I think there were some variations that came from the factory, but I don't have all the data to speak authoritatively.

However, I think the trend was short in the very early years (when CT's were just a variation of a Super Cub) and taller in most of the later years (when CT's needed the taller center stand for "trail" uses). I briefly touched on this with the retired Honda dealers and technicians when creating the CT Gallery, however, we never got it all together.

However, you could be right... "just another case of odd parts swapped on by the previous owner".

Paved roads, just more needless government spending...

I pick up my mail in Santa Barbara, California, USA.