The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread!

[txmike]

Man, you guys have inspired me! When i was a teenager i had an 82 XR250. That thing took me all over the place and NEVER broke down in the years i owned it. So, the search is on for a XR/XL 250 or 500 for super cheap to restore this winter. Thanks!

[jas67]

How quickly will I wear out the dual sport knobbies on my XL185S? I can't get an extra set of wheels cheep enough. Is it worth having two sets of wheels, one for street tires, and one for dirt tires?

I will likely spend 80% or more of the time on roads with this, so I'm thinking it'll handle better with street tires on the road, and save the knobbies for a the few times of the year that I'm going to ride trails.

Tires sizes are:
2.75x21 front
4.10x18 rear

Any recommendations for a decent street tire that comes in these sizes?

Thanks,
Jay

[jas67]

Originally Posted by jas67

How quickly will I wear out the dual sport knobbies on my XL185S? I can't get an extra set of wheels cheep enough. Is it worth having two sets of wheels, one for street tires, and one for dirt tires?

I will likely spend 80% or more of the time on roads with this, so I'm thinking it'll handle better with street tires on the road, and save the knobbies for a the few times of the year that I'm going to ride trails.

Tires sizes are:
2.75x21 front
4.10x18 rear

Any recommendations for a decent street tire that comes in these sizes?

Thanks,
Jay

I was just looking more into tries. The Shinko 705 looks like it would be a good tire for the way I want to use this bike:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...een=6091556870

I'm not too familiar with using metric sized tires on old-school sized rims, but I would think that the 120/80-18 would fit the rear, and the 90/90-21 on the front.

Anyone run these on their XL185S?

What other "Supermoto" tires have you guys used on these?

Thanks
Jay

[Mullet Bullet]

i was looking at those tires but after having my honda ruckus that came with kenda K761's on it i like them. well i checked on ebay and ordered a set of K761's in 90/90-21 for the front and 110/80-18 for the back. i plan on picking up some tubes tomorrow and getting the tires on this weekend. i will keep you posted on how i like them and how the 110/80 fits on the back of my 81 XL185s

[jas67]

Originally Posted by Mullet Bullet

i was looking at those tires but after having my honda ruckus that came with kenda K761's on it i like them. well i checked on ebay and ordered a set of K761's in 90/90-21 for the front and 110/80-18 for the back. i plan on picking up some tubes tomorrow and getting the tires on this weekend. i will keep you posted on how i like them and how the 110/80 fits on the back of my 81 XL185s

Please do.

Although, I'm now considering purchasing a '72 CL175 too. If I do that, then I'll likely keep the knobbies on the XL185S, as it'll see less street use with the CL175 scratching my small-displacement, lightweight street bike itch. Also, if I get the CL175, I'll likely sell the CL90 that I just got (after I get it running).

[LSGiant]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...89931&page=236

[Mullet Bullet]

its too bad its so far away. i did find a XL250R parts bike local so im going to go grab it for the engine/trans to see if i can fit it into my 185 frame.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by jas67

Please do.

Although, I'm now considering purchasing a '72 CL175 too. If I do that, then I'll likely keep the knobbies on the XL185S, as it'll see less street use with the CL175 scratching my small-displacement, lightweight street bike itch. Also, if I get the CL175, I'll likely sell the CL90 that I just got (after I get it running).

Not sure a CL175 would qualify as a light bike. It maybe about as heavy as an offroadish 175 gets.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

Not sure a CL175 would qualify as a light bike. It maybe about as heavy as an offroadish 175 gets.

CL175 = 284 lbs Wet -- definitely a light street bike.
XL185S = 260 lbs Wet

The CL175 has 25% more HP (20) than the XL185S's 16, so I would expect a little better acceleration.

[skorpioskorpio]

Originally Posted by jas67

CL175 = 284 lbs Wet -- definitely a light street bike.
XL185S = 260 lbs Wet

The CL175 has 25% more HP (20) than the XL185S's 16, so I would expect a little better acceleration.

284lbs isn't particularly light for a 175, and I'm surprised that the 185S is that heavy, early XL175s were around 240. 284 is dry not wet according to the spec book I have, I've never seen a Honda spec that quotes wet weight, articles will sometimes, but Honda specs are always dry. I had friends with SL175s back in the day they were quite heavy bikes for what they were, not CLs though, so maybe CLs hold their own a bit better.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

284lbs isn't particularly light for a 175, and I'm surprised that the 185S is that heavy, early XL175s were around 240. 284 is dry not wet according to the spec book I have, I've never seen a Honda spec that quotes wet weight, articles will sometimes, but Honda specs are always dry. I had friends with SL175s back in the day they were quite heavy bikes for what they were, not CLs though, so maybe CLs hold their own a bit better.

According to several of the spec websites, the CB175 is 300#, and the CL175 is 284#.

There is a real nice SL175 for sale locally, but that is too close to my XL185S in styling, I'm looking for a street bike this time.

You mention the SL175 being heavy; that is likely a big reason why they switched from the twin to a single for the XL175.

[NC-Okie]

I just picked up an Basket case '82 XL250R and have started the basic whats wrong why won't it start look over.

Yesterday I sent the stator to Rick's for an rewind and rebuild. They didn't have one in stock but said they would rewind mine and send it back just going to take a little longer.

Not wanting to start buying parts till I actually hear it run but so far most of the Items I have looked at are no longer available from Honda.

Oh dam I need a new Hobby!

Okie

[Mullet Bullet]

dam my luck. well tires showed up, went and got a pair of new tubes and rim bands. put the new tire and tube on the front and filled it with air. well its leaking past the valve stem and the rim so i damaged the brand new tube. no local shops of another 21inch tube in stock lol. just my luck.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

284lbs isn't particularly light for a 175, and I'm surprised that the 185S is that heavy, early XL175s were around 240. 284 is dry not wet according to the spec book I have, I've never seen a Honda spec that quotes wet weight, articles will sometimes, but Honda specs are always dry. I had friends with SL175s back in the day they were quite heavy bikes for what they were, not CLs though, so maybe CLs hold their own a bit better.

Remember the CL175 isn't really a dirt bike. It is a street bike with a high pipe (thus, posing as a dirt bike). I'm buying it to use as a fun small street bike, and maybe even a hyper-miler. I'd be cool see how little fuel I can use getting to/from work when the weather gets warmer. The CL175 & CB175 are supposed to get 77-83 MPG. Now, if I don't mind going slower, the CL90 (which IS a light street bike at around 200 lbs wet) that I have should be good for around 100 MPG. The Honda specs show it good for about 170 MPG @ a snails pace of 25 MPG -- like I could go that slow. That is almost bicycle speeds. The CL90 should be good for back roads travel at about 45 MPH, which would make reasonable time on my commute to work.

[pommie john]

Quick question for XL250 owners..

I'm rebuilding my '72 XL250 and I think someone has put the wrong R clip inside the oil spinner. The R clip stops the little central plunger from rotating by hitting the tangs that protrude inside the spinner.
Is that how it's meant to be?
It seems to me that the little plunger should be able to rotate freely.