Honda SL70 Project Complete!

I’ve finished the 1971 Honda SL70 restoration and here’s the photos of the finished project.  Actually, I finished the project earlier this summer (summer 2013), but only just got around to taking some decent photos.  The bike is fully operational, everything works as expected including all the electrical components, the engine runs fine and the bike drives and shifts as-new.

As a reminder or in case one didn’t read the original posts or follow along with the project, this was a full frame-off restoration.  Included was a complete rebuild of the motor and transmission, including replacing the crankshaft, rechroming what was usable (most was) or sourcing good used, NOS or quality reproductions for everything that was beyond salvaging.  About fifty percent of the body work is original, including the fuel tank.  The non-original items were good used items I sourced from all over North America.  I spent just short of two years on the entire project, from the point I first rolled (dragged) the rolling basket case onto the bike stand until the last steps of adding the freshly-painted body work and final touches.

I didn’t work on the SL70 anywhere near exclusively during the two years as I was distracted with other projects or was waiting for parts, chrome work to come back, etc.  If I had focused on this project exclusively (more or less) it could have been done in six months or less, perhaps considerably less.

This was a fun and rewarding project and relatively easy compared to my last restoration – the 1973 Kawasaki H2 750.  There was simply more of everything with the H2 and it was far more complicated, to say nothing of considerably bigger and heavier, though I thoroughly enjoyed that project also.

Hmmm, so what should be my next project… I have a lot to pick from.  I’ll be posting my thoughts on what may be my next restoration shortly… stay tuned!

 

Honda SL70 Left Rear Qtr
Honda SL70 Left Rear Quarter
Honda SL70 Left Front Qtr
Honda SL70 Left Front Quarter
Honda SL70 Right Rear Qtr
Honda SL70 Right Rear Quarter
Honda SL70 Right Front Qtr
Honda SL70 Right Front Quarter
Honda SL70 Tank & Handle Bars
Honda SL70 Tank & Handle Bars
Honda SL70 Rear Fender & Tail Light
Honda SL70 Rear Fender & Tail Light

17 Replies to “Honda SL70 Project Complete!”

  1. Just curious: I have a 1971 Honda SL70 in my garage. Does not run, I haven’t tried to start in many years partly because I’m now disabled due to stroke and I have some physical limitations. I’m considering a partial to complete restoration. I’d do it myself but, as I said I’m not able to now.Can you give me a ballpark price on a total restoration. I understand you ned to see what condition a bike is in to give a good price.Can you throw out just a round about ballpark figure + or -. I’m not certain of when I could get this done or with whom. Thank you.

    • As you know Jeff, it’s very difficult to estimate the cost for a restoration without seeing the project first-hand and knowing specifically what the owner wishes to have done.

      A complete frame-off restoration of a very rough, non-running project gets expensive fast, easily starting at $2K for parts and materials, and that doesn’t include labor. With labor, one can easily add at least 50 percent to that figure, if not doubling the number.

      A partial project, such as a “reconditioning”, which usually doesn’t include full repaint and only involves getting the bike running and replacing wear items (tires, tubes, cables, etc), will likely start around $1K and go up from there.

      • I have a completely restored sl70 blue. I’ve had it for a few years had to restore like you said it’s a fortune. What are they going for if I was to sell it.

        • I haven’t really been keeping up on the value of SL70s recently David, but I can tell you that small bikes in general have been surging in valve over the last couple of years. I’ve seen well-restored and running SL70s over the last two years easily going for $3000.00 and they’re probably worth much more than that now. I’d suggest doing some online searches to see what recent auctions or sales are fetching. I wouldn’t’ be surprised to see them up in the $4-$5K range now, perhaps more.

  2. I am looking for a restored SLL-70 same red color as above. Please keep me in mind if you ever may come across one on consignment etc . Great job btw!
    Ron

    • In my neck of the woods, SL70s are uncommon, in fact rare. I believe what happened is they were used-and-abused, handed down and/or resold many times and most just didn’t survive. If I do come across one, I’ll drop a note.

      Thanks for theh kind comments!

  3. i have a red 72 sl70 sitting in my garage that I ride all the time. Super strong little bike however, it has had a Yamaha 3 speed automatic transmission installed rather cleverly on to it replacing the 4 speed manual. I also have a reasonably complete project bike 1971 sl70, blue and white. I hadn’t considered selling it because I had thought I’d do it up nice one day. That day just doesn’t seem to be in sight and I have a number of others ahead of it. I’d be happy to send detailed pictures and whatever else a person might request. I’d also be more than happy to discuss it. I have no $ in mind for either of the bikes because I would normally not even think of selling one. They’re all my babies, even the ugly ones. I’m sure you understand

  4. I just picked up a Blue Sl70 today in very good shape. I want to have it restored to look brand new. I’m willing to pay for a good job do you know were I can have it done the parts are hard to find.

    • There are lots of places that restore vintage bikes, do a ‘net search and research on “vintage motorcycle restoration” and you’ll find plenty of places, some well known. In particular, Marbles Motors from Texas is very well known as a SL70 specialist.

      However, be prepared for the expense… the parts and professional services (machine work, painting, chrome, etc.) will run into the thousands of dollars. The labor of the person doing the actual restoration will be on top of that.

  5. My son has taken apart his 1973 Honda SL and doesn’t have instructions to put it back together. Do you know where we could find instructions? I have had the frame painted and engine rebuilt so I would really like to get it back together.

    • Darlene, I’m afraid assembly instructions don’t really exist. The closest to this would be a good service manual, but even this resource doesn’t show many details of the construction/assembly and requires a fundamental understanding of motorcycle mechanics.

      My advice would be to see if you can locate someone in your area that is familiar with repairing vintage Japanese motorcycles, Hondas in particular. Checking on Social Media or contacting a local Honda dealer would be places to start.

      Sorry I couldn’t be of more help…

  6. Curious where you got your exhaust/muffler from. Mine is pretty much shot. I see a few around on eBay but very bad condition as well. Seems the others I find are not available or insanely expensive. Thanks.

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