The XL600 thread - Page 14

mdkm85 · 05-02-2009, 02:06 PM

Anyone have a pic of their choke lever? My decompression lever is wired to the choke and the one for the kick starter is MIA!!! Good news is my calf muscle is now the size of my head! Does the choke lever "lock" in place? I would imagine its a lil difficult to hold the decomp. and the choke at once. What do yall think, leave my decompression lever as the choke and put another lever maybe as the decompression? Bike bandit sells the original lever for the choke but not the piece under it, that is why I am asking, I think I need the piece under the choke lever.

mdkm85 · 05-02-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrminbanshee

Hey so i got some problems with my breaks maybe somebody can help me...i went to bleed the breaks and they won't hold pressure..when i pump them up if i hold it they slowly go soft any help.....please....

Sounds like you sprung a leak somewhere

scrminbanshee · 05-02-2009, 02:18 PM

I ve gone though it all but i just can't seem to find one. unless the bleeder valve itself i bad....i got a differnt front caliper i think i am going to try and see if it works anybetter.....i hope...

crag antler · 05-02-2009, 06:39 PM

Here's where mine is at right now
Before

And after some cleaning and making new decals@ work.

Slowly getting there. One batch of parts in past Thursday. Just waiting for piston,rings and gasket A to arrive.

Zombie_Stomp · 05-02-2009, 07:52 PM

It looks like you made the 'XL' decal for the seat and '600R' decal for the side panel and then painted the black area of the side panels, as had previously been done as shown with the chipping in the 'before' photo. That's a great looking '600r' sticker, making more of those would be valuable to some of our XL lovers.... $$$

I take it you work at a sign shop or some place that has a computer-controlled sheet vinyl cutting machine. When you find the black areas chipping or wearing through again, you could strip the paint with carb cleaner and use some black sheet vinyl if you have easy access to some. That's how they apparently come from the factory.

The 'xl' one on the seat, I would predict, would peel or move around with any passenger activity. My bike's looks have been lacking a little without it and the white 'Honda' on the back. Plus mine doesn't look quite right with the sewed seam on the seat. I don't know any company making a true one-piece cover for this seat.

One thing I see our bikes share in common is a fender sourced from another Honda dirt bike, pretty extensively oxidized. What bike is yours from? Neither of our fenders are the original Monza red that, to my knowledge, only '83 and '84 XLs were made in. I forget what they called that lighter red-orange that they made the '85 XL and XR in. I thought I had a damaged XL front fender until I got another one. I then realized after viewing many more photos that all the XL600 fenders are Gonzo-nosed and seem to curve down too sharply.
Mine is apparently from an '85 XL350, and has cutouts sized for the XR forks that I've fitted. It was also it's more stretched-out shape that made me want to switch. Although the color doesn't match, the shape of the fender seemed more important. Besides, as good as I want to build this bike to perform, I also like it to look like a beater. There's the 'rat rod' appeal, and the anti-theft factor to consider.

crag antler · 05-03-2009, 06:24 AM

The 600R sticker came out better than I thought. It slightly smaller than the orginal.
I was wondering if anybody wamted some? Not even for sale.
If so, I can post an OEM and mine to see the diff.
Actually I work at a hospital and make signs for the entire campus. This keeps me in the game and learning new techniques.OJT.
Yeah, the seat one is only a test and I was thinking that I would have the same issues with wrinkling. I know the Honda in the rear is too tall also.
But the only thing on the seat besides me will only be tools/gear any maybe beer

The lil woman won't ride without a backrest and the Concours has one.

The front fender is an Acerbis. It was almost pink when I got her and really was freaky looking that color.
At the moment, I have found that Banner Red in spray works real well for now.
Sure it ain't no Concourse restoration but I like the ridable not resto way of motorcycles.
Plus like you say there is the thefi deterent/rat bike.

Besides with the kickstart,not too many people would try to start.

crag antler · 05-03-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie_Stomp

Besides, as good as I want to build this bike to perform, I also like it to look like a beater. There's the 'rat rod' appeal, and the anti-theft factor to consider.

