I got the air cleaner from Ohio Cycle(very fast shipping and excellent service). The hose came from Orazio Cycles on Ebay.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Air Cleaner Is In
I am so happy. My air cleaner and hose and clamps are here. This weekend I hope to be out riding. Everthing I need to get the bike running is done except the installation of the air cleaner.
I got the air cleaner from Ohio Cycle(very fast shipping and excellent service). The hose came from Orazio Cycles on Ebay.
I got the air cleaner from Ohio Cycle(very fast shipping and excellent service). The hose came from Orazio Cycles on Ebay.
Monday, June 28, 2010
No Air Cleaner
Well, with alot of help from my husband, I got the bike back together. Time to check on the air cleaner. Hmmm. There is NO air cleaner. Another delay. I have to order an air cleaner and the hose that attaches to the carb.
Parts Are On!
I told you the sprocket was very worn. See the comparison?
Here is the rubber boot that goes over the swing arm under the chain.
What a difference having the rat sh-t gone!!
I grew up in Northern New York State almost near the Canadian Border. I know it is just like a farmer to replace a broken foot peg boot with a rubber hose that was attached to the peg with nuts and bolts!!
Here is the rubber boot that goes over the swing arm under the chain.
What a difference having the rat sh-t gone!!
I grew up in Northern New York State almost near the Canadian Border. I know it is just like a farmer to replace a broken foot peg boot with a rubber hose that was attached to the peg with nuts and bolts!!
Here is another stupid thing a farmer would do..weld a piece of steel to the shifter because his foot is too big. Luckily I found a nice replacement on ebay for $9.00.
This looks so much better!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Yea!! My Parts Are In
My parts came in today, including my new sprocket. If you read my previous post, you will see why I needed it so badly.
This is who I ordered the parts from:
This is who I ordered the parts from:
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
All I Wanted To Do Was Fix The Neutral Light
When I got my Dream, the neutral light was inoperable. When stopping at lights in traffic, I like to know immediately when I am in neutral. So I decided to research the problem. Well it turned into a big problem(My "Dream" turned into a nightmare).
I first removed the headlight and accessed the neutral light bulb and it's wiring. The bulb seemed to be ok. I tested it on a Harley Battery and it lit! I replaced the bulb. I checked the wiring diagram in my owners' manual to see where the juice is suppose to come from. The manual showed the current came from the battery to the bulb and grounded through the neutral switch. To see if I had current through the socket I turned on the ignition and grounded the socket and it lit. Now I had to find out if it was a wiring problem or the neutral switch.
My husband is posing for me.
Not knowing where the neutral switch was, I traced the green wire with red tracer to a union underneath the carburetor. I decided to open the union and as I was doing so (the ignition was still on - don't worry, I had the points open to keep them from burning), I saw the neutral light flash. Ah ha, a bad union, or so I thought.
I stuck a piece of paper in the points.
I opened the wiring union and tested the wire back to the switch with a VOM, nothing. It had a bad solder joint. I desoldered the end and retested. Still nothing...? Why did I get the flash of current? While poking around, I noticed the VOM jump (set to OHMs). I realized it did this everytime I pushed on the wire back into the drive chain sprocket cover. How odd.
Around this time I discovered a removeable rubber inspection cover on the sprocket cover and removed it. With a flash light, I saw the neutral switch, but it only had about 1 inch of wire and no more. Darn, now the cover has to come off (and the nightmare begins).
I was not prepared for what I was going to find next.
I removed all the screws and pulled the cover. Oh YUCK!! A huge rat's nest and my hands are right in the middle of it. This is where I called in the big guns. "Oh Dear, come give me a hand please".
He scrapped out the rat's nest and saw that the neutral wire had been bitten in two. The VOM was showing the ground when I pushed it into the cover because the bare end was touching the case. See the neutral switch just above the chain to the right? You can barely see the black short wire where it was chewed.
Here is a better picture of the neutral switch where the wire had been chewed.
As the rat's nest was large (seed husks, cotton stuffing, and of course, excrements) and because I had ridden the bike, a large portion of the nest now resided in the lower chain cover. Off with the lower cover. Now the snow ball was really starting down the hill.
