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First steps for restoration? Pics of my 305

jstark
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Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:18 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

First steps for restoration? Pics of my 305

Post by jstark » Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:51 pm

I just got this 1965 Dream 305. I believe that makes it a CA77. It has been sitting for over a year, and the previous person who had it, said it was smoking and would not run.

I haven't had a chance to check the tank for gas or anything else. I have never worked on a motorcycle, but I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have a lot of tools. What to do about everything being old and dried out I'm at a bit of a loss where to start though.

What would be the first steps you guys would recommend I start with?

https://goo.gl/photos/Mq6FoNVGGwj7mDd56

https://goo.gl/photos/nr3Zdf9SVZdrpoaX9

https://goo.gl/photos/THXLDS8nZNEc4B2y5

jkv357
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Posts: 102
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Middleton, WI

Post by jkv357 » Fri Jun 16, 2017 2:19 pm

1st step would be to hear it run.

Empty and clean the tank, and most likely remove and clean/rebuild the carb. Check the condition of the points and plugs.

My Dream sat for over 20 years and fired right up. I had cleaned the carb and drained it during that time, but that's about it.

Changing the oil and cleaning the "filter" (separator) before firing it up is a good idea also.

Run ethanol-free gas if you can get it.

Here's a link to my Dream thread with some info and photos for reference - http://www.honda305.com/forums/64-ca77- ... 36705.html

jstark
honda305.com Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:18 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Post by jstark » Sat Jun 17, 2017 6:42 pm

jkv357 wrote:1st step would be to hear it run.

Empty and clean the tank, and most likely remove and clean/rebuild the carb. Check the condition of the points and plugs.

My Dream sat for over 20 years and fired right up. I had cleaned the carb and drained it during that time, but that's about it.

Changing the oil and cleaning the "filter" (separator) before firing it up is a good idea also.

Run ethanol-free gas if you can get it.

Here's a link to my Dream thread with some info and photos for reference - http://www.honda305.com/forums/64-ca77- ... 36705.html

That great, thanks a lot. Do you have any recommendations on where I can find parts? I don't even know where to go to find the right plugs, wires etc. Which book to buy and all that.

jkv357
honda305.com Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Middleton, WI

Post by jkv357 » Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:10 pm

jstark wrote: That great, thanks a lot. Do you have any recommendations on where I can find parts? I don't even know where to go to find the right plugs, wires etc. Which book to buy and all that.
You bet. There are a few places out there for parts, but most of what I needed I bought 20 years ago directly from Honda.

I did buy a rebuild kit for the petcock from Scrambler Cycle in WI (http://www.scramblercycle.com/). He may have some of what you need.

Other than that, I'm not sure.

I just started on a '70 CL450 Scrambler, and am going to need a few things myself.

Hopefully someone will chime in with more answers.

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Seadog
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Re: First steps for restoration? Pics of my 305

Post by Seadog » Sun Jun 18, 2017 7:56 am

Great looking bike and a nice start for a restoration. Do you truly plan on restoring it, or would getting it back to running condition be what you mean? From personal experience, know this: restoration will be very expensive and will, without a doubt, cost more than the bike will ever be worth. In either case, I would do as jkv357 has recommended and start by getting it running. New plugs, clean the carb, clean the centrifugal oil filter, clean the oil pump, set the valves, clean the points and reset the timing, new oil, clean gas tank, fresh gas, etc.

To do that, you'll need some instruction. First, go to the "FAQ" section of this site in the left sidebar and look for the tuning instructions written by member Loud Mouse. You also need to look at the owner's handbook, which, I believe, can be found in the sidebar "Literature" section, along with other shop/service manuals. You'll need the service manual now and the restoration guide by Bill Silver if you truly decide to restore the bike. If you buy the restoration guides, buy them directly from his website http://www.vintagehonda.com. Manuals and parts lists are also available free for download in other places - the previously mentioned Scrambler Cycle, for example. Do a Google search for other places. If you cannot find the owner's handbook, I can probably send you the .pdf if you PM me your email address.

Searching this site for information about specific tasks is hugely helpful, but this site's search function leaves a lot to be desired. I use Google site search. site:www.honda305.com <topic desired> for example, if I wanted to know about oil pumps, In my web browser, I'd type in site:www.honda305.com ca77 oil pump.

Members here can be very helpful, but tire of answering the same questions again and again. Search for answers yourself first. Read, read, read, then ask your questions. I will answer whenever I can. My knowledge is limited, but perhaps others will chime in.

Parts can also be found using Google. First, if you don't know the part number, go to The CMSNL website (https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-ca77-1960-1 ... partslist/) and find the number(s), then Google search for that specific part. Or, go to ebay and search for that part. Or, go to David Silver Spares, Scrambler Cycle, Classic Honda Restoration, Charlie's Place, CMSNL, Ohio Cycle, etc.

