Topic: Advice on a Honda CA95

[jude0007]

Hey, does anyone know much about old CA95's or that style of bike?  I'm interested in picking one up because I like the tank/seat, whole bike really but don't know much about them.

Hard to find parts? Fun to ride?  It's basically a bigger moped. Thanks.

[HondanutRider]

They are called a "Benley" model by Honda.  They are 150cc in displacement.  The CA95 was unique to the USA market; elsewhere it was the C95 which had some differences in engine (the US model had different cam and carburetor, and produced more power) and also had turn signals that weren't on the CA95.  They are very comfortable to ride but not very powerful by today's standards.  Like any old bike, many parts can be a challenge to find.

[brewsky]

Depending on what you want to do with it, a CA77 (305cc) may be a better choice for road use.

Either are fun to ride and draw a crowd anywhere you stop.

[jude0007]

I ended up picking the bike up pretty cheap.  It's in rough shape, not terrible, but definitely the worst shape bike I've worked on.
I got it with no key but luckily was able to find a replacement key online!  The PO thinks it's a '63.  I can't find a frame number anywhere on the bike.  I haven't looked for the engine serial number which I could use to reference what year it is but I always run the risk of the frame year being off a bit from the engine. 

Can anyone tell what year it is or suggest where I look?  I've done some research online and everywhere people suggest looking, there's nothing.  Very puzzling.  Also, I can't imagine that seat color is stock?

[toytuff]

The frame number is stamped by the brake light switch. Great purchase but like others stated parts can be a challenge.

Honda changed a lot of things through the years. Check out my "building the Dream thread". Was 4 months of hard work, blast to ride and a conversation piece where ever you go.

tt

[jude0007]

The frame number is stamped by the brake light switch. Great purchase but like others stated parts can be a challenge.

Honda changed a lot of things through the years. Check out my "building the Dream thread". Was 4 months of hard work, blast to ride and a conversation piece where ever you go.

tt

I already read it a few days ago and it made it extremely difficult to get anything done at work... :-)  Very nicely done sir!

I will check out the area near the brake light switch.  Why are some of the easiest things harder than they should be?

[toytuff]

 

Glad to help. A few other members here are pretty sharp on these models.

tt

[jude0007]

I still can't find the number for the frame.  I swear it's not there....  I did find it on the engine (duh) and from the records I can see, it appears to a 64.

Are the wiring harnesses the same for most of the years or do I have to be careful about that?  I can start new rather easily but I thought if something like this work 100%, than it's kind of a no brainer for me.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-C92-C95-CA92-CA95-CB92-Benly-Wire-Wiring-Harness-/360469338072?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53eda597d8&vxp=mtr

[toytuff]

tt

[jude0007]

TT, my bike doesn't have a frame serial number anywhere.  I've looked everywhere.  Is it possible there's too much rust in that area that it's not visible?  Just baffling.

I should probably start a build thread for all these questions, comments.  I'm really getting excited for this little build!

[RAFster122s]

Pull your left side cover, stamped into the metal of the Tbone frame is the CA95---------- number. It will be some off from the engine number.

Scooter tire for 80mph would be all you need, as far as tires go.
just watch load rating as well.

Some parts are hard to find. Ohio Cycle is a good source. Tenavintage can get some things ( Anis is a good honest businessman.

David

[jude0007]

Ok, I think I may have found where the frame is/was.  It's pretty rusty in that area so the numbers are raised/disappeared.  Not sure if I should clean the area up, or if it will show up better after bead blasting the frame? 

Sorry for the poor picture but that's what I'm dealing with.  I tried to rub a pencil and paper over it to transfer it but that didn't really work.  You can definitely see some numbers in that area.  Any suggestions?

I will start a build thread for this little pup.  I'm fortunate in that I work at a large refinery as a rotating equipment engineer so I have access to a bead blaster, sand blaster and an automatic Safety Klean parts washer that you could walk into. That will come in handy for the motor and other parts.  We also have a car paint booth at the cabin shop so hoping to get the frame painted in the next week. 

