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

[OldStan]

I don't know if this helps, but I bought my Dream about 3 months ago, in Sacramento, after looking for a year or more, mostly on Craigslist. With the local economy the way it is, some people are willing to deal. Once you get into it you'll find even a "deal" isn't going to be cheap in the long run. I think the most important thing is to make sure everything (or nearly so) is there. It seems that the parts that are usually missing are missing because their either hard to find or expensive.

I'm just getting started on mine, planning on getting to it more soon. One thing you might note is that even though it may run (as mine did) it would be advisable to pull the top end and check it out. I have a feeling I wouldn't have gotten too may miles before I'd had major problems if I hadn't started by pulling the engine down. Of course the smoke was a good clue something wasn't right, along with the oil leaks.

[wnbasac]

thanks Oldstan

I did notice that most of the bikes say 1000.00 and down were in need of exhaust , seats, side covers, switchs and NO paperwork or key

so do I trust someone that says the bike is solid with no problems only to find out it's NOT?

when I bought my CA95 it was 100% there and titled only to find out later that the monkey had welded the petcock to the tank, cut and spliced every wire on the bike and stripped the oil change hole that he covered up with silicone- rat bastard

so I'm thinking I should by a bike that's 95-100% complete that's been sitting for awhile and tear it down to learn and make sure it's dependable and safe????

I Really appreciate all the advice everyone has given me

thanks and have a Hondafull Day

Lou

[davomoto]

Lou, that may be the only aproach that would give you the confidence that all is done properly. Another may be to have a mechanic, or shop, that is intimately familiar with these bikes, go through a prospective purchase for you.

[OldStan]

I did notice that most of the bikes say 1000.00 and down were in need of exhaust , seats, side covers, switchs and NO paperwork or key

Frequently missing headlight too. I got mine complete (but not perfect by any means) for $700 to give you an idea of pricing.

The no paperwork is not necessarily a problem. When I bought mine all the PO had was a bill of sale from the owner previous to him. You'll need a bill of sale from the seller and a "statement of facts" saying why the title is unavailable and that it has not been operated on the roadways. The most important thing is to check the vin numbers (both engine and frame) with the CHP to verifiy it's not been stolen.

I went through the process with the DMV with the statement of facts and bills of sale with no problem. They sent me to the CHP for a VIN verification (I had already check out the numbers by other means.) The officer told me that I could just have called with the VIN numbers and he would have verified it wasn't stolen, then do the restoration and done the paperwork afterwards. It needs to be in running condition for them to clear the paperwork (I had taken the tank and seat off at the time.) Right now my paperwork is in limbo, but only because it wasn't running. I can go back and he'll just sign it off the rest of the way. His point was that in the restoration I might change the engine case, then his paperwork would be wrong.

Which brings up another point, make sure that you have documentation if you do change the upper engine case.

[wnbasac]

ok i'm still looking for my Baby but i'm also buying a parts bike thats pretty much complete except for the left side exhaust and side covers. its been in a garage for a long time so it will do for now

heres the deal can someone tell me the over all length and height from the ground to the top of the handlebars of the bike

i want to see if it will fit in the back of my mini van? my ca95 had tons of room but the ca77 is a bigger bike

thanks guys, lou

[wnbasac]

i just picked up a 63 ( CA78 - 312012 ) for 200.00 but the badges listed it as a 300?

it is 99.9% complete with a very good set of exhaust

it was last registered in 69, the engine turns over when kicked and seems to have good compression

i'll putter with it and see if i can make heads or tails of it a good way to learn the craft i think

i'll research the forum for tips on what i need to do to try and get it running

i bought this for parts as i'm picking up a 68 this coming week thats in excellent condition

[Dgormley]

Lou, you scored! The badges do say " Dream 300". Looks like an excellent starting point, all the hard to get stuff is there and looks to be in decent shape.That bike looks too complete to be a "parts" bike. Good luck...............D