Honda came out with the 305 Dream when I was in junior high. There was only one teenager in the whole town that had one and he came from the wealthiest family in town. Being poor, all I could do was Dream! Thank you for bringing back some great memories! Love this channel!!!!!!!
agree and i will say just buy a 1 wire generic one from a parts store and it will work fine. connect the condenser wire to the wire at the coil and then ground the body of it
I've been watching your channel for a few years now. I love your process. You're a way better mechanic than I'll ever be. With that said, I hate to bust your chops but I've seen numerous videos where during the first starts of these engines, you'll run them until your garage is full of smoke before you shut them off. That carbon monoxide can take it's toll on you over the years. It can also seep into your house and reach your family. Not to mention the Vinster as well. Please consider venting the garage first or possibly rigging an exhaust tube out the door. We want you to continue making these videos for years to come.
This episode is bringing back memories. I dont know if you can find them in wreckers - but that slide throttle was used into the mid 70's on CD90's and 100's etc. Their switch gear would also be close although they didnt have a start button. Maybe the switch gear off a 350/500/750 four would work. With the carb, set the float height as per manual (the bowl seemed over full ) , then go through all the passages with a fine bit of copper wire and carb cleaner. Set air screw 1.5 turns. Replace points and capacitor (condenser).. Pull the mechanical advance out and check it is lubricated and not worn out. Then put a timing light on it (separate 12 V battery ) and run it with the stator cover off , start it and check it's firing on F and advances up as it rev's
I am 74 and still think about how everyone seemed to have a 305 Honda. They would take the muffler off and put a baffle kit on. One of the best sounding bikes when you opened the baffle.. My buddy got a Triumph - Now that was a bike. My first bike was a little Yamaha 80 trail bike which I had a blast on as a 15 year old riding the back roads and dirt tracks, back in 1965. Than got a deal on a 650 Honda which was just a cruising bike. Loved my trail bike though. Still kept my motorcycle license to this day. Nice watching your content brings back a lot of memories. God Bless all JC PS: always dreamed about getting a 100cc Yamaha trail bike as a kid. Loved my Yamaha. Honda was the fad bikes back in my day, when motorcycles were the thing to get in my area.
At 14 bought a Honda 70 then a year later purchased an XR75. This was a great little bike! Started working at 14 just to get a bike as my parents were against motorcycles since I had an older cousin killed on a black version of the 66 Honda Dream. A truck with a trailer turned left in front of him...
I remember these things when they were new--it a wonderful bike when everything is right. They were very mellow, they'd idle at 7-800 rpm, they had surprisingly good low-end torque, they sounded like a little sewing machine--quiet, smooth. They didn't like high revs but they would hum along at 50 very happily. I am a Honda fan because of the wide variety of bikes and the sweetness of em.
I bought a 1966 Honda 160 in 1968. It was a CB converted to a CL at the dealer. I put dual cross over straight pipes on it with “snuffers” and removed the electric starter etc. I pull the engine, sanded and polished the entire engine cases, flat filed and bevel cut the cooling fins and did a few more kustom mods that made it stand out and perform better. I was 17 at the time in a small village in Alaska.
Hey Joe a neat trick to cleaning out exhausts is get around 1m of 8-10mm wire and make the wires frayed on one end, then connect your drill to the other end. Poke the wire into the exhaust and use your drill to spin the wire around, run the wire back and forth to clean inside the muffler and pipe.
I am actually studying the channels I like and writing down what they do. I love how he still doesnt have a stupid intro video, thank goodness. Vicegrip garage does, but hes HUGE.
Joe, love your channel. It seems the battery coil ignition is misunderstood by many people. The point gap is critical to allow the proper dwell angle. This is the number of degrees the points remain closed to charge the coil. The function of the condenser is to collapse the magnetic field of the coil immediately when the points open to provide the strongest spark. Excessive sparking at the points and premature point wear are symptoms of a bad condenser but not the reason the condenser is there. You should never use WD-40 on the points as many people have pointed out. You should check the initial timing and spark advance with a timing light. Also, I noticed you frequently pull the spark plug boot to check the wire, but I’ve never seen you check the resistance/continuity of the boot itself. These typically have some resistance for radio noise suppression but they should not be open. Also, be sure to lubricate the point cam to prevent premature wear. I love that bike. I worked on many of these before spending 46 years in the car business. Good work on your diagnosis and I hope these tips help.
Very good advice. Timing it with a strove is best, but If you don't have a timing light you can get the timing pretty close by inserting a piece of cellophane between the points, pulling on it lightly and confirming that the points open and release the cellophane when the first of the closely spaced marks on the rotor reaches the pointer. That is, the cellophane should be releasing just before TDC when using this static timing method. There is special 'points cam grease' that is very heavy and sticky, but if you can't find any, a very small dab of regular grease is okay.
Timing advance should advance then snap back. After you install a new condenser and new points. Lube up the timing advance behind the points plate. Take off the 10mm headed screw you will see the cam lobe for points, twist it counter clockwise. Should move easily then snap back quickly. You got it Joe.
I had a '67 CB160. Loved it. It was fast for a 17-year-old, 140-pound kid. It had dual carbs and would wax the 160 dreams all day long. Some bastard stole it, and my heart was broken. My buddy Larry and I would two-up and go everywhere around the S.F. Bay Area. Fond memories.
I had a 1969 100cc single that was a very similar two piece stamped frame. Back then it was $600 and more than we could afford. I took care of it but the crank bearings went at 10k miles. Not unusual in those days. That started a lifelong love afair with motorcycles. Now at 70 years I rip around on a 2023 Yamaha XSR900 and it's still just as fun and exciting. I don't bounce off the pavement like I used to, so "don't crash" is my mantra. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
My late Dad worked on many a Honda bike back in the 1960's. One main problem on Honda's was during the bike manufacturing the factory never deburred any of the holes for wires. And in time wires would short to the frame. No grommets used. My Dad would pullout the wiring and install new with rubber grommets. Wires in the handle bars shorted the most.
I have to tell you young man I wish you was my next-door neighbor just so I could come over and watch you do these projects and put more knowledge in my brain at the age of 70. It’s a pleasure to watch you and listen to you picking your brain and your expertise and repairing things that died long ago, keep up the great work!!!
