Rick,
Thanks again for your service. I have come across an old CA105 1965 Honda: Remember this ghost from the past? The bike is in really good shape and quite honestly I just want it because it takes me back in time.

My question to you is this, what in the world is one of these bikes worth? I have looked all over the internet for a clue with no luck and thought you might be able to give me some insight? This particular bike is great shape, it has not been refurbished, however it has been stored the majority of its life. The paint, seat look great and the bike runs good.

Thanks again.
Scott

Wow. This is a rare question, indeed.  The bike is a Honda CA 105T Trail 55,  which was made from 1963 to 1965.  They came in red or yellow and many riders cut their teeth on them, before moving up to a larger bike.  There have been more people who want to collect them as of late, but the prices are all over the place.  I’ve seen them go for a few hundred for a running bike, to over two grand for a pristine model.  My guess is that it’s worth between $700 and a grand.  Here’s a photo of one:

                                                ***

SUBJECT: FLASHBACK

Rick:
Back in 2001, my brother wrote to you a letter and you published it as "Flashback".
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/rick/dntask0601.html

I thought you might enjoy a follow-up by me, his over achieving middle brother.

He mentioned that I was working on a project XR for my kids. Well, now that the kids are too big, here it is: (see attached file YZF80-2.JPG) It currently has a titanium head pipe otherwise it looks pretty much the same. As you can see, it has a XR80 motor (actual 85cc) in a YZ80 frame. It runs on a mixture of 55% methanol and 45% nitromethane. It has a digital multispark ignition, reverse cone megaphone, ball bearings on both ends of the camshaft, about 1/3 the original crank/flywheel inertia, internal type flywheel, 14.5:1 compression, porting, cam mods, clutch mods,  and much more. 

I did all of this. I have to make my own main jets, needle jets, and jet needles. Much time was spent TIG welding on the cases, cylinder, and head. Likewise, much time was spent machining the head, piston, crank halves, and cases.

Is it fast? Well, it's damn fast for a four stroke 85. It will keep up with a two stroke 85.

Why did I do it? Because I could. Because I wasn't afraid of trying. Because you inspired me as a kid doing project bikes. Back in the 70's, my brothers and I read Dirt Bike Magazine. You always had a project bike going in the magazine. I don't think people today modify bikes the way people did back then. So I thought I should!

Sometimes I think a magazine might be interested in this project, but now that 2X displacement four strokes are here, I kind of doubt it.

Any rate, I hope you will enjoy this letter.

Thank you,
John Blakely

 Wow, a ton of work and thought went into this project, so it’s a must to be shared with the readers.

                                                ***

SUBJECT:  GREEVES RESTO

The resto on the Elsinore is completed.  After wrenching on 5 European bikes, the Japanese quality is quite poor in comparison.  It isn't that they weren't engineered well.  The quality of materials, ie: bolts, cables, seals, etc... were sub standard once 33 years old.

In comparison the old Husky, Bultaco, Maico and CZ seemed much higher
in quality... Oh well...My next project is a 1968 Greeves 380 Challenger
that I just purchased off e-bay, photos included.

Happy Holidays and a great New Year!
May all your pre-mix stay fresh and your knobbies never loose an edge.
Rick Hoover
Pittsburgh Pa.

Excellent project!  It certainly deserves to be in READER'S BIKES.

                                                ***

SUBJECT: WHAT’S A PUSHY?

In Australia, they call bicycles “pushys”.  Here are two outrageous examplesof Jaimie Dixon’s cool pushy collection.  Photos courtesy of Mark Firkin.

                                                ***

SUBJECT: 1972 SUZUKI TM 400

Hi Super Hunky,
I believe it or not owned a 1972 and 1975 TM 400. I bought both of these bikes new. I bought the 1972 400 when I was in 6th grade. I still have all of my limbs after riding the TMs. I rode RMs and then Husky's after that.

The reason that I am contacting you is, after not owning a bike sense owning a 1985 XC 500 Husky that I sold in 1987, I bought a 1971 Suzuki TM 400 from the original owner last weekend that is complete and very restorable. This weekend I am going to look at a 1972 TM 400 that the original owner has that has been stored in a barn for the last 20 plus years. It is also complete.

What my question is, when I did a internet search for TM 400's a hit came up on the Off Road.com web site about Rich Thorwaldson's factory 1972 TM 400. When I opened the article the verbiage is there but the pictures do not appear? Are there pictures to go with the article? I would really like to see Rich's old works TM. Also do you know of any other Suzuki TM 400 web sites that you would recommend me taking a look at?

I wanted to let you know that I also bought your vintage MX posters from you a few years back.

I also have been a dune buggy fan sinse my dad built his first Burro dune buggy back in 1966.

I have attached pictures of my restored vintage racing Burro buggies.

Thank you for your reply Rick.
Steve Heckert
N.CA