Lastly, I may be wrong, but I do not believe your bike is a 1965 model. It may have been sold in 1965 and titled as such, but it's earlier. I say that because 1. the clutch cable is in the location of the pre-65 models and 2. the muffler gaskets are the older type. If you want to know what year it was manufactured in, post your engine and frame numbers. They won't be the same number.

Also, your kick start lever needs to be reset, which will require that you remove the right side case cover. Not a difficult job at all, but you'll need to do it before you get to starting the bike.
jstark wrote:I just got this 1965 Dream 305. I believe that makes it a CA77. It has been sitting for over a year, and the previous person who had it, said it was smoking and would not run.

I haven't had a chance to check the tank for gas or anything else. I have never worked on a motorcycle, but I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have a lot of tools. What to do about everything being old and dried out I'm at a bit of a loss where to start though.

What would be the first steps you guys would recommend I start with?

jstark
honda305.com Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:18 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: First steps for restoration? Pics of my 305

Post by jstark » Mon Jun 19, 2017 12:23 pm

Seadog wrote:Great looking bike and a nice start for a restoration. Do you truly plan on restoring it, or would getting it back to running condition be what you mean? From personal experience, know this: restoration will be very expensive and will, without a doubt, cost more than the bike will ever be worth. In either case, I would do as jkv357 has recommended and start by getting it running. New plugs, clean the carb, clean the centrifugal oil filter, clean the oil pump, set the valves, clean the points and reset the timing, new oil, clean gas tank, fresh gas, etc.

To do that, you'll need some instruction. First, go to the "FAQ" section of this site in the left sidebar and look for the tuning instructions written by member Loud Mouse. You also need to look at the owner's handbook, which, I believe, can be found in the sidebar "Literature" section, along with other shop/service manuals. You'll need the service manual now and the restoration guide by Bill Silver if you truly decide to restore the bike. If you buy the restoration guides, buy them directly from his website http://www.vintagehonda.com. Manuals and parts lists are also available free for download in other places - the previously mentioned Scrambler Cycle, for example. Do a Google search for other places. If you cannot find the owner's handbook, I can probably send you the .pdf if you PM me your email address.

Searching this site for information about specific tasks is hugely helpful, but this site's search function leaves a lot to be desired. I use Google site search. site:www.honda305.com <topic desired> for example, if I wanted to know about oil pumps, In my web browser, I'd type in site:www.honda305.com ca77 oil pump.

Members here can be very helpful, but tire of answering the same questions again and again. Search for answers yourself first. Read, read, read, then ask your questions. I will answer whenever I can. My knowledge is limited, but perhaps others will chime in.

Parts can also be found using Google. First, if you don't know the part number, go to The CMSNL website (https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-ca77-1960-1 ... partslist/) and find the number(s), then Google search for that specific part. Or, go to ebay and search for that part. Or, go to David Silver Spares, Scrambler Cycle, Classic Honda Restoration, Charlie's Place, CMSNL, Ohio Cycle, etc.

Lastly, I may be wrong, but I do not believe your bike is a 1965 model. It may have been sold in 1965 and titled as such, but it's earlier. I say that because 1. the clutch cable is in the location of the pre-65 models and 2. the muffler gaskets are the older type. If you want to know what year it was manufactured in, post your engine and frame numbers. They won't be the same number.

Also, your kick start lever needs to be reset, which will require that you remove the right side case cover. Not a difficult job at all, but you'll need to do it before you get to starting the bike.
jstark wrote:I just got this 1965 Dream 305. I believe that makes it a CA77. It has been sitting for over a year, and the previous person who had it, said it was smoking and would not run.

I haven't had a chance to check the tank for gas or anything else. I have never worked on a motorcycle, but I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have a lot of tools. What to do about everything being old and dried out I'm at a bit of a loss where to start though.

What would be the first steps you guys would recommend I start with?


Wow that's fantastic, thank you for the detail. I don't currently plan full restoration, but to get it into a good running condition.
The SN's as follows:
Frame: CA78-107810 (This matches my title)
Engine: CA77E-107820
My title lists the bike as a 1965 but I've read that's not always correct. When I get more time I might try to remove the tank and find the tag with the year on it.

So does the frame or the motor classify this as a CA77 or a CA78?

I found one parts manual online, but I'm not sure it's what I need. I'll post a picture of the cover of it. If you have something different I would love to have it, if you don't mind sending it over. I'm on a budget for this bike as is. My email is stark.joseph@gmail.com
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jstark
honda305.com Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:18 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Post by jstark » Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:03 pm

I see the package from Bill Silvers website is $65 for pretty much everything related to the CA. I'm guessing that's the best route to take.

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