Topic: 1965 CA95 150 Benly Touring 'Baby Dream'

[HondanutRider]

Hello. I had a quick question about these type of bikes. Does this have the "automatic" transmission with the centrifugal clutch like the trail bikes or are they manual like the bigger bikes? Thanks.

Four-speed manual transmission with normal manual clutch operation.

[unitedguitar]

Thanks. I found one I think I might want to buy and I just wanted to be sure what I'd be getting into if I get it.

[Greggo]

Can any of you other owners tell me what all of the ignition positions do?  I just smile when I look at that thing, and the battery is dead.

The final clockwise position is the PARK position which allows the key to be removed, leaving the tail-light illuminated and your 6-volt battery to run down!

I don't know much about 6-volt systems.  Why would this be done?

And, thank you for the detailed answer!!

[HondanutRider]

Can any of you other owners tell me what all of the ignition positions do?  I just smile when I look at that thing, and the battery is dead.

The final clockwise position is the PARK position which allows the key to be removed, leaving the tail-light illuminated and your 6-volt battery to run down!

I don't know much about 6-volt systems.  Why would this be done?

And, thank you for the detailed answer!!

The PARK position was common on many of the early models and is still found on some motorcycles today.  It allows the bike to be parked at night with the tail-light illuminated so-as to be more conspicuous and safe.  (Sort-of like turning on the hazard marker lights when at the side of the road.)  The problem is, it's too easy to turn the key the wrong way, the motor will shut off and the key can be removed - then you walk away thinking that the bike is correctly parked.  What you don't notice in the daylight is that the rear tail lamp is on, and with small batteries they soon will drain all the power from the battery.

[Greggo]

Started the gas tank soak.  I'm using molasses, ~6/1 ratio.  



The gas that came out was nasty.  My hands stink.



And, I couldn't help but share this gem I saw parked on Van Ness the other day.  Cool car.

[Greggo]

Got my $70 ebay petcock, it's in great shape.  I had no reason to think it would leak all over the place when I installed it  I got most of the old liner out of the tank after a good bath in 'The Works'  The molasses did nothing...I rinsed it out and gave it a good baking soda wash to neutralize the reaction, rinsed it out some more, and filled her up with gas after drying out in the hot sun (We broke some records here in the Bay Area today). 





First I thought the petcock wasn't screwed on tight enough, so after spilling gas everywhere to tighten the screws, the lever wouldn't move anymore, and it still leaked.  Luckily, I had cleaned up the PO's jerry rigged petcock with some carb cleaner and a new filter, so for now I'll  use that. 



So, all this cleaning, gas spilling and frustration took up about seven hours of my day off.  To top it off: When I went to start her up...the battery I'd charged up was dead 

On the bright side, the PO found the pipes he said he would give me. 

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

[hoodellyhoo]

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

That's the spirit!

good thread. I know of a ca95 and it too has a funky petcock from a tractor rigged on.

[Hoosier Tom]

Gregg,

   Was the petcock rebuilt or are you using all the old gaskets?  I put a dab of grease on my finger and rub both sides of the selector lever plate that gets "pinched" between the the cork and rubber.

Good luck- HT

[Greggo]

Gregg,

   Was the petcock rebuilt or are you using all the old gaskets?  I put a dab of grease on my finger and rub both sides of the selector lever plate that gets "pinched" between the the cork and rubber.

Good luck- HT

The auction I won on ebay said the petcock WAS rebuilt.  But after all the leaking, and a few emails exchanged with the seller it was revealed to me that he didn't have time to rebuild it before it sold, and that it actually WASN'T rebuilt...So, he's sending me a rebuild kit, and I'm trying to keep my complaining to a minimum.  I got the danged thing for $70 shipped and it's in really nice shape.  A li'l better than $500, huh?

[spot45]

The rebuild kits are cheapest thing to get.  I can not tell you how many rebuild kits I had to buy because I screwed up the gasket.  The petcock has not been made by Honda in years, and they are the hardest thing to find in any condition.  It took me like 5 years just to find the levers, for the petcock.

[Greggo]

Yea, hopefully it will work flawlessly after a rebuild.  I'll be holding on to these petcock pieces dearly, as it would be nice to have an original, working piece.  They're actually pretty cool looking.

[Hoosier Tom]

I got the danged thing for $70 shipped and it's in really nice shape.  A li'l better than $500, huh?

Gregg,

  I think the previous quote for $500 petcocks is a little above & beyond.  You can still find deals if you look hard enough.  Here was an NOS petcock that was mislabeled used that went for $75 in all its shiney glory- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CA77-Honda-dream-fuel-petcock-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e5e7dabc7QQitemZ130434313159QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
   If you have any questions when you get the rebuild kit PM me.

HT

[Greggo]

I got the danged thing for $70 shipped and it's in really nice shape.  A li'l better than $500, huh?

Gregg,

  I think the previous quote for $500 petcocks is a little above & beyond.  You can still find deals if you look hard enough.  Here was an NOS petcock that was mislabeled used that went for $75 in all its shiney glory- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CA77-Honda-dream-fuel-petcock-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e5e7dabc7QQitemZ130434313159QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
   If you have any questions when you get the rebuild kit PM me.

HT

Wow. I wish that one was for sale when I was looking, but I can't complain about mine.  Five hundred is definitely above and beyond, but I was just poking fun.  Nice ones are hard to find, so I can't blame the guy for theoretically wanting a fortune for it.

I just got my Honda service manual, but it's not real specific.  I can tell it's missing the small cork piece, and whatever is underneath the screen inside the bowl; I can't tell what it is.  

[Greggo]

Anybody perfected a method for removing a tank like this without spilling gas everywhere?