I restored a friend's 68 Dream back in the 90's. He got it new, a red one. I have photos of him jumping it on the 44 acres my folks had back in the 70's on my Instagram. I just purchased a 72 CB500 Four that has been off the road since 76, just overhauled the carburetors, video of that coming soon. It's a period correct 70's custom, including custom flame paint. I am going to semi restore it, but have a 74 XL250 in line for restoration before the CB500. I do videos on my restorations. I restore cars, motorcycles, farm tractors and boats as I am a retired marine mechanic. One of my viewers suggested I check your channel out. I subscribed to, as I enjoy seeing your work.
I bought a 305 Dream new. The condenser was definitely a problem with these bikes. I think you're on the right track! These bikes have always been the best of Honda to me.
Gotta love the classics. They are bringing back good times for owners in their youth. I never owned anything remotely similar but have good memories of go carts and mini bikes.
Wow, what a classic! Something many of us geezers (50>) had or wanted. Great job with diagnostics and repairs. Beautiful day for a ride in the Dairyland
I still have my old ca 77 with 4k miles. I’ve had it over 40 years. I used to ride it in Shriner parades and still start it on occasion but my balance isn’t what it used to be.Love those old dreams!
My dad had a 67 160 dream with only 9,000 miles. I ended up giving it to my Nephew, in 2014, who had it restored. I used to ride it in my younger years on the farm, riding up and down the 1/2 mile lane, back in the fields. My aunt had a 160 with all the protection bars, my uncle had the 305 dream. Yes, family were Honda lovers. The bill of sale from Honda of Xenia, Ohio was a little over $500 back then in 1967, My brother in law bought a black one at the same time.
I'm a 56 year old woman and I am just mesmorized by your skill level and attention to detail. I could get lost in the videos that you put out. Thank you for sharing them and I have learned so much. Keep em' coming 😉
What a beautiful machine. And it is wonderful to see in the comments how it evokes so many memories. Your channel is outstanding, and your soliciting comments and advice makes your channel even more valuable. You should consider doing live streams occasionally so viewers could interact with you live with questions and advice. It would take your channel to the next level.
Holy Cow Joe! 1971, when I went to Nashville to pick up that 1958 Norton 650 Nomad my Uncle passed on to me (he bought it new in Texas), I was 21 years old. My best friend, whose shop we were working on bikes in, had a 1967 Honda Dream 305 he was rebuilding. We spent 4 months, side by side, working on those bikes to get them going. I still have the Norton, I don't know if he still has that 305. I always loved the look of those bikes. So smooth and refined design.
Man, do the memories of those days come flooding back. I'm so glad you have and are doing that bike. My friend's 305 looked almost exactly like that one.
I grew up going to the notercycle dealer down the road and drooling over all the bikes. The Honda Dream was the one my Dad wanted. But never got. I was small. I always wanted a trail 70.
You Too eh?!?! I was like NO way he didnt get one of these?!?! I WANT IT! lol I love those bikes, dunno why either but I do . These and the bike with side car he got recently are too cool.
I serviced these as a senior in high school,the warranty service mainly,we always checked the float level to be level with the card edge,changed points,oil,I worked two hours did 4 to six bikes,ours weren't sitting for 50 years and we ran the amazing leaded fuel,not great stuff,but it was great in engines,I had a 250 scrambler and a 305 dream,they were so cheap,my scrambler payment was 34 a month.
When I was a boy most people got one of these to run back and forward to work most of them moved up from a Honda 50, that could be why it has a few miles on it, for me itneeds a total restoration I know some people will not like that and want to keep in original but not me, thanks for sharing
Thanks from the UK You have saved a Honda from the shed, and I'm sure you will be riding it around soon I love the way you take covers off and show what is happening inside Great video Keep em coming
My brother had red 305 Dream great little bike. I currently have a 1978 Hondamatic 400 I picked up about 12 years ago only had a little over 5000 miles. Great bike to ride on the back roads here in central Florida.
Think yer right on the condenser : ). Have a '69 model... put many miles on it with no problems to speak of at all but that was back in the 80s also. Ain't been messed with for about 35yrs. A lil narrow and it likes to stay upright a bit but it ran smooth! A nice go down memory lane! Be Safe
My first bike was a ‘66 305 Dream. Laid on the tank to drive from Chicago south suburbs to U of I in Champaign in 1975. Trailered it home. Electric start. It was a reliable rider to and from campus. While others were trying to kickstart theirs, I just hit the button and road away.
My father owned a 1965 30 500 green. The only one that came out with dual carburetors was the 305 and that 1 you have here is just as much of a dream as the other 1. My mother sold the 30 500 dream after your father died for $5000. It's worth a lot more than that. Thank you for. Buying that and bringing back my childhood memories❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My 1st. bike was a 305 got my license at 15 and A half. Got a 650 Trump at 17 iv had 14 bike's I have a 2014 103 WG now I'm 71 and have a lot of memories of that old Honda Dream. Thanks for the memories.
I bought a 1967 305 Honda scrambler for $450 new! Yeah I am old ! I loved that bike and bought a 1971 Honda 750 new for $1,950 and sold the scrambler which I wished I had held on to. You do a great job !
I agree about the condenser, I had the same problem on a Datsun PU it would run great till it got warmed up then just crap out, I replaced so many parts on it except that darn condenser, never had one go bad before, the last thing I replaced was the points and condenser, after that it ran perfect and never crapped out again. Replace that condenser i would bet she'll run perfect. Nice find and score again, clean it up replace those missing parts if you can find them and you have a gold mine.
Great stuff!! My first real motorcycle was a used Honda CB200 that I bought in 1976. Should have hung on to that one. Sweet 2 cylinder 200cc: Perfect for getting around town. Keep up the great work! God Bless
Yep it's the condensor...you could see the points arcing as soon as you cleaned the points up and turned it over. Cool bike and a great job in getting it running...hopefully the missing parts won't be too difficult to find
I would change the condenser, lots of sparking at the points, I would also replace the plug caps or as you call them boots , cool bike, sound just like a Honda from that era😊 and a tip after filing points gap, I use a thick white paper between the points to clean them, better than oil based products. That's what I do, it works for me👍
My grandpa had one of those, just sat in the back of their dirty old garage not running but complete. My mother always talked about it because she learned how to ride on it and always loved it. When my grandparents died I tried to buy that bike on the auction to restore and give to my mother but it went for way more than I had to spend at the time.
