1955 and 1956 Honda SA 250

[Boxler 65 Dream 305]

I have been searching for a 1955 or 1956 Honda SA250, preferrably a complete running bike in pretty good condition or fully restored. I have only been searching for a short time. What is the market value on a complete running bike with fair to good cosmetics (little or no pitting on chrome pieces and good gas tank fenders etc....) Also what have restored bikes sold for? Im just looking to get a general idea what they sell for so if I come across one I have an idea what would be a fair sale price. Do these bikes come around very often, Im told very rare but different people have thier idea of (rare). I am not very educated on these bikes and cant seem to find much info on them on the internet so any advice or facts would be much appreciated!!!

[Paul Strassmaier]

I've bought quite a few pre-59 Hondas, and rarely do you see much that's in really nice shape that's for sale, at least I haven't. The SA's and SB's are also probably the toughest to find in any condition. I bought a really nice 1952 E model Dream last year and it was around 10k by the time I got it shipped here and I thought that was a very good deal even thought it needed some things here and there. I'd expect an SA or an SB to be about the same.

[Boxler 65 Dream 305]

Thanks for the response Paul, I am relatively new to buying street bikes. I had always owned various dirt bikes and ATVs and I am fairly new to this forum site so I appreciate any knowledge I can get. Could you give me any info on your experience with restoring chrome pieces on these old 50s era hondas? The ones I have seen sell are generally anywhere from descent to lite rust to heavier rust with some pitting into the chrome pieces. Say for instance the gas tank chrome side trim covers are a bit rusty in places with lite pitting, how much would it cost to have a set rechromed? What process do you or the chromers use to get the pieces smooth again so they can chrome them? Im sure it is labor intensive and expensive? I just restored my first bike (1965 Dream305) and the chrome on the bike was in descent shape, hardly any rust on any of the chrome and I paid about $1800 to get everything rechromed except for the exhaust system which has yet to be rechromed so my grand total will be well over $2000. Probably in the $22 to 2400 range so I can imagine pieces that are a bit rusty will be much more. Can you give me an idea what Im in for?
Thanks, Michael Boxler