Newb questions - What's my bike

Traci · Post by **Traci** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:31 pm

Hi all

I'm new. Time for the stupid questions.
I have a 65 Dream. I'm looking for a few parts on some different sites I see you folks are recommending and I immediately get snagged on a few things.

1. What makes it an "early" vs "late" model?
2. I need a petcock/fueltap. I hear they are notorious for cracks and leaks, even replaced or rebuilt. Is this true. Anyone have suggestions? It's not a cheap part and I have an unattractive solution in place I can keep till I find something cosmetically better.

I'll be back with more, I'm sure. Thanks for any help.

Traci · Post by **Traci** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:36 pm

Oh yeah, VIN is CA78100****.

pknopp · Post by **pknopp** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:17 pm

I'm not up on all the small differences. The easiest way for me to quickly tell an early Dream is by the tank.

Look at the side covers on my tank. Also my fuel cap is right in the middle of the tank with no seam.

I can't speak on what is typical but my petcock has been rebuilt and works just fine. I'm sure others can be more specific.

Traci · Post by **Traci** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:34 pm

That looks like mine. Sounds like mine.

I need a clutch cable and they are apparently 8 inches different from the early to the later models. I need a speedo cable but I think they are the same.

I cant seem to find a definite match on any footpeg rubbers for this model, and I'm sure its probably easy if you know where to look.

lastly, I need a petcock.

I checked the engine and it says CA77E if that helps at all too. I'm looking at lots of little sites for parts and my mind feels like a scrambled egg.

Tracepete · Post by **Tracepete** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:33 pm

The petcock rebuild kits work well. I bought one from http://www.olypen.com/retro/ Retrobikes

Fast service and easy people to deal with. They send both the cork and rubber gasket. I had to tighten down things once or twice after the initial rebuild but it works fine.. now if I could get my carbs sorted!

conbs · Post by **conbs** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:25 am

You bike looks like it has a seam on top of the tank so that is not an early tank. The rubber pads on the side of your tank are round on the front edge - not an early tank. The 7 digits after the CA78 means it is a '65 or later, but no way to tell which year. "Early" or "late" is dependent on the part you are after. Honda made running part changes mid-year. you will need to have your Engine and Frame number handy to determine which particular part fits your bike.

To get the correct cable - or any other part - you will need to have a parts book to look at. There are some online, but if you plan to keep the bike for any length of time, do yourselk a favor and buy Bill Silver's Dream restoration CD. Parts manuals, shop manual, and LOTS of other useful stuff.

If you want the easy route for now, call Ohio Cycle and Nick can tell you which cable you need and likely has one to sell you.

The RetroBikes Petcock rebuild kits work great. I think the cork seal works best. I posted some suggestions a while back from the trials and tribulations I went through rebuilding my first one. Do a search and maybe the explanation will help you, too.

Looks like you scored a good one.

Traci · Post by **Traci** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:14 pm

Thanks All. Great responses.

Unfortunately, the original petcock I have is cracked. I have a rebuild kit that is unused so at this point I'm looking for an actual petcock to start over with. I saw two on ebay this morning and I'm going to keep looking.

I think this is a later model, growing more sure of it by the minute. The good news is I'm riding it everyday without any trouble.

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