Anti-theft???
Your bike is too intimidating to want to steal

Nice look.

mrfixit54016 · 05-03-2009, 09:19 AM

Hey Doug, nice decal work!

PM sent...

mrfixit54016 · 05-03-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdkm85

Anyone have a pic of their choke lever? My decompression lever is wired to the choke and the one for the kick starter is MIA!!! Good news is my calf muscle is now the size of my head! Does the choke lever "lock" in place? I would imagine its a lil difficult to hold the decomp. and the choke at once. What do yall think, leave my decompression lever as the choke and put another lever maybe as the decompression? Bike bandit sells the original lever for the choke but not the piece under it, that is why I am asking, I think I need the piece under the choke lever.

Take a look at the clutch/choke lever assembly on the new XR650L, it seems to be the same.

crag antler · 05-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Here is the decal. As you can see it is slighty smaller.
But maybe that would save me from copyright issues.

What do you think??

crag antler · 05-03-2009, 01:57 PM

While cleaning off all the old gunk from the exterior of the engine I noticed these numbers on the bottom.

Is this possibly from the factory or is my motor not the original??
thanks for any info.

mrfixit54016 · 05-03-2009, 03:05 PM

Looks like grease pencil writing from a salvage yard...

Don't worry, just clean it off, and we won't tell anybody.

Gregster · 05-03-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crag antler

Here is the decal. As you can see it is slighty smaller.
But maybe that would save me from copyright issues.

What do you think??

That looks great !
Honda doesn't sell those anymore so too bad for them. I think anything that old is public domain anyway. Nice job on the XL letters on the seat too.

badweatherbiker · 05-03-2009, 07:26 PM

picked up a 1983 XL600R today with 11,000 miles runs good looks great and only has a couple of minor issues. Will post pics when I take some.
So far I dig it, just hope it doesn't let me down.
Ken

Zombie_Stomp · 05-03-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badweatherbiker

picked up a 1983 XL600R today with 11,000 miles runs good looks great and only has a couple of minor issues. Will post pics when I take some.
So far I dig it, just hope it doesn't let me down.
Ken

If it does let you down, one of us will probably swoop in to help you with it, or try to buy it!

Here is some reading material for you as a new XL600 owner from the XL600 king who started this very thread... His Majesty, Gregster!

05-02-2009, 06:39 PM	#199
crag antler Viva Moosehead Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Cracker in Southern Maine Oddometer: 376	Here's where mine is at right now Before And after some cleaning and making new decals@ work. Slowly getting there. One batch of parts in past Thursday. Just waiting for piston,rings and gasket A to arrive. __________________ Doug aka crag antler Florida Cracker in Southern Maine 2000 Kawasaki Concours

05-02-2009, 07:52 PM	#200
Zombie_Stomp Aspiring human Joined: Jun 2007 Location: SE Portland/ Carrboroland NC Oddometer: 2,180	It looks like you made the 'XL' decal for the seat and '600R' decal for the side panel and then painted the black area of the side panels, as had previously been done as shown with the chipping in the 'before' photo. That's a great looking '600r' sticker, making more of those would be valuable to some of our XL lovers.... $$$ I take it you work at a sign shop or some place that has a computer-controlled sheet vinyl cutting machine. When you find the black areas chipping or wearing through again, you could strip the paint with carb cleaner and use some black sheet vinyl if you have easy access to some. That's how they apparently come from the factory. The 'xl' one on the seat, I would predict, would peel or move around with any passenger activity. My bike's looks have been lacking a little without it and the white 'Honda' on the back. Plus mine doesn't look quite right with the sewed seam on the seat. I don't know any company making a true one-piece cover for this seat. One thing I see our bikes share in common is a fender sourced from another Honda dirt bike, pretty extensively oxidized. What bike is yours from? Neither of our fenders are the original Monza red that, to my knowledge, only '83 and '84 XLs were made in. I forget what they called that lighter red-orange that they made the '85 XL and XR in. I thought I had a damaged XL front fender until I got another one. I then realized after viewing many more photos that all the XL600 fenders are Gonzo-nosed and seem to curve down too sharply. Mine is apparently from an '85 XL350, and has cutouts sized for the XR forks that I've fitted. It was also it's more stretched-out shape that made me want to switch. Although the color doesn't match, the shape of the fender seemed more important. Besides, as good as I want to build this bike to perform, I also like it to look like a beater. There's the 'rat rod' appeal, and the anti-theft factor to consider. __________________ 1987 Yamaha XT600 2KF (German) STOLEN: RED XL600 in Portland I do heavy-duty textile repair, upholstery, and design/manufacture bags. Zombie_Stomp screwed with this post 05-02-2009 at 07:58 PM

