NGC-Opinions on value of Honda 305 Dream

[brider]

Just want to get an idea from you experts on the value of such a bike....seller wants $1500, thinking of flipping it for a quick $$, wondering if the consensus is "Meh, might just break even..." or "Good god, if you even sneeze I'll snap it up...", or where the reality is in-between.

Says it's a daily driver, un-restored, fenders and obviously sidecovers have been painted.

Thanx in advance for any opinions.

And yes, I've looked on-line for current/recent sales, but what someone is asking and what a restored version sold for at a fancy auction may not apply in this real-world case.

[JJ]

For perspective, here are a few 305 Honda's that SOLD recently at MECUM in Vegas. 

So, probably worth $1500 (...or less) all day long, but buy it to RIDE and ENJOY, not to think about making money...(just MHO)

[Toecutter]

Old Hondas are my thing.

If you price that at higher, with the right description… unrestored, running well, etc etc, AND you're willing to sit on it. You could get double that, if the right buyer sees the ad. (but, that could be said for anything, really)

However, I'd say the current $1500, maybe $2000,  is bang on what you would realistically get for it.

[lrutt]

You aren't going to make any money on it at $1500 that's for sure. I have a 65 dream that has NOS exhaust (not what that one has), whitewalls (those were stock), and restored nicely and would be thrilled to get $3k for it.

If you could get it for $1k and it runs good, maybe.

[Sheepdog]

The 305 was a vibrator, so fasteners and electrical components should be checked out carefully. Also look for broken cooling fins on the heads/cylinders. Cool bike, but the restoration will take several thousand dollars. As stated above, only someone with an emotional attachment to that model would pay over $1500 for it.

[brider]

Thanks, gentlemen, that's all I need to know!

It IS a cool-looking bike, wonder what it's really like @ 70 mph?

[oldbike54]

 The Hondas that used a pressed steel frame also have internal rust problems .


 

Thanks, gentlemen, that's all I need to know!

It IS a cool-looking bike, wonder what it's really like @ 70 mph?

 Weird at 70 MPH , trust me 

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

A cousin of mine rode one double up from KS to into Canada and back in 1968.
GliderJohn

[JJ]

QUOTE:  IS a cool-looking bike, wonder what it's really like @ 70 mph?

RE:  "The VIBRATO!!"

[Aaron D.]

I knew a young woman who got one from her father-it was just a decent used bike at the time. It was pretty cool.

It is also getting close to 60 years old. So to flip-maybe. To check and use it and take care of it-yes, about like a similar vintage near anything.

[Lannis]

Thanks, gentlemen, that's all I need to know!

It IS a cool-looking bike, wonder what it's really like @ 70 mph?

Me, I wouldn't try that on that bike until and unless I had gone completely through it and checked the wheel bearings, the bushings in that quaint front suspension, the steering head bearings, the swingarm bushings, the rear wheel bearings, and the integrity of that can-rust-from-the-inside stamped steel frame.

Could be a death-wobble just waiting to happen, not to mention making sure the engine is still up to snuff.

All that being done, though, it should be well within the native capabilities of that bike ...

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Oh, yeah.. they'd run 70 easily. They'd be indicating 80 though. 

[oldbike54]

Oh, yeah.. they'd run 70 easily. They'd be indicating 80 though. 

 So more accurate than a magnetic Smith or Vaugelia from the day then ?

 Dusty

[Muzz]

The only time I rode one I went to turn in to the driveway and missed it by 10 feet.  The low speed cornering was HEAVY compared to my 350 Matchless.

[lrutt]

Oh, yeah.. they'd run 70 easily. They'd be indicating 80 though. 

A Dream will not run 70 easily, barely hit 70 let alone maintain it. And it would be working it's ass off. That single little carb just doesn't have enough breath in it. I know. It's very happy at 50 to 55 and that's it.

Pic of my 65 attached.

[oldbike54]

^^^ What Irutt said . The Dream engine is not a Super Hawk engine , single carb head , different cam specs , a utilitarian device not designed for any sporting intent .

 Dusty

[brider]

A Dream will not run 70 easily, barely hit 70 let alone maintain it. And it would be working it's ass off.

I was only thinking 70 in terms of me keeping it and riding it to work. It would have to go 70 for 10 miles or so. Probably wouldn't be an issue for that short distance.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^ What Irutt said . The Dream engine is not a Super Hawk engine , single carb head , different cam specs , a utilitarian device not designed for any sporting intent .

 Dusty

Oh, right. I was thinking Super Hawk. Didn't realize the Dream was such a slug.

[Tkelly]

Dream was my first bike in '65.I rode it wide open at 80 and it was solid.I eventually destroyed the engine however.

[steven c]

 My only time riding a 305 was when my friend wanted to try my Suzuki GT380 2 stroke. I just remember things grinding in the corners more easily then my GT380 and the 380 wasn't great in that department but not that bad. Around here $1500 will get you a barn find with lots of patina . I have toyed with buying one for tiddler tours so my wife could come along.