The resurrection.....1974 atc70

[Daddio]

I must be a glutton for punishment! Last year at TF I picked up the hulk of a 74 70 from captainweezy. It was just the body, forks, and a few other small things. I decided to do something different with it. Everyone is building Custom 70's so I decided to restore this one. It will be mostly original but I'm adding a few extras. This has proved to be very costly so far, but I'm not giving up.
the reason I picked this up, is because I bought a 74 atc70 for my son when he was 4 years old. I rode it with him in front of me until I felt comfortable letting him ride it on his own. Then I got an 84 atc70 from a friend and we rode together for a while. Good times!!!
This is what I started with on this project.
192969192970
I also had the side panels, exhaust, and a set of forks from a 1980,I think. I didn't get pictures before this point. I've spent the last 10 months, looking for and buying all of the missing pieces. That's been a project all in it's self.

[MattDragontamer]

I will be watching this closely... I did a 73 chrome custom build a little while back. I wanted to do a full resto but with an engine upgrade and a little flare. :)

Here is the build vid... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LjRSo-2LyE

I had a build post on 3WO... but we know how that site is still in trouble. :/

[JasonB]

in for updates! I love your guys 70's. So this won't be a backyard racer just a garage queen? Will it make Trikefest or is that too close to call?

[Daddio]

Since this one didn't come with an engine, I'm going to use the engine that my son, Hartley "1upfront" took out of his 70 flat tracker. We both built all Honda engines for flat tracking a few years back. I would have used mine but his was a three speed. All of the early 70s had three speeds. I also had some junk atc90 forks that I took the headlight and mounts from to use on this one. I'm going to go ahead and use the 1980 forks on this for now since they came with it, plus it will also save me from modifying any first gen. forks. I put stops on these so they will now work on any 70.
192980192981192982

[Daddio]

I will be watching this closely... I did a 73 chrome custom build a little while back. I wanted to do a full resto but with an engine upgrade and a little flare. :)

Here is the build vid... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LjRSo-2LyE

I had a build post on 3WO... but we know how that site is still in trouble. :/

The engine I'm putting in this one is all Honda but not all atc. It's got some serious grunt fo 74 cc's though.

[Daddio]

in for updates! I love your guys 70's. So this won't be a backyard racer just a garage queen? Will it make Trikefest or is that too close to call?
I'm not planning on going out and banging bars with this one, however it definitely isn't going to be a garage queen. They aren't much fun too much fun to just look at. It will see plenty of riding. I only need a few more small parts for it and it's just about ready for paint, so it looks very much like it will see it's debut at TF this year.

[ironchop]

Daddio,you ever go to Vintage motorcycle Days swap, show, and races in (?) Mansfield?

a Friend and I went one yr and I was BLOWN AWAY by the swap meet, road racing, vintage mx, and sidehack action. The swap meet was monstrous. There were quite a few ATC parts there that yr (`07) for being an MC deal. Also checked out the AMA museum on the way back to KY. Good stuff.

I couldn`t help but notice that all the way there from KY and back, you saw dirt tracks/trails off the hyway everywhere in OH and off roading/racing seems strong up there or, at the very least, more visible for sure.

Ill be following this build.

[Daddio]

Daddio,you ever go to Vintage motorcycle Days swap, show, and races in (?) Mansfield?

a Friend and I went one yr and I was BLOWN AWAY by the swap meet, road racing, vintage mx, and sidehack action. The swap meet was monstrous. There were quite a few ATC parts there that yr (`07) for being an MC deal. Also checked out the AMA museum on the way back to KY. Good stuff.

I couldn`t help but notice that all the way there from KY and back, you saw dirt tracks/trails off the hyway everywhere in OH and off roading/racing seems strong up there or, at the very least, more visible for sure.

Ill be following this build.
No, I've never been there. I do need to go sometime. It just seems that I've always got something else going on then. I have a buddy here in town that's into vintage motorcycles that goes every year.

