The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread!

Yes. I'm addicted to the XL's. So sue me. Seems like I'm always going back through pages of threads to find a bit of information to (re)share with another inmate. SO- I'm going to make a "Bike Specific" index. Seems to have worked well in Thumpers!

For now, I'm going to compile threads on info, links, how-to's, etc on all of the older Honda Singles here. As (if) it grows, I may pare that down to be a little more bike specific and copy Meats format for Thread Indexes.

***THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS!***

FOR NOW:



How To's:

How to: Cheap muffler for the Sideport 350's:

How to: Fork Seals ('75 XL350)

How to: Fork Seals ('83 XL250)(new)

How to: Engine Removal/Installation and Head Removal/Installation

How to: Valve Stem Seal Replacement

How to: Troubleshooting spark issues

How to: Make your own side covers

How to: Reviving an old dead bike.





Inmates Bikes:

ErnestT's '74 XL350 Restoration

pckopp's '74 XL250 Ressurection

EvilClown's TL125

Links:

XL Forum: http://xlboard.aimoo.com/
-Great board relating to all things XL

XLinterpformance: http://www.xlintperformance.com/
-Lots of new and stock parts available

dorkpunch: http://www.dorkpunch.com
-A history of the Honda XL, some maintenance info, some used parts. I'm in the process of moving and updating my site, so bear with me!

XL Riders: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=605318&page=14
-Pages of thumpertalk's XL riders and rides!

Please also feel free to suggest threads I may have missed... Off to thumpers to do a search!

I am considering working on my '80 XL125 next winter.. I like what you've done with your bikes.

I am subscribed.

I was just corresponding with another XL owner on another site. We talked about a TAT trip limited to Hondas over 25 years old. We would need this thread to get us prepped.

Been lots of questions here and on the XL board about spark, so I added a HOW TO on troubleshooting spark issues...

Keep em coming!! Old Honda singles are GREAT !

What more do you need? Thats pretty much all there is to these simple old bikes!

Seriously though, I love doin this stuff, so if anyone wants something specific, let me know and I'll see what I can do. It normally takes me forever though, so be warned.

Stop with the guilt trip will ya....



been looking at restoring this old girl for at last 2 years now.

Should be a cool thread - thanks!

I love the XL's got a '82 XL500R i ride as much as i can (i know its not the same as the oldies but a thumper non the less) a '75 XL125 just came up locally on craigs list for $25 it sold fast i tryed to jump on it..need a bike for my friends who dont really ride to ride when we go camping.

Back in December '06 I purchased a garage kept 1974 Honda XL125 with 2,400 on the speedo for $500 . This is the same model that I use to terrorize the hometown during my old high schoold days. Funny the bike seems smaller to me now :huh
I got some NOS parts from bikebandit.com and the bike is sitting in my garage waiting for a restoration. . Also need to split the cases to replace the kickstand spring (that will be a time consuming ordeal)

Old Honda XL's Rule!

"split the cases to replace the kickstand spring "

Wow ! You sure?

Yup, hes right. I had to do that on a '76 XL175 and an 82 XL200. IT SUCKS.

XLs are great bikes... my buddy rides the hell out of his 1980 xl500s and it's stone reliable... and has taken him wherever my xr650 or dr350 could take me... and just as fast.

Kickstand or kickstarter?

der.... I read it as kickstarter... twice! I sure hope thats what he meant!

I like the little Honda thumpers. I have a non-running 1970 SL-100 to restore waiting in the wings. I'd like an SL-125 too. They had the best small engine Honda ever made. The torque curve was almost flat from about 2000 to 10,000 rpm.

yep, kickstarter...kick whatever thingy. It still sucks to do!

Yup.

All to get to this one stupid bolt.



The bike:



A little more healthy, and with a working kickstart!

This be my little toy 78 XL125

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8091869&postcount=22

this fella couldnt decide whether to take a free bike or not :huh
i think we talked him into it
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393984