XL250 Motosport - Vinduro

[Colin Jay]

Hi all,

I am after a bit of advice. 

About 2 years ago I picked up a XL250 Motosport rolling chassis (frame No. XL250-1052512) from the local tip for nothing. I just could not see it go into the Sims scrap metal bin. On Anzac day this year I bought an engine (SL250E-1044716) and box of bits from a guy I know for $60. My Honda ID Guide lists the first model XL250 with engine and frame numbers begining with 1000000 as being 1972/73 models. Is there any way of defining the exact year, i.e. 72 or 73?

No offence to all the XT/TT500 Yamaha people, but I have been finding my XT500C a bit of a handfull (I am going on 50 years old and I am not exactly fit) in the SA RT championship series that I have been riding this year, and as such, I have been thinking of building the Motosport up as a vintage enduro/road trial bike for next years series.

Over the weekend, I had a look at what I bought in the motor department and the engine is in very good condition with a 305cc big bore kit. The cam bearings in the head have been rebushed, but there was no camshaft in the engine or in the box of bits. So my questions are;

1. Any sugestions on what would be a good aftermarket camshaft to complement the 305 big bore kit? Also where cam I get one in Aust with out having to supply a change-over canshaft?

2. Any advise on what size carbie would be the go for the engine with the sugested cam and big bore kit?

3. Any other constructive advice on period modifications etc?

CJ

[Tony T]

Hi ya CJ
There is heaps of XL info out there.
Try here for a start. http://www.oldrice.com/xl_page.htm
I'll post more when I find them.

[Colin Jay]

I dug the rolling chassis out from under the pile of junk in the back of my shed today, and stuck the engine in it for the first time.

Not much to look at, at present, but, it's a start.


After taking the picture. I cut the tank open and started panelbeating the dents out of it. I know its a strange way to start, but I was doing some work on one of my 500 yamaha tanks, and it is just as easy to do two tanks as it is to do one.

I will post some more pictures as work progresses.

CJ

[Wombat]

Wow, you've got some work ahead.
There was a photo in todays paper of a bike in similar condition - a suicide Bombers transport in Afghanistan...
Looking forward to the photos!

[firko]

Jeez Wommie!....That XL is cherry compared to some of the pussbuckets I've started with. My TM Suzuki was broken in half ! Good luck with it Col.

[Wombat]

Yeah, I'm amazed at the 'Pre' photos of some of the bikes posted on here.
The skills and diligence are duly noted. But that photo staight away brought the Bombers bike to mind.

[Colin Jay]

I think that the rolling chassis is in great condition considering I picked it up at the loacl rubbish tip for $0.00.

CJ

[Quicksilver]

I think that the rolling chassis is in great condition considering I picked it up at the loacl rubbish tip for $0.00.

CJ

Now thats top stuff. We are loosing far to many parts, bits and peices to tips and scrap metal men. Well done. Good on ya mate.

[Wombat]

I think that the rolling chassis is in great condition considering I picked it up at the loacl rubbish tip for $0.00.

CJ

CJ, I like your style! The Sturmbanfuehrer-Oberleutnant at my local dump growls a warning if you stoop to admire any old discarded throw-off. A whole roller is a score!

[Colin Jay]

I have to got to the tip every 2 to 3 weeks to get rid of our domestic garbage. Living in a country area, I don't have a garbage pick-up service.  I am also one of those people who will say G'Day to anyone (taking to strangers was not frowned upon when I was a kid), so I always have a chat about nothing with the tip attendant, which has gotten me in the good books.  I can now have anything I want of of the scrap metal pile, and I have gottens some good stuff, like the XL rolling chassis and the best part of a trailer to mount my fire fighting unit on.  Since he knows that I am an bike nut, so he puts any old bike bits aside for me to have a look at to see if i want them.

CJ

[jhovel]

I'm also a fellow tip/tip-shop scrounger.... excellent practice of recycling!
I also have an XL250S in sad shape - or rather my son does (it's just in my shed...).
Anyway, he has had great trouble finding a new 23" front tyre for it.
Is it sensible to respoke it with a 21" rim? or is there a 21" wheel that fits straight in?
What are the consequences in terms of handling / steering geometry?
Cheers,
Joe

[cloggy]

Putting a 21 wheel on them actually made them handle, it was a popular mod. Based on my mountainbiking experience with 29ers I doubt Honda changed the fork offset for the bigger wheel

[LWC82PE]

im not sure, but since you got a hotted up 305, it maybe will take some more juice and a tank a little bigger than the stock 8 liter maybe needed. maybe not for 6 hours as the fuel stops are pretty close but maybe needed for the 24. i know for trail riding i never could go that far on stock engine with stock capacity.

im pretty sure i know where there could be a period aftermarket bash plate for one on these. will see if i can find it

this is the place. http://www.grubinandcompany.com/page/page/3817399.htm. i cant find their ebay store though. im guessing you will probably make your own anyway.

[cyclegod]

I have just fitted a set of these to my stock XL250 footpeg mounts, they look awesome and need NO modification at all. They also fit my CR125M spot on as well 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250341034203&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015

[LWC82PE]

are they 8mm pins?