Haha, you are right Joe, best comment you have made since I started following your channel ....... that is, "but it's a Honda, so of course it has spark". Spot on, my man.
I had a 64 305 dream when I was 16. As it got older it became hard to start. It also would not start after it had been ridden for a while and then shut off. I tried everything to make it more reliable just like you have done. I later had an old timer tell me that they had a coil that was liquid or had oil in it and they went bad because of it. If you keep having starting or other problems CHANGe THE COIL. I did and it was a world of difference and made it very reliable and easy to start. Good luck wish I still had mine but that was 50 years ago lol.
My 3 brothers and I bought a 64 150 Dream ,Black color with very few miles in 1965 that bike was passed down to each of us. Then I got a 305 Dream and my little brother. I gave him the 150 CC Dream. Later, we both bought 350 honda Scramblers
Could watch this all day...love the channel..love that bike..takes me back to a slower more peaceful time..those were the days😊watching from Queensland Australia
Cool bike! Super fun to ride although 1960s under-powered. I have a 305 Dream and had the same issue twice with the condenser. If the points are good and clean but sparking, that is what the condenser does is to minimize arcing at the points. Again, cool bike! I wish my exhaust was as nice as yours.
I actually owned one of those 305 back in the day. That might’ve been 40 years ago that I bought that thing. Found it in the basement of a guy that owned an apartment building. I was working on properties at the time. The guy said you wanna buy this I’m not even sure what I pay for it, but I got it carburetor cleaned out as the Jets are always the first thing to check. The one I worked on had probably been sitting for over 20 years. Don’t remember about the California registration, they will really bend you over if there was not a non-op sometimes and registratio n re than the vehicle is worth The carb was kind of on the highway. I could not even keep ahead of the semi trucks. my friend was on a Kawasaki 900 when we did 100 mile cruise. Just got rid of a few of my old bikes that I had no paperwork for to a kid in the next town over who was looking through my trash pile one day.
If you check your video at about 54 minutes 50 seconds in you will see what looks like another gas leak. Cool bike, great job finding it. You always find some great deals.
Wow I recently chatted with a man who was having a cake break while out and about on his Dream. Exactly the same as the one shown here. Mint condition. Sounds so nice.
Yes, all the symptoms point towards the condenser, but it is doing the storing of the energy when the points OPEN and suppressing the spark at the points that you see.
I was a Honda mechanic back in the day these were selling to replace the CA95, 150cc Benley. This would continue as a Benley with the frame numbers starting with CA160. They were a better unit than the 150 version, basically the CB160 engine with a single carburetor rather than two on the CB.
This bike was the one in the ad “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” I w once saw an ad in the paper that advertised a Honda for sale. It said “Must sell, am pregnant: You meet the nicest people on a Honda”😅
Watching you mess with those points and that carb reminds me of all the old Honda TL125’s and 250’s I’ve owned.. I’d love to see you rebuild one of those
I’ve got a 69’ cb160 twin. I had it running two summers ago and it ran pretty good after I adjusted the timing, the points and the valves. Oh, and rebuilt the carbs. (2) I haven’t have time to ride it much since then so there it sits. 🤷🏼♂️
I have a 1966 CA160 in black. Just drug it out of a barn a couple weeks ago. It has 30,379 miles on it and I bought it off of the original owner. It was last registered in 1978. Someone rode the heck out of it lol. Funny thing is my tank is absolutely spotless inside which is crazy because the rest of the bike is pretty rusty. Those old Hondas will run without a battery but they will not run correctly. My CL 350 was popping and sputtering pretty bad when the battery froze.
These bikes are so cool. There is a pic of my dad on one of these back when the bike was new and he was 33 or 34 years old. He was on a black one, or maybe it was dark blue. His dad, my grandfather owned it for a little while. I don’t remember seeing the bike at all.
I had a 305 dream( I am 70, )..👀 I thought it was a strange bike with its steel pressed frame body, and the steel press front fork with those tiny springs…” With no freaking travel at all” you Hit 😳 a good pothole with one of these bikes, And you can completely total out the front end ….! But they do look cool…👍🏻
Of course it fired up... it's a Honda. I love it when you find cool vintage motorcycles to get running. I've had old Honda's and old British bikes and it's pretty clear why the Japanese put a lot of those British motorcycle companies out of business in the 70's. I say that as someone who loves and prefers the old British bikes, even though they tend to need a little more attention.
Man i love how all the auto related channels are always sooo worried about tearing gaskets, lol-ol-ol when i grew up poor we never bought a gasket we simply traced the part onto a cereal box and cut it out with scissors and it worked every time! We used that stuff for everything and it always worked...
Great old bike find and love the content. I must mention one cringeworthy moment which was at 50:40 where there was clearly a substantial gas leak pooling while you tested a spark plug 4" away. I am certain you don't want a redo of the KX80 incident a couple years back and hopefully your shop now has several well placed extinguishers. As a guy who ran several repair shops I have seen how quick things can go sideways on a mechanic's innocent issue when overlooked. Keep up the videos and I look forward to the next episode!
A 160 Dream was my first street bike in high school. I always thought it was a 1965 though. My late grandfather bought it new and gave it to my family when he bought a "big" bike, a 350 honda.....
Oh man bring back fond memories of my dad, he had one and rode it back and forth to work. He said it leaked a lot of oil, if my memory is correct he would bring home 2 quarts of used oil from work so he could get back to work the next day lol. Thank you for shari g this one please get that old girl going you might just fall in love with her and keep her.
My father had the 305Honda Dream and when he first got it; he was going to store it in the basement for the winter. Change of plans and had it in my parents bedroom on a piece of plywood and drip pan underneath. His was the black model.
When the new throttle assembly arrives, then you will be able to see if you are getting enough throttle. Meaning the way it is set up now (you’re makeshift set up) more than likely it’s not opening up the throttle all the way. Let’s hope that with the newly arrived throttle setup, along with the adjustments will be enough for the fix.
Your not going to have any trouble finding enough parts to get that bike to run and ride. I just did a quick search and quickly found a set of new points and condensor for $25.00 brand new. I never owned one but have tuned up and rode one for a few days for a customer many years ago. The front suspension made for a really smooth ride over the bumps. At 18 minutes into the video I was yelling at my screen saying "NO NO" the points run off the camshaft not the crank. LOL!
