A Grandfather’s Gift, Restored: The 1974 Honda CT90 Rides Again

Some motorcycles are more than machines—they’re time capsules. For Matthew Thompson, that capsule is a 1974 Honda CT90, a trail bike that belonged to his late grandfather. After sitting untouched in a garage for 38 years, the little Honda is finally back on the road, thanks to a careful revival and a lot of heart.

The bike had been parked since the mid-1980s, gathering dust and rust. But Matthew knew it deserved better. He brought it to Jon at Boca Auto Care, where the team tackled the decades of neglect: cleaning the carburetor, replacing the tires, and getting the engine to turn over again.

It wasn’t a full restoration—just enough to make it rideable. And when that first kickstart fired up, the sound was pure nostalgia.

Now, Matthew is taking his time with the CT90, slowly bringing it back to its former glory piece by piece. He’s not in a rush. Every mile he puts on the odometer is a tribute to his grandfather, who used the bike for hunting trips and weekend adventures. The little 90cc engine may not be fast, but it carries a heavy load of memories.

For Matthew, each ride is a conversation across time.