Author Topic: One for Me  (Read 3675 times)

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Offline britman

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One for Me
« on: November 14, 2023, 06:35:27 AM »
I really can't explain why, but for the past couple of months I have been looking at Honda Dreams, the CA77 version with the 305 motor.  I have owned and a sold a number of CL77's the scrambler model and always thought the Dreams were gaudy with their flared fenders and art deco styling, so I bought one.  This is a late 1968 year titled as a 69, the last year of production I believe and it has 12 thousand actual miles on the clock.  The bike runs and starts like new and the only mechanical flaw is the infamous leaking petcock, which is an issue nearly all Dreams.  Cosmetics have a long way to go and I am going to do my best to keep and restore the original Neptune Blue paint.  To add to the tacky a set of vintage Buco double light saddle bags are arriving today that need more love than the bike.  I like this bike for its uniqueness and looking forward to doing one for myself.  It will be the ride to the hardware store or for a Sunday soft ice cream cone, just a fun little knock around bike.  A new petcock kit which replaces the half size cantaloupe OEM model is also on order from Classic Honda Restoration, a great supplier for the early smaller twins.  Surprisingly my Wife highly encouraged this purchase, she is going in next month at the height of the Christmas season for a second total knee replacement and I will be the head nurse during her recovery.  She is a wise enough woman to realize after 38 years of marriage, that we will need some time apart doing this period to keep us both somewhat sane.........


Offline jgger

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2023, 07:00:53 AM »
Have fun with that Dream, they seem to have quite the cult following. I too have always that they were the ugly stepsister of Homda and could never understand the attraction, but that's why they make chocolate AND vanilla.

From what I understand that motor is a bit different than the CL & CB 77's and doesn't rev nearly as high . Plus you know you will need period correct helmet, goggles/face shield,  gloves and such to properly operate that thing.

Good luck with the new project and even better luck for the wife's surgery and recovery.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2023, 07:06:36 AM »
I too have always that they were the ugly stepsister of Homda and could never understand the attraction, but that's why they make chocolate AND vanilla.


My thoughts as well, but wanting an early Honda, I opted for a Bomber a couple years back.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2023, 07:58:11 AM »
I love it! Good choice, it’s also neat to work on something different every so often. The bags will really up the “funk factor” too.

Good luck with that knee replacement. I’m on week 9 attending to my wife’s shattered heal, shoulder, cheek recovery and a little shop time will be good for both of you. All the best!

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2023, 08:30:56 AM »


My thoughts as well, but wanting an early Honda, I opted for a Bomber a couple years back.
[/quote]


I had a pristine 450 Bomber about a thousand years ago when I was a young rookie cop.  I traded it straight up for a dune buggy. I sure would like to go back to those days with my current little measly mad money account and a time machine......

Offline jgger

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2023, 08:33:22 AM »
There is a Facebook page that Bill Silver frequents for the CA,CL,&CB  Honda 305's . The man is a wealth of knowledge on the 250/305 bikes of that era. The old 305 forum had alot of guys that were pretty good, and the guy that goes by Loudmouse is also very sharp. I'm not sure but I think that forum has been recovered, it was taken over by spammers a few years ago.
"The SOHC4 uses a computer located about 2-3 ft above the seat.  Those sometimes need additional programming." -stolen from  Two Tired

The difference between an ass kisser and brown noser is merely depth perception.  Stolen from RAFster122s

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2023, 08:45:24 AM »
There is a Facebook page that Bill Silver frequents for the CA,CL,&CB  Honda 305's . The man is a wealth of knowledge on the 250/305 bikes of that era. The old 305 forum had alot of guys that were pretty good, and the guy that goes by Loudmouse is also very sharp. I'm not sure but I think that forum has been recovered, it was taken over by spammers a few years ago.

I used to be a member and you are right, prior to the spammers it was a great site.  I haven't checked it in a few years, will have to take a look......Thanks for the reminder......

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2023, 06:34:33 AM »
What I have found out about a Dream so far........To the pull the back wheel you need to pack a lunch, there is a chain case, a separate set up for the sprocket that plugs into a rubber dampeners  that dwarfs the ones in a 750.  There are a couple of other bits of great news, the aftermarket parts for a CA77 are for all practicality nonexistent. I have done a number of CL77's the Scrambler model, and some parts like the chain guard or a un-cut front fender bring huge money, but you can find them. Now for the Dream, no one makes replacement brake shoes, front or rear, sprockets front or rear, and you would not believe the fun I have had running down a saddlebag mounting system for the Twinmaster Buco bags. I spent a compete day straitening and re-bending a mounting system and fabricating missing brackets, that came with bags, but was for a early BMW.  I am currently looking for a company that will re-line brake shoes that doesn't involve getting a second mortgage on my abode.  Oh, yea, I almost forgot, 4 out 5 petcocks on a Dream leak.  They are about the size of a small cantaloupe half turned upside down and it is 50/50 on a  rebuild kit.  I replaced mine with a regular Honda style petcock kit and had to re-tap the holes because I could not find the rare 9mm screws. I didn't mine the kit , I don't think I will be taking the bike to Pebble Beach this year and there is no gas on my garage floor.  With all that being said, I am enjoying the process, hassles included. This one is staying in my little herd, and it is nice to work on a keeper for a change. Currently I am getting lost in polishing chrome and aluminum bits and matching and blending paint. I had a leftover spray can from VMR paints in Planet Blue Metallic and it matches almost perfectly.  Happy Holidays everyone and "Sweet Dreams"......

