Attempting to build a trials CT110 with grandkids

[jhovel]

I'm getting close to finishing a '82 CT110 as a commuter.
In the process, a lot of parts are left over and the grandkids have developed a big interest in trials bike riding. They are riding dirt bikes VERY competently and confidently already.
So when I came across a few pics of CT90 and CT110 trials builds, the penny dropped. The grandkids are very excited to be able to work with me building this.
This is the kind of thing we are going to aim at - or improve on:

[80-85 husky]

hey joe, dont have a 110 exhaust system laying about??

[jhovel]

hey joe, dont have a 110 exhaust system laying about??

I saw your request. And I do. But it is from a 1981 model - and you are looking for a late model...?

[jimson]

That's very cool, keep the pic's  coming please. jimson

[jhovel]

Will do - once there is something to see. So far it's just a pile of bits and pieces....

[sleepy]

Can you convert the CT motor to have a manual clutch? Can't imagine trying to ride trials with an auto clutch.
Does sound like a fun project to do with the Grand kids, I had a heap of fun trialsing with my kids until they moved onto other things.

[TT5 Matt]

they have a normal clutch in them operated by the gear shift mechanism to disingage the gearbox on up or down shifts but itd be alot of dickin around to convert but with thought/$$$ anything is possible

[Momus]

Old SL90's had manual clutches, so did some of the other non Aussie models. Not too hard to find the bits.

[80-85 husky]

ill work out if it will fit and get back to you cheers

[jhovel]

Yes, I've investigated that option. The SL90 was quite rare except in Japan. The clutch and RH cover from a CM91 and the S90 fit apparently. I've been looking....
However, the clutch in the CT is also centrifugal - as well as mechanical via the gear lever. So it may work quite OK, after some getting used to. For example you can lift or push the gear lever, rev the engine and then engage the clutch hard by letting go of the foot lever. That will make it lift the front wheel and take off....

[pokey]

Looks like a good build though as a practical trials machine there would be better donors.
 
As mentioned the foot lever clutch is more an ancient mechanical quick shifter than a clutch, You cant really balance and hold the clutch in with a foot.
 The CT110 while a reliable thing has NO torque off the bottom. The new NB FI engines have a bit more on the bottom but still not enough to pop a wheel in the air no matter how much you try and its all because they share the same centrifugal/foot lever clutch. i rode one every day and they suck for slow technical stuff.

 Perhaps a donor SL70 could be the ticket.

[80-85 husky]

thats how i learnt my awesome wheelie techniques on a Dax after forgetting to lift my foot of the gear lever then letting it go while wondering why the engine was valve bouncing...yeeehaaaa..it eventually stuffed something in there...

[jhovel]

We already have an SL70 - the boys love it! But they are also starting to outgrow it....
Or did you mean using an SL70 engine? I thinks it's a little puny myself.... what attracted me to the CT110 (not postie bike) is the dual range gearbox. I seem to remember that the low gear gives you four gears with lots of torque....
In any case, down the track the frame might get fitted with a Lifan or simliar engine with a bit more oomph - and a clutch.
The idea really is to get the boys to learn some trials skills without spending thousands - in case they don't take to it (apart from me not having thousands spare, lol
I want to avoid being responsible for getting them faster dirt bikes and the inevitable injuries..... That's heir parents' responsibility...
They scare the bejesus out of me on the SL70 and DS80 they are riding now. I havve trouble keeping up with them on our Hinda XL250S.... my heart nearly stops following them and seeing them have the frontwheel wash out by a meter - and them not even bothering to reduce the throttle! I have no idea how they keep their balance going sideways, high-siding, power sliding and landing awkwardly on the front wheel - all without blinking an eylid, and never coming off. They really are naturals, I think.
Anyway, they are quite often challenging each other to going slow, going over big logs, going up dam embankements and building pallet staacvks to go over. So the idea I got was to put them on a bike with trials geometry, centre of gravity etc. - in an effort to give them better technical skills and KEEPING THEM SLOWER
Not sure if that will succeed..... lol.
Cheers,
Joe

[dont]

I'm  a bit of a believer in using what you've got. Until the desire to trials ride serious hits in I think the ct will be great fun for the kids. On my ct 90 the main restriction is ground clearance.

[Momus]

Kids want to ride MX; encourage that. The trials bike will get ridden a couple of times then parked regardless of Grandpa's blood, sweat and $ ;-).  I bought a TLM50 Honda- the full size trial 2 stroke 50 they made- and proved this theory adequately. $002.