CA77 vs. CA78

[Michael Stoic]

[forwarded from honda305.com email]<br /><br />I have a 1968 CA 78. What is the difference between a CA 77 and a CA 78? <br /> <br />Patricia Gail Reid<br />rreid4@earthlink.net<br />

[Oilleak]

There is no difference. They are one and the same.

[Bob750]

Regarding the difference between a CA77 and a CA78...

There is no difference. They are one and the same.

Resurrection!

So then why do they have different numbers? Was it a year of manufacture thing? The 78 was newer but not different? Sold in a different market?

I'm new here, looking for info on these bikes as I'm looking to purchase one to fix up for my wife so we can ride places together. The same question has come up for me as well.

EDIT: I just found an interesting bit of info posted very recently (May 6, 2012) by MrHonda, Bill Silver: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-mys ... a77-dreams

" ... ...
Secondly, they switched from calling out their chassis numbers from C/CA77 to C/CA78. This corresponds to the changeover from the early seamless fuel tanks to the reshaped seamed tanks, which also relocated the fuel crossover hoses from the front of the fuel tank to the middle section. The chromed fuel tank side covers were reshaped, along with the rubber knee pads. This also ushered in the changed fuel tank’s plastic emblems script from “Honda Dream 250 or Dream 300” to just plain “Honda 250” or “Honda 300” styles.

There are other changes in the C/CA78 series, regarding the handlebars and controls. The clamp-on mirrors, sourced from the CE71, were replaced with CB72 lever brackets, which incorporated mirror mounts on a raised pad. The hidden throttle cable system, sometimes called “Slide throttle” was also introduced. On the “delete” list was the formerly included tire pump, with mounting brackets and lock.

What really occurred, shown in some entries within the large “World version” of the parts books, is that the changeover from C/CA77 to C/CA78 happened during the 1963 model year, instead. Adding to the confusion is that the 252-305cc Dream was ALWAYS called a C/CA72-77 Dream and the engines were ALWAYS stamped with C/CA77 all the way through their entire production life. If you see an engine with the numbers stamped C/CA78E, it is a fake.

Apparently, the only way that Honda could differentiate the engines destined for C/CA78s was to add five thousand numbers to the serial numbers. Why five thousand numbers? Who knows and we may never find out, anyway.

Suffice to say, now, that owner’s of 1963-series Honda Dream motorcycles who find themselves faced with this five thousand number spread between engine and frame numbers can now relax and be assured that their bikes came from the factory, serialized in this way.

Please note that I have been using C/CA77 or C/CA78 notations to cover both U.S (CA72-77) and domestic/Euro versions, which were identified as C77 or C78 models. U.S. models came with turn signals deleted, plus dual seats included; whereas many domestic C-77/78 models might have had sheet-metal handlebars, winkers (turn signals), solo seats w/luggage racks and even rotary shift gearboxes.

The whole CA77/CA78 engine/frame number system causes great confusion among new owners and all I can tell them is that “it is what it is.” Honda had their own way of doing things, logical or not, but not to fret when the frame numbers don’t seem to “match” the engine numbers. All you have to remember is that ALL 250-305cc Dreams had CA77 engines, no matter what the frame numbers indicate.

Hopefully, I have cleared up some confusion about the serial number system for the 1963 editions. Next time, we can discuss why Honda put a SEVEN in the serial numbers, right after the first digit, instead of a zero. Isn’t this fun?

Bill “MrHonda” Silver "
Cheers!

[OldHarley]

(From the article).... All you have to remember is that ALL 250-305cc Dreams had CA77 engines, no matter what the frame numbers indicate. Come on, MrHonda, No they don't, the 250's have CA72 engines

Hopefully, I have cleared up some confusion about the serial number system for the 1963 editions. Next time, we can discuss why Honda put a SEVEN in the serial numbers, right after the first digit, instead of a zero. Isn’t this fun?

Bill “MrHonda” Silver "
Cheers!

You would think he would know.