Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Honda’s first motorcycle was built in 1949, and upon seeing the first one ridden by one his employees, founder Soichiro Honda said, “it’s like a dream.” This first creation was powered by a 98cc two-stroke motor – it was officially called the Model D, but everyone started calling it the Dream. Two years later, Honda built their first four-stroke (the 146cc Dream E). Four years beyond that (1955), Honda went even bigger with the 250cc Dream SA. It was the first bike Honda built that made more than 10 horsepower.
The Dream was vital to Honda’s initial success in racing – the model gave Honda its first win at the Mount Fuji Hill Climb. In addition, Honda themselves note in a history page impressed at the All Japan Motorcycle Endurance Road Race at Mount Asama Volcano with “specially tuned machines based on the 250 cc Dream SA in three classes, the 250 cc, 350 cc, and 500 cc. These placed second, first, and first, respectively.”
It was upon the introduction of its M series machines, however, that Honda finally had the attention of the world. With the MA, the ME, and the MF, the Big Red utilized the same SA and SB engines as found in earlier Dreams. Thanks to some styling and performance updates, the model appealed to a decidedly sportier buyer.
This example is VIN: ME5735413, engine #: SA731365. It was imported to the United States in 2009.
The odometer shows 21,934 kilometers (13,629 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us replace the battery, give the bike a detailing, and perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition:OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 200/4804
Tire % Front/ Rear:80/80
Tire Press Front/ Rear:28/30
Brake % Front/ Rear :60+ DRUM
Front hydraulic fluid:NA
Rear Hydraulic Fluid:NA
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid:NA
Oil:OK
Coolant:NA
Low Beam:OK
High Beam:OK
Turn:OK
Tail Light:OK
Brake Light:OK
Plate Light:OK
Kill:OK
Horn:OK
Fork:LEAKING
Shock/s:OK
Final Drive:OK
Battery Standing Voltage: 6.2
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM:5.7
Notes:
• SIGNS OF OIL WEEP AT CYLINDER HEAD AND BASE GASKET
• TIRES OLD + CRACKING
• INTAKE BOOT CRACKING
• TEST RIDE .5MI
• CHARGING OUTPUT LOW
RECOMMEND:
• TIRES
• CHARGING SYSTEM DIAG
• BATTERY
Modifications:
Aftermarket turn signals.
Reproduction tank badges.
Repaired muffler.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop K898 tires that have aged out.
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Washington title. Have any ME250 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
