My 65 Dream

[OG Velvet]

I've been lurking around here for a while. I wanted to start a thread for the preservation of my 65 Dream. I got the bike from my Dad about 2 years ago. He got it running and mostly back together, but I'd like to take it a few steps further and fix it up with a few more "correct" parts.

Here's my Dream

IMG_6043 by Brian Russell, on Flickr

I have no desire to restore this bike (at least not any time soon). I really want to preserve it and ride it. It's only original once! I got it running and enjoyed it for a while, but I struggled with the common issue of the float adjustment and gas pouring out the overflow. It left me stranded last fall and I'm just getting back to getting it going again. Below is a list of what's been done so far.

Rebuilt & cleaned the carb

De-rusted the gas tank. I used the muriatic acid method

New air filter

New battery

New fuel lines

Working on correct mufflers. I bought a "pair" of used original mufflers, but ended up with 2 lefts. I've been riding with some generic slip ons that my Dad modified to get by. Once I get a decent right side muffler, I'll be pretty close to running again.

I think that I need a new left side header. The pipe does not quite reach my original muffler.

Exhaust by Brian Russell, on Flickr

The left header is longer than the right correct?

Also, should there be a seal/ gasket between the header and muffler?

Here's what needs to be done...

Right side muffler
Left side header
Air hose from carb to air cleaner
Fix broken speedo
Fix broken headlight dimmer switch
Fix funky ignition switch (needs new lock mechanism. Anything can turn it)
Add turn signals (as close to original vintage as possible)
Add rear luggage rack or Buco bags
Fix horn

I look forward to any help I can get!

Thanks!

[OG Velvet]

Couple more pics

As my Dad had it

IMG_4743 by Brian Russell, on Flickr

More my style

Dream by Brian Russell, on Flickr

[Hamamatsu Nippon]

The left header is longer than the right correct?

Also, should there be a seal/ gasket between the header and muffler?

Here's what needs to be done...

Right side muffler
Left side header
Air hose from carb to air cleaner
Fix broken speedo
Fix broken headlight dimmer switch
Fix funky ignition switch (needs new lock mechanism. Anything can turn it)
Add turn signals (as close to original vintage as possible)
Add rear luggage rack or Buco bags
Fix horn

Yes the left pipe is longer than the right.
Yes there is a gasket between the pipe and muffler. It is held inside the muffler.
All the other things that need to be done are very typical repairs for any Dream.

I like the original Dreams too, that's they way I have mine. Cosmetically, I just cleaned up anything that had rust, and did a cut and polish to the paint.

[Seadog]

Here's what needs to be done...

Right side muffler
Left side header
Air hose from carb to air cleaner
Fix broken speedo
Fix broken headlight dimmer switch
Fix funky ignition switch (needs new lock mechanism. Anything can turn it)
Add turn signals (as close to original vintage as possible)
Add rear luggage rack or Buco bags
Fix horn

I look forward to any help I can get!

Thanks!

Nice bike and not too long a "to do" list. The luggage rack/Buco bags might be a challenge to find though. Most of your other tasks have been covered here on the forum. I like your father's solo seat - well, maybe without the studs and conchos. I'd like to see how he had it attached.

[Nick]

Very nice Dream you got there, congratulations.

I used a universal foam clamp-on air cleaner on my Dream for a few years, but for most of the past 15 years have been running it with no air cleaner -- bike runs fine. I think the carb's semi-enclosed location prevents most of the grit from reaching it.

When owners lost their keys, it was common practice to remove the pins from the ignition switch so that no key was needed. I actually prefer that on my bikes, as no key means no key to lose! As long as the bike is locked it's not going anywhere.

As you probably know, the Dream is not required to have turn signals because they were not fitted as original equipment.

A muffler shop could weld a short extension onto the left pipe, or weld a short intermediate piece in there, for just a few bucks.

If you're not going to use those handlebar streamers send them to me -- too cool for words!