Depending on where you're from, the "S" was thought to mean Super or Sport. Most people in the US refered to this model as the Super 90, and anybody that was a teenager in the '60's should be able to easily remember this one, as it became very popular and now quite collectible as well.
I've had this '65 Honda S90 for a couple of years now and was thinking about riding it a bit this summer. But decided to go straight into a restoration instead.
When I found it in a barn, it was complete and original for the most part. Which is one of the things I put a high value on. Having just over 1800 miles on the odometer was also a big plus, however is was cosmetically challenged to the point I wouldn't be able to consider it a survivor.
Here is what it looked like when I got it home
![Image]()
After transferring the title into my name, I just let it sit for a couple more years while I was doing other projects. So now it was time to get it started and see how it ran. I always do this before a restoration so I know what is needed for the engine. I went ahead and hooked in a 6v battery and remote fuel feed, cleaned the carburetor, points and checked the timing. Also reset the valve clearances to .002 inch. and put in fresh oil.
Here's a video of it's first run in a bunch of years. Fluid leaking out at end of video is gas from a bad bowl gasket, even though it looks like oil.
Bike ran good with no smoke, shifted well, but I didn't take it out for a ride due to a few spokes flopping around. The charging system wasn't working. But if your familiar with this model, you know you got to drop the motor to get at the rectifier. Hopefully it will be just a wiring or connection issue.
So now it's time to get this thing tore down, parts bagged and labeled before sending out the painted parts for media blasting and paint.
Here I'm getting ready to lower the motor.
![Image]()
The whole tear down process is only a few hours with most time taken up by snapping pics for later reference and bagging and labeling all the fasteners.
Since this is hardly my first rodeo with S90's, even riding them in the '60s for that matter, it has been my experience that any barn find S90 will have been the home for mice inside the frame. This one didn't disappoint me in that aspect either. Sometimes I think I could get hantavirus just looking at a dusty old S90.
With chewed up wiring pulled out of the frame, it's time to get rid of the rest of the nest.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Fast forward from late July till now, as I've haven't had time to work on the S90 project, due to being out on the road to shows, auctions etc., always trying to bring more projects to my shop.
![Image]()
Finally got my parts picked up, an S90 in a box:
![Image]()
![Image]()
Laid everything out to make sure it was all there. Some assembly may be required
![Image]()
![Image]()
Since I also have another red '65 S90 parts bike with really close VIN to this one, I was able to change out some of the crustier parts.
Here I've already redone the front shocks and boots then pulled them through the lower tree, then put on the fork ears and top bolts to keep them from collapsing/sliding down.
![Image]()
I realize everybody has there own method of assembly, and mine are quite different depending on model I'm assembling as well. Here I've set the forks with lower tree into the wheel clamp to hold vertical so I can place the 21 balls onto the lower bearing race with a little grease. (this image didn't come out as clear as I expected:
![Image]()
)
![Image]()
In this position it is easy to lift the empty frame and set the frame neck right down on the lower bearing.
Once the frame is in place it's time to put the remaining 20 ball's (upper bearing is just slightly smaller than the bottom) on the upper race.
![Image]()
Here you can see it's ready for the upper tree after the top bearing is in place.
![Image]()
Not that I've got the bearing adjusted the upper tree goes on and then it's just a matter of putting in the pinch bolts and redoing the top bolts after putting in some fresh fork oil.
![Image]()
Well I hope I can make some steady progress now that I'm back on it, as I sure hope to have it in show condition before the snow flies!
Updates to follow (soon I hope:
![Image]()
)
I've had this '65 Honda S90 for a couple of years now and was thinking about riding it a bit this summer. But decided to go straight into a restoration instead.
When I found it in a barn, it was complete and original for the most part. Which is one of the things I put a high value on. Having just over 1800 miles on the odometer was also a big plus, however is was cosmetically challenged to the point I wouldn't be able to consider it a survivor.
Here is what it looked like when I got it home
After transferring the title into my name, I just let it sit for a couple more years while I was doing other projects. So now it was time to get it started and see how it ran. I always do this before a restoration so I know what is needed for the engine. I went ahead and hooked in a 6v battery and remote fuel feed, cleaned the carburetor, points and checked the timing. Also reset the valve clearances to .002 inch. and put in fresh oil.
Here's a video of it's first run in a bunch of years. Fluid leaking out at end of video is gas from a bad bowl gasket, even though it looks like oil.
Bike ran good with no smoke, shifted well, but I didn't take it out for a ride due to a few spokes flopping around. The charging system wasn't working. But if your familiar with this model, you know you got to drop the motor to get at the rectifier. Hopefully it will be just a wiring or connection issue.
So now it's time to get this thing tore down, parts bagged and labeled before sending out the painted parts for media blasting and paint.
Here I'm getting ready to lower the motor.
The whole tear down process is only a few hours with most time taken up by snapping pics for later reference and bagging and labeling all the fasteners.
Since this is hardly my first rodeo with S90's, even riding them in the '60s for that matter, it has been my experience that any barn find S90 will have been the home for mice inside the frame. This one didn't disappoint me in that aspect either. Sometimes I think I could get hantavirus just looking at a dusty old S90.
With chewed up wiring pulled out of the frame, it's time to get rid of the rest of the nest.
Fast forward from late July till now, as I've haven't had time to work on the S90 project, due to being out on the road to shows, auctions etc., always trying to bring more projects to my shop.
Finally got my parts picked up, an S90 in a box:
Laid everything out to make sure it was all there. Some assembly may be required
Since I also have another red '65 S90 parts bike with really close VIN to this one, I was able to change out some of the crustier parts.
Here I've already redone the front shocks and boots then pulled them through the lower tree, then put on the fork ears and top bolts to keep them from collapsing/sliding down.
I realize everybody has there own method of assembly, and mine are quite different depending on model I'm assembling as well. Here I've set the forks with lower tree into the wheel clamp to hold vertical so I can place the 21 balls onto the lower bearing race with a little grease. (this image didn't come out as clear as I expected:
In this position it is easy to lift the empty frame and set the frame neck right down on the lower bearing.
Once the frame is in place it's time to put the remaining 20 ball's (upper bearing is just slightly smaller than the bottom) on the upper race.
Here you can see it's ready for the upper tree after the top bearing is in place.
Not that I've got the bearing adjusted the upper tree goes on and then it's just a matter of putting in the pinch bolts and redoing the top bolts after putting in some fresh fork oil.
Well I hope I can make some steady progress now that I'm back on it, as I sure hope to have it in show condition before the snow flies!
Updates to follow (soon I hope:
