¢ to fill it up (at that time). You could ride for days!!! Great memories!! That'll be a great project and a lot of fun restoring it! Keep up that great work!!

[@jeffmorse3150]

My first bike was the honda 50. I had so many people that wanted to be my friend when I got it.

[@engineeringpunk]

This is going to be a fabulous series.

[@SpatialDragon]

Thank you for bringing us someone that I enjoy and sure it is just a mini bike, but I had one and it is fun to see them working. Davin is fun to watch.

[@toddathey1235]

Had one of these when I was 9 or 10 and then moved up to a 1972 Ct 90 that I still have today 40 + years later. Great video. Can’t wait to see it done

[@lancebandy9901]

I've got a 1974 xl70 with 5000 miles that still runs great

[@mexicanspec]

I had a red one as a kid. I want another one.

[@cptyler150]

Keep these episodes up. I cant get enough of them they are not only entertaining but very information packed

[@paulbensen8511]

Thank you for doing the rebuild on the CT70! I’m doing the same thing one few of them myself. I’m with you 100%. You are right on it with this project.

[@TheKamil2310]

Oh no, papa D gona make this collectible quote skyrocket again

[@JohnThomas-vb9se]

Timing it is really simple. Top dead center on compression stroke and cam lobes basically pointing straight down towards the piston. You’ll see the marks. Had several those apart as a teen ager, xr50, xr80, atc70, all basically the same.

[@roudyroy1]

I call those impact drivers the " Jesus Tool". has saved me many times

[@kirbyswarp]

Good comment

[@Hagerty]

Haha! Love it!

[@ljkkj2511]

So true!

[@connorssmallengines6663]

Oh they are the most important tool on these small Honda’s! I got one for 10 bucks, saved me about 3 hours!

[@chrisrmorriscm]

They have always been hit or miss for me, then my tool dealer showed me a version that works on your Air Hammer... hasnt ever failed to remove a fastener.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Yep, the good ole impact driver........all my Japanese bikes got a set of Allen head screws installed in them, unless, of course, it was a 100% concours resto. Remember taking my first motorcycle driver's license test on a CT70H hand clutch model back in '72, the bike just needed to have a hand clutch was the only requirement back then.

[@haha__cool_yes]

I love that we get the time-lapse footage of you guys making a time-lapse video lol

[@Hagerty]

Haha! It's so... literal.

[@waylonfuckingjennings]

Best bike of all time....hands down

[@kelleykdavisify]

Had one in the early 70's....a blast to ride

[@ronlynch7744]

Great tear down. 😎👍

[@Alex_Miller1980]

I'm a motorcycle technician, I deal with small or mid engines, today I removed the top end of an 250, blind timing gear sprocket, TDC & belt tensioner installation, voila, just to replace a defective head gasket, it pretty fun to tinker with all kind of 2 wheelers, Chinese, japanese, Italian, Hindu, not many American brands tho !

[@bsheedy7639]

Fantastic to see a 'diverse' project on Redline Vs big block work & love the picture book. 😀 Can't wait for the next video. These bikes are just so cool. Fan from Down Under. 💚

[@mikerobinson3672]

Doing a mechanical revamp on my 1974 XL70 that I rode as an early teen. I remember acting and thinking I was Steve McQueen on that thing in my early teens. I've done mechanical revamps on several Honda singles. I don't restore them. the patina look rocks and there only original once.

[@stephensuverison6803]

John and Issac from cars and cameras need to check out this video. They would be so jealous that the bike looks as clean as it does (especially the gas tank). Awsome series cant wait for the next episode!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Had one in the 70's, fun little Motorcycle. Bob

[@chuckcts-v3460]

Someone did lube that chain during its life. I just rebuilt a 1981 Trail 70, the primary on it had very little teeth left on it and it was egg shaped. Some original parts are still available from Honda. Check out DR ATV or Beatrice Cycle, they have some hard to find parts, Dennis Kirk has best prices on original type tires. Do not be surprised if the spark plug hole has been enlarged, had to do that on mine. Mecum Auctions sells some of these in the $5000 range. If you have been around cycles very long you know about impact drivers. The start of another great rebuild!

[@fulmetal1978]

The most reliable bike in the world

[@georgegrierson]

Restoring the aluminum finish I have just cleaned the cases and used silver hi-temp stove paint which matches the original really closely.

[@joelonderee2872]

Great video, as usual. I rode Honda bikes for many years but never saw the extent of the mechanics that I see here. Excellent. I remember using the hammer-twist screwdriver, but later replaced the hardware with socket head cap screws.

[@strife7333]

Vapor Blast those cases...works great on vintage motorcycle blocks and cases and other parts where you want to keep the factory raw finish!

[@streetballplayer100]

Thanks Hagerty, Davin! Always enjoy your videos

[@MarkMeadows90]

Those tiny tanks hold about 1.3 gallons actually. Fun little bikes to ride around on. Used to see them all the time as "pit bikes" at races.

[@matlecomte]

Sweet, looking forward to the rest of that!!

[@neebob2]

Always nice to find 1 that someone else hasn't buggered up . They are tough but yes. I think it was pampered . Maybe spent some time lashed to the back of an RV .

[@RestorationObsession]

I wanted one of those SO BADLY when I was a kid!!! My father wouldn't get me one though. But I did eventually get a 1980 Honda XL125S dirt bike, which was probably even more fun in the dirt. I still want a Trail 70 though.

[@dougg1075]

Used to ride the hell out one when I was a kid. It was perfect

[@tusel]

Shout out to Ben for thinking ahead and giving us a greater end result. Cant wait!

[@daniyuniardi1282]

Yes, finally bike project. This is one of my dream mini bike

[@BlazerProject]

They need to invite Cars and Cameras over because they have already done several of these bikes and look forward to seeing what this will become.

[@Friedbrain11]

That Honda was the must have if you had a chance to buy one back when I was young.

[@coryalansmith]

I learned how to ride on one of these things in the backwoods in Kentucky when I was about 10. Burned the heck out of my leg on that exhaust! Awesome build.

[@TheJesterstoybox]

Impact Drivers have saved me so many times! Great tool for sure.

[@epomeni-ekpompi]

Cant wait for the next episode