The rebirth of a C78 305 Honda Dream

4shorts · Post by **4shorts** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:03 am

Hi everyone. Yesterday I managed to get some more work completed on the Dream. I rebuilt the carburetor and tackled the seat. The seat cover on the bike was it's original and was as hard as a rock, faded out and had some rips in it so I decided to redo it. When I was restoring my CT200 I had purchased a seat cover from a Canadian company that I found on Ebay. When the cover arrived I was very impressed with the quality plus the fit and finish of there product. All that being said there customer service was second to none so when it came time to purchase a new seat cover you know where I was going to purchase it (see product review section of this site for additional information).
I've attached some pictures of the seat as It was starting out and during the change over. I didn't take a picture of every step but if any of you wondered how it's done this may give you an idea. I'm not stating I did it right but I did it my way and I really like the outcome. You'll notice that I removed the springs and bead blasted the frame. It was then primed and painted. If you have any questions just ask! Paul

4shorts · Post by **4shorts** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:12 pm

Didn't get much done this week with the bike but I did make a gasket for the Speedo. I used some 1/8th foam that I got from the dollar store and you can see how I made it and how it turned out by the pics. Paul

prima5star · Post by **prima5star** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:24 pm

Paul,

Everything done well as usual- that seat especially! I'm surprised you painted the steering dampener red, I always liked the way the matte black matches the horn/starter buittons, sidecover knobs, carb cover knobs, headlight switches etc...

4shorts · Post by **4shorts** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:21 pm

Ah Matt everyone that really know me will tell you I occasionally go against the grain like in this case with the knob. I always need to add my touch to it be it bad or good. When you see what else I have done around the area that knob will be you may like it then but then again, Maybe not! Ha! Ha!

Oilleak · Post by **Oilleak** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:45 am

I must say, I have never thought of myself as a purist but when I saw the red knob, it startled me. It never occurred to me that it should (could) be any color other than black! Nice job!

4shorts · Post by **4shorts** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:42 pm

Today I finished up the handlebars and all it's hardware. Someone must have had dropped the bike at one point because there were some light scuff marks on the signal light switch so I decided to remove the winker light pots, all the controls and paint them. I used the usual base / clear paint with silver and they look very nice and clean now. I was going to buff them but I didn't want any clear peeling issues later on so with the etching primer I know I won't have any problems.

It also gave me an opportunity to look at the switches and to clean them up. I used die electric grease and after the assemble and testing them with a multi meter they work allot smoother now. Also added a new throttle cable and have new winker lens to make it all look new again.

You guys with the American Dreams, do you have the left and right control for the winkers on the right side of the handlebars like mine do? I've noticed allot of your bikes don't have winkers so I was wondering if it had the control for them? Thanks, Paul

walkim · Post by **walkim** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:31 pm

I can't believe those are the same handlebars I saw you at this morning!!!
Great job brudder!

Walter