Once the lower cover was off, it was apparent the the rear sprocket was worn. Really worn. So worn, that it was obvious it had been turned around at least once in its life (the front sprocket looks new). Off with the chain! Naturally, my husband found that the master link clip was backwards. It is only a good idea to have the clip inserted against the wheel's rotation if you desire to have the chain running out the back of your motorcycle like a crazy snake and if you have an enclosed chain guard like the Dream, you are going to need to replace alot more than a master link.
Here is a picture of the backwards masterlink clip on the chain.
To get the sprocket off, the chain guard upper cover had to come off, which meant the shock absorber had to be removed, as well as the rear axle.
So while I wait for a new rear sprocket and chain (oh yeah, the chain was shot), I fixed the neutral switch. Here are the pictures of the step by step repair.
I first removed the headlight and accessed the neutral light bulb and it's wiring. The bulb seemed to be ok. I tested it on a Harley Battery and it lit! I replaced the bulb. I checked the wiring diagram in my owners' manual to see where the juice is suppose to come from. The manual showed the current came from the battery to the bulb and grounded through the neutral switch. To see if I had current through the socket I turned on the ignition and grounded the socket and it lit. Now I had to find out if it was a wiring problem or the neutral switch.
My husband is posing for me.
Not knowing where the neutral switch was, I traced the green wire with red tracer to a union underneath the carburetor. I decided to open the union and as I was doing so (the ignition was still on - don't worry, I had the points open to keep them from burning), I saw the neutral light flash. Ah ha, a bad union, or so I thought.
I stuck a piece of paper in the points.
I opened the wiring union and tested the wire back to the switch with a VOM, nothing. It had a bad solder joint. I desoldered the end and retested. Still nothing...? Why did I get the flash of current? While poking around, I noticed the VOM jump (set to OHMs). I realized it did this everytime I pushed on the wire back into the drive chain sprocket cover. How odd.
Around this time I discovered a removeable rubber inspection cover on the sprocket cover and removed it. With a flash light, I saw the neutral switch, but it only had about 1 inch of wire and no more. Darn, now the cover has to come off (and the nightmare begins).
I was not prepared for what I was going to find next.
I removed all the screws and pulled the cover. Oh YUCK!! A huge rat's nest and my hands are right in the middle of it. This is where I called in the big guns. "Oh Dear, come give me a hand please".
He scrapped out the rat's nest and saw that the neutral wire had been bitten in two. The VOM was showing the ground when I pushed it into the cover because the bare end was touching the case. See the neutral switch just above the chain to the right? You can barely see the black short wire where it was chewed.
Here is a better picture of the neutral switch where the wire had been chewed.
As the rat's nest was large (seed husks, cotton stuffing, and of course, excrements) and because I had ridden the bike, a large portion of the nest now resided in the lower chain cover. Off with the lower cover. Now the snow ball was really starting down the hill.
Once the lower cover was off, it was apparent the the rear sprocket was worn. Really worn. So worn, that it was obvious it had been turned around at least once in its life (the front sprocket looks new). Off with the chain! Naturally, my husband found that the master link clip was backwards. It is only a good idea to have the clip inserted against the wheel's rotation if you desire to have the chain running out the back of your motorcycle like a crazy snake and if you have an enclosed chain guard like the Dream, you are going to need to replace alot more than a master link.
Here is a picture of the backwards masterlink clip on the chain.
To get the sprocket off, the chain guard upper cover had to come off, which meant the shock absorber had to be removed, as well as the rear axle.
So while I wait for a new rear sprocket and chain (oh yeah, the chain was shot), I fixed the neutral switch. Here are the pictures of the step by step repair.
Tank Emblems
Ok I said next I would fix the neutral switch, but I got my tank emblems and could not wait to put them on. It makes the bike look so much better.
Before:
After:
The picture below looks like there is acrack in the emblem, but it is just some type of reflection.
I was bragging about how great the bike runs. I wanted to get the neutral working and it has lead to a HUGE "chain reaction". No pun intended! Stay tuned....
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Cleaning the Oil Filter
Time to clean the oil filter. I don't think it has been cleaned in a very long time. The owner's manual says to unscrew the cover and remove the shaft. See the instructions below.
Ok. I am unscrewing the cover
MMMMM... I took out the oil cleaner with the shaft, but guess what. It is all connected to a sprocket with a chain that the manual does not address. Sorry that this picture is blurry and that I was not able to capture the picture of the chain as it lay on the floor. I found out that the sprocket and chain spin the filter to clean it.
