The XL600 thread

[RFVC600R]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

Heres a video on it that I like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b-6w8sPrdc

Gotta love DraysShop if you love your XL600.

Damn, I shoulda looked there first. Thanks!

[Ivanych]

Originally Posted by crobox

And also... my bike is in so many pieces all over the shop that I thought it would be fun to take a panoramic picture of it. It's too big, however, to post here... (plus I don't wanna put TOO many pictures of my build on here... just trying to be sensitive. Sometimes I think I should just start a build thread... but this seems to be where the action is)

HERE is the panorama. If you look closely you can see parts of the bike all over the place.

Christian

You have a great opportunity!
Excellent working-shop!!
Start a new thread and post more pictures.

[LandsVW]

I read the whole thread! Do i get a cookie? Seriously, love all the info. My XR600 loves it too. Now on to the "call all XR600R" thread! My bike is waiting for Christmas break so I can get back to 'er.

[m2h]

Have tried to find a thread on xl600r oil leakdown. My '86 which i have finally got running ( project!) after stator replacement wont show an oil level. Have filled with 2litres of oil as per this thread so i know its got some. Could someone help or direct me to a page? search dont seem to help much. Also does anyone have a tacho for this bike. Am in New Zealand and there does'nt seem to be one in captivity.
Thanks
M2H

[RFVC600R]

Ok guys my vacation is coming up in a few months.

Option #1: Cash out my vacation and dump all that money into my XL600. Looking to upgrade suspension and dump the rest the money into the engine

Option #2: Take my paid two weeks and go on a good, long ride. Something worthy of a Ride Report.

If I take option one, I do not know when the next time I will be able to go on a ride of more than a day for a year. Still going to joyride, commute sometimes and do my usual atleast once a week offroad day though.

The suspension is crap on this bike stock but, thats just 'cause its old. and I seen the fork conversions in this thread and others and I think that would be the biggest improvement I can make for the bike.

Input plz?

[mcma111]

Originally Posted by m2h

Have tried to find a thread on xl600r oil leakdown. My '86 which i have finally got running ( project!) after stator replacement wont show an oil level. Have filled with 2litres of oil as per this thread so i know its got some. Could someone help or direct me to a page? search dont seem to help much. Also does anyone have a tacho for this bike. Am in New Zealand and there does'nt seem to be one in captivity.
Thanks
M2H

Perhaps the reason your not getting a reading on the dip stick is that the bikes oil capacity is 2.5 liters. Now go add that .5 liter of oil and report back.

[sw3dl1]

Originally Posted by mcma111

Cut to the chase. Just buy a XR650l. No fuss, no muss.

I too have inquired around about an electric start XL600r, have considered an XL600m motor and even a whole XL600m, but the price and red tape to get one into the USA was beyond what I felt it was worth.
I still feel an electric start XL600 would make a great bike.
I'm a large Honda dual sport fan. I have more of them then I care to admit. Sudstituting an XR650L for a XL600r is not a viable alternative for most. The geometery, of the two bikes are quite diffrent and most importantly the seat height of 37 inches for the XR650l makes it uncomfortable to ride for those under 6 foot tall.
A reasonable compromise is an NX650, gret power, excelent transmission, seat height about the same as the XL600r and best of all ELECTRIC START. The problem is they have become hard to find and in some cases expensive. Fairing and plastic parts are difficult to find. The motor is the same basic motor as the XR650L uses today.
I would welcome a staright foward response for someone addressing how to make an electric start XL600r, I have one right now that is ready to go back together (it a frame and a motor presently).
I would like to know about a XL600m motor swap; some combination of xl600r and xl600m motor modification for a swap;
xl650L motor w swap; what will work?
There has to be an answer, I'm sure someone out there knows the answer. post it up there are folks interested.

[crobox]

Originally Posted by sw3dl1

I too have inquired around about an electric start XL600r, have considered an XL600m motor and even a whole XL600m, but the price and red tape to get one into the USA was beyond what I felt it was worth.
I still feel an electric start XL600 would make a great bike.
I'm a large Honda dual sport fan. I have more of them then I care to admit. Sudstituting an XR650L for a XL600r is not a viable alternative for most. The geometery, of the two bikes are quite diffrent and most importantly the seat height of 37 inches for the XR650l makes it uncomfortable to ride for those under 6 foot tall.
A reasonable compromise is an NX650, gret power, excelent transmission, seat height about the same as the XL600r and best of all ELECTRIC START. The problem is they have become hard to find and in some cases expensive. Fairing and plastic parts are difficult to find. The motor is the same basic motor as the XR650L uses today.
I would welcome a staright foward response for someone addressing how to make an electric start XL600r, I have one right now that is ready to go back together (it a frame and a motor presently).
I would like to know about a XL600m motor swap; some combination of xl600r and xl600m motor modification for a swap;
xl650L motor w swap; what will work?
There has to be an answer, I'm sure someone out there knows the answer. post it up there are folks interested.

I second that. Someone's got to have some experience with this... someone has done it, right? Tell us about it.

[MentalGuru]

Originally Posted by crobox

I second that. Someone's got to have some experience with this... someone has done it, right? Tell us about it.

Yes we know it has been done.

I'll make up a post for ya

[crobox]

Originally Posted by MentalGuru

Yes we know it has been done.

I'll make up a post for ya

Thanks. There definitely seems to be some interest. It seems like there are a few, or more than a few, dudes on here who love riding these things but are either A) not athletic enough anymore to kick the damn things to life, or B) suffer from sort of injury that prevents it. It's a testament to people's feelings for these bikes that they are interested in an alternative.

[Carter Pewterschmidt]

Originally Posted by High Country Herb

Easy starting on the XL is all about proper tuning. If the valves are adjusted correctly (easy), and the carbs are in good shape with no leaks (not so easy), the XL starts as easy as the average 250.

That's what I'm saying. Mine starts in one or two stomps. I prime kick it a few times when cold with the decomp in so it's never a bear to get running. Before I went though everything it sucked, but now it's a piece of cake. Sure it takes longer than the magic button but it's never hard work. Also nice to not ever have to bust the battery charger out in spring or have to buy a new battery.

[MentalGuru]

Originally Posted by Carter Pewterschmidt

That's what I'm saying. Mine starts in one or two stomps. I prime kick it a few times when cold with the decomp in so it's never a bear to get running. Before I went though everything it sucked, but now it's a piece of cake. Sure it takes longer than the magic button but it's never hard work. Also nice to not ever have to bust the battery charger out in spring or have to buy a new battery.

Just wait, you won't think its the same bike. But it will still start great.

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by crobox

I am familiar with that logic... and it's very compelling.

On the other hand, I already HAVE an XL600, and the XR650 purchase option entails at least a $ grand or two outlay.

So, just looking at options....

Like others have mentioned, I would also suggest just leaving it kickstart and keeping it in good tune so it starts well.....or if the starting becomes enough of an issue, sell it and upgrade to an electric start.

[m2h]

Originally Posted by mcma111

Perhaps the reason your not getting a reading on the dip stick is that the bikes oil capacity is 2.5 liters. Now go add that .5 liter of oil and report back.

Thanks Steve Ok now. Regarding the tacho is there maybe one from another model that will fit?
M2H

[mcma111]

Don't know about tachs. Ours don't come with them.



Who has time to look at a tach??


Rev the piss out of it and shift.