[Daddio]

Here is what it looks like as of right now. I have a couple boxes of new parts ready to install and the engine just needs to be cleaned up a little.
193023193024193025

[Daddio]

I will be watching this closely... I did a 73 chrome custom build a little while back. I wanted to do a full resto but with an engine upgrade and a little flare. :)

Here is the build vid... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LjRSo-2LyE

I had a build post on 3WO... but we know how that site is still in trouble. :/
Wow!!! I just watched your build vid. Mine definitely isn't going to be nearly as polished as yours. Not much chrome either. I'm just going to clean up what's there. Also no powder coat. Being in the collision repair business for 40 years, it's hard to let go of the trusty old paint gun.

[briano]

I'll be watching your progress. I just picked up a 74 and don't know if I want to keep it or sell it. It's all there and it runs but I have enough irons in the fire.

[Daddio]

I'll be watching your progress. I just picked up a 74 and don't know if I want to keep it or sell it. It's all there and it runs but I have enough irons in the fire.
I hope to get this one painted this week. I've got the body and forks ready. Hopefully I'll get the tank done tomorrow. Then, as soon as I get caught up a little, I'll spray them.
I actually just picked up a 73 Saturday. It's mostly all there but a little on the rough side. It will be my next project. It runs for now though.
193127

[Daddio]

I've been making a little progress. It's surprising what you can do with a little degreaser, steel wool and a wire brush.
Getting things cleaned up!!!
193581193582193583193584193585193586193587193588

[Daddio]

Well I got a good bit done this week But I was a little too busy to get it painted. I did, however, pick up the paint. I can't believe how expensive it is. I work in a bodyshop and still can't believe it. I just do bodywork, our painter paints. It cost me $135 dollars for a quart of paint and it isn't even high end stuff.
I also got both side panels cleaned up and put the new bearings and seals in and new brake shoes on. Found some correct handlebars for it on ebay that look to be in nice shape. The seat is covered. I still need to paint it and get the rear axle and hubs cleaned up and then it should be an easy project from there.

[Daddio]

The only thing I haven't been able to round up for this is the skid plate. I refuse to put a fiberglass reproduction one on it. I've actually been considering making my own for it. It couldn't be too hard.

[MattDragontamer]

The skid plate and exhaust plate are the two hardest parts to find.
Maybe someone has a spare skid plate floating around. I'll keep an eye out for ya.

[Daddio]

The skid plate and exhaust plate are the two hardest parts to find.
Maybe someone has a spare skid plate floating around. I'll keep an eye out for ya.
Thanks man. I put the word out for a skid plate and rear cover a few times since I started this project. No skid plate but I did end up with an extra rear cover for a 73 though. I'm sure I'll get my money back out of it, sooner or later.

[fastatc70]

I built a s/s skid plate for my 85 atc 70. It was not hard at all. Give it a try. It's best if you have one to copy from already.

[Daddio]

I built a s/s skid plate for my 85 atc 70. It was not hard at all. Give it a try. It's best if you have one to copy from already.
I have an extra skid plate for the second gen. 70's but only pictures of the first gen. plates. I'm just getting it ready for TF right now. If I have time to make one before I may attempt it. I'm pretty good at working with sheet metal. I do it every day at work. If I do make one, I'll make a pattern first so I can make more than one.

[Daddio]

Here's some of the stuff I have ready to go on, after I paint it.
193749193750193751193752
One of my next projects will be to polish up the chrome as best as I can. There really isn't that much but with new fenders, decals, seat and paint, the chrome may be the weakest link in this restore. I hope to get it polished up enough to be presentable.

[MattDragontamer]

Looking good, Have you used Autosol chrome cleaner/polisher?
You should be able to get it at major auto stores... I get it at Canadian Tire.
I use it on all my chrome. It cleans, polishes and bring back that deeeeeeeep shine.