I cleaned everything with petrol as suggested.
Here is the oil filter all back together. I had to enlist the help of my son, Casey.
He had to carefully but the chain back on the sprocket
Next, the neutral light. It doesn't work.
Ok. I am unscrewing the cover
MMMMM... I took out the oil cleaner with the shaft, but guess what. It is all connected to a sprocket with a chain that the manual does not address. Sorry that this picture is blurry and that I was not able to capture the picture of the chain as it lay on the floor. I found out that the sprocket and chain spin the filter to clean it.
I cleaned everything with petrol as suggested.
Here is the oil filter all back together. I had to enlist the help of my son, Casey.
He had to carefully but the chain back on the sprocket
Next, the neutral light. It doesn't work.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Cleaning The Fuel Filter
Today, using the owner's handbook, I took apart the fuel filter and cleaned it. Very easy. The filter bowl came off using a wrench. The rubber gasket and the fuel screen came out without a problem and I cleaned everything using gasoline as recommened. It all went back together without a hitch.
Here is a picture of the fuel filter disassembled.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The first Oil Change
Ok This bike runs great, but I had a suspicion that the oil had not been changed for a very long time. The former owner stated he had not driven it for 3 years. So the bike was long over due. The lower nut came off with a little persuasion. the oil was very black and dirty. My husband, Bruce, swears by Harley Davidson oil. We used 20-50w due to the heat in florida. The handbook recommends 20-40w, but I was advised that is not available. I put in approximately 2.3 pints of oil the level came up to the 2nd notch which according to the handbook is notch c. The picture in the handbook it really bad and ambiguous, so if anyone knows exactly where the fill line is on the dipstick, please advise. Is it the 2nd hash mark up from the bottom?
Forida Title and Registration "FIASCO"
My first order of business for my new 1965 Honda Dream 305 was to get the motorcycle registered with the state of Florida and purchase the optional antique plate. As always this procedure again did not go smoothly.
Let me start by saying I purchased this vehicle from upstate NY. It was not registered or titled. The last time (according to the registration sticker on the front fork) this bike was registered was 1979.
Having bought an untitled, unregistered 1952 Harley from Colorado just 3 years ago, my husband thoroughly researched and investigated the Florida State Statues for registering an out of state vehicle. ( I will be posting the Florida Statues below with parts that pertain to my situation highlighted.) The Florida Statues clearly states that if the vehicle is ancient or vintage, and unregistered or untitled, all that is needed is an affidavit signed by the seller that he or she is the owner of the vehicle and there are no liens on the vehicle.
Three years ago when I attempted to register the 1952 Harley, I went to the Brandon, Fl Auto Tag office armed with the statues just in case of any resistance. Of course I was told I needed alot more paperwork such as a title, etc. Pointing out their own statues in the documents, they still refused because they "have their own policies and procedures on their checklist and can not deviate". Very frustrated, I went home and my husband, Bruce, called our Congressman. The very next day we were "invited" back to the Tag Office to register the bike.
Fast forwared 3 years to last Thursday 6/3/2010. This time I went to the Plant City office which is less busy and more convienent. At least I thought. Again trying to register the 1965 Honda Dream I was told the same thing. I politely told the supervisor she was wrong and she should call Tallahassee for verification. She advised me she will call Tallahassee, but she was sure she would be told she is following her correct procedure. She dissappeared in the back room for quite a while. While standing at the window with the agent that was only doing her job, I asked if she could pull up the records for the 1952 Harley. After producing my Drivers license, she was able to locate the records from 3 years ago. Evidently they keep all paperwork for not less than 10 years and my paperwork had been scanned in and it clearly indicated who approved this and that it indeed was legal according to the Florida Statues. Yea!! She went to the back where the supervisor was apparently trying to contact Tallahasee. Within a few minutes she returned and said she would be able to process my registration application. One hour later I had the registration and tag, with my title coming in the mail shortly.
The only bummer thing about this is it cost a total of $175.00 for registering an out of state vehicle. I asked if this was an impact fee and was advised no, it is the out of state registration fee. HUH? A rose is still a rose by any other name......
Anyways. I thought I would post this story because If any one should happen to read this and is in the same situation as I was, it may help.
