Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes A Most Ambitious Project! (Sort of Long With Pics)

So I have started a frame up restoration of my '64 Honda Dream recently. Have two bikes, identical except for color. The motors are off and will be disassembled, which ever is better will be rebuilt. Need to run some numbers and see if it was originally a 150cc or 160cc motor. I have one frame to strip and paint, and the other will be the work platform. Took a few pics today after I threw some of the parts back on to give an idea of what it's supposed to look like.



The rear fender is welded to the frame, so I'm glad it's pretty straight. The front fender is dented up on the bottom, but I should be able to get it straight again.




I have all the parts except the lower half of the chain guard, I'm hoping to be able to find one without too much trouble.



The seat is in really good shape, I don't know if it's been recovered before.
Look at the peace sticker on the rear fender! Vietnam era authentic!



Here is the last time is was street legal. You can almost see the fender strut that I already polished up.



Here is a shot of the stamped box frame. Doesn't look like much, but it's rock solid and strong! Plenty of room inside the frame for wiring.



Another frame pic...



And I need to get some new rims and spokes and see if I can learn how to lace a wheel!



Or two....



I've got my work cut out for me, many long hours of sanding, priming, buffing, polishing and maybe a little welding lie ahead. We all need a hobby, right?

WOW Dave! I had NO IDEA that the whole COMPLETE motto of Missourians was:

"Show me a motorcycle I can spend hours upon hours fixin' back up!"!!!

(well then....good luck there my friend, AND be sure to SHOW US how this new project o' yours is movin' along occasionally, will ya?!)

Yep you have work to do but all in all I have seen much worse brought back. I think it was maybe 2 years ago an old man rode one of those to the Westend Bike Fest. He bought it new and it had never been apart and it was clean.

Wow, Wow! I also had no idea you were such a restoration geek! Good for you!

The bikes have been sitting in my driveway under a tarp for almost 2 years now, I figured it's about time to get it going. I'm just hoping that after its all done, it will look like I envision it to now, and won't be disappointed by the final result.

Looking good, Dave. I'm sure you'll have it rolling in no time, bro. I think it will look very cool and what a cool piece of history to own!!!

Keep us posted. Can't wait to see the finished bike.

I will be keeping a photographic journal and posting pics as I progress through the stages.

Here's what I hope to end up with.

Gonna be a cool looking old bike Dave!

That is what the old mans bike looked like except all black where that one is white.

Very cool...Ive never seen a white one. Ive seen a few black ones.
A good source for parts is Century in San Pedro, Ca (theres another post floating around...I think in the lounge). They have a ton of NOS and OEM parts for everything.

Well, I got my top end rebuild kit today in the mail! These pistons are tiny! New pistons, valves, clips, rings and gaskets. And the guy threw in a new set of grips too. Found a new(er) front fender on craigslist, it's on the way too. Mine is dented up on the bottom, and I don't know if it's repairable. Got some parts stripped and primed and ready for paint. Still lots of work left to do, I think it will be worth it in the end.

That is such a great project you got going there. I posted my 81 CB125 here which was of course not near as old as yours. And an offer's be made to give me a '65 55 which is restorable. But your project... it's a Dream! Good on ya man.

Stripping and priming the frame... you can see my tools of choice on my makeshift work table. I'm in the driveway now on the side of the house, I got chased out of the backyard to make room for patio furniture.
The swingarm and forks are going to get sand blasted, and I'm going to have to make some sort of sandblast catch tray and box so I can do the inside of the frame and the hard to reach spots. Frame won't really fit in a blast cabinet. Not one I have free access to anyway.

I made a blasting cabinet out of a 55 gal. drum.I used one with a lid that can be removed by undoing a clamp ring. The hoses go in through the threaded holes used to fill and pump out normally. I cut a square hole in the side to use as a window. Made a 2X4 frame with a slot cut to slide plexi glass in and out for the window. Above that I cut a round hole and riveted one of the clamp on aluminum work lights from the hardware store minus the clamp for light. Under the window I cut 2 holes and riveted old jacket sleeves to them. Set that on saw horses and you have an instant blasting cabinet and all the sand is contained for reuse.

EDIT: If you decide to make one don't skip the light, you will need it.

Hey man, you're really making progress on your project. Looks like a lot of fun... wish I was there to cheer you on!

here is the power plant... it's seen better days

Ya know Dave, ever since you posted this thread I've been meaning to ask you somethin'. So tell me...On your off-hours, when of course you're not resurrecting old motorcycles you've found in this kind of shape, do you ALSO ever venture to Skid Row and try to reach out to the Down-and-Out THERE TOO????

(juuuuuust yankin' the ol' chain here again, bro....keep up the "good work", you "Bleeding Heart" you!!!)

Wow will take some time and money , but a great bike

Good luck with this project Dave. Keep us up to date with pictures. I love to see old bikes restored and ridden.

Wait until you see how nice the motor is coming along! I'm thrilled at how well it's turning out!