At the moment, I have all the parts that I need.  A few cosmetic items can be found easily ebay.  My mufflers are shot so I'm thinking about picking up ones from Thailand.  This will not be 100% authentic rebuild.  I just want it to look nice and be mechanically sound then I'll drive the crap out it and enjoy every minute of it.  (Can you technically drive the crap out of a 150 scooter/motorcycle?)

[toytuff]

I would stay away from anything in Thailand.

Been there...done that.

Mufflers won't fit.

tt

[HondanutRider]

Toy restored a CA77 that had a few peculiarities, not the CA95.  He also wants to be very authentic.  I've used parts from Thailand and they can be good or bad.  They seem to make a lot of stuff over there for these models, usually not exactly authentic original but still better than nothing.  I've replaced the tank labels from that area on my C95 and they look better than the originals did.  (see picture)  I also have replaced the mufflers and although they aren't the original, they fit and work fine.  (unfortunately don't have a picture of that)

[jude0007]

Toy restored a CA77 that had a few peculiarities, not the CA95.  He also wants to be very authentic.  I've used parts from Thailand and they can be good or bad.  They seem to make a lot of stuff over there for these models, usually not exactly authentic original but still better than nothing.  I've replaced the tank labels from that area on my C95 and they look better than the originals did.  (see picture)  I also have replaced the mufflers and although they aren't the original, they fit and work fine.  (unfortunately don't have a picture of that)

Thanks for that.  The guy or guys from Thailand sell a few different mufflers so I'll just have to make sure I order the correct ones.  For ~$100, can't go wrong, mine are completely shot.  I'm not going to pay $300+ for originals in terrible condition.

I restored a 64 Chris Craft boat a few years ago, when I tore it down I must have found 400 walnuts from squirrels.  I found out this CA95 is actually a 64 as well, not a 63 as I was told.  When I tore down the frame, I found ~40 walnuts (would have been more I'm sure but more would not fit)  What's with these 64's and walnuts!!!

[HondanutRider]

Nuts!

[HondanutRider]

Like us that work on restoring em.

[toytuff]

Like us that work on restoring em.

+1

tt

[toytuff]

Well, let me know what you might need. Box of stuff that did not work. 

tt

[HondanutRider]

But then you gotta ride em.

Short story here from long ago....on a cold Thanksgiving (Canadian) weekend in 1967, I rode a C95, two-up, for about 150 miles on a 4-lane divided highway.  Nuts we were, and they were cold too!

Toy's stuff is probably off a C77...the Dream.  You've got a Baby Dream which is totally different but looks similar, just smaller.

[RAFster122s]

If I recall correctly it is stamped into the frame on the flat of the side below the opening for air filter & tool tray...
More likely chipmunks or mice..
I can't make much out from your pic on my phone...

[toytuff]

But then you gotta ride em.

Short story here from long ago....on a cold Thanksgiving (Canadian) weekend in 1967, I rode a C95, two-up, for about 150 miles on a 4-lane divided highway.  Nuts we were, and they were cold too!

Toy's stuff is probably off a C77...the Dream.  You've got a Baby Dream which is totally different but looks similar, just smaller.

Ah...no. Parts for a CA95 that "was suppose" to be for a CA78. 

tt

[jude0007]

If I recall correctly it is stamped into the frame on the flat of the side below the opening for air filter & tool tray...
More likely chipmunks or mice..
I can't make much out from your pic on my phone...

At some point in the future, would you mind taking a pic of your tool tray?  I think that I'm missing a few pieces in that area.  It's hard to distinguish online with all the different years so seeing that you also have a 64, that would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[toytuff]

tt

[jude0007]

tt

Oh good, I do have all that, or very similar.  Some of the others it looked like had actual compartments or a round tube for the tools.  Obviously I don't have that.