After a couple months of riding each of the Honda CT70 clone bikes……the Icebear Champion and the Amigo Rocky…..I give my thoughts on the two bikes. #HondaCT70
These original CT-70 Hondas were the first bikes to catch my attention. I was just 10 years old when they came out in 1970, I believe it was. A family I knew had one as well as the little 50cc. I was SO jealous. A year later, my dad surprised me with a new red SL-70 K0, then my friends were jealous. I wonder what an original mint first year CT-70 would be worth today?
Mike, I bought my Icebear Champion from Belmonte Bikes. As soon as I got the bike assembled I had a no spark issue. Belmonte sent me an ignition coil, a voltage regulator and an ignition module just to make sure that all the possibilities were covered. I also had an issue with the front brake. no amount of bleeding would make the caliper respond to the master cylinder. They sent me a complete sealed front brake unit, lever, master cylinder, clamp, hose and caliper. I was very happy with their customer service.
I am lucky enough live up the street from cajunmaddogs. I can verify that they are some good guys that run that shop. I purchased my champion and my wife's scooter from them. It's so nice to be able to bring in the bikes for maintenance and performance upgrades. Great video!!
I have two Ice Bear Champions (Blue and Green) and a Ice Bear Leo (Red). I also have the Amigo Rocky (Darth Vader satin black). I've compared them top to bottom. Front to back. I will say that in my opinion, the Icebear Champion is the better of the two CT70 clones without question. Quality, Price, you name it. AUTO clutch for the win! The Amigo Rocky is over priced and a little lower quality. The Icebear has all the nice chrome. The Amigo cheaped out with black paint. I'll be painting the Amigo the color I want as a later project. I decided on clone bikes, because an original, nice condition CT70 is about $4000 right now, and its still a 70cc engine Screw that. I did upgrade both Icebears with new Maxxis tires, Honda decals, swapped out the bent leg kick starter for a strait legged one, swapped out the heal - toe shifter for a folding tip standard version, upgraded the rear shocks and raised and trimmed front fender. I also swapped out the tail light assembly for a Honda replica. These upgrades/modifications were inexpensive and worth it. The Icebears are also still running the stock carbs, but I did upgrade the air filters to Uni-Filters. SOLID bikes! YES! you must do your own dealer prep (tighten bolts, break in engine, lube cables, adjust things, etc), but it's worth it. If I could go back in a time machine, I never would have purchased the Amigo Rocky. That little Icebear Leo is adorable and a copy of a Honda "Gorilla" not Z50, and just as fast as the Icebear Champions out of the crate!
@@MiniBikeMike both nice, but the Rocky is always $500 more. Ouch! Bottom line great bang for the buck and FUN! The price savings alone compared to a restored CT70 or even a new Honda Monkey, Trail 125, or Daix can buy a LOT of fun upgrade parts and keep money in your pocket. Love your channel!
UK do Skyteam but other companies buy them and rename them to own specs, look on UA-cam for a Bullit Hero 125 or Triton motorcycles version, all higher spec with f.i.
Great final review , agree with all you said . Did the carb and rear swing arm fix on mine , is great now however , wanted to ask you , did you have a problem with the front forks / shocks on the IB ? Mine is SOOOOOOO stiff , it feels like I'm riding a rigid minibike . I have to do all I can to just compress the front forks , and they actually stick down and have to pull them back up ??? Thanks Mike .
Do you have the spacer on the front axle? It almost sounds like the bottom of the forks are pulled in tighter than the top and causing them to bind. Mine work just fine.
Mike, sorry to keep sending questions. Right now I am going to ride my Champion stock but one change I will make before WV snow comes down is adding a 17 tooth front sprocket. Trying to make first and second a bit more useful. What type thread lock should I use on bolts. I have blue medium duty. Should I use the red?
Unfortunately, no clue. I’ve never used a thread locking product, so I have no idea what the difference is between the two. I just tighten the bolts and have never had a problem.
From the comments I guess I have never understood the change the stickers to Honda thing. Where I was a kid riding in the 1970's people took all the Honda markings off the bikes because somehow they felt by doing that people would not know they rode the Japanese bikes. It's not like you can't tell by a quick look. I've ridden about everything over the years, take the sticker money, buy some gas and ride.
To each their own. I don’t waste any effort worrying about why someone did a particular mod to their bike. I’m all for encouraging them to make the bike their own and enjoy the hobby.
Are you going to change the champion over to a manual shift?? And Which bike did find was easier to shift, manual or semi . Do they both have the same engine ?? I've never dealt with a semi transmission, and do you have to wait till the engine revs come down before you shift.
It will be a 140cc semi-auto. They both shift smooth. You shift a semi the same as with a hand clutch…..let off the throttle slightly and bang the next gear.
On the over priced red bike.....I would change out the Amigo decal with a Honda decal and change tires put the right Honda ct70 bridgestone trail wings on......
That’s what makes this hobby so fun, everyone can do their own thing and no one is wrong. I’m already building the black bike as a replica and have 30 or 40 real CT70’s, I don’t need this one to look like a Honda. The red is just basic, fun transportation for me.
@@JMP350 Correct, I did use the Molkt and still feel it’s a good carb, but….after running this Nibbi on the Rocky for a while, I’ll be switching future builds to the Nibbi.
These original CT-70 Hondas were the first bikes to catch my attention. I was just 10 years old when they came out in 1970, I believe it was. A family I knew had one as well as the little 50cc. I was SO jealous. A year later, my dad surprised me with a new red SL-70 K0, then my friends were jealous. I wonder what an original mint first year CT-70 would be worth today?
Mike, I bought my Icebear Champion from Belmonte Bikes. As soon as I got the bike assembled I had a no spark issue. Belmonte sent me an ignition coil, a voltage regulator and an ignition module just to make sure that all the possibilities were covered. I also had an issue with the front brake. no amount of bleeding would make the caliper respond to the master cylinder. They sent me a complete sealed front brake unit, lever, master cylinder, clamp, hose and caliper. I was very happy with their customer service.
Good to hear that there are other reputable dealers out there.
I am lucky enough live up the street from cajunmaddogs. I can verify that they are some good guys that run that shop. I purchased my champion and my wife's scooter from them. It's so nice to be able to bring in the bikes for maintenance and performance upgrades. Great video!!
How do I contact you to buy a bike?
I’m not really in the bike selling business, but might have one or two I’d let go. What bike are you after? My email is: ct70help@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge Mike. I always enjoy your videos. I've learned so much. Thanks again.
Thanks Joe.
I have two Ice Bear Champions (Blue and Green) and a Ice Bear Leo (Red). I also have the Amigo Rocky (Darth Vader satin black). I've compared them top to bottom. Front to back. I will say that in my opinion, the Icebear Champion is the better of the two CT70 clones without question. Quality, Price, you name it. AUTO clutch for the win! The Amigo Rocky is over priced and a little lower quality. The Icebear has all the nice chrome. The Amigo cheaped out with black paint. I'll be painting the Amigo the color I want as a later project. I decided on clone bikes, because an original, nice condition CT70 is about $4000 right now, and its still a 70cc engine Screw that. I did upgrade both Icebears with new Maxxis tires, Honda decals, swapped out the bent leg kick starter for a strait legged one, swapped out the heal - toe shifter for a folding tip standard version, upgraded the rear shocks and raised and trimmed front fender. I also swapped out the tail light assembly for a Honda replica. These upgrades/modifications were inexpensive and worth it. The Icebears are also still running the stock carbs, but I did upgrade the air filters to Uni-Filters. SOLID bikes! YES! you must do your own dealer prep (tighten bolts, break in engine, lube cables, adjust things, etc), but it's worth it. If I could go back in a time machine, I never would have purchased the Amigo Rocky. That little Icebear Leo is adorable and a copy of a Honda "Gorilla" not Z50, and just as fast as the Icebear Champions out of the crate!
I’d agree with all that. Although, after dialing my Rocky in, it’s a fantastic little bike also.
@@MiniBikeMike both nice, but the Rocky is always $500 more. Ouch! Bottom line great bang for the buck and FUN! The price savings alone compared to a restored CT70 or even a new Honda Monkey, Trail 125, or Daix can buy a LOT of fun upgrade parts and keep money in your pocket. Love your channel!