Is this the model of bike the girl was riding in the first Billy Jack movie, The Born Losers? Nope. Looked it up, it was a 1965 Yamaha YDS3. Great bike anyway and good work reviving it from the dead. You are The Motorcycle Necromancer!
LOL did you see the mouse nests coming out of the exhausts. 😂🐭 nice job, I had a 305 myself back in the 70s, did the same as you , cleaned, polished, got it running and flipped it. Turns out it was one of the first dreams to come to AUS, so I should have kept it 😟
2V, with experience with Go-Carts, VWs + Motorcycles I'd go with a bad condenser! I switched my 66 VW to Pertronics because I couldn't find a reliable condenser! You don't have that option so best of luck finding a good one. My brother had the identical 160 Honda Dream about 50 years ago. It's amazing how well your bike runs after 57 years! Hondas are incredible!
In the last shot of the points the gas tank was still leaking (drip). In the last shot of the spark plug it was coming close to the gas puddle, do not ask how I know but can you say fire. Thanks for the memories, I had a 150 dream in 1967.
I like the "find" videos the best. Generally, something put away for later seems to be in much better condition than the neglected late model dealer specials
Enjoyed your vid, yes the memories, thanks. Indeed your cap looks to be failing, an easy fix. Better still i'd recommend fitting a cdi unit for breaker type ignition, you can find them cheap now (i ran mine for over a week using only a PP3 battery!). Ultrasonic cleaning the carb was a good move though you didn't show the results, i hope the parts were all nice and shiney. i never had such a luxury but got by with cocktail sticks and petrol. Remember that it uses a shared spark system, so if one side is not connected then neither is the other (the "spark" travels from 1 lead through the engine and back down the 2nd lead) so a bad connection one side causes a bad connection on the other side too. this has concequences when setting the ignition timing, by using only one set of points they require 2 lobes on the cam and they will most likely be slightly different and this will cause what is refered to as scatter (ie sparks at 2 different points on the cycle) and this will make timing difficult/immpossible to get 100% right. if you do try using a strobe you will likely get oil everywhere unless you make a splash cover, i drilled a spare cover to stop it. all else aside my best performance/maintainace tip is replace the cam timing chain (and adjuster mech if worn) regularly, as the chain stretches it moves the valve and ignition timing out. when they go bad you will find alot of aluminium in the centrifugal oil filter. oh and if you can find the parts you can upgrade the gears to (CB) 5 speed too.
Had one of those in the 80's when I was a teenager, of course I was bummed out because I really wanted a dirt bike, but I rode the tires off of that thing. Also had two Norton 750 Commandos. What I would give to have those back.
Put many many miles on a 305 Dream with my dad. I was little during the early 70s when we had the bike. My older brothers rode the wheels off that bike.
Honda came out with the 305 Dream when I was in junior high. There was only one teenager in the whole town that had one and he came from the wealthiest family in town. Being poor, all I could do was Dream! Thank you for bringing back some great memories! Love this channel!!!!!!!
agree and i will say just buy a 1 wire generic one from a parts store and it will work fine. connect the condenser wire to the wire at the coil and then ground the body of it
Honda never had a 305 Dream.. EVER. however, they did have both CL-305 Scrambler, and CB-305 Super Hawk. but the only Honda listed and badged as a "Dream" was the twin cylinder single carb, 1957 to 1966 Honda C/CA-77 300 Dream.
Specs
Honda CA 77 Dream , model year 1966, (North America) export (up to late-year)
manual 4-speed gearbox
gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 305.4 cm3 / 18.6 cui, advertised power: 17.1 kW / 23 hp / 23 PS ( net ), torque: 22 Nm / 16 lb-ft
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 1990 mm / 78.3 in, width: 670 mm / 26.4 in, wheelbase: 1310 mm / 51.6 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 169 kg / 373 lbs
how fast is this motorbike ? top speed: 145 km/h (90 mph) (declared by factory);
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 10.2© s; 0- 100 km/h 11© s (simulation ©motorbikecatalog.com); 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 17.7© s (simulation ©motorbikecatalog.com) 1966 Honda CA 77 Dream Detailed Performance Review
fuel consumption and mileage: 2.3 l/100km / 122.8 mpg (imp.) / 102.2 mpg (U.S.) / 43.5 km/l (factory claim) average estimated by a-c©: 3.2 l/100km / 88.2 mpg (imp.) / 73.4 mpg (U.S.) / 31.2 km/l, more data: 1966 Honda CA 77 Dream Specifications Review
But what Joe actually has is, a 1958-1966 Honda Benly C/CA/CS series.
Only one Honda Benly C/CA series version was available in 1966:
Honda CA 95 Benly Touring ( Honda Motor Company)
Specs.
Honda CA 95 Benly Touring , model year 1966, (North America) export
manual 4-speed gearbox
gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 154.6 cm3 / 9.4 cui, advertised power: 12.1 kW / 16 hp / 16 PS ( net ), torque: 12.4 Nm / 9 lb-ft
characteristic dimensions: outside length: 1900 mm / 74.8 in, width: 720 mm / 28.3 in, wheelbase: 1250 mm / 49.2 in
reference weights: base curb weight: 132 kg / 291 lbs
how fast is this motorbike ? top speed: 135 km/h (84 mph) (declared by factory);
accelerations: 0- 60 mph 13.7© s; 0- 100 km/h 15.2© s (simulation ©motorbikecatalog.com); 1/4 mile drag time (402 m) 19.1© s (simulation ©motorbikecatalog.com) 1966 Honda CA 95 Benly Touring Detailed Performance Review
fuel consumption and mileage: 1.7 l/100km / 166.2 mpg (imp.) / 138.2 mpg (U.S.) / 58.8 km/l (factory claim) average estimated by a-c©: 2.4 l/100km / 116.7 mpg (imp.) / 97.1 mpg (U.S.) / 41.3 km/l, more data: 1966 Honda CA 95 Benly Touring Specifications Review
When I saw all the sparking at the points I thought the condenser was bad. Hopefully an easy fix! Good luck.
Agreed, definably looks like it needs a new condenser to me.
Yep, those points won't last long sparking like that.
I was just about to ask - is it supposed to be sparking at the points.
