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The Honda C70, also known as the Passport during some product years, was sold in the United States between its roll-out year of 1970 until the 1983-84 model years, when the Japanese company decided to go with a more updated scooter line for the domestic market. The C70, was a successor product to the original, and wildly popular 50cc Honda Cub. The product was a slightly more powerful version of the original rider pass-through scooter, and helped cement Hondas position as a persistent brand player in Americas two-wheel culture.
General Amenities
To most folks, the Honda C70 is defined as a moped or scooter, rather than a true motorcycle. This perception was primarily engendered by the bikes pass-through configuration, since "real" motorcycles of the day made the rider swing a leg over the gas tank to sit down on the saddle. The little bike was offered in Aquarius blue, Bright red, Pine green, Elephant Grey or Yellow, and seated either one or two passengers, depending on the optional saddle. In the latter configuration, the vehicle offered foot-pegs front and aft, in addition to a leg guard.
Engine/Drivetrain/Lighting
The C70 offered a 70cc powerplant (actually 72cc in displacement, but the manufacturer typically favored round numbers in all of its sales collateral). The engine was based on a four-stroke, 2-valve, single-cylinder, carburetor-managed, overhead cam, gasoline-powered configuration. The bike carried a three-gear automatic transmission. The bikes electric system was based on a six volt battery system. The C70s engine starting system offered a manual kick-start system standard, although an electric ignition was offered as an option initially. Ultimately, however, the electric starter became standard in the mid-70s. Lighting was provided by a white front headlight, and a rear-light in red, serving as both road and brake lighting. The system also carried amber-colored left/right turn-signal assemblies. Front signal lights were located on the handlebars, while rear signals were attached on either sides of the rear fenders.
Performance
The C70 was a scooter, not a motorcycle and as such did not offer terrific performance, although it was very efficient in term of gas mileage. The bike could make a very windy 70 mph on a good day, and running downhill, but typical consumer units averaged a regular top-speed of somewhere in the high 50s. The product could go up to 115 miles before fueling.
