looking to buy a 305 dream anything i should look for?

[wnbasac]

i owen a ca95 right now and love that bike but now i'm in the market for a 305 dream. is there anything i should watch out for?? is there one year better than another? am i better off with a bike thats done or should i go after one thats in the need of a restoration? thanks guys for any knowledge you can share before the hunt begins.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Do you have one in mind, or are you just looking? They are not easy to find, even though they were made for ten years, and that's a lot of bikes! From what I've read, they pretty much just rolled the model over year after year, but I've noticed there are minor modifications to the gas tanks - some have a seam (the later models) and some (the 'early' models) don't. All have knee rubbers.

Done and Ready-To-Go, or in need of repair? Depends on how deep your pockets are, and how mechanically inclined you are. I've found a lot of them that are in bad need of repair, but it's usually aesthetic, like seats and rims, old flaking paint jobs, rusty chrome, etc. (Brillo Pads and a big can of Whoopass work WONDERS on that! Even rust you don't think can be helped...so don't let that scare you...ask me how I know!). The gas tanks appear to develop holes in them, but the one I have doesn't.

Speaking of which, if you find one with the gas tank and badges, original exhaust, AND the carburetor covers, no matter WHAT shape it's in, buy it! Especially if it has the original key and igniton...For some reason, those items fetch big prices online and will probably make up for the price tag you pay. I've averaged around $200 for the ones I have, but they were in bad need of repair....not really badly rusted, but just neglected, really. And once you get the old paint off and the new primer on, it looks a WHOLE lot different! In a GOOD way! :)

A common problem I've noticed among the ones I've found for sale is, "the motor's locked up." Well, you're going to want to at least take off the top end and peek inside and possibly replace the gaskets and piston rings anyway, (unless it turns over and has compression) so that really shouldn't be a problem...works to your advantage when buying it, too...

"Oh, man, the motor's locked up?? No telling WHAT condition it's in; that could cost me some big bucks to fix...tell you what, I'll give you (Half - One Quarter) what you're asking."
A lot of times you'll hear "Yeah, but these bikes sell for thousands when they're restored..."

"Well, yeah! But this one's NOT!"

Don't kid yourself, there's more to bringing these bikes back than changing the oil and turning the key(most times...), but it's not insurmountable. All it takes is time, and patience. As a matter of fact, *I* find it downright enjoyable, the process of taking it apart and seeing what's what.. and every time I open up a bike I'm repairing, they always talk to me and tell me the story of How They Came To Be Like This, especially in the engine. Most of the time, as I said, it's merely neglect...sometimes not....
but it's a very 'NCIS/Ducky/coroner' kind of thing with me...:)

And even a bad day in the garage is better than a good day at work, IMO. Put on some Molly Hatchet, Skynyrd or 60's period music, like the Beach Boys Endless Summer album...(uh, CD...but I'm dating myself here...:); pick up a ratchet and turn ONE bolt...betcha can't turn just one....:)
BTW, Beethoven or Wagner helps(at least for me) when you're dealing with a stuck/sheared off bolt...Chopin, Mozart or that Atlanta Rhythm Section seems to go well with painting...don't know why..

The wiring system is a piece of cake compared to later model bikes, or at least compared to my 80's Yamahas I have...and for the life of me, I have yet to see TWO "UNDAMAGED" pistons in a block (which, I guess, could explain the 'motor's locked up' comments you get...hmmmmm). One is usually fine, the other, Not So Much....The headlights are prized, especially if they work. Hard to get, if they don't (but the Doctor is working on a solution to that in the 'lab'...no results yet; the procedure is still on the drawing board).

I didn't really need any major tools to take them apart and put them back together; a standard socket set, screwdrivers, a lot of plastic bags to put and LABEL all the associated parts in; PB Blaster, for all the rusted bolts; an HVLP gun (Harbor Freight) helps when you're painting, and I took all the original finish off with Rustoleum Aircraft Remover, brass wire brushes (Harbor Freight, again) and a scraper/sharp chisel; recoated with spray-can Rustoleum Primer/Etcher, Primer, then basecoat; Vurry Niice..

Anyway. Parts ARE available, mostly through here and Ohio Cycle, and a few other dealers, but for the most pat, don't forget it's at least 45 years old, so they're not just laying around. Ebay's a good source, and of course asking friends if they've seen one, and looking around in barns, etc...

OR, you could just whip out the wallet and pay (outrageously) for one; but sooner or later it's going to need your attention, and if you've rebuilt it (not to mention the absolute WEALTH of information you get doing so), you will know exactly what you need, where to find it, and where it goes.

Knowledge Is Power.

I hope this helps.

-John
_________________
1963 CA77
1964 CA77
1978 CX500
1981 XV750
1982 XV750
1985 XV700

[wnbasac]

Thank you for your reply Dr. Frankenstein

your shared knowledge will give me a better understanding as i march forward on my quest

i noticed that theres several designations for these bikes Ca72 / 77 / 78 not to stupid out right the difference between them would be?

i was a little late on a 305 locally that was rebuilt and looked to be all there????

yes you are right a major portion of these bikes are in a NON- running mode with out registration

i was asking for specific things that i need to watch for and you answered them for me and i thank you

oh i also have noticed that many of these bikes have replaced the mufflers with a short style muffler??????

lou

[davomoto]

Lou, the 72s are 250cc, while the 77s and 78s are 305cc . Where are you located? It will help to add your location to your profile, as there are probably some members in your area.

[wnbasac]

davomoto thanks for your help

i did add my location which is sacramento,calif

now i have a target ( 77s and 78s )

i looked at a couple of resto bikes but the chrome was pitted and that stuff is expensive to redo and they had the short replacement mufflers???

[jensen]

Hi Dr. Frankenstein (John),

Thank you for taking the time to compose the answer you gave to the question Lou.
I know, from my personal experience, it takes a lot of time to do that.

Did read it from A to Z, and I enjoyed it.

Lou,

The mufflers of these dreams are hard to find (good ones), but when you have the time and patience you will succeed in buying originals. The mufflers make the dream to what it is.

If you have a choice in buying dreams, I personally would go for a late dream for a rider. If exclusive is your thing, go for an early dream, but parts are harder to get (at least here in europe.

Be careful of buying C71 / C76, not only these bikes are very hard to get, parts are almost impossible to get.

Jensen

[wnbasac]

you guys rock!!!!

you truly do meet the nicest people on a Honda

now that I have some ammo I'm going hunting

I have a call out on a 1967 ca77 it's 200 miles away but sounds like it's what I'm looking for

I'll keep you guys posted as the hunt continues

thanks,Lou