[Daddio]

I've never used autosol before. Polishing the chrome is one of the next things I have to do though.
Last week I started cleaning out my fuel tank. It looked rusty and crusty inside. I'm sure everyone has seen one like it. I did the cider thing and after a couple days I drained it and it had almost no color to it and the tank was still full of crap. I started thinking about it and remembered what a friend of mine, who collects vintage motorcycles, told me. He said that he first fills them up with lacquer thinner and lets them soak for several days and periodically scrubs them with a bottle brush. Then if there is rust, he uses a phosphoric acid solution to clean that out.
Well, after three days of soaking and going down and doing a little scrubbing my tank is pretty clean and has almost no rust. I can only see a few specks here and there. So now I can take the tank back to work and strip it and get it ready for paint.
I don't think I'm going to paint the underside of the tank as it's really clean and it will be so much easier just painting the top side.
193822193823193825193826

[JasonB]

coming along real nice man! And that tank already looks to be in pretty decent shape for being 40 years old

[Daddio]

coming along real nice man! And that tank already looks to be in pretty decent shape for being 40 years old

It was in really good shape. The guy thought it was full of rust so it didn't go to high on ebay. I also thought it was full of rust. I'm now a believer in soaking them in thinner first. I took it to work today and rinsed it out with some fresh thinner then blasted it out with water and dried it out with air. I got gobs of crap out of it, but it is very clean now. I also stripped it and fixed all of the microscopic dings in it. I primed the areas I repaired and tomorrow I will sand it and finish prepping the rest of it for paint. If everything goes well, I will bring it home on Friday, painted and ready for assembly. WOO HOO!!!

193847193856193857
The tank stripped. The small red spots are where the dings are.

193858193859
The dings filled and in primer.

[Daddio]

I might as well put these up too. This is the rear cover, painted and some pictures of the seat, in progress and new cover installed. The seat wasn't too bad to begin with. It had a stab wound but the pan was solid and the foam was still good. I took a picture of it before I started on the project but can't find it now.

193861193862 193863 193864

[Daddio]

I made good progress again today. It's been slow at work, so after I finish with the paying jobs, I do what I can with my stuff. I finished sanding all of the parts to be painted red. Now all I have to do is clean and prep them and get them set up for painting. I'm hoping do do that tomorrow.
I have a few pictures to share.
The bearings are the rear axle bearings and this is why it's a good idea to replace them every 40 years or so. The hammer is my lead hammer that I almost ruined getting the side panels off of this thing. The side panels are what houses the rear bearings. In the repair manual it says to push them out with your thumbs.......HA!!! I didn't ruin any of my parts though, so I guess that's a good thing. The drain pan contains just some of the crap that I got out of my fuel tank. This is from the first rinse with clean solvent. After this, I blasted it with water until the crap stopped coming out. Just think of all of the filters I could have plugged up if I hadn't cleaned it out real well. Hopefully The next pictures I post will be freshly painted parts!!!

193935193936193937

[R.J.M.]

How hard are the parts to find for one this year? I've got a 1974 frame with front forks was thinking about building.

Your progress is looking good can't wait to see it done

[Daddio]

How hard are the parts to find for one this year? I've got a 1974 frame with front forks was thinking about building.

Your progress is looking good can't wait to see it done

I had a frame with the side panels, rear axle and exhaust plus the front forks. It took me about 9 months to round up the missing pieces to finish it. If I were to add up how much I spent on it,:crazy: it might have been cheaper to find a nice one and have it shipped to me.:D But the way I did it I feel like I've bonded with it. :rolleyes:

[Daddio]

OKAY!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen!!!
The moment that I'VE been waiting for!!!
It's PAINTED!!! :Bounce :beer :w00t: :beer :Bounce :cool:
HEY!!! I can see myself!!! :D

194022194023194024194025194026194027

[MattDragontamer]

Nice! Hey I can see you too!

