Topic: 1967 Honda CL305 Dream

[Doggie]

I have a chance to buy a very nice, complete, running 1967 Honda CL305 Dream for $2000.  Any ideas here whether I should buy it or not?
                                thanks, Doug

[CBJoe]

Can you clarify the model?  The Dreams were not CL models unless I'm way off on my knowledge.  Is this a Honda Dream or a CL77? 

Cheers, Joe

[Doggie]

Thats a good question. I am going to look at it tomorrow and let you know. I'm more of a 550,650,750 guy...lol

[CBJoe]

I can't claim to be an expert at all on these models...but I know that a CL/CB77 in running mostly stock condition is a good buy for $2k.  But it all depends on if you are trying to flip or have for yourself

[Doggie]

Thats another good question...Is the bike worth more as "is" with dust on it or do I restore it back to show condition. I see Cars that are worth more right out of the barn.{not even washed).

[grcamna2]

Thats another good question...Is the bike worth more as "is" with dust on it or do I restore it back to show condition. I see Cars that are worth more right out of the barn.{not even washed).

I'd say cleaning up the original bike would make it worth more depending on the cond.,got any pics of the CL77 305 scrambler? I had a 1966' CL77 when i was 17 and really enjoyed it 

[RAFster122s]

As long as you are washing and not sanding it/color sanding it, then it won't hurt anything.  Most collectors want a very very nice dent and scratch free bike, not one that is old and beat up.  There are buyers who like rat bikes, but, I do notthink they are going to pay 2k or more for a bike that looks ratty and is not anything special.

The CLs were like the CB77 with scrambler pipes and different seat, right?  Not the CA77/CA78 with antidive front end and swoopy fenders.

David

[Kevin D]

There is also a CL72 250 Scrambler, looks similar to a CL77 305 Scrambler. Check the frame and engine numbers for CL77.

A long long time ago, my pal was gonna buy a 305 Scrambler. When we looked at the bike it was marked CL72, oops.

Motorera says the cl72 (1962-1965) preceded the cl77 (1965 -1968)

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0305/scram305.htm

[Stev-o]

Thats another good question...Is the bike worth more as "is" with dust on it or do I restore it back to show condition. I see Cars that are worth more right out of the barn.{not even washed).

The key to value is originality.  Dirt/dust can be cleaned but original paint is hard to replace.

[Doggie]

Thanks for all the info. I will get some pics and also read the tag on the neck to be sure what it is. I know its a 305 and its not a scrambler.

[carnivorous chicken]

CBs were tube frames (and CLs), CAs (dreams) were stamped. CAs have one carb, CB/CLs two. Although CAs have their fans, and I've been told maybe the ones I've ridden weren't great examples, I find the CAs a bit wobbly and dodgy compared to the CB/CLs. CAs have their fans and collectors, but I think the CB/CLs fetch a little more. CB72s were the 250cc version -- they are rare and some people seek them out -- but they were made alongside the CB77s but only for 3 years (1962-65). Their little brothers, the CB160, was made from 1964 or 1965 to 1969, and there were CA160s too.

[RAFster122s]

Let's not forget the the Baby Dream, the CA95 Benly Touring 150.  The 125cc motor actually had a factory upgrade in sizing using the cylinders from a CA95 along with the powerjet carb the 154cc CA95 used.  The drawback of the CA line was the single carb head, and performance was limited by that.
The CB95 was produced but did not make it to the US officially...  The CB160s make a nice lightweight period racer and I'm not sure if they are still being campaigned but they were for several years in the PacNW as well as in some northern states in a Vintage racing venue.  They were pretty exciting races but like many racing forms that were designed to be a lower budget fun event with a fairly level playing field some racers began pouring large sums into the motors eeking out very high performance for an engine design like that....  So, the playing field became a little less than level for those who had means.  I don't know if that was killing it but when I stopped tracking it several years back it was beginning to become very apparent.

The CA bikes were popular with Shriners and their parades...until the Harley dressers took over...

David

CBs were tube frames (and CLs), CAs (dreams) were stamped. CAs have one carb, CB/CLs two. Although CAs have their fans, and I've been told maybe the ones I've ridden weren't great examples, I find the CAs a bit wobbly and dodgy compared to the CB/CLs. CAs have their fans and collectors, but I think the CB/CLs fetch a little more. CB72s were the 250cc version -- they are rare and some people seek them out -- but they were made alongside the CB77s but only for 3 years (1962-65). Their little brothers, the CB160, was made from 1964 or 1965 to 1969, and there were CA160s too.

[Bodi]

I believe the C72/77 engines had 360 degree cranks for better use of the single carb, and have a breather can behind the cylinders to deal with the crankcase pressure changes. The CB and CL ones I have seen all have the 180 degree crank although the "Type II" ignition cover label implies there were 360 crank versions?
Check for radial play in the points shaft... the shaft and/or the "bearings" in the cam half this runs through wear - and you get unpredictable spark timing.
Excellent bikes though! The C and CA frames are good (sheet metal) but the rocker front suspension leaves a lot to be desired. The CB and CL conventional forks are pretty good.
Handling is a bit ponderous on any of them, moreso on the rocker fronts.
The 180 crank gives a sweet timbre to the exhaust sound.
I have a '67 CB77 I hope to get out this summer for its 50th anniversary! It should just need an oil change and tires to get on the road. Last time it ran was about 15 years ago. Ran great then, but the vibration and very hard seat are not comfortable for my old bones. 99% original, lots of memories with that bike.

[bill440cars]

      Okay, there is alot that I don't know about this subject, but I can add some to this. The Dream models had the pressed steel frame and the motor hung in it. The Hawk and Super Hawk had tube frames, but the motor hung in the frame, making the motor act as part of the frame. The CL models had tube frames, with the motor mounted in the frame and the CL had no electric starter, while the others did.

       I have a pretty nice '66 CB77 Super Hawk, a '63 CL72 Scrambler (That is currently disassembled, to see what all it needs and I hope to be able to start on this this year sometime.

[Old Scrambler]

Interesting...............Bill440 has it right about the primary differences between the C; CA; CB; and CL models.

Bill, if you need anything for your '63 CL72 let me know. I am working on 2 '63s and have a few spares.

BTW........the oops comment about the CL72 may have been misplaced............They tend to be more valuable than the CL77s due to their rarity and aluminum fenders.

[Kevin D]

BTW........the oops comment about the CL72 may have been misplaced............They tend to be more valuable than the CL77s due to their rarity and aluminum fenders.

This happened about 1970. My pal was shopping for his first bike, the owner offered his bike as a 305 Scrambler, IIRC the tank badges were for a 305, but the frame and engine numbers were CL72. Everybody was surprised. I don't know, it might have been bored out by a PO.
 My pal ended up with a new CL350, followed by a new CB350 ('71), followed by a CB750K2 ('72) which got totaled when he let another guy ride it. That was the end of his motorcycling days.
 One of my coworkers had a CL77 with a 350 kit, a Ron Finch paint job on its teardrop tank, snuff-r-not exhaust. That bike ran good, sounded good and looked good!
 I don't know where the CL72 ended up, but I'm pretty sure my pal isn't missing it. 

[Old Scrambler]

One of my '63s came from MI