The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread!

Yeah, I had a brain fart. Had it in my mind the XL 100 came along in 77.

that CB125 tank actually looks pretty good on there.

Got my 82 XL500R running today's after my restoration. Never heard it run before but it seems to be very loud.
Are they loud bikes anyway? Anything I can do to quieten it down? I've got the stock muffler on it and its in good condition, no rust or holes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfGiy4nMpA4&list=UULMgF295sjmAzCcssUBkryg&index=1

Thanks :)

Sounds a bit louder than my 82, hard to tell on the video.
Is the little cover plate in place underneath the very rear of the exhaust?

Mine is louder than I would like for it be.

yeah, but its not staying, its full of rust and the whole top is smashed in, add to that it doesnt even fit really. but for 200 bucks, i wasnt complaining for something mostly complete, and street legal-able.

actually, me and a friend each got a bike from the same dude. mines a 76, his is a 77, both are xl100's and were both makin mini trackers out of em. (gotta have someone to race with)

Nice project!

And so the quest for rear end travel begins!

A few basic measurements



got me here

Hmmm, not much to work with!
Gonna need a longer swingarm for a start!

No turning back!!

I m,easured afew other bikes and settled on a axle to axle length of 500 mm
Found a bit of 75mm x10 mm flat bar, lopped of a couple of bits, some rough and ready jigs


and I had this

Bac
k in the bike for some checking, all square, chain alignment spot on!
Tried every position I could


but all I'm ever going to get with that little shock stroke is 6and a half inches of wheel travel,so the hunt is on for longer shocks!

I pulled the oil screen out of my new to me 81 XL500S.. Its probably the first time its ever been done and it was spotless

While the cover was off I wiggled the timing chain and it had plenty of slop. I loosened the two 10m (1 nut 1 bolt) on the upper part of the cylinder and it seems to have taken the slack out of the chain. Is this the proper way to tension it? Is it good to go now?

So far I'm very happy with my $150 purchase!

I know the early stock XL350 swing arm is longer (not sure how much) &
will bolt right in.

What's the eye to eye shock length you need?
I'd start looking at duel shock elsinores. Think they're 17.5"
(stock is 13"-14" eye to eye, right?)

IIRC, the 350 is exactly one inch longer. I could be wrong though...

And just for fun a blast from the past. Sure I've posted these here already, but just found them in the vault. Love this pic. Wish I still had 'em all.

Can anyone post of pic of the correct kickstart return spring installation for an XL 100 ? I have the new spring rady to put in but my bike had none in there before to use as a reference. I can't even be positive I have the right spring.

Nice. My BILs and FIL and I are planning a one-night back country ride on our old XLs: 1978 XL250, 1981 XL185s, 1982 XL250, and 1983 XL350. I'll post pics when it happens.

Yeah, can't really tell from the video. Not sure what you mean. There is no plate underneath the exhaust. Inside the cladding/outer packing (whatever it's called) looks very good.
I went for a ride today and it's very loud. Apparently i could be heard easily about half a mile away :eek1

Anyone have any ideas on how to quieten the beast down?

Part 12. Source

I see. I don't seem to have the cover on mine. Just had a quick look on the internets and saw that without the cover, it can sound poppy and farty. Exactly how mine sounds. Seems to be popping/backfiring a lot on decel

Take a look at my pics of it.

Yours seems to be modified.

Hmmm... Interesting. I may have to invest in another muffler. Don't get me wrong, I love a noisy bike but this just takes it to a whole new level. It really is a bit too loud for me.

May get this if I can't find a stock one
http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/XL500RC-1982/part_31684/#

Doesn't have the cover but I've had a musket muffler on another old Honda and found them to be good.

Thanks for the help BTW, really appreciate it

The #12 cover was missing when I acquired mine. Fabbed a cover and it solved my problem, was hoping for an easy fix on yours.

Glad I could help.

Does anyone know if I can download a wiring diagram for a 1981 XL185s? I have the Haynes manual, but it has nothing like that in it.

I just repaired the cracked headlight casing. When I took the casing off, I took pictures of each connection. Once the headlight was off, I was able to hook the wires back up (except the blue and white wires that go to the headlight). The bike ran great without the headlight, so I know I hooked up those wires correctly.

Today I tried to put the headlight casing back on, but I must have messed up. I have extra male connectors--including two greens and two blacks--and I have no idea where they go.

All the wiring is stock, so the colors should match a factory diagram.