Hi everyone, when i did a search for the C90 i could not believe the interest these little bikes generate. I have owned bikes for the last 32 years and have gone through a series of japanese and italian superbikes,trail bikes and modern enduro bikes. I have now gone all retro and have ended up with an ex army Harley Davidson MT 350(i will post some photos later) for gentle trail riding and expeditions. The last expedition i went on was all the way from norfolk to portsmouth and across france to northern spain. It is a tough bike full of character which i intend to keep long term but i now find myself captivated by Honda C90,s and will be on the look out for one very shortly. I intend to do a bit of commuting and crazy expeditions and a bit of gentle green laning as i am now knocking on a bit!
My question to all the experts here is what should i be looking for ie model and age also the best tips for looking after these bikes. Many thanks in advance.
Steve.
Hello from Norfolk.
-
frenchy3
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:42 pm
- Rides:: 1996 C90,Harley Davidson MT350
- Location: snetterton,Norfolk
-
Newtsalad
- Admin & site janitor.
- Posts: 17626
- Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 8:30 am
- Rides:: XL1200c, Cali III, C125,GS750,XV535,XL350,BN125,C90's,C200's,CT200,Little Cub's
- Location: Essex boy loose in Suffolk!
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Hi Steve, and welcome to c90 club!
Depends what you want from your bike really. I sort of see it as falling into four categories. I've only been around Cubs for about 3 years, and the following is only my opinion, many will disagree with me, but here's my take on it.
The first would be old, rare, or a special.
The second would be the zz 6 volters mostly with a round headlight.
The third would be the square headlight 12 volt models,
And the fourth would be the new derivatives of the cub, the Innovas and the Chinese Derivatives, Wu Yangs etc.
The first and second are for enthusiasts, in my opinion. The early c100's (50cc) and the pushrod engined 90's are harder to get parts for, and you'll need to be enthusiastic to keep them on the road.
The ZZ 6 volters, I have one but it's not on the road. The drawbacks are they use contact breakers, and the lighting is only 6 volts, and the battery is an important part of the ignition system and needs to be kept in a good condition.
The 12v square headlamp models are what lots of us have, made over a long period so a 'classic', reliable, parts easily available, great to ride, cdi ignition so no points to tinker with, 12 volt electrics and very very reliable. Don't even need a battery to start one.
The Innovas etc, to me are just a mega reliable form of transport, economical, and great if it's the only vehicle you own. The extra gear makes the open roads less daunting too.
My utopia would probably be a concours C100 with a 12v 90cc engine and electrics.
Hope this helps! Cheers!
Depends what you want from your bike really. I sort of see it as falling into four categories. I've only been around Cubs for about 3 years, and the following is only my opinion, many will disagree with me, but here's my take on it.
The first would be old, rare, or a special.
The second would be the zz 6 volters mostly with a round headlight.
The third would be the square headlight 12 volt models,
And the fourth would be the new derivatives of the cub, the Innovas and the Chinese Derivatives, Wu Yangs etc.
The first and second are for enthusiasts, in my opinion. The early c100's (50cc) and the pushrod engined 90's are harder to get parts for, and you'll need to be enthusiastic to keep them on the road.
The ZZ 6 volters, I have one but it's not on the road. The drawbacks are they use contact breakers, and the lighting is only 6 volts, and the battery is an important part of the ignition system and needs to be kept in a good condition.
The 12v square headlamp models are what lots of us have, made over a long period so a 'classic', reliable, parts easily available, great to ride, cdi ignition so no points to tinker with, 12 volt electrics and very very reliable. Don't even need a battery to start one.
The Innovas etc, to me are just a mega reliable form of transport, economical, and great if it's the only vehicle you own. The extra gear makes the open roads less daunting too.
My utopia would probably be a concours C100 with a 12v 90cc engine and electrics.
Hope this helps! Cheers!
-
frenchy3
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:42 pm
- Rides:: 1996 C90,Harley Davidson MT350
- Location: snetterton,Norfolk
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Hi,thanks very much for the advice. I find myself drawn to the square headlamp 12v c.d.i model as late as i can get for the money and keep it standard other than Nato green paint which looks good and is easy to patch up. This will be the mainstay for fun. Then in time an older nut and bolt classic restoration project. I really dont want a modern replica as i have a car and an MT350 harley davidson so transport is not a problem. But hey.. i,m sure many of you said a similar thing when you first got into these bikes. Thanks again, Steve.http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/ ... 2_0175.jpg
-
CeeGee
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 12:03 am
- Rides:: BMW R80 Airhead, 1987 HondaC90, 1981 Suzuki GSX1100 & Occasional Sheep
- Location: North Beds.
- Contact:
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Nato green on a Cub?
I suspect Fuzz is going to like you, you have similar tastes!
I must admit, I've been tempted myself!
I suspect Fuzz is going to like you, you have similar tastes!
I must admit, I've been tempted myself!
-
Newtsalad
- Admin & site janitor.
- Posts: 17626
- Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 8:30 am
- Rides:: XL1200c, Cali III, C125,GS750,XV535,XL350,BN125,C90's,C200's,CT200,Little Cub's
- Location: Essex boy loose in Suffolk!
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Should look good! What's your budget? £600 should get a nice one.
-
Fuzz
NATO Cub
Sorry chaps ,
Couldnt resist it !!!!
Camping in France & Belgium May 2009
Double click on thumbnails for larger pictures
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q247 ... 20Belgium/
Couldnt resist it !!!!
Camping in France & Belgium May 2009
Double click on thumbnails for larger pictures
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q247 ... 20Belgium/
-
Newtsalad
- Admin & site janitor.
- Posts: 17626
- Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 8:30 am
- Rides:: XL1200c, Cali III, C125,GS750,XV535,XL350,BN125,C90's,C200's,CT200,Little Cub's
- Location: Essex boy loose in Suffolk!
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
If ya got it, flaunt it!!!!
-
frenchy3
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:42 pm
- Rides:: 1996 C90,Harley Davidson MT350
- Location: snetterton,Norfolk
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Nice photos fuzz, i will load some of the photos from the pyrenees trip shortly and yes NATO GREEN does look nice i will invest in a tin in anticipation. As for budget i think i only have £500 max for a C90 but i will sell one of my rifles and could find the extra budget.
-
Newtsalad
- Admin & site janitor.
- Posts: 17626
- Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 8:30 am
- Rides:: XL1200c, Cali III, C125,GS750,XV535,XL350,BN125,C90's,C200's,CT200,Little Cub's
- Location: Essex boy loose in Suffolk!
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Which one, the Armalite, the AK 47 or the Swift twenty-two? 
More guns in Narfolk & Suffock than Iraq & Afghanistan put together....
More guns in Narfolk & Suffock than Iraq & Afghanistan put together....
-
frenchy3
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:42 pm
- Rides:: 1996 C90,Harley Davidson MT350
- Location: snetterton,Norfolk
Re: Hello from Norfolk.
Long may it continue. I have a .22 LR CZ452 bolt action rimfire. A 12 bore over/under shotgun a silenced .410 shotgun and a Howa .223 bolt action rifle. I don,t use the .223 and with scope and mounts its worth about £500 if i can find a buyer.Newtsalad wrote:Which one, the Armalite, the AK 47 or the Swift twenty-two?
More guns in Narfolk & Suffock than Iraq & Afghanistan put together....