Episode 2 of what the heck is he talking about

[bryanchurch06]

Hondas CT line of Motorcycle is the death of personalization of bikes!
That's right, any other bike from any other brand and the 1st thing people start is displaying their own personality on the bike, custom paint, chrome, leather fringe, embroidery seats, sunflowers painted on mirrors, etc.
I'm not referring to mods, I'm a fan of modding the bike for a particular use, both my 22 and 23 have mods but nothing that shows my personality, why is that? I've certainly done it to other bikes I've owned just not the CT. Don't believe me, show me a pic of a CT125 that displays the owners style. Mods are different, some of you guys start modding the bike before it's delivered, but where's your personal stamp on the bike?
My contention is the image and style of the CT is so iconic that to change it is akin to farting in Church, sure some people do it but it's generally frowned upon.
When you own a CT that image becomes your style, your personality, being recognized by people when your riding gives you a thrill and a sense of pride, and you nod and smile in your most humble manner, this oh yeah that's my CT125. And that's why hopefully no one will ever post a pic here of one with sunflower mirrors and purple fringe on the seats.

 

[Fishwishin]

Farkles, box, oversized rider and all…

 

[bryanchurch06]

View attachment 8904Farkles, box, oversized rider and all…

I like the box and the tool roll on front rack , those mirror backs are crying out for some military theme stickers to match the crate tho.

 

[fmdualexhaust]

I vote for stars.

 

[Fishwishin]

those mirror backs are crying out for some military theme stickers to match the crate tho.

Good call!

 

[m in sc]

you'd have to really know what you were looking at to see it, but a manual 1st gen grom clutch cover, and a modified supercub RH cover..

and a clear cam cover are the only semi-obvious cosmetic changes. I don't even have the mid rack on it anymore. aside fromt he Chrome exhaust guard, that's about it as far as cosmetics, everything else is functional mods.

 

[bryanchurch06]

you'd have to really know what you were looking at to see it, but a manual 1st gen grom clutch cover, and a modified supercub RH cover..

and a clear cam cover are the only semi-obvious cosmetic changes. I don't even have the mid rack on it anymore. aside fromt he Chrome exhaust guard, that's about it as far as cosmetics, everything else is functional mods.

My point exactly, everyone seems to want to keep the physical image as close to possible to stock. On my 22 I changed tires, shocks, seat, gears etc, but not the image of the bike. I wanted that nostalgic look. Interesting if I'm right the CT trail began life as a mod, and has survived the yrs with each model being modified for the time of release, over the years it's gotten bigger engine, disc brakes and fuel injection but if you parked a 24 beside a 70s the image of the bike remains intact imho.

 

[dmonkey]

I think the most radically re-stylized one I've seen on this forum is the 🩷 Fancy 🩷 one. A professional paint job and a lot of performance mods, comfort upgrades, custom seat, and dress-up accessories.

There are some wild builds that have been shared out of Thailand and Japan, but other than the few that have been stripped down into street bikes, I think they mostly still look like Honda Trails. You could look at one and say "Hey, that's my bike! Or similar to it." The "personality" on mine is mostly just stickers on the top case. Some are stickers from work and friends, but others show the unique journey of where the bike has been.

It's still a newer bike. I don't think it has the same appeal for customization beyond mods that a cheap and used Super Cub (or Wave) have, but there will probably be more wild repaints, flower mirrors, and bar end tassels on some Trails as time marches on. I think I noticed a gremlin guardian bell in one of your videos?

 

[bryanchurch06]

Viking helmet bell, my one piece of flair

 

[Otony]

Not a bike mod, but I am personalizing my denim jacket with a custom top rocker bar.

Reviving the loosely organized gang name that we kids went by around 1973-74. We rode a motley collection of bikes, street, trail, rat bikes, almost all Hondas with a couple of Yamahas thrown into the mix.

We adopted the Air Pirates moniker from the underground Mickey Mouse comics that were showing up alongside Mr. Natural and the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers. I’m pretty sure I was the only one who was even aware of the old 1930’s cartoons with Mickey and the Air Pirates.

Back then we didn’t have much of a clue about where to get “patches” for our jackets (btw, I was running a Lee denim jacket with a blanket lining and a corduroy collar, couldn’t afford leather). Nowadays I googled motorcycle patches and 10 minutes of searching got me this patch made to order. Six days from ordering to delivery.