Thanks a lot!
I've been watching your channel for a few years now. I love your process. You're a way better mechanic than I'll ever be. With that said, I hate to bust your chops but I've seen numerous videos where during the first starts of these engines, you'll run them until your garage is full of smoke before you shut them off. That carbon monoxide can take it's toll on you over the years. It can also seep into your house and reach your family. Not to mention the Vinster as well. Please consider venting the garage first or possibly rigging an exhaust tube out the door. We want you to continue making these videos for years to come.
maybe hes got an exhaust fan and fresh air intake?
This episode is bringing back memories. I dont know if you can find them in wreckers - but that slide throttle was used into the mid 70's on CD90's and 100's etc. Their switch gear would also be close although they didnt have a start button. Maybe the switch gear off a 350/500/750 four would work. With the carb, set the float height as per manual (the bowl seemed over full ) , then go through all the passages with a fine bit of copper wire and carb cleaner. Set air screw 1.5 turns. Replace points and capacitor (condenser).. Pull the mechanical advance out and check it is lubricated and not worn out. Then put a timing light on it (separate 12 V battery ) and run it with the stator cover off , start it and check it's firing on F and advances up as it rev's
I am 74 and still think about how everyone seemed to have a 305 Honda. They would take the muffler off and put a baffle kit on. One of the best sounding bikes when you opened the baffle.. My buddy got a Triumph - Now that was a bike. My first bike was a little Yamaha 80 trail bike which I had a blast on as a 15 year old riding the back roads and dirt tracks, back in 1965. Than got a deal on a 650 Honda which was just a cruising bike. Loved my trail bike though. Still kept my motorcycle license to this day. Nice watching your content brings back a lot of memories. God Bless all JC
PS: always dreamed about getting a 100cc Yamaha trail bike as a kid. Loved my Yamaha. Honda was the fad bikes back in my day, when motorcycles were the thing to get in my area.
Hi, my first bike also 80cc dirt bike. I'm 67 now and ride everyday Honda shadow helix and reflex 😎
My first bike was a Honda 50cc. Back in 1962, when I was 18.
At 14 bought a Honda 70 then a year later purchased an XR75. This was a great little bike! Started working at 14 just to get a bike as my parents were against motorcycles since I had an older cousin killed on a black version of the 66 Honda Dream. A truck with a trailer turned left in front of him...
I remember these things when they were new--it a wonderful bike when everything is right. They were very mellow, they'd idle at 7-800 rpm, they had surprisingly good low-end torque, they sounded like a little sewing machine--quiet, smooth. They didn't like high revs but they would hum along at 50 very happily. I am a Honda fan because of the wide variety of bikes and the sweetness of em.
I bought a 1966 Honda 160 in 1968. It was a CB converted to a CL at the dealer. I put dual cross over straight pipes on it with “snuffers” and removed the electric starter etc. I pull the engine, sanded and polished the entire engine cases, flat filed and bevel cut the cooling fins and did a few more kustom mods that made it stand out and perform better. I was 17 at the time in a small village in Alaska.
Hey Joe a neat trick to cleaning out exhausts is get around 1m of 8-10mm wire and make the wires frayed on one end, then connect your drill to the other end. Poke the wire into the exhaust and use your drill to spin the wire around, run the wire back and forth to clean inside the muffler and pipe.
Have to say Joe I am addicted to your videos.
They are so informative and you include so much detail.
All the best from 🇬🇧👍
I am actually studying the channels I like and writing down what they do. I love how he still doesnt have a stupid intro video, thank goodness. Vicegrip garage does, but hes HUGE.
Joe, love your channel. It seems the battery coil ignition is misunderstood by many people. The point gap is critical to allow the proper dwell angle. This is the number of degrees the points remain closed to charge the coil. The function of the condenser is to collapse the magnetic field of the coil immediately when the points open to provide the strongest spark. Excessive sparking at the points and premature point wear are symptoms of a bad condenser but not the reason the condenser is there. You should never use WD-40 on the points as many people have pointed out. You should check the initial timing and spark advance with a timing light. Also, I noticed you frequently pull the spark plug boot to check the wire, but I’ve never seen you check the resistance/continuity of the boot itself. These typically have some resistance for radio noise suppression but they should not be open. Also, be sure to lubricate the point cam to prevent premature wear. I love that bike. I worked on many of these before spending 46 years in the car business. Good work on your diagnosis and I hope these tips help.
Very good advice. Timing it with a strove is best, but If you don't have a timing light you can get the timing pretty close by inserting a piece of cellophane between the points, pulling on it lightly and confirming that the points open and release the cellophane when the first of the closely spaced marks on the rotor reaches the pointer. That is, the cellophane should be releasing just before TDC when using this static timing method.
There is special 'points cam grease' that is very heavy and sticky, but if you can't find any, a very small dab of regular grease is okay.
To bad he doesn't read the comments.
@@Odder-BeingSHADDUP...XD
Timing advance should advance then snap back. After you install a new condenser and new points. Lube up the timing advance behind the points plate. Take off the 10mm headed screw you will see the cam lobe for points, twist it counter clockwise. Should move easily then snap back quickly. You got it Joe.
I had a '67 CB160. Loved it. It was fast for a 17-year-old, 140-pound kid. It had dual carbs and would wax the 160 dreams all day long. Some bastard stole it, and my heart was broken. My buddy Larry and I would two-up and go everywhere around the S.F. Bay Area. Fond memories.
They 160s were great bikes. I put many happy miles on one. They'd be perfect commuters even today.
I had a 1969 100cc single that was a very similar two piece stamped frame. Back then it was $600 and more than we could afford. I took care of it but the crank bearings went at 10k miles. Not unusual in those days. That started a lifelong love afair with motorcycles. Now at 70 years I rip around on a 2023 Yamaha XSR900 and it's still just as fun and exciting. I don't bounce off the pavement like I used to, so "don't crash" is my mantra. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
My late Dad worked on many a Honda bike back in the 1960's. One main problem on Honda's was during the bike manufacturing the factory never deburred any of the holes for wires. And in time wires would short to the frame. No grommets used. My Dad would pullout the wiring and install new with rubber grommets. Wires in the handle bars shorted the most.
Joe I agree with you on a bad condenser. I owned one and when it got warm it would stall and a real pain to re start.