I have to wonder how many people have they turned away and put through hell because they did not follow their own correct procedures stated in their own Florida Statues??
Let me start by saying I purchased this vehicle from upstate NY. It was not registered or titled. The last time (according to the registration sticker on the front fork) this bike was registered was 1979.
Having bought an untitled, unregistered 1952 Harley from Colorado just 3 years ago, my husband thoroughly researched and investigated the Florida State Statues for registering an out of state vehicle. ( I will be posting the Florida Statues below with parts that pertain to my situation highlighted.) The Florida Statues clearly states that if the vehicle is ancient or vintage, and unregistered or untitled, all that is needed is an affidavit signed by the seller that he or she is the owner of the vehicle and there are no liens on the vehicle.
Three years ago when I attempted to register the 1952 Harley, I went to the Brandon, Fl Auto Tag office armed with the statues just in case of any resistance. Of course I was told I needed alot more paperwork such as a title, etc. Pointing out their own statues in the documents, they still refused because they "have their own policies and procedures on their checklist and can not deviate". Very frustrated, I went home and my husband, Bruce, called our Congressman. The very next day we were "invited" back to the Tag Office to register the bike.
Fast forwared 3 years to last Thursday 6/3/2010. This time I went to the Plant City office which is less busy and more convienent. At least I thought. Again trying to register the 1965 Honda Dream I was told the same thing. I politely told the supervisor she was wrong and she should call Tallahassee for verification. She advised me she will call Tallahassee, but she was sure she would be told she is following her correct procedure. She dissappeared in the back room for quite a while. While standing at the window with the agent that was only doing her job, I asked if she could pull up the records for the 1952 Harley. After producing my Drivers license, she was able to locate the records from 3 years ago. Evidently they keep all paperwork for not less than 10 years and my paperwork had been scanned in and it clearly indicated who approved this and that it indeed was legal according to the Florida Statues. Yea!! She went to the back where the supervisor was apparently trying to contact Tallahasee. Within a few minutes she returned and said she would be able to process my registration application. One hour later I had the registration and tag, with my title coming in the mail shortly.
The only bummer thing about this is it cost a total of $175.00 for registering an out of state vehicle. I asked if this was an impact fee and was advised no, it is the out of state registration fee. HUH? A rose is still a rose by any other name......
Anyways. I thought I would post this story because If any one should happen to read this and is in the same situation as I was, it may help.
I have to wonder how many people have they turned away and put through hell because they did not follow their own correct procedures stated in their own Florida Statues??
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
My new "old" Honda Dream 305
This past Memorial Day weekend I was able to pick up my latest purchase- a 1965 Honda Dream 305. For the past year I have been drooling over every Honda Dream that I have seen. The Honda Dream from the 60's brings back many memories from my youth. I think it was every teenager's "dream" to own this bike.
My sweet husband, Bruce, has been searching Ebay and Craig's list for the perfect Dream. A few weeks ago he found it. It was in Northern NY near Potsdam. I paid $800.00.
I have a fantastic brother, Mike, who lives in Watertown, NY, just about 80 miles from the Potsdam area. He went and checked it out for me, bought it, and brought it back to his house, ultimately arranging for a friend to trailer the bike to Florida where I took possesion last saturday.
This bike runs like a "dream". I have to admit it is pretty rough looking, but it is complete, except for the rotted out tank emblems. It is going to be a fun bike to restore.
As I stated, it runs perfect. I have been riding it up and down the street several times. I am hoping to get it tagged by the end of the week so I can venture out a little futher around town.
My sweet husband, Bruce, has been searching Ebay and Craig's list for the perfect Dream. A few weeks ago he found it. It was in Northern NY near Potsdam. I paid $800.00.
I have a fantastic brother, Mike, who lives in Watertown, NY, just about 80 miles from the Potsdam area. He went and checked it out for me, bought it, and brought it back to his house, ultimately arranging for a friend to trailer the bike to Florida where I took possesion last saturday.
This bike runs like a "dream". I have to admit it is pretty rough looking, but it is complete, except for the rotted out tank emblems. It is going to be a fun bike to restore.
As I stated, it runs perfect. I have been riding it up and down the street several times. I am hoping to get it tagged by the end of the week so I can venture out a little futher around town.
