Honda Benly Touring with title in Mpls.

vespadaddy

I have a 98% complete Honda Benly Touring, titled as a 1965, but my research suggests that this bike was made before '63, as it is the 'early' model, as indicated by the curved rear fender support. I bought this bike with plans to restore it, but I never got around to it. I was told it ran via a remote fuel cell when I bought it, but I never got time to verify this. It's pretty complete, but needs resoration (front tire flat, etc). It is missing one sidecover. It has been stored in my garage for the last 10 years. I have a title for this bike.

$800 OBO. Feel free to make offers. This bike will not be in my garage come Fall.

vespadaddy@gmail dot com

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

What is stamped on the engine serial number? If it is a true 1963 Benly the year of manufacture should be in the serial number on the engine. Look for CA95E-1963...... AT that price it is not a bad deal, but then I got way too many bikes.

vespadaddy · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tip. The stamping on the motor reads CAE95E-2101245 Any hints on what that means?

Thanks for the help.

Edit: This bike was made between 1959 and 1963 (though it wasn't titled until 1965).

I am basing this on the info in the link below:
http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0150/benly150/benly150.htm

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject:

Your bike was not made in 1963. Because a true 1963 Benly will have the year of production of in the serial number.

vespadaddy · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject:

So I assume it was made prior to 63 then, yes? Was 63 the only year with 63 in the engine #?

Or are you suggesting the info at the link in my previous post is wrong?

DANICHOLS · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject:

Let me see if I can help here. We have many early AND late model CA95s. 1962/63 is the transition point of early/late. In 1963 (late) the engine numbers started with CA95E-31XXXXX. The early CA95 started with CA95E-10XXX. The early models had small taillights, flat mufflers and different design tank panels. Also, the right engine cover didn't have Honda on it. The late model CA95 in 1963 came out with round mufflers, the larger taillight and flat chrome panels on the fuel tank.

On a different note, at no time did Honda ever put the model year in the serial number. Their production lines didn't sequence that way "back in the day." The fact that the late model CA95 was introduced in 1963 and the serial numbers started with 3 is mere coincidence. For example, the CB160 was introduced in 1965, but the serial number started with 1.

Hope this helped. I would guess yours is a late 1962 to early 1963 model based on the 7 digit number and starting with the number 2.

vespadaddy · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info. Here's a photo of the bike.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject:

That is a late model Benly touring. Honda actual did put the year of production in the serial number up to 1964. This was done with the dreams, the S90s,etc. I can verify this I have several hondas from the early 70's includeing a japanese domestic market model with this dateing scheme. The other way to date it is to check to the electrical harness. The year of production is stamped on the electrical harness near the neck. It is hard to tell when because they started some where in 1963. My late model Benly is from 1965, even tho 1965 was the start of the 160 models.

fasterspider · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:29 pm Post subject:

I wish it was me that was buying that bike but, distance and lack of funds make that impossible.

vespadaddy · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:45 am Post subject:

Bentwheel · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject:

It is my thought it is an early Benly Touring 150. Comparing pictures in the Honda identification Guide is my source plus your serial # bears this out.
Actually Vespadaddy, your fender supports are the shorter style, and that would be correct for the early model.

DANICHOLS · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject:

I would agree that it is an early Benley. We own over 20 vintage Hondas, pre 1964. The serial numbers do not have the year of production in them. We also own several Japanese domestic models - same story. The Honda ID guide will verify this as well.

vespadaddy · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the help, folks.

Now that I'm sure it is an early benly, am I in the ballpark for price? What do clean, running examples of this bike trade for $$?

Thanks!

vespadaddy · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

Sooo...1 week later. Am I way off on my price here? Would I be better off parting this bike out?

Any guidance would be appreciated. This bike (or its parts) should be with someone who'll use it/them.

Thanks!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:50 am Post subject:

THe price is right for a Benly early or late. You just have to keep trying to sell it. Right now is not the best time to sell a bike, only because a lot of other people are selling bikes right now. Keep trying and the only thing that is worth any serious money on a Benly is the petcock.