Classic Bike Resto Crew v. 1964 Honda Dream

[xrocket21]

A good friend of mine brought by his 1964 Honda Dream. It is 300cc , and it's in great condition. For those that dont know, this is what it looksl ike (not the actual bike)



The paint is VERY good, but it is so old, at the seams it has a little rust coming through. Other than that though, the bike is rust free.

I am storing it for him this winter and Im going to help him restore it. Landrics is close by, so it will be easy to bring parts in for paint.

The plan is to dismantle it, clean it, paint it, and put it back together with some fresh fluids.

If anyone knows anything about these bikes, or restoring old bike in general, Id appreciate the advice.

Im a pretty good mechanic, and we have the clymer manual for it. Will parts be impossible to find? Would it be worth more to keep the original paint?

Thanks!

[xrocket21]

oooooooooo

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I don't think That's a 2 stroke. You may want to NOT put 2 stroke oil in the gas.

[TheIglu]

Well, you can, if you want it to smoke a bunch and foul plugs.

Last Honda Dream I did any work on was a 4 stroke....it was a 170 or something. ..

[xrocket21]

hmmm, interesting

I really havent looked into it much. The friend dropped it off last night. It was given to him by family. He is the one who told me it was a 300cc 2-stroke. Looking at it now though......

[xrocket21]

are they good bikes? Is it worth putting some money into it?

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Yes and NO, They are cool bikes For tooling around But they are basically BIG Mopeds so you will get a BIG moped level of performance out of them. I would clean it up and get it running and enjoy it. They made so many so any classic or collector value is almost nothing Because they Made a Million of them.

If it was a two stroke the Header would have an expansion chamber of some sort on it. It dont.

[xrocket21]

Yeah, I know. My research is showing it is a Honda C77, since it has electric start. Im super impressed with the shape the bike is in for a '60s era vehicle. Its what you would call a "barn find" I suppose. Odo show 95xx miles, and it was last registered in the early 90s

[JohnnyV]

If the paint is in good condition, and can be brought back to life, I would definitely do that rather than a full repaint. Although the bike will likely never be worth a great deal of money, it will, like most other classic vehicles, be worth more with nice ORIGINAL paint that with perfect new paint.

I had a '65 CB160 that has in the past few years worked its way through a few other NESR members, and although they are painfully slow, and as Dan pointed out essentially big mopeds, they are a blast to work on and look cool as hell. I would bring it back to life while keeping it as original as possible, and have fun with it.



With regards to support and parts:
http://www.vjmc.org/ Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club

http://www.ohiocycle.com/ Ohio Cycles, Vintage OEM Jap motorcycle parts. I've ordered through them before, good customer service, good guys

[xrocket21]

thanks for the good advice. The paint is DAMN GOOD, but it has rust coming through at some seams. Its weird. Ill get some good pics of the actual bike tonight.

Good advice though

the bike was free to my friend, so he is ready to put up to a grand into it.

[Ryno]

I've seen them go for decent money.
They are four strokes

[Kurlon]

The big PITA with them I recall is the wiring is buried in the frame, hard to work with.

Also, if it hasn't been run in a few years, don't fire it up till you can clean the oil sling and blow air through the crank or you risk old crud plugging the rod oil passages.

[klp]

http://www.honda305.com/forums/index...fee74a63e977ea

This is the only forum you will need - very knowledgeable folks here who are all very serious about keeping these old bikes alive.

Compared to modern bikes they are way overbuilt and under stressed. Very sturdy stuff. The motor is a 305cc four stroke twin. I have the scrambler version of that bike, high pipes and fenders with the same motor, Cl77.

[xrocket21]

heres pics of the actual bike

actual pics

[landricscustoms]

Im pretty fluent in restations so i will gladly help if needed. Dont hesitate to ask.. Id love to help with the paint work just because i enjoy restorations.

[xrocket21]

Im pretty fluent in restations so i will gladly help if needed. Dont hesitate to ask.. Id love to help with the paint work just because i enjoy restorations.

that was the plan since youre so close, like 4 miles

[pk4882]

I had one when I was 12.

My Dad bought it, the seller took the plate, and the next day I went on a 100 mile ride with no plate! Duh.

After that, I rode it on trails and had a blast.

Thanks for reviving those memories!

PK

[Expat]

Don't paint it, it's too good, you would never recover the cost.
I have restored a lot of 70's and 80's jap bikes, you will rarely recover the cost of the work done. I would strip it and clean it up carefully to see what you have. Repair / restore / replace what needs work keeping as many of the original parts as possible and cost to a minimum.
Have fun!!

[whynot]

Looks to be in pretty good shape, there are some real junkers out there. Looks like a CA77 (C77 was earlier), 305cc, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-speed, single carb, single points.

Parts supply should be good, I've had no problems with my CB77. Lots of used and reproduction parts on eBay, lots still available from Honda, and some independents, like Ohio Cycle http://www.ohiocycle.com/. You can probably find the genuine Honda parts fiche on line pretty easily. For example, see http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...a-ca77/o/m1936

+1 on the Honda305 forum. Poke around there for everything you need to know. You can find out year of manufacture from the frame #. BTW, frame and engine #s should be close, but do not match.

My '65 CB77 Superhawk: