OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Vinduro => Topic started by: smed on October 03, 2016, 07:27:40 pm

Title: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 03, 2016, 07:27:40 pm
Just picked up a 1980 XR200RA, I have coveted one ever since high school when I had the XR185 ad cut out of a mag & pasted to my school book 8)

I want to do some period mods to it, I have a NOS PP headlight & a couple of Peter Allen pipes off who knows what that I am hoping to adapt.
 Would love a set of usable S&W strokers or was it Strokas? I have done some research & found out C&J made a frame kit for the 185, rare as rocking horse poo i'm thinking.
I was also thinking of a trick swingarm & wondering about DG etc making one?
Does anybody have any mag articles or know any mods from BITD, Not that concerned with power, more chassis & period aftermarket parts :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: 80-85 husky on October 03, 2016, 08:45:24 pm
that's a tough one... slip a set of remote shox on it, a pipe and that's a bout all you can do?? you could replace guards and headlight etc with PP stuff but the stockers wernt that bad I thought. tidy headlight and neat speedo.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 04, 2016, 10:32:42 am
speedo.

Not fitting one, they only have one speed, Slow :D :D :D :D, Yeah not much can be done I know, just want to jazz it up a little ;), It's missing the exhaust side plastic sidecover like all the XL100/125/185S models & XR185/200 seem to be, the big ugly pong box must have melted em all i'm guessing, anybody got one please? :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Mick D on October 04, 2016, 11:14:20 am
I will be looking in on your project with interest Smed ;)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: 80-85 husky on October 04, 2016, 11:14:47 am
cutting down the sidecovers to show the twin shox always looks good I rekon. make a little trick alloy cover for the exhaust side.

throw on a reverse megaphone style muffler for it and a pod airfilter for some intake roar ( ::))
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 04, 2016, 06:43:59 pm
Just got offered 2 more of the little gems, In negotiations, I spy a right side cover in the parts :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: FourstrokeForever on October 05, 2016, 09:32:06 am
Well done Smed. Great little bikes.
I'm fairly certain DG made a swingarm for the little XR. I know they did for the 500. Failing being able to find one of those gems, lengthen the stocker by 30mm or so will help keep the front end on the ground when going up hills. I'm lead to believe that Progressive Shocks took over S&W....they look very similar and are reasonably priced. I'm also fairly certain that a pipe from a CRF230 will fit without too much modifying. BBR make a nice stainless pipe for the CRF.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: LWC82PE on October 05, 2016, 12:44:39 pm
I have a really good article on a modded twinshock XR185/200 in an old ADB or T&T but not sure what issue. I only remember they put Fox shocks on it. PP stuff, maybe different forks???
1980 WB catalogue lists swingarm for the 185 but it might be too early for the 200. I will need to check the later 82 and 83 WB catalogues i have to see if theres a 200 arm listed. Protec would have done an alloy swingarm too, would have been same as WB.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: LWC82PE on October 05, 2016, 08:35:48 pm
Checked 82 WB catalogue. There is a twinshock 185 arm and 200 pro link arm. No twinshock 200 arm listed. I dont have 81 catalogue. Surely the 185 would fit though, if you can find one. They say they are all 1 inch to 1.5 inches longer than stock
it really would not be hard to make one. They are a basic construction made from off the shelf imperial size 6061 pieces. You could quite easily piece one together  bit at a time and just get someone to weld it together for you.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 06, 2016, 03:53:48 pm
Thank's blokes, yeah I reckon 185/200 would be pretty much identical bar the bore size, on the hunt now for the elusive alloy swinger,Was also looking at a pro link 200 steely & modding the mounts,box section at least ;), been thinking about forks too, have a couple sets of 79 Cr250 37mm laying around was eyeing em off, don't want to jack it up too much though ;) I would appreciate any articles you could scan for me Leith, if possible cheers mate :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: LWC82PE on October 06, 2016, 05:17:04 pm
I have no idea what magazine it is in and finding it could be a problem. Most of my mags are packed away and i cant get to them easily or quicky. I have a few i can look in though.
The issue would be early 80's, maybe someone here who has the full ADB collection close to hand can find that article much quicker than i can. I am 99% sure its in ADB.
I have some 82 37mm xr500 triples and some XL/XR500 forks i am very desperate to get rid of for very little $ if you are interested. I jut want them gone.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 06, 2016, 06:24:55 pm
Thanks mate will keep them in mind :), I have mid 80's adb's &  some late 70's early 80's T&T's but don't recall any articles on twinshocks, time for a brush up on my reading ;)   
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Slakewell on October 06, 2016, 06:30:09 pm
Very under rated bike IMO. I have a project that is dragging the chain too much. But some progress has been made last few weeks.
RM 125 T frame, 82 CR front end,etc , love to hear some cool motor mods.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: g465b on October 06, 2016, 08:42:47 pm
  ADB  tested the XR185 in the Mar/Apr 79' issue 4 pgs with no hot up info ,   Trail and track Oct 80' issue  "DO it yourself XR200 - XL185S mild to mean" 8 pg engine and susp. hotup article.    Trail and Track Dec 80' has a 8 pg test on the XR200RA.
also Dirt Bike mag (the U.S. one ) aug79 2pg xr185 hop up ,  and a follow up story in Jan 80' issue and tested the XR200RA in Apr80' issue.
 our stupid scanner/copier wont recognise the new laptop or the opposite,so sorry at the moment .   g465b
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: LWC82PE on October 06, 2016, 08:50:35 pm
With the one i am thinking of they put Fox gas shocks on it, possibly with remote reservoirs. I think it had a Petty headlight too.
It seemed pretty trick, had a lot more travel from memory.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 06, 2016, 09:59:53 pm
Sweet guys thanks, will search for those issues thanks for your help g465b,and you too Leith, much appreciated I know it takes time to find out things for other people,especially when you don't really have to but just do it to help a bloke out, I try to do the same if I can, that's what this place is all about & why it's so good :) :) :) :) :)
 
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 07, 2016, 08:40:39 pm
Found the US dirt bike article  :)  http://www.davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/dbike_aug79_hop_up_xr185.pdf
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 07, 2016, 08:45:26 pm
Powroll for 185 & 200 http://www.oldrice.com/Powroll200.htm
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 07, 2016, 09:12:44 pm
C&J trickness 8) 8) :-* https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=xr185%20c%26j
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 07, 2016, 09:21:26 pm
Very under rated bike IMO. I have a project that is dragging the chain too much. But some progress has been made last few weeks.
RM 125 T frame, 82 CR front end,etc , love to hear some cool motor mods.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/701228976643462/search/?query=XR200     have a listen to this one, sounds awesome, belongs to someone on here, Brucey??
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Slakewell on October 08, 2016, 09:51:43 am
I am finishing off the rear motor mounts. I will use 1980 CR plastic.

(http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q747/Slakewell1/xr200-01%201_zpsfsqzfbpf.jpg)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: shelpi on October 08, 2016, 11:33:22 am
just saying I 2 luv these bikes, have a XR200RA needing lots of work and parts and a XR200RC that is under way ok to be honest its taken way to long, so thanks for the moto vation
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 08, 2016, 05:02:09 pm
I am finishing off the rear motor mounts. I will use 1980 CR plastic.

(http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q747/Slakewell1/xr200-01%201_zpsfsqzfbpf.jpg)

Oh yeah, That's what I'm talking about!! 8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Tex on October 09, 2016, 07:11:30 pm
Extract from a larger shootout article titled "8 Track Players" from Bike magazine (UK), 1980.

Honda XR200

The XR200 is the logical beginning of a review of the current enduro market – one end of the spectrum. It is the elusive missing link between a comfortable trail bike and a competitive racing machine.

Unlike its competition it doesn’t come out of a motocross bike. Developed from its little brother, the XL185S, it has a compact, two valve overhead cam motor with CDI ignition placed in a lighter frame, and is fitted with longer suspension.

Internally, the XR has had more than just a bore job to take it out to 195cc. It has a different crank, ignition timing, bigger valves and a bigger carb. Most significantly it has a six speed gearbox with fairly wide ratios up to a high, road-going top.

Altogether, it produces performance far greater than its modest size and stature would suggest. It’s extremely agile and turns very quickly like a trials bike, due to a steep head angle and a short wheelbase. On the other hand it is not so stable in a straight line at speed. It will wag its head and bounce around, but it won’t throw you off.

The front forks and rear suspension are puny and primitive compared to the opposition, but they work well enough in relation to the size of the bike. With 8.5 inches of front wheel movement and 7.5 inches at the rear it’s short in the leg for the class – but, to draw another comparison, it’s got the same movement as the XR500. You can bottom out the standard suspension – which is non-adjustable – if you just push it too hard. You can reach that point quickly because the bike is so easy to ride, in a way none of its competitors are. 

The flexible, four stroke engine has tremendous low-down thump which will pick up the front wheel in any of the lower gears, and plonk over ridiculous objects. On the basis of power to weight, it’s by far the most competitive four stroke dirt bike, at just on 220lb fully loaded. It’s well turned out, with good fittings like folding foot pedals, a sensible sump guard and a large tool bag behind the seat.

It’s not only the cheapest of the enduro bikes available, but also the quietest, and by far the most economical. It will do a good 90 miles on a tankful even in racing conditions, and the reliable motor is unlikely to need more than routine maintenance and oil changes during a full season - an important consideration when compared to ring changes every 200 miles on the small two strokes.

The fact that it’s also more than competitive is shown by the number of them currently working their way into the major awards. Definitively the best value for money in the enduro market. 


Tex
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Tex on October 09, 2016, 07:56:06 pm
(http://rv80gs.v.r.f.unblog.fr/files/2011/09/80xr200.jpg)

Tex
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: evo550 on October 09, 2016, 08:30:23 pm
Smed,
I've got a Dec 1980 T&T mag with XR 200 test, yours if you want it.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 10, 2016, 10:31:09 am
Yes please 8) 8) 8), any thing you need?, got some dif brands of manuals,old mags, wrecking a few different bikes etc  ;):) :) :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: 80-85 husky on October 10, 2016, 10:49:21 am
I rekon that 200 motor would go good in a pe 175 z floater frame.....
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: evo550 on October 10, 2016, 11:40:13 am
Yes please 8) 8) 8), any thing you need?, got some dif brands of manuals,old mags, wrecking a few different bikes etc  ;):) :) :)
Yeah, shout me a Corona one day....
Flick me your address and I'll get it in the post tomorrow.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: evo550 on October 10, 2016, 02:33:29 pm
It's on its way.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 10, 2016, 05:42:14 pm
Cheers mate, thanks again :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 12, 2016, 03:37:54 pm
MR Slakewell, this is pretty damn sweet 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) RM chassis ;)   http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/749867-uncorking-a-xr200r/page-5
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: TT5 Matt on October 12, 2016, 07:24:03 pm
Yeah that RM framed little thumper is nice and was mounted in so it used the rm mounts but it's tilted back too far and you'd have to run the oil alot higher on the dipstick compared to when it was in a Honda frame.the carb is along way back as well
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: reg on October 13, 2016, 05:16:42 am
The bottom frame rails need to be cut out and new ones made to get the motor to sit properly in the frame, also modify top and bottom rear mounts
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Slakewell on October 14, 2016, 08:08:44 am
The HL XR 200 looks interesting except for the tank. I had to modify the Honda tank to get it to look right. The RM frame is wide at the point the other frame tubes join.
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: smed on October 14, 2016, 09:53:40 pm
It's on its way.
Cheers mate,got it today thanks heaps, have read it & learned a CR125M3 swingarm is the go & as g465b said there was a hot up article in the OCT 80 issue, found another great guy on gumtree, complete stranger, had a rough copy & he said I could not sell it like that, send me your address & it's yours :), now i'm really feeling the XR200 love ;) :) 
Title: Re: XR200 Love
Post by: Slakewell on October 21, 2016, 08:29:37 am
Has anyone looked into fitting the new 230 piston?