[John jr]

Oh Ya, Very nice. I never thought I would say this but, I'm liking the 73's, & 74's better then the late models. Keep up the great work. & the pic's.

[Daddio]

Oh Ya, Very nice. I never thought I would say this but, I'm liking the 73's, & 74's better then the late models. Keep up the great work. & the pic's.
The first 70 I owned was a 74, so the first generation 70's have a special place in my heart. I really like them all, though. The second gen. 70's are so much easier to get parts for, so after I finish up my 73, I'm going back to the later ones.

[Daddio]

I started the assembly process this evening. I had a busy day, so I didn't get as far as I hoped I would. I also left a bag with all of my new bolts, screws etc, at work Friday. I'm just using some stuff I have here for now. I need to do some freshening up and a good cleaning on the engine before it goes in, so I'm just shooting for a roller til then.
Here is a before and after of the rear axle. I soaked it in degreaser and went over it with a wire brush. Then I scrubbed it really well with a scotch bright pad and phosphoric acid. It left a very nice patina on it. It was very rusty. I was very surprised at how well it turned out.
194151194152

Here is how far I got today. I can't wait to see it all done.

194153194154194155

[86125m]

that trike is coming out amazing.

[Daddio]

I managed to get a few hours free to work on this project this morning. We're having all of our kids over this afternoon so I'm done for today. I do, barely, have a roller though. I feel better now because I don't have to worry about something getting bumped and falling over. The wheels and tires aren't the ones that are going on it but they are good enough for now. I can finally roll it around. :Bounce I've never been able to do this since I've owned it.:beer
I didn't get finished polishing the chrome and still don't have the engine ready to go in but it is looking like it's, for sure, going to TF this year!!! :cool:
194323194324194325194326

[jays375]

Looking good.Bringing back one of those little buggers is a task.Takes a toll on the wallet also.Wish I never sold my 73 now.It is the reason I got back into trikes.Somebody gave it to me for free.Can't wait to the finished product.

[Daddio]

I ended up getting the herd out this evening. We rode a few of them while the kids were here. :cool: Other than the 74, they are all ready for TF except the Snap-on 70. I need to fix the tranny on it. It won't be going anyway, so it's on the back burner. After looking at the 74 all weekend :D the rest of them look a little shabby.:rolleyes:

194381

[MattDragontamer]

Nice bunch there!

I'm actually considering to cancel my trip to Trikefest for this year. With layoffs coming up it would be in my best interest to put as much aside as possible. :(

[Daddio]

I had to cancel a few myself due to lack of adequate funds. It sucks!!! We usually start slowing down at work around mid April and start picking back up after July 4th. This year we have been slammed until the last week or so. I hope things work out for you.

Well I pulled the engine off of the shelf tonight. I'm gonna take it to work tomorrow and clean it up so I can paint a few pieces and check it out thoroughly before installing it. In 09, my son and I both built Honda engines for our flat track 70's. We used all Honda 70 parts of one model or another with the exception of carbs, intakes and exhaust. We also decided not to use ANY chinese parts of any kind. We did however cheat a little with the cams. They are Web Cams, which are reworked Honda cams. My son gave me his at the end of last season because he is putting a 2stroke in his for this season. So I decided to use it in this little 74.

Here are a couple pictures of it tonight and when I'm done freshening it up I'll add a few more. In the pic of the head you can see where he engraved his initials in it after he finished porting and polishing it. I'm also adding a video of this engine in action. This was the last race of the year last October. He is the one in the all black coat and helmet racing an all red stock looking 70.

194580194581

Here's the video. Rex Racing and Hartley, "1upfront" are really getting after it toward the end of the video. :crazy: :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNWdDi8iz4A

[C.J]

I've always liked that 88 that Hartley built,, He put a loootttt of time into getting that thing to hang with the big bores!! This will be a runnin' ass 74 Daddio!

[Daddio]

I've always liked that 88 that Hartley built,, He put a loootttt of time into getting that thing to hang with the big bores!! This will be a runnin' ass 74 Daddio!

