New member with Honda XL100 looking for help !

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 01:19 PM

Hey guys. I have always been a car guy but have always dreamed of owning a bike of some kind. I was lucky enough to have a friend donate a 1974 Honda XL100 to my cause. I know absolutely nothing about bikes.....not even sure how to start it ! I was hoping for some advice on where to look for help restoring this bike back to orange glory ! Have I come to the right place ?

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 01:42 PM

Hey guys the "VIN" is XL100 1100541. Does that decode like a car vin ?

Kt-88 · 02-14-2013, 01:59 PM

Can we see some pictures? You'll surely have to refresh the carb if the engine is free. I'd drop the oil and replace that too. Clutch plates are probably stuck together.

Get a hammer type impact screwdriver before you attempt to disassemble the bike. Lots of the fasteners will get stripped with a regular screwdriver.

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 02:02 PM

can i post pics here or do i need to link to photobucket ? my buddy who gave it to me knows bikes well and it was last running in october 2012.

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 02:11 PM

http://s868.beta.photobucket.com/user/PASKS/library/?

does that work ?

pommie john · 02-14-2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boltnut

http://s868.beta.photobucket.com/user/PASKS/library/?

does that work ?

Click on one of the photos on that page, then copy and paste the "Image code" ( on the right of the window) into here and this happens:

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 02:32 PM

cool. ill post some more soon.

level with me guys....is this a cool bike ? rare ? worth restoring ? if i was to asses this like i do cars i would say it looks worth saving but i dont know bikes.

Strong Bad · 02-14-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boltnut

cool. ill post some more soon.

level with me guys....is this a cool bike ? rare ? worth restoring ? if i was to asses this like i do cars i would say it looks worth saving but i dont know bikes.

One of the best beginner bikes ever.

Not rare, there are gazillions of them out there.

Restoring? You could easily spend more than its worth to bring it back to close to showroom. But you should have a nice little fun bike to ride without spending much at all. They will run forever.

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 02:41 PM

ok i hear ya....dont spend money expecting to get it back. so with a gazillion out there parts shouldnt be too pricey ? where is the best place to get parts i need to spruce it up cosmetically ? with luck tomorrow i will fire it up. need to drain and clean the gas tank first.

Meriden · 02-14-2013, 03:04 PM

Parts may be hard to find since the model has been out of production for some time. Field finds are common Below is an XL, or at least part of one. Note the rear fender.

My SL from when I was just a kid...

78_XL125 · 02-14-2013, 03:10 PM

If the Vin number on the frame does not match the numbers on the title check to see if it was titled under the engine number. I ran into that problem with my 78 XL125. Finding parts depends on what you are looking for, ebay is probably the best for parts (no longer available/too expensive) from honda.

To start
1. Make sure the gas (petcock valve) and key are both turned to ON
2. Full choke
3. Hold half throttle and kick to start

Once my xl125 has gas its a one kick start, hope yours is the same. Good luck!

scotteroni · 02-14-2013, 04:25 PM

You can get great rebuild / restore tips at Thumpertalk and 4strokes

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 05:02 PM

Yeah, any car you saw on photobucket either was or is my car. Bikes are new to me. I'm stoked on the bike guys....I'm telling you I have had DREAMS of riding a motorcycle ever since my BMX days. Vivid dreams.

Boltnut · 02-14-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meriden

Parts may be hard to find since the model has been out of production for some time. Field finds are common Below is an XL, or at least part of one. Note the rear fender.

My SL from when I was just a kid...

I see the different fender. What is that ?

pommie john · 02-15-2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boltnut

Yeah, any car you saw on photobucket either was or is my car. Bikes are new to me. I'm stoked on the bike guys....I'm telling you I have had DREAMS of riding a motorcycle ever since my BMX days. Vivid dreams.

You know that about after a week of riding the XL100 you'll want an XL250, then a 350 :)

02-14-2013, 01:19 PM	#1
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	New member with Honda XL100 looking for help ! Hey guys. I have always been a car guy but have always dreamed of owning a bike of some kind. I was lucky enough to have a friend donate a 1974 Honda XL100 to my cause. I know absolutely nothing about bikes.....not even sure how to start it ! I was hoping for some advice on where to look for help restoring this bike back to orange glory ! Have I come to the right place ?

02-14-2013, 03:04 PM	#10
Meriden Yea whatever Joined: Oct 2010 Location: The nearest dot is called Rabbs Prairie Oddometer: 443	Parts may be hard to find since the model has been out of production for some time. Field finds are common Below is an XL, or at least part of one. Note the rear fender. My SL from when I was just a kid... __________________ Vulgarity is the hallmark of the incompetent craftsman. Meriden

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02-14-2013, 01:42 PM	#2
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	Hey guys the "VIN" is XL100 1100541. Does that decode like a car vin ?

02-14-2013, 01:59 PM	#3
Kt-88 I like everything. Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SLC area, Utah Oddometer: 344	Can we see some pictures? You'll surely have to refresh the carb if the engine is free. I'd drop the oil and replace that too. Clutch plates are probably stuck together. Get a hammer type impact screwdriver before you attempt to disassemble the bike. Lots of the fasteners will get stripped with a regular screwdriver.

02-14-2013, 02:02 PM	#4
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	can i post pics here or do i need to link to photobucket ? my buddy who gave it to me knows bikes well and it was last running in october 2012.

02-14-2013, 02:11 PM	#5
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	http://s868.beta.photobucket.com/user/PASKS/library/? does that work ?

02-14-2013, 02:32 PM	#7
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	cool. ill post some more soon. level with me guys....is this a cool bike ? rare ? worth restoring ? if i was to asses this like i do cars i would say it looks worth saving but i dont know bikes.

02-14-2013, 02:41 PM	#9
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	ok i hear ya....dont spend money expecting to get it back. so with a gazillion out there parts shouldnt be too pricey ? where is the best place to get parts i need to spruce it up cosmetically ? with luck tomorrow i will fire it up. need to drain and clean the gas tank first.

02-14-2013, 03:10 PM	#11
78_XL125 Adventurer Joined: Jul 2012 Location: (Northern/GB) Wisconsin Oddometer: 18	If the Vin number on the frame does not match the numbers on the title check to see if it was titled under the engine number. I ran into that problem with my 78 XL125. Finding parts depends on what you are looking for, ebay is probably the best for parts (no longer available/too expensive) from honda. To start 1. Make sure the gas (petcock valve) and key are both turned to ON 2. Full choke 3. Hold half throttle and kick to start Once my xl125 has gas its a one kick start, hope yours is the same. Good luck!

02-14-2013, 04:25 PM	#12
scotteroni Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Hinsdale, NH Oddometer: 58	You can get great rebuild / restore tips at Thumpertalk and 4strokes

02-14-2013, 05:02 PM	#13
Boltnut ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 11	Yeah, any car you saw on photobucket either was or is my car. Bikes are new to me. I'm stoked on the bike guys....I'm telling you I have had DREAMS of riding a motorcycle ever since my BMX days. Vivid dreams.