Honda CB160... What's it worth?

powerwheels125 · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject: Honda CB160... What's it worth?

So, my boss has had a red CB160 (not sure the year) sitting in the garage at work for a couple years now and
he's just bought a tin woody so he's getting rid of the bike. I've had my eye on it and I've got dibbs when he finally
lets it go, but I'm not sure what to offer him. It's in nice shape, hardly any rust. It's not running but that's because
it's not all put together. He's got all the pieces and I'm thinking with a battery and a carb cleaning it could be put
together & ran. Of course I'm not sure of this since it hasn't run since he bought it. It's something like this photo
I found online, but not quite as clean and the paint has some wear & tear, it may be the original paint but I haven't
looked at it that close yet. I'm more of a scooter folk so I don't know what the goin' rate for a bike like this would be.

So what would be a reasonable offer? I don't have much money, but I don't want to low-ball him.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

iatrucker · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject:

Ebay in MN $1500 in mint condition, ebay WI $750 not all original. Both run. Don't know other than looking to see what ebay is bringing.

Rizingson · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:23 pm Post subject:

Sounds like it could be anywhere between 500-1000 but without knowing if it even has a sound motor or all the parts 500 shouldn't offend him.
By the way the photo you posted is a 305 Superhawk.

powerwheels125 · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject:

Oops! I fixed the picture, thanks. It has the same seat as the superhawk though, but not the same gas tank (and obviously different motor). Anyways, that's what I was thinking around $600-$800 bucks, but I wasn't sure. I suppose I could get the compression tested and then what else?

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:12 am Post subject:

The bike that you are interested in is called a Hawk. Honda had both the Super Hawk and the Hawk. The super hawk is the more desireable of the two. Not running about $750-$1500. Running twice that. But without pictures of it value would be hard to determine.

powerwheels125 · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 6:25 am Post subject:

Yeah, I will have to snap a photo of the actual bike some time next week.

powerwheels125 · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject:

ALRIGHT... here's my dilemma.

My boss said he'd sell me his '66 CB160 for 1000 bucks (including a motorcycle lift, carb rebuild kits, and shop manual). I'm almost positive there's nothing mechanically wrong with the bike even though it's kind of in pieces right now.

And then comes along the bike of my dreams. Well, a 305 Dream to be precise. There is a local guy selling one for $1600 and I'm going to look at it tomorrow morning. It's supposedly in good working order, he says he rides it to the store sometimes.

I have been keeping my eye out for a Dream for a couple years now and the last one I looked at I really wanted but would have been more trouble than it was worth. I'm definitely leaning toward the Dream since my parents could probably ride 2-up on it while I ride my Vespa if we wanted to cruise around together (Correct me if I'm wrong for thinking the 305 could carry two 200lb. people). Anyways the only *known* problem with the Dream is that it doesn't have a title. Florida is real weird about giving titles on bikes, at least I have had some major issues in the past (mostly with bikes from Alabama). The seller said he would go to the DMV with me to title it if I thought it'd help.

SO my obvious questions would be how do those numbers sound to you guys? I suppose I'd be willing to pay either of those amounts without much regret. but does either seem like a better deal? I don't know about what's rare and not and how desirable certain models are or whatnot... It seems the Dream would probably go for about $2500 if it were in really good condition, and the 160 I haven't seen any for sale so I don't know the going rate. Is one known to be more/less reliable or easier/harder to get parts for? I'm pretty excited about both, just throwing it out there for any input/info that might sway my decision. Thanks folks!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:06 pm Post subject:

Before you jump into something and buy a bike that you really don't want. My advice to you is to buy the bike that you really want. Even if it means having to wait a few years,etc. You can do a title search, if a title means so much to you and Florida requires one. Some states do require a title.

powerwheels125 · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:23 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I would have to have a title in order to legally ride it and/or get insurance on it. And I do plan on riding it a lot, I ride both of my current scooters all the time. If I can get a title relatively easily then I will most likely get the Dream. Hope it's as good as it looks in the pics! I will see in the morning!

powerwheels125 · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:47 pm Post subject:

Okay so the seller is getting the legal stuff worked out this week and as long as it all goes through, I will soon be the proud owner of a HONDA DREAM!!! Very Happy

Some things I might need would be tires for sure, cables, brake shoes... that's probably it! I did a quick search on the forum and didn't come up with anything, but if anyone has recommendations of places to acquire this stuff, that would be great! Also I was looking for a disc brake conversion kit but didn't come across any specifically made for the Dream 305. Are there other kits that will fit it? Thanks for all the help!

Russell · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject:

Enjoy your purchase.Just a bit of a 'hand-brake ' on your plans. The drum brakes of the time were a bit wooden in feel but with careful adjustment, could be made reasonably effective. They exist alongside suspension and tyres that matched the time. Better tires are relatively easy to access today, but if you upgrade the brake significantly you will find the limitations of the fork very quickly and thus find yourself very quickly heading down a one-way street of needing to upgrade in ways that soon see the character of the original bike lost. Better braking, steering , suspension, power is all readily available. Just buy a later model bike.

Isn't enjoying a classic about learning to appreciate the limitations of the time and riding within those limitations'?

powerwheels125 · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:59 pm Post subject:

Well, I have a bike with drum brakes and yeah they're mushy, but I still use them. The only thing I was thinking with the Dream is that it's quite a bit heavier so it might have a hard time stopping. I'm not trying to get into any heavy mods or anything, I was just thinking along the lines of safety as I plan to ride it often.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:59 pm Post subject:

Do not modify that bike to put a disk brake on it. You are doing the bike and yourself a major injustice. If you wanted something with disk brakes then you should have just got yourself a newer bike. The dreams do not modify very well to begin to with. When riding with drum brakes remeber to give yourself extra stopping time, and to also use the lower gears to help you slow down. I do have a few sources of Dream parts, after all I did ride a Benly for years. So I happen to have a ton of sources for parts. The best place to go is ohio cycle. Just follow the instructions on his website and don't forget to call him and you will do fine. The hardest thing to find for those bikes are the mufflers, but that maybe changing with their popularity.

powerwheels125 · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:33 am Post subject:

Thank you MR. CHocko, I'l have to check that out. The bike does not have the original mufflers, although you can tell the ones that are on it have been on there for most of the bike's life. They're the shorter (louder) ones. It's not missing anything and I don't plan on replacing a bunch of stuff right now since it's all original and everything is functioning at this point. I'm hoping I can just put some new rubbers, brake shoes, & cables on there and take care of the rust and I'll be good to go!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject:

The shorter ones were an aftermarket item from the 60's. The ends are horn shaped if I remeber right. The stock ones will make the bike sound very quiet. For tires if you want the stock white walls, you can get them at Coker tire. I am sure you can find black walls. I do have some Dream stuff but I have to check my inventory as to what I have.