I have to tell you young man I wish you was my next-door neighbor just so I could come over and watch you do these projects and put more knowledge in my brain at the age of 70. It’s a pleasure to watch you and listen to you picking your brain and your expertise and repairing things that died long ago, keep up the great work!!!
I run a Powersport Shop in Northern MN, youd fit right in with alot of the regulars that stop by here just to see what im working on.
I restored a friend's 68 Dream back in the 90's. He got it new, a red one. I have photos of him jumping it on the 44 acres my folks had back in the 70's on my Instagram. I just purchased a 72 CB500 Four that has been off the road since 76, just overhauled the carburetors, video of that coming soon. It's a period correct 70's custom, including custom flame paint. I am going to semi restore it, but have a 74 XL250 in line for restoration before the CB500. I do videos on my restorations. I restore cars, motorcycles, farm tractors and boats as I am a retired marine mechanic. One of my viewers suggested I check your channel out. I subscribed to, as I enjoy seeing your work.
I bought a 305 Dream new. The condenser was definitely a problem with these bikes. I think you're on the right track! These bikes have always been the best of Honda to me.
Gotta love the classics. They are bringing back good times for owners in their youth. I never owned anything remotely similar but have good memories of go carts and mini bikes.
I have a friend that restores that particular bike,and they are true gems when he's finished with them,,beautiful machines
Wow, what a classic! Something many of us geezers (50>) had or wanted. Great job with diagnostics and repairs. Beautiful day for a ride in the Dairyland
I still have my old ca 77 with 4k miles. I’ve had it over 40 years. I used to ride it in Shriner parades and still start it on occasion but my balance isn’t what it used to be.Love those old dreams!
My dad had a 67 160 dream with only 9,000 miles. I ended up giving it to my Nephew, in 2014, who had it restored. I used to ride it in my younger years on the farm, riding up and down the 1/2 mile lane, back in the fields.
My aunt had a 160 with all the protection bars, my uncle had the 305 dream. Yes, family were Honda lovers.
The bill of sale from Honda of Xenia, Ohio was a little over $500 back then in 1967, My brother in law bought a black one at the same time.
I'm a 56 year old woman and I am just mesmorized by your skill level and attention to detail. I could get lost in the videos that you put out. Thank you for sharing them and I have learned so much. Keep em' coming 😉
What a beautiful machine. And it is wonderful to see in the comments how it evokes so many memories. Your channel is outstanding, and your soliciting comments and advice makes your channel even more valuable. You should consider doing live streams occasionally so viewers could interact with you live with questions and advice. It would take your channel to the next level.
Holy Cow Joe! 1971, when I went to Nashville to pick up that 1958 Norton 650 Nomad my Uncle passed on to me (he bought it new in Texas), I was 21 years old. My best friend, whose shop we were working on bikes in, had a 1967 Honda Dream 305 he was rebuilding. We spent 4 months, side by side, working on those bikes to get them going. I still have the Norton, I don't know if he still has that 305. I always loved the look of those bikes. So smooth and refined design.
Man, do the memories of those days come flooding back. I'm so glad you have and are doing that bike. My friend's 305 looked almost exactly like that one.
My first bike was a single 90cc Honda with the same styling, ex Australian Post Office, red with leather panniers. Great fun for a 12-year-old.
I grew up going to the notercycle dealer down the road and drooling over all the bikes. The Honda Dream was the one my Dad wanted. But never got. I was small. I always wanted a trail 70.
Yes, I'd replace the condenser.
I used to have a 305 dream and had a great time on it . Loved that bike . 😅
I just saw the thumbnail I WANT TO BUY THAT BIKE !!!!! For whatever reason that is my favorite motorcycle!!!
Consider an RD instead
That was my first thought also, as with many of his motorcycles
@@RDEnduro I am. Those bikes are so cool !!!
RD 350 I'd good quick bike for it time an if you get bored you can throw the engine on a banshee frame ..bahhbahhhh
You Too eh?!?! I was like NO way he didnt get one of these?!?! I WANT IT! lol I love those bikes, dunno why either but I do . These and the bike with side car he got recently are too cool.
I serviced these as a senior in high school,the warranty service mainly,we always checked the float level to be level with the card edge,changed points,oil,I worked two hours did 4 to six bikes,ours weren't sitting for 50 years and we ran the amazing leaded fuel,not great stuff,but it was great in engines,I had a 250 scrambler and a 305 dream,they were so cheap,my scrambler payment was 34 a month.
When I was a boy most people got one of these to run back and forward to work most of them moved up from a Honda 50, that could be why it has a few miles on it, for me itneeds a total restoration I know some people will not like that and want to keep in original but not me, thanks for sharing
Thanks from the UK
You have saved a Honda from the shed, and I'm sure you will be riding it around soon
I love the way you take covers off and show what is happening inside
Great video
Keep em coming
My brother had red 305 Dream great little bike. I currently have a 1978 Hondamatic 400 I picked up about 12 years ago only had a little over 5000 miles. Great bike to ride on the back roads here in central Florida.
Stay safe when Milton hits your area. And enjoy your bike
I had a 1965 305 Dream in blue.
Great bike!! Bought it at a yard sale when I was 17.
Should have never sold it. ☹️
I am surprised that the person sold it after having it for so many years. Still in great condition.
Think yer right on the condenser : ). Have a '69 model... put many miles on it with no problems to speak of at all but that was back in the 80s also. Ain't been messed with for about 35yrs. A lil narrow and it likes to stay upright a bit but it ran smooth! A nice go down memory lane! Be Safe
I had one in Black. 45 MPH down hill with a back wind! But it got me from A to B without any problems!
That's a sweet bike man. Honda dreams are bulletproof! Hopefully someday I can track down a dream 305. Biggest they made
OMG Joe, I need that Honda!
It's the 305's little brother, and hands down the 305 was the best bike Honda ever made!
Bidding war is on !
My first bike was a ‘66 305 Dream. Laid on the tank to drive from Chicago south suburbs to U of I in Champaign in 1975. Trailered it home. Electric start. It was a reliable rider to and from campus. While others were trying to kickstart theirs, I just hit the button and road away.
