The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread!

[eric123]

Anyone have a carb off a '76 XL250 they would be willing to part with I have one, but the carb body is badly pitted

[Snr Moment]

I'll have one pretty soon - waiting on a new Mikuni flat slide.
Only problem with mine is that the main jet is epoxied into the body no thanks to the PO. You will not be able to change the main and it may or may not hold up forever.
A new Mikuni VM is about $75 and you don't have to mess with the double cable set up.

[eric123]

Originally Posted by Snr Moment

I'll have one pretty soon - waiting on a new Mikuni flat slide.
Only problem with mine is that the main jet is epoxied into the body no thanks to the PO. You will not be able to change the main and it may or may not hold up forever.
A new Mikuni VM is about $75 and you don't have to mess with the double cable set up.

I was thinking about going to a round slide...Jetting those is fairly simple too...I would like to get away from the push-pull setup...

[Snr Moment]

Push/pull is one of the other reasons I'm switching to the Mikuni. Price on the flat is $140. Pod filters are readily available.

[JeffS77]

be prepared to play with the jetting a bit when switching to an off the shelf mikuni

[meijer's trails]

IS FANTASTIC!! I have the fancy one, custom made with longitudinal housing...I also carry onboard the motionpro stock replacement black vinyl as an onboard spare.

motion pro was great to work with!!

[Mr. Ray]

Originally Posted by meijer's trails

IS FANTASTIC!! I have the fancy one, custom made with longitudinal housing...I also carry onboard the motionpro stock replacement black vinyl as an onboard spare.

motion pro was great to work with!!

This is great news! I am about to replace my cables with their products.

[Snr Moment]

I'm going to be changing out the stock 15/48 sprockets on my 1976 XL250 to a 15/42 combination to get some highway speed out of it. Once on the dirt, I'm planning to switch out the front sprocket to a 14 for a little better off road gearing. The stock chain is listed as a 102 link. I'll be getting a new chain to go with the sprockets. Do I stay with the 102, or do I need something different? Is an O-ring chain worth the extra $$?

The sprockets arrived from XLint today along with the custom made header pipe. I'll be putting an FMF Turbinecore on the end of it. Also got my Mikuni 32mm flat slide and ordered a Unifilter. That should perk things up a bit.

Answers, suggestions and help are always appreciated. Thanks.

[jitterymonkey]

Originally Posted by Snr Moment

I'm going to be changing out the stock 15/48 sprockets on my 1976 XL250 to a 15/42 combination to get some highway speed out of it. Once on the dirt, I'm planning to switch out the front sprocket to a 14 for a little better off road gearing. The stock chain is listed as a 102 link. I'll be getting a new chain to go with the sprockets. Do I stay with the 102, or do I need something different? Is an O-ring chain worth the extra $$?
The sprockets arrived from XLint today along with the custom made header pipe. I'll be putting an FMF Turbinecore on the end of it. Also got my Mikuni 32mm flat slide and ordered a Unifilter. That should perk things up a bit.

Answers, suggestions and help are always appreciated. Thanks.

Doing exactly what your planning on my '73.
Bought a 102 O-ring, but dropped down to 100 while running 15/48.
Now I'm running 15/42 with 96 links.
With the 42 sprocket, 96 links put the rear axle pretty close to the adjustment middle/gave me a bit more clearance.
(if Ya know what I mean)
Have not tried to see if the 96 chain length will work with my 14 tooth yet
& I'm not sure if your swing arms the same length as my '73,
so unless someone more knowledgeable chimes in,
you may have to take the damn thing apart a few times like I did.

[Snr Moment]

Pipe is in:



Mikuni flat slide is in:





Sprockets are in (14/42) - looks like a 98 will put me at mid adjustment on the slide.

Super support and info from Smok'n Dave at XLint.

[High Country Herb]

I was really happy with a Regina pre-stretched chain, though I can't remember if it was an O-ring chain. I think it was.

I used to have to adjust the chain all the time with the stock DID, but with the Regina I didn't have to do anthing for over a year.

[Snr Moment]

Muffler & chain arrived today. Muffler & chain installed today. The 14/42 with a 98 link chain worked out quite well. Sits at the second indicator line from the front and will probably be at dead center within a few days after adjustments/break-in. The muffler is a bit loud, but not overly so; has a nasty-assed braap sound to it - two smokes will be jealous.

The Mikuni is great - quick throttle response and the bike moves out fast. Still have problems at 5k rpm, but the valves and timing are next on my list along with an oil change. Did the fork seals and firmed up the rear shocks a couple of notches from full soft. May back that down again to one over full soft as it's pretty stiff now. Will see what luggage does to it first.

And now for a peek:



Still need to neaten up the hanger bracket and pipe to muffler connection, but it works fine now.

[Snr Moment]

On another note as I await jets, I'm looking for a motor to build over the winter. Do I need a '76 XL250 engine, or can I use one of another year without installation mods? Will a 350 fit?

Anybody have one available?

[dorkpunch]

The ONLY 250 engine that will bolt in is the '76... But the '76-'78 350 engines are also bolt ins. I believe they are slightly taller, but still fit.

Good luck on finding one, I'd be interested in a centerport 350 or two for a couple of projects.

[plumber mike]

Snr- its looking great.thanks for sharing.

im looking for shocks.the stockers are all spring and no dampening .xlint have some,but look to be stock replacements. is there an upgrade?longer to match my xr200 frontend swap.

i went to dmv yesterday.this will be my main ride for the summer

sorry for the sloppy post....my 4 yr old watered the puter and typing is now difficult. his younger bro might inherit the xl