I Put a Larger Sprocket on My Honda Trail 90 - MASSIVE HILL CLIMBING POWER!

This time we are going to regear my vintage 1975 Honda Trail 90. The CT90 just doesn't have the torque needed to run some of the hill climbing and rock crawling trails we ride. In this video, I am going to get the bike ready to be a steep hill climbing MACHINE! I change the sprocket with a 51 tooth read sprocket, added a new nickel plated chain and rebuilt the seals on the front shocks. I also found out I broke some spoke on the wheels on our last trip so I replace some of the bad spokes as well. Will the new fork seals, fixed spokes and larger sprocket on the rear make the Trail 90 the ULTIMATE hill climbing machine? Let's find out!
Here is a longer video of the CT90 and the XL125 in action. • Road Trip and Vintage ...
And here is the full video of the Trail 90 Fork rebuild • Rebuilding DESTROYED H...
If you are receiving value from watching my videos, please return the favor and share my videos with your friends and family and on social media. You can also subscribe to my channel here www.youtube.com/@BIGFOOTBIKES...
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[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Here is a longer video of the CT90 and the XL125 in action. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqfYgaqmf9aGeq8 And here is the full video of the Trail 90 Fork rebuild kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3qmgWWPftKHnM0

[@SeriousSchitt]

These things are built only for posting letters. If you want to do serious off roading with them then they require substantial modification. Don’t piss around with trying to rebuild those old 90 front forks, they’ll hammer you to pieces and you’ll wish you’d never seen a CT90. I’m running CT200 front ends on mine, it makes them ridable. As for your rear sprocket, you’re on the right track (no pun intended) however we run 56 tooth sprockets. As requested, here’s a video of my CT’s. Whilst I didn’t go into great depth like you did I showed roughly how I built the bikes. I intend to build another bike, sometime in the future, showing the build process in depth, for those who may be interested. Thanks for posting your vid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTSqqyMl7inoqMsi=s13PEiGw8VtZGdgj kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5yTpGtslr6nbrssi=ZQEtze9Z730YPQUr kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYmVYn2pZ95of8Usi=WTS2diBdcVka-b9w

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Thanks! I like the idea of the CT200 forks. I might have to try that some day. I ordered a smaller engine sprocket I need to get installed before I take it climbing again. Thanks for sharing the videos!

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

I just found out that the CT200 was a thing over there! I had no idea Honda made those. You guys get all the cool stuff in AU!

[@phxfunfly9083]

I may do this on my 69. Great video! You film and edit well and deserve more subscribers. Keep up the great content!

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Thanks. Maybe one day YT will recommend my stuff to more people 😁I really like the larger sprocket. I didn't lost any top end either. Before It couldn't pull me to full rpm in 4 hi. I get all the rpms now. Thanks for watching.

[@bewilderment9268]

Oh, and love the Coronet too.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Thanks! Its a little out of the norm when you think of B bodies, but I dig it too! Thanks again for watching!

[@08Maxwell1]

In 1969 my Dad bought me a used 1965 Honda CT90. The 1964-66 models like mine came with two sprockets, one for road use and one for trail use. As a 15-16 year-old I drove the bike to work and school. However, it was often used for trail riding in the Southern California mountains behind our home. On some of those occasions I'd switch to the larger sprocket which only allowed a top speed of perhaps 25 mph. The difference was I could climb just about anything as long as traction was maintained. Being young, I rode the bike like it was built for motocross. The result was I seemed to constantly be fixing it. But I loved it and learned a lot about mechanics. The one memory I have about the sprocket change was that it was a pain to pull out the wrenches and physically change the two gears each time I wanted to go off road. Basically, doing what you did in your video every time. Later models of course allowed you to simply flip a switch to change gearing rather than being forced to replace chain and use the different sprockets. Your great video reminded me of the process required in those days.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

I would love to find one of the earlier CT90s some day. That double rear sprocket is such a wild idea!

[@08Maxwell1]

@@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS A couple days ago I came across one for sale. If you search Marketplace in South Bend, Indiana with the heading 1966 Honda CT you should find it. Just now checked and its still listed. His ad says its all original but I think the head is different than the one I used to have. I was tempted to make the 12 hr drive up and get it myself. If I was 20 years younger I might?

[@garygullikson6349]

I had the large low range rear sprocket installed on my '65 Trail 90, went up a slight incline in low gear and did an accidental wheelie spilling myself and wife off the bike. With large gear on, bike went about 20 mph in 4th gear as I recall.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Thanks for watching Gary. I would like to find one of those earlier Trail90s with the dual rear sprockets. Curious to compare one of those to the later ones with the hi/low gear boxes.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

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[@waynekorzan2496]

Great Video!! I wish I could have gone with you guys this year. Maybe next year with the XL 600! I have a new rear gear for that!

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Xl600R, that would be an adventure 😁

[@bewilderment9268]

They are only original 1 time. Yours is in pretty good shape. Me, l would not restore it. Just a good cleaning and MAYBE some touch up.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Thanks for the advice. I agree with you on this one. It is pretty darn nice and original right now. I think I might just buff if out and replace a couple rusty pieces with real Honda parts here and there. Thanks again for commenting!

[@harrishistoria]

Did that larger nut holding on the rear axel sleeve just come right off? My is spinning and I can't figure out how to get it off.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Hello Kevin. Are you talking about the axle nut that sits between the chain tensioner and the castle nut? (around 4:45 in the video) That should just thread on to the axle sleeve. I think I normally get it off with an impact gun. It's kind of a weird setup on these things.

[@bewilderment9268]

Dude, something is a little off with that sprocket. As you were washing the bike, the chain was tighter, looser, tighter etc. as if the sprocket isn't round. Thanks for the vid though, this is a change l will make on my 74 CT90. l live in west Texas and the slightest incline is detrimental to the power output.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Interesting. I didn't notice that. I'll check it out the next time I have the 90 out. I rode it about 20 miles on a really rocky trail last fall and didn't notice anything out of order. Thanks for the good eye!

[@markgallardo4486]

Nice video thanks, not many people have video of re gearing the ct90s.. got a question, did you pick up any speed on 4th gear? I know bigger rear sprocket is more tq but I’m also 230 pounds and 4th gear really dies out. I’m not trying to make a fast bike just curious on your top speed now. Thanks in advance

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

I'm about the same size. It will pull all the rpms now in 4th hi. It wouldn't do that before. I'm guessing I gained top end!

[@markgallardo4486]

Thank you sir!

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

@@markgallardo4486 Any time. I normally ride my just ride on dirt trails so I was even thinking about going lower! 😁

[@benkanobe7500]

What size main jet are you using?

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Sorry, I'm not 100% sure on this one. I'll take a look the next time I get it apart.

[@benkanobe7500]

Where do you purchase your parts?

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

I get most of my stuff from Dr ATV in Nebraska or from ebay.

[@danielkneale2237]

How much top end speed did you lose if any loss was discernable?

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Hello Daniel. I didn't lose any top speed. With the stock gearing, The bike couldn't rev all the way out in 4th hi. I can get all the rpms now. Thanks for watching!

[@mikes-mz5xb]

Only original once.

[@BIGFOOTBIKESANDBREWS]

Yessir! Thanks for watching!