Hi Joe, there were a lot of these tiny bikes in England during the 60's. Ihad a friend who ran one for ten years. Great video
My father owned a 1965 30 500 green. The only one that came out with dual carburetors was the 305 and that 1 you have here is just as much of a dream as the other 1. My mother sold the 30 500 dream after your father died for $5000. It's worth a lot more than that. Thank you for.
Buying that and bringing back my childhood memories❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
My 1st. bike was a 305 got my license at 15 and A half. Got a 650 Trump at 17 iv had 14 bike's I have a 2014 103 WG now I'm 71 and have a lot of memories of that old Honda Dream. Thanks for the memories.
The first time i seen the spring punch being used on "Steve's small engine repair" to remove a stuck pin i was amazed how well it worked.
Heckuva score, Joe! You got it lit off after 50+ years, but, typical Honda. You will get it all together. Thanks man!
I bought a 1967 305 Honda scrambler for $450 new! Yeah I am old ! I loved that bike and bought a 1971 Honda 750 new for $1,950 and sold the scrambler which I wished I had held on to. You do a great job !
those were so much fun
I agree about the condenser, I had the same problem on a Datsun PU it would run great till it got warmed up then just crap out, I replaced so many parts on it except that darn condenser, never had one go bad before, the last thing I replaced was the points and condenser, after that it ran perfect and never crapped out again. Replace that condenser i would bet she'll run perfect. Nice find and score again, clean it up replace those missing parts if you can find them and you have a gold mine.
Great stuff!!
My first real motorcycle was a used Honda CB200 that I bought in 1976. Should have hung on to that one. Sweet 2 cylinder 200cc: Perfect for getting around town.
Keep up the great work!
God Bless
Yep it's the condensor...you could see the points arcing as soon as you cleaned the points up and turned it over. Cool bike and a great job in getting it running...hopefully the missing parts won't be too difficult to find
What an amazing find. A Dream come true! Some great diagnostic work here.
I would change the condenser, lots of sparking at the points, I would also replace the plug caps or as you call them boots , cool bike, sound just like a Honda from that era😊 and a tip after filing points gap, I use a thick white paper between the points to clean them, better than oil based products. That's what I do, it works for me👍
My grandpa had one of those, just sat in the back of their dirty old garage not running but complete. My mother always talked about it because she learned how to ride on it and always loved it. When my grandparents died I tried to buy that bike on the auction to restore and give to my mother but it went for way more than I had to spend at the time.
Haha, you are right Joe, best comment you have made since I started following your channel ....... that is, "but it's a Honda, so of course it has spark". Spot on, my man.
I just started the video - but when you get it running, to RESTORE it should get you some real pocket change... That is PURE classic...
Get new points also.
I saw these new when I was in high school. We had 2 or 3 in my school. One was the 305. They really drew some interest!
I had a 64 305 dream when I was 16. As it got older it became hard to start. It also would not start after it had been ridden for a while and then shut off. I tried everything to make it more reliable just like you have done. I later had an old timer tell me that they had a coil that was liquid or had oil in it and they went bad because of it. If you keep having starting or other problems CHANGe THE COIL. I did and it was a world of difference and made it very reliable and easy to start. Good luck wish I still had mine but that was 50 years ago lol.
It's amazing that it started so easily, hopefully it is the condenser, going to be interesting to find out. 👍
My 3 brothers and I bought a 64 150 Dream ,Black color with very few miles in 1965 that bike was passed down to each of us. Then I got a 305 Dream and my little brother. I gave him the 150 CC Dream. Later, we both bought 350 honda Scramblers
I would also service the mechanical spark advancer. Great bikes. Love your content.
Brilliant video Joe watching from Edinburgh Scotland UK 🇬🇧 👍
Could watch this all day...love the channel..love that bike..takes me back to a slower more peaceful time..those were the days😊watching from Queensland Australia
What a nice machine, one to take on a Sunday drive through the country side. Thanks for giving it a life once again.
Cool bike! Super fun to ride although 1960s under-powered. I have a 305 Dream and had the same issue twice with the condenser. If the points are good and clean but sparking, that is what the condenser does is to minimize arcing at the points. Again, cool bike! I wish my exhaust was as nice as yours.
Your 160 twin and their successor 175 twins are so sweet sounding. Like someone else said - little sewing machines.
I actually owned one of those 305 back in the day. That might’ve been 40 years ago that I bought that thing. Found it in the basement of a guy that owned an apartment building. I was working on properties at the time. The guy said you wanna buy this I’m not even sure what I pay for it, but I got it carburetor cleaned out as the Jets are always the first thing to check. The one I worked on had probably been sitting for over 20 years. Don’t remember about the California registration, they will really bend you over if there was not a non-op sometimes and registratio n re than the vehicle is worth The carb was kind of on the highway. I could not even keep ahead of the semi trucks. my friend was on a Kawasaki 900 when we did 100 mile cruise. Just got rid of a few of my old bikes that I had no paperwork for to a kid in the next town over who was looking through my trash pile one day.
If you check your video at about 54 minutes 50 seconds in you will see what looks like another gas leak. Cool bike, great job finding it. You always find some great deals.
Wow I recently chatted with a man who was having a cake break while out and about on his Dream. Exactly the same as the one shown here. Mint condition. Sounds so nice.
I had the same bike in red. Bought it new, rode it everywhere including off road!
Yes, all the symptoms point towards the condenser, but it is doing the storing of the energy when the points OPEN and suppressing the spark at the points that you see.
As soon as I saw the sparks at the points I said condenser, new condenser should make a big difference, good luck with that lovely little Honda.
I was a Honda mechanic back in the day these were selling to replace the CA95, 150cc Benley. This would continue as a Benley with the frame numbers starting with CA160. They were a better unit than the 150 version, basically the CB160 engine with a single carburetor rather than two on the CB.
This bike was the one in the ad “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” I w once saw an ad in the paper that advertised a Honda for sale. It said “Must sell, am pregnant: You meet the nicest people on a Honda”😅
Good things happen on a Honda was another add from back in the day.
Watching you mess with those points and that carb reminds me of all the old Honda TL125’s and 250’s I’ve owned.. I’d love to see you rebuild one of those
I’ve got a 69’ cb160 twin. I had it running two summers ago and it ran pretty good after I adjusted the timing, the points and the valves. Oh, and rebuilt the carbs. (2) I haven’t have time to ride it much since then so there it sits. 🤷🏼♂️
I have a 1966 CA160 in black. Just drug it out of a barn a couple weeks ago. It has 30,379 miles on it and I bought it off of the original owner. It was last registered in 1978. Someone rode the heck out of it lol. Funny thing is my tank is absolutely spotless inside which is crazy because the rest of the bike is pretty rusty. Those old Hondas will run without a battery but they will not run correctly. My CL 350 was popping and sputtering pretty bad when the battery froze.
