Honda CT90 Trail 90
Honda CT90 Trail 90 | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1966 - 79 |
Class | Trail |
Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves |
Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
Ignition | Contact breake |
Transmission | 4 Speed |
Frame | Stamped steel |
Suspension | Front: Leading link (196668) or telescoping fork (196979) Rear: Dual shocks |
Brakes | Front: Drum Rear: Drum |
Front Tire | 2.75-17-4PR |
Rear Tire | 2.75-17-4PR |
Wheelbase | 1220 mm / 48.0 in |
Seat Height | 770 mm / 30.3 in |
Weight | 87 kg / 192 lbs (dry), 92 kg / 263 lbs (wet) |
Recommended Oil | Honda GN4 10W-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 5.5 Liters / 1.452 gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves. The engine featured a 8.5:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Wet multiplate.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 2.75-17-4PR front tire and a 2.75-17-4PR rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Leading link (196668) or telescoping fork (196979) while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks. The CT90 Trail 90 was fitted with a 5.5 Liters / 1.452 gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 87 kg / 192 lbs. The wheelbase was 1220 mm / 48.0 in long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Honda
CT 90 Trail 90
The CT90 Trail 90 was preceded by the CT200 Trail 90 (1964 - 1966), which
featured a similar design, and was itself preceded by dealer-level modifications
to the 49cc Super Cub and the C105T Trail 55. The CT200 had an 87 cc iron-head
pushrod OHV engine, instead of the CT90's 89 cc alloy head OHC, with a
carburetor to match. Except for the engine change, the 1966 models of CT200 and
CT90 were the same -- the change in model number reflected a new Honda policy
that model numbers would indicate engine-size class.
The CT200 and 1966 CT90 had a dual rear sprocket, which created a lower gear
range for heavy weight or steep terrain. To shift to the low range, the operator
had to stop and clip a short additional section onto the chain, which then would
allow it to go around the larger rear sprocket. Starting in August 1967, this
cumbersome arrangement was replaced by a two-range sub-transmission, which could
be set far more easily by simply moving a small lever while the bike was in
neutral and idling.
The first Honda Trail 90 released to the motorcycle market was in 1964 under
the model name CT200. The concept was the same as that of the ever popular Honda
Trail 55: a rugged trail bike that could conquer paths and even run through
thick bush to get hunters, hikers and fishermen to the best deep woods
destinations.
The original Honda CT200 Trail 90, although not initially as popular as its
smaller counterpart offered 30% more power, and was bigger and almost equally as
cost effective. The CT200 Trail 90 was also one of Hondas first trail bikes to
be standardly equipped a muffler with a United States Department of Agriculture
approved spark arrestor. This was a big leap in technology at a time when many
other motorcycle companies neglected environmental conciousness.
The Honda 90 CT200 was the perfect bike for just about anyone. For beginners,
it was a great bike to learn how to ride a motorcycle on. For experts, it was a
fun, peppy, and light bike hat could go just about anywhere without many
complaints. It was tough, rugged, and expremely reliable. But it was also not
exactly perfect. Although many would complain that it was loud, and parts would
rattle at high speeds, most riders would rather not bother worrying about it, as
its Honda engine generally would last as long as you felt like driving it.
In 1966, Honda dropped the CT200 designation, and the bike was renamed and
re-marketed as the Honda CT90 Trail 90 K0. By 1969, the new Honda 90 with an
89cc OHC single cylinder engine and automatic clutch. would have its front end
upgraded with telescopic forks, a huge improvement over the old, problematic
front suspension carried by the CT200 which was widely criticized for having a
very short travel life. With an upswept muffler, and ample ground clearance, the
new Honda CT90 Trail 90 grew to become a much bigger success than is
predecessor.
The Honda 90 Trail CT90 was produced for 10 more years until 1969 by the
Honda CT110 Trail bike, which was essentially the same bike with a larger
engine. Over the course of its lifetime on the Trail Bike market the Honda 90
Trail bike would receive many improvements such as a better chain transfer box
that would allow you to adjust the gear ratio with the flip of a lever for
riding on steeper trails and roads.
Although maybe not Hondas greatest trail bike success, the Honda Trail 90
CT90 was certainly one of the most innovative and all around best trail bikes in
the industry for its time. Over the years The Honda 90 CT90 has gotten more and
more recognition and is still a popular bike today for its fun, peppy, and
light rideability, as well as its increasing collectors value.
Honda 90 enthusiasts today are doing greater restorations than ever to bring
these great bikes back to life and to show the world what the Honda 90 Trail
CT90 is made of!
When the Honda Trail 110 CT110 replaced the Honda Trail 90 in the late
1970s, it was soon adopted by the Australian Postal Service as the official
motorcycle of the Postal delivery sevice. This was largely because of its
convenience, reliability and ease of getting on and off the bike. Because of
this, Honda Trail CT110 Trail bikes became known as posties, and Australians
adopted a new motorsport known as postie racing; where owners would soop up
their Honda CT110 Trail bikes with bigger engines, performance mufflers,
aftermarket parts, and you name it, and race at local dirt tracks.
Make Model | Honda CT 90 Trail 90 |
---|---|
Year | 1966 - 79 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves |
Displacement | 89.5 cc / 5.4 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 50 x 45.6mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression | 8.5:1 |
Induction | Carburettor |
Ignition | Contact breake |
Starting | Kick |
Max Power | 7 hp / 5.2 kW @ 8500rpm |
Max Torque | 8.2 Nm / 6.1 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
Clutch | Wet multiplate |
Transmission | 4 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Stamped steel |
Front Suspension | Leading link (196668) or telescoping fork (196979) |
Rear Suspension | Dual shocks |
Front Brakes | Drum |
Rear Brakes | Drum |
Front Tire | 2.75-17-4PR |
Rear Tire | 2.75-17-4PR |
Wheelbase | 1220 mm / 48.0 in |
Seat Height | 770 mm / 30.3 in |
Dry Weight | 87 kg / 192 lbs |
Wet Weight | 92 kg / 263 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 5.5 Liters / 1.452 gal |