The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread! - Page 4

G2mk3 · 04-01-2009, 10:23 AM

ah, well nevermind that part then. i figured if my 185 had them then so did others...

DoubleBit · 04-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Thanks guys, I'll check into those leads.. Kinda figured they used hondabond on the case halves,, that stuff is awesome.

sturleyau · 04-02-2009, 04:30 AM

G2mk3, thanks for the input about Clarke tanks. It appears they don't have an item specific to the 1972 XL so I shall keep looking.
Next question for everyone is what model XL250 comes with a 12V system and are these adaptable to the early models?

Cheers
Glenn

dorkpunch · 04-02-2009, 08:28 AM

there arent any simple conversions, although someone on the oldrice xl board recently made the system from a 12v "S" model XL work on one of the older XL250's...

pbarmy · 04-02-2009, 01:58 PM

Hers my younger son's 77 XL75

OldFenderGuy · 04-05-2009, 05:24 PM

Very low mileage 1981 Honda XL250S that I picked up a couple months ago from the original owner.

Had it checked from end to end and it's in very good condition for it's age. Everything works, no leaks, doesn't burn any oil, and it even had the original tires.... About all I had to do was install new Trailwings, put in a new battery, and I went with a 15 tooth front sprocket to slightly lower the RPM at highway speeds. The owner said that a few years ago he had a Honda shop "increase the power a little bit", wasn't sure what all they did, but it does have one of the older style SuperTrapp mufflers and runs very nice for a 250...

I've put about 1,500 miles on it, and it's great fun on the dirt/gravel roads out here in the boondocks where I live...

crazydrummerdude · 04-06-2009, 10:37 AM

Just bought a skid plate for my XL.

It's tough to decide where to throw the money when I've got so many projects..

BikerDave · 04-06-2009, 05:10 PM

My '82 XL500R......my first foray into "adventure" bikes!! Bought it for next to nothing a few years back and restored it. Definitely a fun ride!!

CoydogSF · 04-13-2009, 02:56 PM

Particulaly after reading threads like this one, I've been obsessed with finding an XL250 to work on as a project, to use as a dirt bike, and for my girlfriend to learn to ride on. I like the looks of the older ones and given that I have a '73 orange sparkle CB750, got excited when I saw a new listing ON CraigsList for a '74 XL250 with light blue and orange graphics that would make a nice pair.

Despite a late night on Saturday, my girlfriend and I arose early on Sunday and drove the hour or so north from San Francisco to Novato in our '88 VW Westfalia. I had done some quick calculations based on the wheelbase of the XL250 plus half of the diameter of the front and back wheels and determined it should just fit wedged between the driver and passenger seat.

In Novato, we met the very nice guy who owned the bike and despite his obvious reluctance to let her go, reassured him that we weren't taking her to the glue factory and agreed on the purchase price. My girlfriend swung a leg over the little XL just to see how it would feel and the seller and I exchanged a look that clearly said "Now I could sell *that* as a calendar."

Steering the front 21 incher between the seats allowed just enough room for us to lift the back and swing it in. Despite the copious gas fumes from some spillage from the carb overflow, we were ready to roll. In fact, we literally had to roll backwards since the front tire prevented me from getting the van into reverse.

She hopped out of van the at home much more easily, and we took her two up on a tour of the neighborhood. First impressions? First gear feels like a tank. Not going to get you over about 10 mph but could go up anything. Second and up starts really getting fun, even with two on board. Can't wait to dive into a tune up, paint those fenders, and start going through everything on her.

DoubleBit · 04-14-2009, 04:43 PM

Plastic fenders:
Which rattle can paint do y'all find works.
I've used Dupi colour,, I'm not real impressed,, it peeled off after about six months.
Oh, this is for the fenders on my xl175...

dorkpunch · 04-14-2009, 06:57 PM

Krylon fusion... Works fer me!

Highchief · 04-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Here's my baby. just got her last week and am having a great time. A real bitch to start but great once it's warm.
85 XL350R with 8,000 on the clock

Motoduc1 · 04-15-2009, 09:51 AM

I'm working on a '77 XL 100 as we speak (write)!

Finding replacement plastic sidecovers looks to be impossible. Fleabay items can go as high as $120 or so for a pair! Other than that, most parts are readily available.

Sniper X · 04-15-2009, 01:28 PM

Well?

here's a pic form yesterday...

mrfixit54016 · 04-17-2009, 12:33 PM

Here's mine.

04-01-2009, 10:23 AM	#46
G2mk3 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: MN Oddometer: 160	ah, well nevermind that part then. i figured if my 185 had them then so did others... __________________ 81 xv750 82 xl185s

04-01-2009, 11:13 AM	#47
DoubleBit Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Applegate, Nor Cal Oddometer: 288	Thanks guys, I'll check into those leads.. Kinda figured they used hondabond on the case halves,, that stuff is awesome. __________________ Current rides. gn250, xl175, ct70k1 gsx1100G, sold, looking for a midrange touring rig. Letting go of pretense, I'm riding whatever runs, wherever I want.

04-02-2009, 04:30 AM	#48
sturleyau Monarch 42 Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Avonsleigh, Victoria (that's near Emerald) Oddometer: 184	G2mk3, thanks for the input about Clarke tanks. It appears they don't have an item specific to the 1972 XL so I shall keep looking. Next question for everyone is what model XL250 comes with a 12V system and are these adaptable to the early models? Cheers Glenn __________________ May we still be riding when the sun sets!

