HELP dating my bike.

skwurly1976 · Post by **skwurly1976** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:53 pm

I Recently inherited my Grandfathers, serial #c200e-159454, vintage Honda. In need of dating it, finding an owners manual, and generally figuring out where to start restoring it. It is "farm fresh", but I want to make a serious attempt to restore it. I have little experience in restoration, but i am willing to do the work or get the appropriate help for a proper restoration. I just dug the bike out today, and bringing home tomorrow, so pics will follow soon. HELP me if you can....Good vibes your way!!

rrietman · Post by **rrietman** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:27 pm

Ive done a couple c200's. have one in nice shape here now. also have some of the manuals/parts books. the parts book is the most usefull one to have first. try to buy one of those first, otherwise I might be able to make you a copy. let me know if you any specific questions and I will try to help out. unfortunately you are a looong way away from me.
Thanks
Randy

skwurly1976 · Post by **skwurly1976** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:52 pm

Do you know if there is a place that still makes new parts, i did find this site, but i am a little "green" to the motorcycle restoration game. http://www.hondarestoration.com

...i'm not positive but the bike looks to be in good enough shape to restore...i can tell for sure it needs a carburetor and exhaust a seat, engine work as well i'm sure?? i'm not too concerned of the price but that it can actually be done. Are you able to date it with just the serial ##, or would a pic help? To me it looks just like this '65, but i want to be sure.

http://www.classicmotorcycles.org.uk/cl ... a_c200.htm

Do you sell your bikes, or parts? if so will you give me an address, city and postal code. I have easy access to UPS, and Fed-Ex at work.

rrietman · Post by **rrietman** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:40 am

c200's were sold in the US 63-66 and there weren't really any differences thru those years. canadian bikes were different than US. turn signals,tail lite, maybe some other minor stuff. the serial # you are reading is the engine #, not the frame # (on left side frame near engine mount bolt). parts---- Nick at Ohio Cycle. Terry at Western Hills Honda (ohio). Terry at Retro Bikes (WA state). Jack at Beatrice Cycle (Nebraska). browsing E-bay works as well. Tim at Classic Honda probably has nothing for that bike, but might be worth a phone call. I am not in the business and have very few parts for the C200. you will find that engine/drivetrain stuff is easy, body parts much tougher to find. sometimes you need to buy a parts bike to get enough. unless money is no object, you need to be carefull as the final market value for this bike is surprisingly low.
Good luck
Randy

skwurly1976 · Post by **skwurly1976** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:29 pm

Got some pics to put up now. Tell me what you think....give 'er to me straight!...lol. Can this bike be restored....

skwurly1976 · Post by **skwurly1976** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:31 pm

A few more....

davomoto · Post by **davomoto** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:00 am

Anything can be restored. The problem is, how much will it cost, and what will it be worth when you're done. Jay Leno said that if you restore a vehicle, and it's worth more than you spent doing it, you didn't do it right! That bike looks pretty far gone, a better donor than resto project. If there's a really strong emotional attachment, then it may be worth doing.

Davo