Quick VIN / Frame Lookup
Enter a CT70-########, CT70H-######, or a 17-digit VIN starting with JH2….
Note: Ranges are best-known starts; production can overlap. Confirm with visual cues (exhaust, fenders, headlight/speedo style).
K0 “Silver Tag” (Early 1969)
The first production CT70s carry an aluminum silver VIN tag with black text and a set of one-year-only details — the most collectible early run that predates the common black tag.
- Frame/engine window: CT70-1000001–101500 / CT70E-1000001–101500
- Exhaust: all-chrome with line-grid heat shield
- Fenders: steel front & rear
- Defining traits: solid footpeg mount, no reflectors, early carb/airbox & wiring (smaller bullet connectors), unique seat pan (two rear drains), 50 mph speedometer, silver ignition bezel, early switchgear, smooth fork legs
Year-by-Year Highlights
- K0 / HK0 (1969–1971): one-piece headlight/speedo; all-chrome exhaust (grid shield); steel fenders. HK0 = factory 4-speed manual.
- K1–K3 (1972–1974): separate headlight & speedo; black exhausts with black/chrome round-hole shields; steel fenders.
- K4–1979: black exhaust setup continues; steel fenders; single-year colors (’76 Tahitian Red, ’77 Shiny Orange, ’78 Black, ’79 Bright Yellow).
- 1980–1982: plastic front fender introduced in 1980; all-black exhausts (1980+); 17-digit VIN begins 1981.
- 1991–1994 reissues: Italian Red only, 12V CDI & key switch; plastic front & rear fenders; all-black exhaust.
VIN / Frame Reference
K0 “Silver Tag” (1969)
- Frame: CT70-1000001 → ~101500
- Engine: CT70E-1000001 → ~101500
- Colors: Candy Ruby Red, Candy Sapphire Blue, Candy Gold
- Exhaust: all-chrome grid shield | Fenders: steel/steel
K0 Standard (1969–1971)
- Frame: CT70-101501+ | Engine: CT70E-101501+
- Colors: Candy Ruby Red, Candy Sapphire Blue, Candy Gold
- Exhaust: all-chrome grid shield | Fenders: steel/steel
HK0 (1970–1971, 4-speed)
- Frame: CT70H-100001+ | Engine: CT70HE-100001+
- Colors: Candy Blue-Green, Candy Emerald Green, Candy Topaz Orange
- Exhaust: all-chrome grid shield | Fenders: steel/steel
K1 / HK1 (1972–1973)
- K1 Frame: CT70-2000001+ | HK1 Frame: CT70H-2000001+
- Colors: Candy Ruby Red, Candy Yellow Special
- Exhaust: black muffler w/ black+chrome round-hole shield | Fenders: steel/steel
K2 (1973)
- Frame: CT70-2100001+
- Colors: Candy Topaz Orange, Candy Riviera Blue
- Exhaust: black + round-hole shield | Fenders: steel/steel
K3 (1974)
- Frame: CT70-2300001+
- Colors: Candy Riviera Blue, Candy Topaz Orange
- Exhaust: black + round-hole shield | Fenders: steel/steel
K4 (1975)
- Frame: CT70-2400001+
- Color: Mighty Green
- Exhaust: black + round-hole shield | Fenders: steel/steel
1976–1979
- 1976: Tahitian Red | 1977: Shiny Orange | 1978: Black | 1979: Bright Yellow
- Exhaust: black + round-hole shield | Fenders: steel/steel
1980–1982 (Pre-Reissue)
- 1980 Frame start: CT70-5100007+ | 1981–1982 17-digit VIN: JH2DD010…
- Color: Tahitian Red (all)
- Exhaust: all-black | Fenders: plastic front (1980+), steel rear on 1980
1991–1994 Reissues
- 17-digit VIN prefix: JH2DB010… | Year code (10th char): M=1991, N=1992, P=1993, R=1994
- Color: Italian Red (all)
- Exhaust: all-black | Fenders: plastic front & rear | 12V CDI, key switch on frame
Color Reference (U.S.)
- 1969–1971 (K0): Candy Ruby Red, Candy Sapphire Blue, Candy Gold
- 1970–1971 (HK0): Candy Blue-Green, Candy Emerald Green, Candy Topaz Orange
- 1972 (K1/HK1): Candy Ruby Red, Candy Yellow Special
- 1973–1974 (K2/K3): Candy Topaz Orange, Candy Riviera Blue
- 1975: Mighty Green
- 1976: Tahitian Red
- 1977: Shiny Orange
- 1978: Black
- 1979: Bright Yellow
- 1980–1982: Tahitian Red
- 1991–1994: Italian Red
Where to Find Numbers
Frame stamp: left side of steering head/neck. Engine: left case (CT70E…, DD01E…, or DB01E… for reissues). 1981+ frames typically carry a printed 17-digit VIN sticker/plate starting with JH2.
Notes & Caveats
- Production overlapped; some running changes straddle model years.
- Canadian/JDM variants and dealer swaps can differ in colors/labels.
- Use multiple cues (frame & engine #s + cosmetics) for confirmation.