That would make an awesome restoration project!
My first bike was a black one just like yours. Thank you for sharing!
These bikes are so cool. There is a pic of my dad on one of these back when the bike was new and he was 33 or 34 years old. He was on a black one, or maybe it was dark blue. His dad, my grandfather owned it for a little while. I don’t remember seeing the bike at all.
I had a 305 dream( I am 70, )..👀 I thought it was a strange bike with its steel pressed frame body, and the steel press front fork with those tiny springs…” With no freaking travel at all” you Hit 😳 a good pothole with one of these bikes,
And you can completely total out the front end ….! But they do look cool…👍🏻
Of course it fired up... it's a Honda. I love it when you find cool vintage motorcycles to get running. I've had old Honda's and old British bikes and it's pretty clear why the Japanese put a lot of those British motorcycle companies out of business in the 70's. I say that as someone who loves and prefers the old British bikes, even though they tend to need a little more attention.
Man i love how all the auto related channels are always sooo worried about tearing gaskets, lol-ol-ol when i grew up poor we never bought a gasket we simply traced the part onto a cereal box and cut it out with scissors and it worked every time! We used that stuff for everything and it always worked...
Great old bike find and love the content. I must mention one cringeworthy moment which was at 50:40 where there was clearly a substantial gas leak pooling while you tested a spark plug 4" away. I am certain you don't want a redo of the KX80 incident a couple years back and hopefully your shop now has several well placed extinguishers. As a guy who ran several repair shops I have seen how quick things can go sideways on a mechanic's innocent issue when overlooked. Keep up the videos and I look forward to the next episode!
A 160 Dream was my first street bike in high school. I always thought it was a 1965 though. My late grandfather bought it new and gave it to my family when he bought a "big" bike, a 350 honda.....
Oh man bring back fond memories of my dad, he had one and rode it back and forth to work. He said it leaked a lot of oil, if my memory is correct he would bring home 2 quarts of used oil from work so he could get back to work the next day lol. Thank you for shari g this one please get that old girl going you might just fall in love with her and keep her.
My father had the 305Honda Dream and when he first got it; he was going to store it in the basement for the winter.
Change of plans and had it in my parents bedroom on a piece of plywood and drip pan underneath.
His was the black model.
That’s a nice looking antique.
When the new throttle assembly arrives, then you will be able to see if you are getting enough throttle. Meaning the way it is set up now (you’re makeshift set up) more than likely it’s not opening up the throttle all the way. Let’s hope that with the newly arrived throttle setup, along with the adjustments will be enough for the fix.
Your not going to have any trouble finding enough parts to get that bike to run and ride. I just did a quick search and quickly found a set of new points and condensor for $25.00 brand new. I never owned one but have tuned up and rode one for a few days for a customer many years ago. The front suspension made for a really smooth ride over the bumps. At 18 minutes into the video I was yelling at my screen saying "NO NO" the points run off the camshaft not the crank. LOL!
Is this the model of bike the girl was riding in the first Billy Jack movie, The Born Losers? Nope. Looked it up, it was a 1965 Yamaha YDS3. Great bike anyway and good work reviving it from the dead. You are The Motorcycle Necromancer!
i love the videos with old motorcycles that you start after sitting long time
LOL did you see the mouse nests coming out of the exhausts. 😂🐭 nice job, I had a 305 myself back in the 70s, did the same as you , cleaned, polished, got it running and flipped it. Turns out it was one of the first dreams to come to AUS, so I should have kept it 😟
2V, with experience with Go-Carts, VWs + Motorcycles I'd go with a bad condenser! I switched my 66 VW to Pertronics because I couldn't find a reliable condenser! You don't have that option so best of luck finding a good one. My brother had the identical 160 Honda Dream about 50 years ago. It's amazing how well your bike runs after 57 years! Hondas are incredible!
In the last shot of the points the gas tank was still leaking (drip).
In the last shot of the spark plug it was coming close to the gas puddle, do not ask how I know but can you say fire.
Thanks for the memories, I had a 150 dream in 1967.
I’m usually not big on these bikes but this one is pretty sweet..it’s a nice looking and sounding little scoot
I like the "find" videos the best. Generally, something put away for later seems to be in much better condition than the neglected late model dealer specials
Enjoyed your vid, yes the memories, thanks. Indeed your cap looks to be failing, an easy fix. Better still i'd recommend fitting a cdi unit for breaker type ignition, you can find them cheap now (i ran mine for over a week using only a PP3 battery!). Ultrasonic cleaning the carb was a good move though you didn't show the results, i hope the parts were all nice and shiney. i never had such a luxury but got by with cocktail sticks and petrol. Remember that it uses a shared spark system, so if one side is not connected then neither is the other (the "spark" travels from 1 lead through the engine and back down the 2nd lead) so a bad connection one side causes a bad connection on the other side too. this has concequences when setting the ignition timing, by using only one set of points they require 2 lobes on the cam and they will most likely be slightly different and this will cause what is refered to as scatter (ie sparks at 2 different points on the cycle) and this will make timing difficult/immpossible to get 100% right. if you do try using a strobe you will likely get oil everywhere unless you make a splash cover, i drilled a spare cover to stop it. all else aside my best performance/maintainace tip is replace the cam timing chain (and adjuster mech if worn) regularly, as the chain stretches it moves the valve and ignition timing out. when they go bad you will find alot of aluminium in the centrifugal oil filter. oh and if you can find the parts you can upgrade the gears to (CB) 5 speed too.
Had one of those in the 80's when I was a teenager, of course I was bummed out because I really wanted a dirt bike, but I rode the tires off of that thing. Also had two Norton 750 Commandos. What I would give to have those back.
Put many many miles on a 305 Dream with my dad. I was little during the early 70s when we had the bike. My older brothers rode the wheels off that bike.
I believe that you are correct on the condenser . I think it could also be the points. They seem to have a bit of wobble at the pivot .