[MasterChief750]

i turn the petcock off then run the bike until there is no more fuel in the line then disconnect it from the carbs and voila no gas everywhere, at least i think thats how i do it.

[HondanutRider]

Anybody perfected a method for removing a tank like this without spilling gas everywhere?

I suspect your spillage comes from trying to disconnect the hose connecting the two sides of the tank.  This hose usually loops under the frame so that to remove the tank it has to be disconnected.  Someone apparently sells (or sold) quick disconnect unions that can be snapped on or off on a line like that, and when they are disconnected/separated they automatically close-off the flow.  Handy items I would expect - I've always spilled.

Another solution is to just block each end off. (I've seen a solder fill used, apparently done when the tank was empty and good and dry!)  That way you don't need the connecting hose - except then your fuel capacity is diminished.  However, if you run-out in this case you can usually tip the bike over onto the petcock side and slosh the extra fuel trapped on the far side into the other - for a bit more.

[Greggo]

Anybody perfected a method for removing a tank like this without spilling gas everywhere?

Another solution is to just block each end off. (I've seen a solder fill used, apparently done when the tank was empty and good and dry!)  That way you don't need the connecting hose - except then your fuel capacity is diminished.  However, if you run-out in this case you can usually tip the bike over onto the petcock side and slosh the extra fuel trapped on the far side into the other - for a bit more.

That sounds a bit permanent for my liking.  I think I'll just look for a better shaped bucket, maybe a tupperware or something to help catch the spillage after siphoning.

Okay, here's another question:  Will a 305 motor bolt onto this CA95 frame?  

<EDIT>

"Will a 305 motor bolt onto this CA95 frame?"

D'oh!  No it will not.  I've answered my own question by looking at a 305 Dream, which has the chain on the right side.  I guess I'll settle with a good rebuild when the time comes.

[Greggo]

Finally got my new battery today.  Replaced the D10HS plugs the PO had in there with what are supposed to be correct D8HA's.  I installed everything, turn the ignition on and the brake light lit up, so she's got power, but she won't start. 

Do you guys have any tips for getting these girls started?  Choke?  Throttle? 

The electric starter turns the motor over, and she's getting gas, so I'm thinking I'm probably just doing something wrong.  I have no idea what the switch on the left handle does, but I tried starting it in both positions.  The choke has a lever with an arrow pointing outward that says "OPEN", but does that mean the choke is on when the lever is lifted, and the throat is open when it's pushed down?

Thanks Guys!

Oh, and here's a chunk of the tank liner I pulled out laying dead on the driveway.

[RAFster122s]

Drop your carb bowls because if you have tank liner peeling out like that you probably have crap in your carbs.
Time for a tank full of water with rocks and screws followed by a POR15 tank kit.  Just let the tank dry out very well before coating it with the POR15 sealer.

Ohio Cycle, I believe, has some oversized pistons and rings.  Used to see liners on ebay a lot for the CA95 but I've not been watching CA95 parts. So you could start over at stock size with a new set of liners.

The CA95 is a fun bike but don't expect fantastic brakes. Also, have you ever ridden a bike with the anti-dive design on the front forks. Don't let it scare you...it works well actually.
Surprisingly a lot of motor parts are available new. I think there's an active following in SE Asia for these bikes and I've seen several in Japan which is uncharacteristic of Japanese who largely don't do vintage cars and motorcycles in stock form.

David

[Greggo]

Drop your carb bowls because if you have tank liner peeling out like that you probably have crap in your carbs.

Also, have you ever ridden a bike with the anti-dive design on the front forks. Don't let it scare you...it works well actually.

David

Well, the tank's been cleaned up pretty well.  I did "The Works" job on it and ripped out the liner in big pieces.  I'm going to buy a compression tester tool today (should already have one  ) and take the carb apart if it comes to that.

I want to hear more about this anti-dive front fork system.  It sounds kinda cool. 

[RAFster122s]

Regarding the anti-dive...

As you brake and come to a stop the front end will rise instead of going down like traditional bikes with tubular shock systems.
It is a couple inches. So the handling is different than your CB.  It doesn't handle as well and you will feel more of the road bumps but, it isn't too bad. Probably the worst thing will be the vibration in the handlebars. Its not bad but it is a buzz.
Rear shocks will be a place where you can upgrade to modern valved shocks and it will do the most to help the handling. A set of Hagon would be what I would recommend if you don't go with a shock designed for another bike.


Checking the carb and making sure all the jets are clear would be a worthwhile thing to do if you can find a carb gasket set from honda or another supplier. Ultrasonic cleaning would be the best.
Simple green with a very good rinse, repeat rinse would be recommended. Or a Pinesol soak as I'm told it does a nice job too.

Hope it comes together for you and gives you lots of ear to ear grins.

David

[Greggo]

Tore into the carb today.  By the looks of the gaskets, it's been a long time since it's been rebuilt.




As I was taking it apart, the two small springs on the left side of the picture below dropped out from I don't know where   I hadn't seen them as I was unscrewing everything.  Does anybody recognize where these go?



I replaced the plugs and battery.  I have spark, but no gas because I've discovered that the tank is clogged.  I really thought I got most of that crap out of there, but I guess not...What will dissolve old tank liners without destroying my old tank and paint 

[napoleonb]

By the looks of it I suppose they come from behind the throttle screw and air screw if those are both on the side as with most 60's and 70's mopeds from Honda.

[Greggo]

That sounds very plausible.  Thank you.

[RAFster122s]

I recalled the other bike that I've seen a couple CA95s use. It is the Honda Rebel shocks. They are a chrome with external spring shock of about the correct length and ends.