After inspecting it a bit, the grime all appears to be from just sitting in a shed for so long. You can tell that when it was put away __ years ago, it was immaculate. No dents dings or scratches. The glass on the lights and gauges is still clear and chip free.
I'll be cleaning it up as best I can soon and will take some before and after photos.
Awesome that you're getting it for free - but do you really want to spend the time getting it back up and running? What's the plan with it? Winter project? Selling it?
It's not a Dream 305, but an early edition Honda Benly Touring 150, model CA95.
The Dream had the drive chain on the right side, while the Benly placed the chain on the left. You can tell it's an early edition from the short aluminum fender brace, where the rear shock connects at the top. The early edition was sold in the US from 1959 until April 1963, when the late edition with a few changes took over.
78 original miles is a sin ... too bad it wasn't ridden more, but what a great find. I've restored these before, and I can see a lot of work in this specimen, but it should make a great project bike for somebody. So, we're talking 50 years with no movement in the engine, so I'd suspect corrosion in at least one cylinder, so it'll need to be tore down to be sure.
I've also since figured out it's not the 305 but the 150. Everything has a good level of corrosion on it but the engine spins freely with the kick start.
Excellent, glad to hear that the engine spins. Hopefully there's not a lot of corrosion in the cylinders.
I have a serial number cross reference for these machines, so if you can post the engine number, I'd gladly look it up. The engine number is easier to find than the frame number and is located on the top of the engine's left side.
Also, were you able to determine why the fuel tank was lifted part way off the frame? Was it simply unbolted or did the bike appear to have crashed in its 78th mile?
I'll get the engine number up when I clean her off a bit. That'd be great if you could get me some info on it.
The fuel tank was off the bike in the barn. I just plopped it on top, but it still had the connecting fuel line on so that's why it's tilted up in the photo.
Can that odometer really be correct?
ReplyDeleteAfter inspecting it a bit, the grime all appears to be from just sitting in a shed for so long. You can tell that when it was put away __ years ago, it was immaculate. No dents dings or scratches. The glass on the lights and gauges is still clear and chip free.
DeleteI'll be cleaning it up as best I can soon and will take some before and after photos.
Awesome that you're getting it for free - but do you really want to spend the time getting it back up and running? What's the plan with it? Winter project? Selling it?
ReplyDeleteDiamond in the rough!
ReplyDeleteDiamond in the rough!
ReplyDeleteClean that up and ride it across the country.
ReplyDeletevery cool. get it going!
ReplyDeleteIt's not a Dream 305, but an early edition Honda Benly Touring 150, model CA95.
ReplyDeleteThe Dream had the drive chain on the right side, while the Benly placed the chain on the left. You can tell it's an early edition from the short aluminum fender brace, where the rear shock connects at the top. The early edition was sold in the US from 1959 until April 1963, when the late edition with a few changes took over.
78 original miles is a sin ... too bad it wasn't ridden more, but what a great find. I've restored these before, and I can see a lot of work in this specimen, but it should make a great project bike for somebody. So, we're talking 50 years with no movement in the engine, so I'd suspect corrosion in at least one cylinder, so it'll need to be tore down to be sure.
Great find, thanks for sharing the pics.
I've also since figured out it's not the 305 but the 150. Everything has a good level of corrosion on it but the engine spins freely with the kick start.
DeleteExcellent, glad to hear that the engine spins. Hopefully there's not a lot of corrosion in the cylinders.
DeleteI have a serial number cross reference for these machines, so if you can post the engine number, I'd gladly look it up. The engine number is easier to find than the frame number and is located on the top of the engine's left side.
Again, great find ... congrats.
Kevin in Michigan
Also, were you able to determine why the fuel tank was lifted part way off the frame? Was it simply unbolted or did the bike appear to have crashed in its 78th mile?
DeleteI'll get the engine number up when I clean her off a bit. That'd be great if you could get me some info on it.
DeleteThe fuel tank was off the bike in the barn. I just plopped it on top, but it still had the connecting fuel line on so that's why it's tilted up in the photo.
Time is an excellent customiser!
ReplyDelete