So - You like old school!

[tom_hudson]

I'll give you old school - 1964 Honda 305 Chopper! Today I saw this bike for the 1st time in 48 years - I ended up buying it - This is a one owner bike - I use to see this bike often when I was a young guy working in my dads gas station - I though it was so cool - I had dreams about this bike! I was about 16 years old then -

Now what to do - get it running & ride as a rat - Freashen things up or do a full resto - I think I can do a resto for 1,500 to 2 grand - I'm leaning toward the full resto, after all I have been thinking about it for 48 years

What ya think? more pix's on my site - tom

[wilcom]

My first bike was a black 64 super hawk. Those were the days, cut offs, sun glasses and a t-shirt maybe tennis shoes, sometimes barefoot because I remember it would hurt to kick it barefoot.(starter was iffy sometimes). Lucky to have lived thru that time period.

I think it would take too many parts to make it original again. Its part of your history the way it is, wouldn't be the same ol' girl if she was resto'd.

 I'd get her runn'n and ride it.

[tom_hudson]

I just talked to my wife - She doesn't think a "Rat Bike" is in my DNA - She wants me to Keep it as a chopper but new Paint & all new chrome - Guess maybe she knows me - I have had her for 48 years also

[tvrla]

It's yours so it's up to you what rings your bell. But me, I'd take my time and collect the parts - fork tubes, seat, tank, etc - to get it back to a stock configuration. I don't think it would cost all that much, and done a little at a time, wouldn't be a big strain either.

But I wouldn't tear it all apart, I'm into evolution rather than revolution so keep it rideable during the process. Unobtanium parts, I'd figure out another solution that fit the character and go with that. Those were such cool cafe bikes naturally, I'd keep it in that flavor.

How much did you give for it???

[nhmaf]

I think you just need to get her runnin again as she is, and dust off your old bell bottom jeans, tie-dye shirt and sunglasses, put on some Crosby-Stills-Nash-Young albums and relive the good old days!

[tvrla]

I think you just need to get her runnin again as she is, and dust off your old bell bottom jeans, tie-dye shirt and sunglasses, put on some Crosby-Stills-Nash-Young albums and relive the good old days!

LOL  

[steve hawkins]

I am with the 'just get it running' crowd.

Its a bike with a history, and in its life it was convered into a chopper - and not a bad job at that.  It has patina from years gone by, and that patina tells the story of this bikes history.

Only replace what you need to, otherwise it wont be the bike you remembered, it will be something else.

Perhaps a 'sensative' restoration is what is required?

But in the end its your bike and your money.  Nobody is going to knock you for giving it a new lease of life - least of all me.

Rev. Light

[tom_hudson]

I'm going to give the old girl a good bath and get it up & running - Touch up the rust on the frame - maybe touch up the paint on the frame - 0000 steel wool all the rust freckles - Tidy everything up & see how I like it - Most folks on the forums (99%) say to keep it as is, a piece of the 60's history - I have a couple of projects ahead of this one but it wont be to long. thanks for your opinions - tom  

[tom_hudson]

i got a hell of a offer for the Chopper from a collector in New Jersey - He wants it just the way it sets, spiders & all - I turned him down - but he said it was a standing offer  

[tom_hudson]

I think you just need to get her runnin again as she is, and dust off your old bell bottom jeans, tie-dye shirt and sunglasses, put on some Crosby-Stills-Nash-Young albums and relive the good old days!

That sure would be a great to show the bike at shows wouldn't it - I couldn't do it but I have a 15 year old adopted son & could dress up & he would enjoy it! tom

[tvrla]

Alright, so give! I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders what it's worth! What was the offer???

[tom_hudson]

In today's world anything is only worth as much as someone is will to pay & this gentleman is willing to pay - I have done a lot of engraving for this person over the years - when he wants something he normally gets it sooner or later - he's going to have to wait on this one - Hell I waited 48 years to get it - Right now it's stored out back no room in the shop right now - Here's a pix of a Colt 1911 45 ACP, 100% engraving I also made the grips for him out of elephant ivory - I'm working on the little Honda Express Moped - I got it running it's been setting for 15 years - fires right up first kick - Now I have to make it purdy - I put a lot of time in my projects - I spend the money if need be to make them right & normally bring top buck & worth it -

[tvrla]

So he's willing to trade the pistol for the bike?

Nice looking piece! What's it worth on the open market?

You do nice work!

[tom_hudson]

So he's willing to trade the pistol for the bike?

Nice looking piece! What's it worth on the open market?

You do nice work!

no I didn't say that - I just posted an example of one of the pieces i did for him.

[tom_hudson]

I got this bike on the lift today  - It's a mess as I expected - dealing with 50 years old wiring & wire tires that are at the end of their life span - coating on wires is brittle - wire tires are hard as a rock - Wires to no where - Looks like he solderd all the splices but the black tape is falling off - lot of the chrome is either blistered or rusted - Wheels  have rust issues - Wheels will have to be rechromed & new spokes laced in - The whole exhaust system will need to be rechromed - I pulled the carbs apart today - I'll try to find some rebuild kits for them - Inside the tank looks pretty good - very little rust - but both petcocks are trash - I have a Harley Sporster Peanut tank I might use? Fun project - this should keep my little brain busy for awhile - Here's a nice pix - Yummmmmm - Tom