What is better than a CT110/ Postie Bike?

[XLsior]

The Hi/Lo transfer box re assembled.

Nice confirming actuation.

Also the 81 Cylinder head has been soaking in the vinegar bucket for about a week so it was about time to see if it would free up.

I used an M7 fine thread tap in a drill to bite into the dowel and shock spin the dowel out of the rocker arms...

Which worked...

With those out of the way i could remove the valve springs and see if the valves could move, or if they were stuck in the guides...

penetrating fluid and lots of little taps with a little hammer and both valves did come out.

Suffice to say after a clean up other than some pitting on the valve springs and a well used intake valve all parts seem usable.

[TominMO]

Nice work! Like the orange range selector switch too.

[XLsior]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Nice work! Like the orange range selector switch too.

more orange in store...

[XLsior]

With a new set of wire wheel brushes and some industrial cola (phosphoric acid) Rust converter...

Made an effort on the 84 CT110 frame...

Mostly because I still have the welder spooled with mild steel so decided to use it now before switching to stainless steel on the van exhaust.

So needed the frame prepped for patch welding.

Found a couple of 40 old year Japanese weld 'quality' in the nether regions. Must have been a Monday or Friday.

The rust converter just makes surface rust inert (turns black) but it needs descaling to penetrate.

Got the 2 main rear fender patches zapped in enough to suggest solid metal where there wasn't any before.

Very thin material elsewhere on the fender so thinking it'll be a JB weld and body filler situation.

Still have a couple of inner fender patches to go but not bad for a first sheet metal zap and tap.

[XLsior]

A little more progress on the 84 rear mud guard.

cut a couple more 81 sacrifice patches to restore integrity on the 84.

then ran out of mig wire...

[XLsior]

So got the JB weld out and with a bit of masking tape as backing filled in the pitting and sieve holes...

after a next day cure pulled off the tape for a very nice outer surface...

then put the frame next to my other resting lounge ornament Honda project.

[2LZ]

Starting to look around for one of these, minus engine. I ran across a Hensim 110 quad for free. The plastics are shot and the frame is rusted out from sitting outdoors, but the engine has almost no hours on it. The 110 has no reverse. It would be the perfect donor motor.

[XLsior]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Starting to look around for one of these, minus engine. I ran across a Hensim 110 quad for free. The plastics are shot and the frame is rusted out from sitting outdoors, but the engine has almost no hours on it. The 110 has no reverse. It would be the perfect donor motor.

I've been searching for roached pitbikes/pitbike engines on FB marketplace as a donor for the rolling 2011 frame I have tucked away. But I might just go with a fresh crate lifan 125cc from Ebay when funds allow it.



It'd be nice not to do a top end rebuild everytime I try to build a new bike for a change...

[XLsior]

Got the new kick lever shaft case seal but I don't want to risk more back strain with regards to my current sciatica.


So refurbishing a working original carburetor seems feasible given I have 3 in disrepair...


the middle 1 was the 81...I did not use any parts from it...


I ended up mashing the other 2 together.


There was some questionable areas in regard to the previous owners...


But out of the all the parts I do believe i have something resembling a potentially functional carburetor.


Currently now sanding layers of body filler on the chassis...but not a lot to show for it yet as it just look like a dogs breakfast right now...

[XLsior]

Still managing sciatic back pain, but on the mend.

In no position to ride bikes as the chance of hitting any bump in the road spark fear into my lower spine.


However I can move around sub normally, which means I can attempt some tasks...


so decided to fix that kick lever shaft case seal.


Got a craft knife and carefully separated the original gasket form the case...
the filter screen could be removed and inspected...some fluff and specs but nothing dire.


all surfaces were cleaned and added a light smear of sealant on both sides of the gasket.


Using an appropriate sized socket tapped the seal home and seated with a rubber mallet.


All installed and nipped up but resting on side overnight before testing if the oil will weep again...

[XLsior]

To make sure the side cover gaskets stopped weeping oil I placed the engine on fresh cardboard and left it alone...


overnight there were some wet spots but did a reposition and concluded there was some residual surface oil wicking out.


2 weeks later and the card board is still dry, dipstick looked good...which means the engine by all accounts is ready to go home into a frame.


So finishing the frame is next for the 84 CT110 AG


Also happy new year 2024 as NYE already in OZ.

[2LZ]

Glad you got that solved.
Still hunting for a donor. Some of these guys are sniffing glue. There's a clean roller, minus motor, on FBMP. 1200.00!!! He said it's a good candidate for an e-conversion. He must be a salesman.

[XLsior]

Well Australia basically rode the posties as throwaways up until a point people started realizing they were getting thin on the ground or just abused to death...So even in Australian dollar terms they are not cheap as the were some 10 years ago. I found the 3 questionable conditioned abuse victims for a decent price but they were definite 'projects'...
However getting 3 bikes for the rough price of a busted single bike seemed like an 'investment' though no return on time spent as per usual...


So its just a personal hobby/pastime when the mind drifts in that direction.


I'm guessing the CT90 situation in the USA would be worse...Though I believe the C90 Cub scene in the UK is even worse somehow...

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by XLsior

Well Australia basically rode the posties as throwaways up until a point people started realizing they were getting thin on the ground or just abused to death...So even in Australian dollar terms they are not cheap as the were some 10 years ago. I found the 3 questionable conditioned abuse victims for a decent price but they were definite 'projects'...
However getting 3 bikes for the rough price of a busted single bike seemed like an 'investment' though no return on time spent as per usual...


So its just a personal hobby/pastime when the mind drifts in that direction.


I'm guessing the CT90 situation in the USA would be worse...Though I believe the C90 Cub scene in the UK is even worse somehow...

Here in CA we're very fortunate that the only rusty bikes are the ones that sat next to backyard sheds for decades. It's generally dry. A good, clean-ish CT90 runner is around 2000.00+ USD in my market. Winter has dropped prices a little but I'm sure that's temporary.

[Mudflap]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Here in CA we're very fortunate that the only rusty bikes are the ones that sat next to backyard sheds for decades. It's generally dry. A good, clean-ish CT90 runner is around 2000.00+ USD in my market. Winter has dropped prices a little but I'm sure that's temporary.

I bought my first new Trail 90 in 1970 for $275.00 (got dealer price) and have had at least one in the garage ever since. Never imagined a used one would ever sell for $2k. My 68 is still in use but with major mods including a Lifan 140cc engine. Can't beat a super light bike for getting to places where a bigger bike can't go.