What have I done - early Honda Dream project....

[honda-san]

As something a little different to the various sohc fours I have tinkered with for a great many years now, I recently acquired a 1960 C71 Honda Dream. Of possible interest / note is the fact that this a "dry sump" dream, having a separate oil tank on its right side as per the later CB750 SOHC's.
Just 4,600 KM from new and imported from Switzerland last year, based on various battle scars on its right side suggesting a crash of some kind it appears to have been laid up a very long time ago.
It came with NOVA paperwork and a VJMC dating certificate and so the DVLA application for a UK reg. is already underway. Initial plan is simply to make it whole again and see if it will run. After that, we'll see.

Immediate needs are to find a pair of handlebar switches and a left side side panel. If anyone has any thoughts / leads, much appreciated (1960 - 1962 pressed flat handlbar C72 / C77 parts should (!) be able to be used).

This is unlikely to be a fast moving project, none of mine ever are (the sandcast I bought in 1991 is still not quite finished - this year.......)

Cheers - Chris R.

[Johnny4428]

Nice project there Chris, know nothing about these early Hondas, mine are all 70s models. Good luck with it though!

[Laverda Dave]

Wow, that is certainly different. Are you a member of the VJMC, if not I would join and put an advert in their members magazine, I think it's called Tansha. Ash may be along soon and he may be able to offer some additional advice.
Great project though, good luck getting it running.

[AshimotoK0]

Following this with interest Chris. Does it have the satin finish where the knee are is on the tank panels like on the C75/70?

How often do you see a project bike with the mega rare (and hence expensive) tyre pump and also the carb alloy covers.... you did well there ! Most sellers,  like DK for example,  would have taken them off to make a killing on, as a separate sale.

[Bryanj]

Looks nice Chris, you sure you have space in the garage?

[Nurse Julie]

We look forward to you coming round for a cuppa on it this summer Chris 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[paul G]

Nice project Chris.
If it is anything like my sloper start looking for the exhaust now

[Rozabikes Tim]

Interesting and different project. Look forward to the story.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Wow that photo takes me back to my days of looking at the bikes in the bike shed when I attended our local Technical College circa 1964/5. In amongst the old BSA's & Velocettes would be some new Honda's with Square Headlamps. I'd forgotten how the pressed steel looked.
I eventually bought a standard red CB250 Dream once they appeared on the used market.

[AshimotoK0]

Wow that photo takes me back to my days of looking at the bikes in the bike shed when I attended our local Technical College circa 1964/5. In amongst the old BSA's & Velocettes would be some new Honda's with Square Headlamps. I'd forgotten how the pressed steel looked.
I eventually bought a standard red CB250 Dream once they appeared on the used market.

That would have been a C72 Dream Ted . The CB250 was introduced in 1968 and had a tubular frame.

[Spitfire]

What a great project, those early Hondas take me back to my younger years.

Cheers

Dennis

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Wow that photo takes me back to my days of looking at the bikes in the bike shed when I attended our local Technical College circa 1964/5. In amongst the old BSA's & Velocettes would be some new Honda's with Square Headlamps. I'd forgotten how the pressed steel looked.
I eventually bought a standard red CB250 Dream once they appeared on the used market.

That would have been a C72 Dream Ted . The CB250 was introduced in 1968 and had a tubular frame.

My Mum loved the C72 Dream as it did not drip oil on the drive like my previous Triumph 21.
I liked the C72 so much after about a year I bought a 250 Super Sport I think it was a 1964 version.
TBH I preferred the C72 as the 250 SS was hard work as the revs had to be kept so high I was forever up & down the gearbox when trying to maintain a steady 60 mph with a head wind in top gear.

[Tony.B]

Interesting, in amongst the job lot of Honda bits I came upon recently is this......

[honda-san]

Thanks for the various encouraging comments. In no particular order....

Ash, yes, the chrome tank panels are satin polished at the knee cut-outs where later bikes would have rubber knee grips.

I have been a VJMC member since 1987 - gradually putting the word out via any source I can think of - with patience, most parts turn up eventually.

Exhausts - Later C72 exhausts do turn up every now and again, and can probably be used on the earlier C71, but correct C71 items are another matter.

Julie, I suspect this year for that cuppa (on the C71 Dream) would be quite an achievement; but who knows.....

Tony B. - Interesting 1960 - 1962 Dream (well, pre "A" registration anyway). I have to ask, what are your plans for your C72 project?
Move it on (perhaps PM me?), or do something with it?

Thanks all for your interest - Chris R

[Tony.B]

Thanks for the various encouraging comments. In no particular order....

Ash, yes, the chrome tank panels are satin polished at the knee cut-outs where later bikes would have rubber knee grips.

I have been a VJMC member since 1987 - gradually putting the word out via any source I can think of - with patience, most parts turn up eventually.

Exhausts - Later C72 exhausts do turn up every now and again, and can probably be used on the earlier C71, but correct C71 items are another matter.

Julie, I suspect this year for that cuppa (on the C71 Dream) would be quite an achievement; but who knows.....

Tony B. - Interesting 1960 - 1962 Dream (well, pre "A" registration anyway). I have to ask, what are your plans for your C72 project?
Move it on (perhaps PM me?), or do something with it?

Thanks all for your interest - Chris R

Pm replied