You should show the complete conversion of the bike. Video each step. I like the long videos showing everything
I try to provide a mix. Some guys like detailed, longer vids. Others want shorter.
Fyi the best mod I've put on my 71 ct70 is the rear shocks off of my cb550 I'm 280 lbs it rides nice
comforting to know at 225 or so
That is the one I would have picked to.
I purchased a sky team about 10 years ago, sir ... traditional candy gold
Yeah, I’ve owned Skyteam, Redcat, Lifan, Jincheng, etc in the past. I’m not sure if any of those still make CT70 clones or not.
I am in the UK with a 2016 Skyteam ct70 copy, you can buy them new now but euro 5 spec with fuel injection, better spec parts, wheels, clocks etc.
UK do Skyteam but other companies buy them and rename them to own specs, look on UA-cam for a Bullit Hero 125 or Triton motorcycles version, all higher spec with f.i.
Great final review , agree with all you said . Did the carb and rear swing arm fix on mine , is great now however , wanted to ask you , did you have a problem with the front forks / shocks on the IB ? Mine is SOOOOOOO stiff , it feels like I'm riding a rigid minibike . I have to do all I can to just compress the front forks , and they actually stick down and have to pull them back up ??? Thanks Mike .
Do you have the spacer on the front axle? It almost sounds like the bottom of the forks are pulled in tighter than the top and causing them to bind. Mine work just fine.
I have always liked these bikes. I heard a rumor that Honda was considering making a new version.
I believe they have released the Dax 125 I other parts of the world, but have not heard a date for US bikes.
Mike, sorry to keep sending questions. Right now I am going to ride my Champion stock but one change I will make before WV snow comes down is adding a 17 tooth front sprocket. Trying to make first and second a bit more useful. What type thread lock should I use on bolts. I have blue medium duty. Should I use the red?
Unfortunately, no clue. I’ve never used a thread locking product, so I have no idea what the difference is between the two. I just tighten the bolts and have never had a problem.
From the comments I guess I have never understood the change the stickers to Honda thing. Where I was a kid riding in the 1970's people took all the Honda markings off the bikes because somehow they felt by doing that people would not know they rode the Japanese bikes. It's not like you can't tell by a quick look. I've ridden about everything over the years, take the sticker money, buy some gas and ride.
To each their own. I don’t waste any effort worrying about why someone did a particular mod to their bike. I’m all for encouraging them to make the bike their own and enjoy the hobby.
Have had mine a few days, started right up, a mother #u(/
Received on 12th got my plate today (27th) California its actually called a Baodoi according to the DMV
Rocky is $2,149 on Maddogs now.....
Yep
Are you going to change the champion over to a manual shift?? And Which bike did find was easier to shift, manual or semi . Do they both have the same engine ?? I've never dealt with a semi transmission, and do you have to wait till the engine revs come down before you shift.
It will be a 140cc semi-auto. They both shift smooth. You shift a semi the same as with a hand clutch…..let off the throttle slightly and bang the next gear.
On the over priced red bike.....I would change out the Amigo decal with a Honda decal and change tires put the right Honda ct70 bridgestone trail wings on......
That’s what makes this hobby so fun, everyone can do their own thing and no one is wrong. I’m already building the black bike as a replica and have 30 or 40 real CT70’s, I don’t need this one to look like a Honda. The red is just basic, fun transportation for me.
🛑🛑 Mike…what carburetor would you recommend for the Ice Bear Champion, and where could I purchase it?
Thank You 👍
Amazon. Nibbi 24mm carb. Check out my video on the trashed Amigo swingarm. At the end of that video, I give info on the Nibbi carb.
@@MiniBikeMike
Thanks Brother 👍
Didn’t you use the melkt or something like that on your icebear
@@JMP350 Correct, I did use the Molkt and still feel it’s a good carb, but….after running this Nibbi on the Rocky for a while, I’ll be switching future builds to the Nibbi.
🛑🛑 Mike….just a Follow Up to this video….do you see any reason why there is such a price difference between the 2 bikes??
Thank You. 👍
I’m guessing because the Amigo is California legal, but not sure.
That is the one I would have picked to.