The 1949 Dream D-Type combined a pressed-steel frame with controls that omitted a clutch lever. Its left lever operated the front brake, while staying in first gear required holding down the shift pedal. On a long climb, that seemingly convenient idea tired the rider’s foot. Customer complaints exposed the gap between intention and everyday use.
In 1951, the E-Type became Honda’s first four-stroke motorcycle. It gained a dry multi-plate clutch and a more conventional left-hand clutch lever. Attention shifted towards the engine.
Its designer, Kiyoshi Kawashima, crossed Hakone Pass in rain on 15 July 1951. The motorcycle climbed in the higher of its two gears. The little Dream’s development brought handling and a demanding real-world ride into the same story.