Please allow me to introduce myself again

[Hamamatsu Nippon]

I've actually been a member for a couple of years but only posted twice in the past. I expected to get a CA77 then, but I never found the right one. Well I finally bought one and am real happy to be here. The one I got is a 15,000 mile original bike that is a bit rough. I like that it is original, but the paint may be too far gone for my liking. I'll do a cut and polish, and see how it looks. The year is 1967 according to the ownership and carries a C78-1006xxx VIN #. Does that correlate? The bike is a runner. It has had some work done to it to get it into running condition but still needs attention. The PO rebuilt the carb and it starts on first kick and idles nicely. It still needs some work there, as the revs are slow to drop on deceleration and is annoying between shifts. I tested the charging system before I bought it and was disappointed in the numbers. It idles around 12.9v but only peaks at 13.45 at about 4000RPM. Should I expect mid 14's with old Dreams? It has a new AGM battery so the test numbers are accurate. Oh yeah it even has the original Nitto front tire. I've got lots more questions for the group, but take a look and tell me what you think.

[SWARDLAW]

Nice bike. Are you checking the voltage output with the headlight on? With the headlight on you get full voltage from the charging coils. I insatlled an AGM battery and my charging system cooked it to death. Before the next battery I installed the Kohler lawn mower regulator and the charging has never been better. Hard to beat the voltage you have at 13.5. If it was around 14 or so you would cook the battery. As far as the paint, I like the look of original. That coment is also coming from someone who repainted theirs. Make sure that front tire is safe to ride. Do you have the chain guard? Even installing the top part (without the hard to find bottom half) helps with keeping the oil off your clothes. Make sure the throtle cable is not hanging up on return. These bikes don't have alot of return spring pressure from the carb and will be slow to idle back down if the cable is dry or the slide in the handle bar is dragging. Let us know how it turns out. Have fun and be safe.

[Hamamatsu Nippon]

Yes, voltage attained with the headlight on. When I was checking out the bike, prior to buying it, I hooked up the voltmeter and wasn't impressed with high 12v's and low 13v's. The owner switched on the headlight and the numbers bumped up a bit so I thought that was interesting. I'm finding out all kinds of stuff about these old Dreams. So no voltage regulator eh. The stock rectifier is real clean so I assume it has been replaced recently.
If you cooked your AGM battery were you getting high voltage numbers, like over 15v? Are AGM batteries more susceptible to high voltage than wet lead acid types?
The paint may look OK in the picture but it's quite sad really, it is cracked and stringy everywhere.
No chain guard, top or bottom, I need them, but it has the carb covers. I'm kind of a tire guy, in that I don't mind buying new rubber, and actually enjoy the search for the most appropriate replacement tires. I'll probably buy tires/tubes first. I'd like to stick to a ribbed front. The Nitto is going up on my garage wall.
I had the same thought that the cable or the slide was causing the revs to hang and I'll have a look at that soon. Realistically I need all new cables.

[conbs]

Take some time to clean and lube your throttle tube and hinge. Make sure your hinge is not worn. When you take the switch apart be careful not to lose the little flat spring in the bottom. The adjustment screw/nut for it is hard to hit the sweet spot but, when you do, it should work pretty well. Lube your cable really well and make sure your cable routing is not creating any binding.

I hope you will spend some time on your paint. I agree with your idea of cutting and polishing but I think the wax you use may be the most important. I really like Carnu-B. The banana oil in it works really well as a solvent. I have had some unbelievable results with it. Their coconut crème protectant works really well on vinyl, plastic and rubber as well. For rubber or plastic that has gotten hard you might try some lanolin. Kind of messy but, it does wonders. I let it sit and soak in for a few days.

So, why the name "Hamamatsu"?

[Hamamatsu Nippon]

I disassembled the switch gear and throttle assembly tonight and found it well greased. I cleaned it off and gave everything a close look before lightly re greasing the slider assembly. There was no flat spring; screw, nut, so could that cause the friction.? I lubed the cable but it is still quite stiff when twisting the throttle, and no improvement in the lingering idle. When I twist the throttle I can hear friction in the carb slide, so I'll have to pull the carb off I guess.
I'm going to keep the original paint but man it's going to take a lot of work. Someone has spray canned over the original finish at the front fender, rear fender and side panels. Some of the unwanted paint comes off nicely with kerosene and rubbing compound leaving a pretty nice shiny finish, but the fender and side panels require scraping with a plastic scrapper. Oddly enough, the best paint is what is under the spray can paint. I'll work away at it, it'll take a few hours before I get to the final wax portion.
Thanks for the detailing tips. I'll give Carnu-B a try.
I use Hamamatsu as a tribute to the motherland. It's the city where our Honda's were built.