Classic Bike Garage

[SLO-BOB]

I started a thread inquiring as to what was a cool classic bike to buy that didn't cost too much. Well, just a few weeks later, here's my garage. It started out simple enough, but has become an addiction. Oddly enough, my favorite one is the little CB160. It zips pretty good.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

I started a thread inquiring as to what was a cool classic bike to buy that didn't cost too much. Well, just a few weeks later, here's my garage. It started out simple enough, but has become an addiction. Oddly enough, my favorite one is the little CB160. It zips pretty good.

D@mn you all to hell Bob! Seeing those Honda Dreams is making me want to launch a search for one to restore.

[alf]

Cool. Which BMW are those?

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by alf

Cool. Which BMW are those?

Not BMW. Honda Dream: http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=62

Nice start to your collection!

[alf]

Hey those are cool! Where could I get one, what do they cost?

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by alf

Hey those are cool! Where could I get one, what do they cost?

The link above shows a Dream Sport which has a different exhaust than mine. It's also less common as far as I know. Here's my 64 300-



And my wife's 64 150-



I got these off of Ebay. I don't recommend buying sight unseen. I always pre-arrange (before bidding) to confirm the bike's condition before handing over $$. Right now there is a very nice looking bike just like mine at $2500 so far, and ending in a few days. Expect to pay anywhere between $2-4k for a decent one.

[johnco]

My friend threw away a complete CB160 earlier this year. I kept telling him someone will want it, but he tossed it out before I had a chance to rescue it.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by johnco

My friend threw away a complete CB160 earlier this year. I kept telling him someone will want it, but he tossed it out before I had a chance to rescue it.

Kinda like burning $100 bills. Even if it was a basket case it was worth $200 in parts probably.

[johnco]

yep, I just told him about this thread and he choked a bit. also tossed out a YZ yamaha dirt bike. I flipped this one over backwards about 70 just giving it throttle way too many years ago

[johnco]

for something classic and really fast, I have a friend with a old 3cyl Kawasaki 550 or 750 sitting in his shed.. not sure which one. these once were the fastest things on the road

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by johnco

for something classic and really fast, I have a friend with a old 3cyl Kawasaki 550 or 750 sitting in his shed.. not sure which one. these once were the fastest things on the road

The Kawi triples are bringing in some big $$. Don't let him throw that one out.

[SLO-BOB]

On CB160s, this one is currently at $2000. Mine is not as nice cosmetically, but more original. This one is a little high I think even for one as nice as this. The small Japanese motorcycle market is very strong right now.

[Jeff Higgins]

CB160's account for one of the more popular vintage road racing classes up in these parts. Cool little bikes with an absolutely rabid following. I've been a VMA (Vintage Motorcycle Association) member for years. We meet monthly in south Seattle, with a truly stunning variety of classic bikes being ridden in, month after month. Even among the old H-D's, Indians, Vincents, Triumphs, Nortons, etc., a clean CB160 gets a lot of respect. Cool stuff.

[Drdogface]

I thought you said (in that other thread) that you were cheap....nice collection for a skin flint ;-)

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have a early/mid 60's Honda 70 that someone just dumped next to a trash dumpster. Its kind of rusty but all there. Anyone know a good website ala Pelican for this bike and/or a site for buying parts?

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

I thought you said (in that other thread) that you were cheap....nice collection for a skin flint ;-)

I am cheap, but I'll admit I got a bit carried away. One problem is that my wife jumped into the fray and demanded a bike! However, the two dreams together cost less than one comparable BMW. The other 2 were quite a bit less than that even. I'll probably end up selling the CL and the CB even though I hate to. We'll see.

The bottom line is, one can get out there and have fun on a cool bike for not much money, under $1000. I'm guessing I've already had more comments on each one of my bikes than the average Harley guy gets in a decade of ownership. I'm not bashing Harleys btw. The new ones are just so common now that they pass largely unnoticed. The old ones or customs, well, that's another story. Very nice, but spendy. Another comparison; my nicest one, the red 64 300, cost me less than a set of custom bars with controls.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I have a early/mid 60's Honda 70 that someone just dumped next to a trash dumpster. Its kind of rusty but all there. Anyone know a good website ala Pelican for this bike and/or a site for buying parts?

Dan, the Ebay stores are your friend on this one. You can get some decent stuff from individual sellers, but there is a TON of stuff hiding in the stores section of Ebay. There are non-Ebay suppliers, but vintage parts are inconsistant. I've been buying tons of NOS wear items for my bikes such as points, cables, electronics, brakes, and rubber/plastic stuff from mainly the Ebay stores that specialize in this stuff. I avoid knock offs or repros as well as overseas transactions. So far, so good. I just bought the NOS 1st oversize piston kit for the Dream 150 last night for $25.00! Sleeves for $10.00! It can be a great deal, but if you need something that everyone wants, like a CB160 mudflap, be prepared to spend a lot of money for what used to be a super cheap dealer item.

What kind of bike did you score? If it's a Honda here's a good forum, although nothing like Pelican which is in a league of it's own.

http://www.honda305.com/

[Drdogface]

Much better deals than I woulda thought...

I'm looking for a bike now too..can't decide if I want a mid 90's, more useful, Beemer or the very classic 70's R75. Much more money than what you spent but also much less for used Beemers than I first thought.

[rouxroux]

Bob, you ought to trailer a few of them to Eureka Springs to putt-put around town on in November! Much easier than driving your car downtown! I love those Dreams!

[Gene Wilkes]

Bob,
My first 'motorcycle' was a white dream 150! Lots of great memories with that bike!