 

[m in sc]

well, i mean, there isn't much you can really do to change the overall look. probably the biggest thing that's feasible (if you needed to) would be removing the rack and adding the long seat. that pretty drastically changed the look of the bike, and, TBH, i really like that look a lot but it removes one main benefit of the functionality of it. The japanese & other asian market tarted up urban commando farkled-to-death ones just gives the lipstick on a pig feel, to me. 'Themed' bikes to ME are just, silly (sorry) and scream 'i need your attention'.

But, i agree, they did do a NICE job on the style.

I also have -zero- nostalgia for them as I never had one or wanted one when i was a kid. (which probably puts me deep in the minority). -Grumpy Old Man.

 

[oldskool]

It's hard to wrap my head around spending a lot of money trying to make the bike into a different bike, they don't exactly give them away. A large portion of what you are paying for IS the old school look. There are plenty of options out there that out perform the ct for the same money That said to each their own, if it floats your boat that's all the reason needed.

 

[m in sc]

I like the bike, even stock.. but there were unavailable features, like the ability to go 60 mph and a manual transmission on that platform. I wanted that in addition, so I did. Now i like it more. Its the same bike, but improved in other areas. It doesn't make it a different bike though.

 

[oldskool]

I like the bike, even stock.. but there were unavailable features, like the ability to go 60 mph and a manual transmission on that platform. I wanted that in addition, so I did. Now i like it more. Its the same bike, but improved in other areas. It doesn't make it a different bike though.

Yup and it is something that is worth it to you. If cruising faster and a manual clutch were on my list of musts.......another bike would be in that spot in the garage. Its weird but the bikes basic characteristics and shortcomings are part of its charm. Besides you are a natural born engineer. I would bet you disassembled your toys to see how they work before you could walk

 

[m in sc]

I did actually.. lol. with as many bikes as I currently have on the road, one def does not 'replace' the other, but they all do (or will do) what i want them to do... in the way i want them to do it. I never found its lame state of tune charming though..., 60 mph isn't a big ask, my 57 year old 100cc twin will do that. Trust me, if you ever rode it, you'd see what my approach does.

I mean, for example i have a stock 62 ford falcon. It has a slightly larger inline 6 in it, because the 144 died. but, otherwise, its stock, even w the factory 2 speed still intact. (thats right, 2 speed). will i ever v-8 the car and fit a 5 speed? nope. but its a better version of what it was originally w out losing the character. you drive it, it def drives liek a 62 falcon, but, better. yes, it has radials and a bigger front sway bar and modern shocks, but thats about it. (no geometry updates etc..)

the trail is basically the same thing. I hope that makes sense.

the money doesn't matter to me, its my hobby, so its relatively cheap entertainment, and money is a renewable resource.

 

[oldskool]

I took my stuff apart also. I think that the difference is likely that yours probably worked when you put them back together. Many of mine did not have the same ending. I am well versed in two speed transmissions. My first two cars had the Chevy slush box , power glides. Beat on those poor things in my youth. Had the 67 Camaro over 60 MPH in first a few times.

 

[m in sc]

YUP! As ive said many times... I can fix 1 more than than is broken and therefore, i'm ahead of the curve.(thats all it takes).

 

[bryanchurch06]

Thanks to all you guys for the posts, that the main reason I'm posting these topics. I believe we should discuss things others than which oil should I use, etc. Sometimes it seems we cover the same 12 topics over and over with each new member, and it's important don't get me wrong just a little monotonous if you've been here for awhile.

 

[bryanchurch06]

well, i mean, there isn't much you can really do to change the overall look. probably the biggest thing that's feasible (if you needed to) would be removing the rack and adding the long seat. that pretty drastically changed the look of the bike, and, TBH, i really like that look a lot but it removes one main benefit of the functionality of it. The japanese & other asian market tarted up urban commando farkled-to-death ones just gives the lipstick on a pig feel, to me. 'Themed' bikes to ME are just, silly (sorry) and scream 'i need your attention'.

But, i agree, they did do a NICE job on the style.

I also have -zero- nostalgia for them as I never had one or wanted one when i was a kid. (which probably puts me deep in the minority). -Grumpy Old Man.

By the way grumpy old men is one of my go to movies

 

[dmonkey]

One of the Hunter Cub 125 owners out of Japan runs a graphic design shop, YOU.1 Design, that specialize in car & bike graphics, especially liveries and uniforms for shops & race teams. I wouldn't replace the decals on my own CT125 with them, but I think they're a nice bit of personalization he did to promote his business with the CT125.




I think it's pretty tastefully done, not a Ricky Bobby move.