The Honda XL (and other vintage singles) thread!

[cvd6262]

Going over my putt-putt, I found that the tube between the air cleaner box and the carb had a little tear in it.



I'm doing this on the cheap, so I would rather try to repair it with glue/epoxy/silicone/duck tape than spend the $25+shipping for a new one. Any recommendations?

[Sic Semper Tyrannis]

Originally Posted by cvd6262

Going over my putt-putt, I found that the tube between the air cleaner box and the carb had a little tear in it.



I'm doing this on the cheap, so I would rather try to repair it with glue/epoxy/silicone/duck tape than spend the $25+shipping for a new one. Any recommendations?

I'd probably go by the local glass shop and schmooze one of techs to use some of there auto glass window adhesive on it . Flexible, sticky, strong as all get out.......

[lookfar]

Originally Posted by cvd6262

Going over my putt-putt, I found that the tube between the air cleaner box and the carb had a little tear in it.



I'm doing this on the cheap, so I would rather try to repair it with glue/epoxy/silicone/duck tape than spend the $25+shipping for a new one. Any recommendations?

I would rather spend the coin and get a good secondhand one or a new one.
If the engine gets a gutful of dust it will cost a whole heap more than the $25+ shipping.....

My .02

.

[cvd6262]

I'm stumped on this one. A few days ago, I rode about 5 miles on the bike without a problem. Today I went to start it up and it started (with choke), but died with a little puff when I twisted the throttle. I started it back up, let it run for five minutes, but it still died when I gave it even a tiny bit of throttle. I'll clean the carb and check the fuel filter. The air filter is good.

I'm afraid it could be the timing. Listing to it, there is a click on each stroke. Here's an MP# of the bike running until I give it a tiny bit of throttle: http://brownelearning.org/tmp/puttputtdies.mp3

Any other ideas?

[Yokomo]

Sounds like the valves need adjusted.

[JeffS77]

valves..or bad cam chain / chain tensioner be my guess

[cvd6262]

I just ordered the Haynes manual. Once that comes in, I'll go over the valves and the chain tensioner. Thanks for your help. I really want to get this bike road worthy by spring.

[cvd6262]

While I wait for the Haynes manual to arrive, I turned my attention to less mechanical issues. I had epoxied the headlight case back together, but there was a large chunk missing off the front. Someone recommended QuikSteel epoxy putty, so I gave it a try.

First I mocked up the patch with my sons' Pay-Doh.



This gave me an idea of how much epoxy putty I would need.



I know, it doesn't look good. This is a very rough job.



But once I sanded it down (thank you rotary tool), it doesn't look too bad. Any suggestions on the type of spray paint I should use? I'm going matte to hide the uneven surfaces.



- - - - - -

These little rubber things hold the rear turn signals. They're like $50 OEM, so I decided to fab my own.



I originally planned to use these cutting boards I picked up for $20 at IKEA, but my wife laid claim to them and gave me an old one of hers. I figured that was a fair exchange since she was letting me work in her kitchen rather than in my freezing garage.





It was more difficult than I had anticipated to shape the pieces so they would fit snugly in their brackets. So I decided to heat up the bracket on the stove, and then use the bracket to mold the piece.





Here's the finished bracket.





I do worry that they might melt in the hot summer sun, but I figure this cutting board had been through the dish washer 100 times in 100+degree water, so it *might* work.

[cvd6262]

That's a pretty big typo, but the cutting boards were *not* $20.

[jitterymonkey]

Originally Posted by cvd6262

That's a pretty big typo, but the cutting boards were *not* $20.

Pretty ingenious fix.

Doubt they'll melt, but how much do they flex?

Nothing's going to prevent the signals from breaking in a
hard crash, but I bet the rubber mounts prevent a lot of damage
when Ya drop the bike in the mud or rub 'em against a tree.

[Tony T]

Just picked up this '74 XL250 that looks pretty ugly but has a really nice engine and rides really well.
So, I added a big tank, a rack and a windscreen and I'm planning a trip very soon.
Also, have the correct front end on the way.

[Hagar the Affable]

Hi guys. I'm looking to pick your brains here.

I have a '84 XL250 RE . Its become a running restoration as it serves as my winter commute and summer traillie, its too much fun to take out of action.
My ongoing problem is trying to find a decompression cable, kickstart to exhaust cam.
The part No. is 28291 KL 4000 and seems to be discontinued, certainly here in the UK and Europe and the original is missing so I have no pattern either.

So.... Does anyone know a source or an equivalent cable I could make fit?

[welder]

Originally Posted by Hagar the Affable

Hi guys. I'm looking to pick your brains here.

I have a '84 XL250 RE . Its become a running restoration as it serves as my winter commute and summer traillie, its too much fun to take out of action.
My ongoing problem is trying to find a decompression cable, kickstart to exhaust cam.
The part No. is 28291 KL 4000 and seems to be discontinued, certainly here in the UK and Europe and the original is missing so I have no pattern either.

So.... Does anyone know a source or an equivalent cable I could make fit?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/84-HONDA-XL25...f0d0d3&vxp=mtr there ya go

[lookfar]

BOO!!!!

Awfully quiet in here...anybody about??

Your shout..mine's a rum...

[cvd6262]

I sat down with my brother-in-law to work on our 1980s XLs. (He's got a 250 that needed the kill switch replaced.) I pulled the carb on mine so I could install my "fixed" air tube, and when we were putting it back, a small spring fell out.

Oops.

At first I thought it was the spring for the choke hand lever, but it was too small, and that spring was still in place. After looking around a bit, I found that it was the spring that opens the choke valve. This means that when I turned off the choke, the valve wasn't opening.

Here's a pic of the spring back in its place:



I could tell there was a cap missing, and I found it on my garage floor. (I had found it earlier, but didn't know where it went, so I had put it in my toolkit.



I tapped the cap back in place, but I wonder if that will hold it. Should I do something to make sure it doesn't come loose in the future?