That isn't an 88. It is a stock Honda 70 cylinder on the third bore. It's 74cc's if I remember correctly. The power is impressive for such a small engine though.

I'm not sure if I'm going to run the custom intake he made for it with a 20mm Mikuni and a pod filter like he had on it or the stock intake, carb and filter. I'm leaning toward the stock set-up. It will still be pretty stout even then.

[DohcBikes]

The paint work is beautiful :)

In for updates.... was your name on the Birthday list yesterday? I'm almost sure it was.... if so Happy Birthday!!

[C.J]

Oh wow!! I thought it was a big bore 70. That makes it even more bad arse!!!

And yea I agree on the stock carb/intake/airbox. Keeps it stock in appearance but it'll still have the huevos to hang out there!

[Daddio]

The paint work is beautiful :)

In for updates.... was your name on the Birthday list yesterday? I'm almost sure it was.... if so Happy Birthday!!

Yes, my Birthday was yesterday. I had a very busy weekend and that equaled, no progress on the 70. I did however have loads of fun. I have very few plans for this weekend, so I'm gonna try to get a bunch done on the little guy. I did get the exhaust sand blasted and repaired a couple dents in the pipe. I wanted to wait a couple weeks after paint, before I put the new decals on. This weekend will be two weeks. I ordered a new chain tensioner and some more hardware for it last week. It should be here tomorrow. It's pretty handy, working at a Honda dealership when it comes time to order parts. Employees get 10% over cost on parts.:D

[Daddio]

I had a bag of goodies hand delivered to me today!!! :w00t: I also had time to spray the exhaust and managed to get two wheels sanded down. I just need to prime them and they will be ready for paint. I ordered a few more things from the Power Store today. They should be here by Friday.:Bounce:Bounce
It's gonna be down to the wire on this one. I may pull a JasonB on this one and finish it up at TF!!!:beer:rolleyes::cool:

194929194930194931

[JasonB]

HAHAHAHAH hey man whatever it takes to get her done !!!! :D


happy belated bday! Keep the progress comin!

[Daddio]

You guys probably think I've been slacking and this build isn't going to make it to TF14. No pictures or updates for over a week.......I know. Still no pictures but I have been busy working on it. After I saw it with the new fenders, new seat cover and nice shiny new paint I couldn't bring myself to put it together with anything less than new, or like new hardware. I spent several days cleaning and shining up what hardware I had for it, that wasn't already new and if it didn't pass QC, I replaced it with new. There are still a few things that I'm not totally happy with but I can't get them new so for now, I'll use them. They, being the handlebars and the grab bar. I also checked the engine out and found no reason to rebuild it. I did find a leaking shifter shaft seal, it will be here tomorrow. It now has working brakes I got a set of wheels stripped and repainted and I was in the process of mounting a very minty set of tires on them tonight when I ran out of time. By this time tomorrow, it should be sitting on the new rubber. Then I will only have to put the engine back together and install it and the tank, seat and grab bar. While I was checking the engine out, I cleaned it thoroughly and freshened it up :rolleyes: with a little rattle can action. It was done very tastefully though. Hopefully I will be able to give a ride report by Monday. :Bounce

My job isn't helping me out any either. Today was the first day of my vacation and I had to work. For some reason we are slammed again. I will probably end up working right up til next Tuesday. I was planning on using this part of my vacation to finish things up and rest up a little before TF, but I guess I'll just have to cram again this year. On a side note, I'll be getting paid twice for every day I work while on vacation. :cool: :beer

[MattDragontamer]

For your chrome... Use Autosol chrome finisher... It will clean it up and bring that deep shime back.

[Daddio]

For your chrome... Use Autosol chrome finisher... It will clean it up and bring that deep shime back.

