Vintage 1964 Honda 55 Trail C105t Bike Needs Work But Great Looking Very Cool on 2040-motos

The Honda C105T (also Honda 55 Trail) is a Honda motorcycle that was manufactured between 1963 and 1965.

It had the following features: 55 cc pushrod operated, with 1 horizontal cylinder (cast iron head,) 4-cycle engine which used about 1 qt of oil and no oil filter. The air filter was just behind the handle bars, somewhat high, in case of fording streams. Top speed about 45 mph and a left foot, "heel and toe" shift action was used to operate a 3 speed transmission with a centrifugal clutch. Typical street mileage was an easy 100+ mpg with a tank of about 1.7 gallons. Ignition was key operated, (under the side of the tank) magneto-battery to coil-points set. Manual kick-only-start was on the right. Key lockable steering. Previously, largely similar 50cc versions were the forerunner of this.

It had one seat which folded forward to access the gas tank fill cap. The rear area sported a small rack to which one could attach a seat, larger luggage rack, or side car. The frame was termed a "step-through" design, suitable for dresses as per advertisement of the time, but also handy for rough off road travel at slower speeds. Standard tires were intermediate sized knobbies, adequate for street use but general off road use as well, hinted at strongly. Lower speeds for hill use was by addition of a larger rear sprocket overlaying the usual one, a process which could be performed without removing the rear wheel. Ignition keys caught on enough off-road brush such that many owners cut key ends off shorter. Rear suspension was coil spring over shock while front was leading link knee-action. Seating caused a fairly upright position.

The only stand was a center stand. Usual lights were had as well as mirrors, a horn, 65 mph speedometer-odometer (no tachometer,) making the unit street legal. Rear brake was drum, operated by the right foot, and front brake a drum also, operated by right hand, a layout that became standard and required in the US. A side cover was on each side under and to the rear of the gas tank. One side housed a tool kit and the other the 6 volt battery.

Later versions were termed the "Honda 90cc Offroader." Later 90's had significant improvements to the new 4 speed transmission to assist in switching to the off road "low-range" selector via simple lever operation, (after a better, but still cumbersome, omni-present larger rear sprocket, but which did alleviate the rear wheel removal.)