04-02-2009, 08:28 AM	#49
dorkpunch ^OP Oops... Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Blackfoot, ID Oddometer: 4,246	there arent any simple conversions, although someone on the oldrice xl board recently made the system from a 12v "S" model XL work on one of the older XL250's... __________________ http://www.mobilemrt.com http://www.dorkpunch.com "I've been going to this high school for SEVEN YEARS. I'm no dummy!" -Charles De Mar.

04-06-2009, 10:37 AM	#52
crazydrummerdude Wacky Bongo Boy Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Moore/OKC Oddometer: 6,910	Just bought a skid plate for my XL. It's tough to decide where to throw the money when I've got so many projects.. __________________ 1974 BMW R75/6, 1974 BMW R90/6, 1969 BMW R60/2 hack, 1929 Ford Model A, Metal casting, Part 2/Part 1 among others..

04-02-2009, 01:58 PM	#50
pbarmy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Great Black Swamp Oddometer: 1,682	Hers my younger son's 77 XL75

04-05-2009, 05:24 PM	#51
OldFenderGuy Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Oddometer: 43	Very low mileage 1981 Honda XL250S that I picked up a couple months ago from the original owner. Had it checked from end to end and it's in very good condition for it's age. Everything works, no leaks, doesn't burn any oil, and it even had the original tires.... About all I had to do was install new Trailwings, put in a new battery, and I went with a 15 tooth front sprocket to slightly lower the RPM at highway speeds. The owner said that a few years ago he had a Honda shop "increase the power a little bit", wasn't sure what all they did, but it does have one of the older style SuperTrapp mufflers and runs very nice for a 250... I've put about 1,500 miles on it, and it's great fun on the dirt/gravel roads out here in the boondocks where I live...

04-06-2009, 05:10 PM	#53
BikerDave Greybeard Rider Joined: Jan 2006 Location: midstate Vermont Oddometer: 334	My '82 XL500R......my first foray into "adventure" bikes!! Bought it for next to nothing a few years back and restored it. Definitely a fun ride!! __________________ Not All Who Wander Are Lost.... KLR 'in along!!!!

04-13-2009, 02:56 PM	#54
CoydogSF Ambitious Amatuer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Oddometer: 105	You're all to blame for how I spent my Easter... Particulaly after reading threads like this one, I've been obsessed with finding an XL250 to work on as a project, to use as a dirt bike, and for my girlfriend to learn to ride on. I like the looks of the older ones and given that I have a '73 orange sparkle CB750, got excited when I saw a new listing ON CraigsList for a '74 XL250 with light blue and orange graphics that would make a nice pair. Despite a late night on Saturday, my girlfriend and I arose early on Sunday and drove the hour or so north from San Francisco to Novato in our '88 VW Westfalia. I had done some quick calculations based on the wheelbase of the XL250 plus half of the diameter of the front and back wheels and determined it should just fit wedged between the driver and passenger seat. In Novato, we met the very nice guy who owned the bike and despite his obvious reluctance to let her go, reassured him that we weren't taking her to the glue factory and agreed on the purchase price. My girlfriend swung a leg over the little XL just to see how it would feel and the seller and I exchanged a look that clearly said "Now I could sell that as a calendar." Steering the front 21 incher between the seats allowed just enough room for us to lift the back and swing it in. Despite the copious gas fumes from some spillage from the carb overflow, we were ready to roll. In fact, we literally had to roll backwards since the front tire prevented me from getting the van into reverse. She hopped out of van the at home much more easily, and we took her two up on a tour of the neighborhood. First impressions? First gear feels like a tank. Not going to get you over about 10 mph but could go up anything. Second and up starts really getting fun, even with two on board. Can't wait to dive into a tune up, paint those fenders, and start going through everything on her. __________________ Dave 2 Up Nice/Pyrenees Loop on a F800GS (Summer 2010) KTM 990 and 2 Up F800GS TAT (Summer 2009) 2 Up F800GS CA Coast Dual-Sport (Spring 2009) Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a F650 (Summer 2006) San Francisco to Panama in a 2004 Nissan Xterra (Nov 2010-April 2011) - www.advodna.com

04-14-2009, 04:43 PM	#55
DoubleBit Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Applegate, Nor Cal Oddometer: 288	Plastic fenders: Which rattle can paint do y'all find works. I've used Dupi colour,, I'm not real impressed,, it peeled off after about six months. Oh, this is for the fenders on my xl175... __________________ Current rides. gn250, xl175, ct70k1 gsx1100G, sold, looking for a midrange touring rig. Letting go of pretense, I'm riding whatever runs, wherever I want.

04-14-2009, 06:57 PM	#56
dorkpunch ^OP Oops... Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Blackfoot, ID Oddometer: 4,246	Krylon fusion... Works fer me! __________________ http://www.mobilemrt.com http://www.dorkpunch.com "I've been going to this high school for SEVEN YEARS. I'm no dummy!" -Charles De Mar.

04-15-2009, 09:32 AM	#57
Highchief Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Metrowest, Mass. Oddometer: 12	Here's my baby. just got her last week and am having a great time. A real bitch to start but great once it's warm. 85 XL350R with 8,000 on the clock

04-15-2009, 09:51 AM	#58
Motoduc1 backtrackvideo.com Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 829	I'm working on a '77 XL 100 as we speak (write)! Finding replacement plastic sidecovers looks to be impossible. Fleabay items can go as high as $120 or so for a pair! Other than that, most parts are readily available.

04-15-2009, 01:28 PM	#59
Sniper X De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,360	Does my 1974 TY250A count as a vintage single? Well? here's a pic form yesterday... __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE. IT'S VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY CURRENT

04-17-2009, 12:33 PM	#60
mrfixit54016 Wisconsin Dual Sporter Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Hudson, WI Oddometer: 503	Nice Bike Highchief Here's mine.

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