I can't find that stuff around here. The biggest problem I have is that the chrome is almost worn off in places. I have it shined up pretty good but when you see brand new chrome right next to it, it sort of sticks out like a sore thumb. I'll probably end up getting those items rechromed eventually. I'm also going to be looking for the correct year engine for it. All of that will probably be happening this coming winter. Until then I'll just enjoy it the way it is!!!

[Daddio]

Well, I made a little more progress today. I put the engine back together and got it installed. I had some issues with the exhaust pipe fitting. It had some pretty good dents in the front that I repaired but it ended up being bent somewhere and I fought it for quite a while before I got it all bolted up. Then I went to install the chain and found that my son had changed the sprocket and chain size on the 70 that this engine came out of. I didn't realize it until I went to put the chain on. It just wouldn't fit the front sprocket. So I robbed one from another 70 I had sitting around, but it is a 13 tooth and I was wanting to run a 14. Oh,,,, the fun of it all. I'm also having some issues with the clearance between the front fender and engine. It's mighty close. The forks are not 73-74 forks. They are 78 and up forks. I have a set of forks for a 73 but they are twisted and I couldn't use them. So I decided to use the newer ones. Not sure if that is what's causing the clearance issue or not. Oh well, it has about a quarter inch of clearance and for now that will work. I just need to get the carb cleaned and rebuilt and get that and the air cleaner on and wire it up so I can put the tank seat and grab bar on. I should be ready for a test ride real soon. I did manage to take a couple pictures today also.

195495195496

[Daddio]

Here's the tank with decals. I took it to work today and put them on at lunch time. :beer :cool:

195999196000

[jays375]

Looking good!It is gonna look great!

[R.J.M.]

Man that little trike is lookin really good daddio. Can't wait to see it done

[John jr]

WOW, Awesome job on the tank.

[Daddio]

Here it is. Almost complete. I didn't get all of the decals on and I'm sure there will be a bug or two to work out, but bright and early in the morning, it's heading to TF!!! :Bounce :w00t: :beer
196151196152

[John jr]

Looks Great, Have fun at TF.

[86125m]

Man there really isn't any reason to find the correct year engjne becaue all of the 70 engines are almost identical you would be hard pressed to even tell what engine was in between all the years of the 70 witgout disasembaling them. Oh by the way great job a++++++++

[jakep53]

there were differences between 70 motors 3sp up shift 3sp down shift and 4sp up shift engines!!

[86125m]

Ok I forgot about the 3 and 4 speed motors but all atc 70 were down shift.

[jakep53]

sorry 3sp were all downshifts 4 sp were all up shift!!!

[Daddio]

Actually, all atc70s, 3 and 4 speeds were down shifts, with the exception of the 1985. That was the first year for an upshift tranny and also the last year for the atc70.

I managed to pick up a partial 1974 engine for this project. I thought, why the heck not, that's how this project started so I might as well keep it going that way. It's missing the top end, the electronics and the left side cover. It did have a really nice shifter though. Another difference that is easily noticeable is the shift indicator. The early engines didn't have them.
The real real reason I wanted to have a 74 engine it to eventually make this an all 74 machine. Correct in every way. I will get there. I now need a good set of forks and a side cover for the engine. Between now and next TF, I need to find those items and I need to get the chrome replated. Not too big of a deal.

[Daddio]

Here are a few pics of it at TF14. As soon as I can, Ill get some kind of ride report or video. Need to figure out the spark issue first.

196238196239196240196241

[MattDragontamer]

I just remembered to check up on your build... I see you got it running at Trikefest. Nice!

I love the headlight brackets, looks better than the bolt on ones.
The red is nice too. Nice and even on all parts. Unfortunately, my red isn't as well done... :(

[dirtwheels]

Love this little bike. Great job!

[Daddio]

Love this little bike. Great job!
Thanks!!! It was a fun build, but I must say, it wasn't always easy. My job is restoring peoples cars back to pre-accident condition, so I figured why not do an atc70 for me.

[jays375]

Awesome!Those are cool little trikes.