 

 

Offline Stev-o

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2023, 07:46:56 AM »
What I have found out about a Dream so far........

I find your posts amusing!

BTW - here is a pic of my bomber, bought it two years from a buddy.  It's a "survivor", he said he liked the way it looked and never cleaned it and I agree...





'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2023, 09:09:25 AM »
Following along! Have fun and all the best for the holidays!

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2023, 06:49:21 AM »
I am pulling the motor next week to detail the pressed frame and engine itself, can't always do that with a 750K.......

I have a bunch of needed parts on order, always a smart man who starts a restoration during the Holiday rush season.  One priority mail package is a week late tomorrow and has been sitting in a post office 50 miles from home for three days now. 

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2023, 12:53:39 PM »
I used to go out on New Years Eve and tie a pretty good one on to celebrate, now I detail 305 motors.  I have bagged and tagged everything, an EI system is on order, still a long way to go, but getting there.  Best Wishes for a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year to all.....

George

 

Offline newday777

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2023, 02:05:38 PM »
I used to go out on New Years Eve and tie a pretty good one on to celebrate, now I detail 305 motors.  I have bagged and tagged everything, an EI system is on order, still a long way to go, but getting there.  Best Wishes for a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year to all.....

George
By George I think you've got it lookn gorgeous 😍
Happy New Year from NH
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline grcamna2

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2023, 03:08:16 PM »
Nice bike and good work britman  8)
I'm also following along on VHT.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Lucien Harpress

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2023, 04:16:22 PM »
I'll be keeping an eye on this one.  I bought a '65 myself a couple years ago that's going to need a complete teardown and restoration.  I've got a couple bikes on the piles in line in front of it, but in the meantime I'm grabbing parts I need here and there as they become available.  They're mostly out there, but are all quite pricey.

Still, I can't wait to see what the ride experience is like.  It's gotta be quite different from my 750 and my GL1000.
-1970 CB750 K0
-1980 KZ1300
-1976 Yellow GL1000
-1965 CA77 "Dream"
-1997 Valkyrie
-1975 Velosolex

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2023, 04:40:25 PM »
Britman…. Looking good! All the best and Happy New Year!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #16 on: January 05, 2024, 11:41:30 AM »
Nice bike and good work britman 
I'm also following along on VHT.

Looks good!  Link?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #17 on: January 08, 2024, 07:43:46 PM »
We are back together again......


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Re: One for Me
« Reply #18 on: January 08, 2024, 08:10:43 PM »
There was a rumor in those days which said the last year of the Dream 305 received the same (bigger) last-year intake valves of the 1968 SuperHawk, giving the Dream a chance at running 70+ MPH all day on American Interstates of the time. Can you confirm/deny this legend? :)

The SuperHawks before the last-year intro had top speeds like 88 MPH, while the last-year version (which I had) could touch 98 MPH on a flat and see the magic 100 MPH on a downslope. Mine did! My brother's 1970 CB350 could still outrun it, though, at a 103 (108 indicated) top end. Mine had more torque, his had more HP. so we always dueled it out on the Missouri back roads, coming up even overall.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #19 on: January 09, 2024, 07:31:14 AM »
We are back together again......

Looks great!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2024, 08:27:52 AM »
As always, looking great!

Offline rocket johnny

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2024, 10:02:40 AM »
your project is looking great !   i've always liked the dream in a art deco way

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #22 on: January 12, 2024, 08:25:03 PM »
Nothing says a royal PITA like an enclosed chain case.  Pipes pegs and pedals back on, still need to do the bags, seat, and tank but I stuck a temporary bottle on it today to test my carb rebuild.  Fired right back up and sat and idled perfectly.  Old points system is just thrown back in for test firing, EI system is on the way.  Thank the Lord I had this to tinker with on my breaks from being a nurse.  Wife is entering the third week after knee replacement and progressing slowly.  I never know she possessed such an in-depth curse word vocabulary when it comes to the use of a walker.  I will admit she may have picked up one or two from me over the years.....


Offline grcamna2

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #23 on: January 12, 2024, 08:44:11 PM »
The bike is looking Real Good  8)
Did you repaint the blue ?
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline britman

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Re: One for Me
« Reply #24 on: January 13, 2024, 06:05:34 AM »
The bike is looking Real Good  8)
Did you repaint the blue ?

Not a complete repaint, kind of a mixture of blending the new paint with the old, and wet sanding, then polishing out the clear.   I had a spray can of VMR Planet Blue Metallic left over from a 750 project and the match was almost perfect with the original paint.  I ordered a second can and I believe I have enough left to do the tank, hope so, their paint is on the high side.....