05-03-2009, 06:24 AM	#201
crag antler Viva Moosehead Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Cracker in Southern Maine Oddometer: 376	The 600R sticker came out better than I thought. It slightly smaller than the orginal. I was wondering if anybody wamted some? Not even for sale. If so, I can post an OEM and mine to see the diff. Actually I work at a hospital and make signs for the entire campus. This keeps me in the game and learning new techniques.OJT. Yeah, the seat one is only a test and I was thinking that I would have the same issues with wrinkling. I know the Honda in the rear is too tall also. But the only thing on the seat besides me will only be tools/gear any maybe beer The lil woman won't ride without a backrest and the Concours has one. The front fender is an Acerbis. It was almost pink when I got her and really was freaky looking that color. At the moment, I have found that Banner Red in spray works real well for now. Sure it ain't no Concourse restoration but I like the ridable not resto way of motorcycles. Plus like you say there is the thefi deterent/rat bike. Besides with the kickstart,not too many people would try to start. __________________ Doug aka crag antler Florida Cracker in Southern Maine 2000 Kawasaki Concours

05-03-2009, 01:54 PM	#205
crag antler Viva Moosehead Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Cracker in Southern Maine Oddometer: 376	Here is the decal. As you can see it is slighty smaller. But maybe that would save me from copyright issues. What do you think?? __________________ Doug aka crag antler Florida Cracker in Southern Maine 2000 Kawasaki Concours

05-03-2009, 01:57 PM	#206
crag antler Viva Moosehead Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Cracker in Southern Maine Oddometer: 376	What do these numbers mean?? While cleaning off all the old gunk from the exterior of the engine I noticed these numbers on the bottom. Is this possibly from the factory or is my motor not the original?? thanks for any info. __________________ Doug aka crag antler Florida Cracker in Southern Maine 2000 Kawasaki Concours

05-02-2009, 02:06 PM	#196
mdkm85 uni-cycler Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Oddometer: 65	Anyone have a pic of their choke lever? My decompression lever is wired to the choke and the one for the kick starter is MIA!!! Good news is my calf muscle is now the size of my head! Does the choke lever "lock" in place? I would imagine its a lil difficult to hold the decomp. and the choke at once. What do yall think, leave my decompression lever as the choke and put another lever maybe as the decompression? Bike bandit sells the original lever for the choke but not the piece under it, that is why I am asking, I think I need the piece under the choke lever.

05-02-2009, 02:18 PM	#198
scrminbanshee Awsome Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Back in puyallup wa Oddometer: 801	I ve gone though it all but i just can't seem to find one. unless the bleeder valve itself i bad....i got a differnt front caliper i think i am going to try and see if it works anybetter.....i hope...

05-03-2009, 09:19 AM	#203
mrfixit54016 Wisconsin Dual Sporter Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Hudson, WI Oddometer: 511	Hey Doug, nice decal work! PM sent...

05-03-2009, 03:05 PM	#207
mrfixit54016 Wisconsin Dual Sporter Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Hudson, WI Oddometer: 511	Looks like grease pencil writing from a salvage yard... Don't worry, just clean it off, and we won't tell anybody.

05-03-2009, 07:26 PM	#209
badweatherbiker Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2007 Location: North Florida Oddometer: 648	picked up a 1983 XL600R today with 11,000 miles runs good looks great and only has a couple of minor issues. Will post pics when I take some. So far I dig it, just hope it doesn't let me down. Ken

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