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Author Topic: Cool old Honda  (Read 2167 times)

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Offline Scott

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Cool old Honda
« on: October 27, 2023, 02:55:09 AM »
Just picked up this 1976 XL250. Got it registered & gave it a quick thrash locally today. I’m very impressed by how well it goes.
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2023, 05:56:44 AM »
Like most old Hondas! Look after them even a little bit and they run superbly, for ever…. Nice find!
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2023, 11:15:06 AM »
Old Honda trail bikes can still do the job.
We have a lot of gravel pits and dirt roads around here that I frequent on the old MT and it's still a competent off road bike.
I have XL250/350 dealer brochures from the 70s and the bikes featured high mounted front fenders; the fender on your
bike looks like a TL item.
Maybe the Canadian bikes had minor differences.
You have a bomb-proof old thumper there.
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If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline newday777

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2023, 01:15:44 PM »
Quote from: Killer Canary on October 27, 2023, 11:15:06 AM
Old Honda trail bikes can still do the job.
We have a lot of gravel pits and dirt roads around here that I frequent on the old MT and it's still a competent off road bike.
I have XL250/350 dealer brochures from the 70s and the bikes featured high mounted front fenders; the fender on your
bike looks like a TL item.
Maybe the Canadian bikes had minor differences.
You have a bomb-proof old thumper there.
That fender might be aftermarket not original.
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Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2023, 02:00:36 PM »
The muffler isn't stock but looks like it works fine. I like the cargo rack made from round rod. To be honest that front fender probably protects you better than the high mount one. I like the dual purpose bikes from the 70's, they are great fun to ride on logging roads and fire trails. Compared to our street bikes they are like pushing around a bicycle.

I'm working on the Kawasaki version right now. It's a 78' KL 250 and we hope to be done soon. It wasn't a runner like yours but its only got 15k miles on it. I can't wait to ride it, should be just as much fun as yours. I had fab up the back half of the exhaust system and used an old street bike muffler for now. I'll buy a smaller muffler once its running.
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2023, 02:08:02 PM »
Quote from: Kelly E on October 27, 2023, 02:00:36 PM
The muffler isn't stock but looks like it works fine. I like the cargo rack made from round rod. To be honest that front fender probably protects you better than the high mount one. I like the dual purpose bikes from the 70's, they are great fun to ride on logging roads and fire trails. Compared to our street bikes they are like pushing around a bicycle.

I'm working on the Kawasaki version right now. It's a 78' KL 250 and we hope to be done soon. It wasn't a runner like yours but its only got 15k miles on it. I can't wait to ride it, should be just as much fun as yours. I had fab up the back half of the exhaust system and used an old street bike muffler for now. I'll buy a smaller muffler once its running.

Kelly…. Yesterday I was picking up a few bits at a local bike shop (Cameron Cycle in Peterborough, ON). Sitting outside they had a couple of their demo bikes on sale. There was a 2023 Kawasaki dual sport that is a 300cc single. Not sure what model it is, full lights and turn signals. Looked like a mini version of my old KLR650. With Fall discounts and a Kawasaki rebate, less that $6000! Around US$4,000. I almost bought it! Incredibly good looking, super light weight and pretty too.
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2023, 02:10:58 PM »
Found it. KLX300. Needs a small rack to be perfect!
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2023, 02:23:19 PM »
Quote from: BenelliSEI on October 27, 2023, 02:10:58 PM
Found it. KLX300. Needs a small rack to be perfect!

You found my bikes great grandson. ;D
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2023, 04:48:08 PM »
Quote from: Kelly E on October 27, 2023, 02:23:19 PM
Quote from: BenelliSEI on October 27, 2023, 02:10:58 PM
Found it. KLX300. Needs a small rack to be perfect!

You found my bikes great grandson. ;D

Yes! Read some reviews. Pretty basic spec but also indestructible!
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2023, 07:35:16 PM »
Yeah, those klx300's are very capable and tough.  My buddy had one and the only drawback is they are a bit heavy for tight woods work.  I got what the klx is actually derived from...kdx200/220.  I love mine.  So light. Super nimble and razor sharp handling.  Kawi aint trying to sell any 2 strokes any more which is sad, because my 1997 had to be one of the best ever.  The kdx did continue until 2001.  I bought my 1997 used for $2200 a couple years ago and have been poundin nails with it nearly every weekend since.
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If it works good, it looks good...

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2023, 07:41:22 PM »
Oh yeah, Scott...nice XL.  Love me some old XL's and XR's!
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If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2023, 07:41:49 PM »
I'm looking forward to riding the 78' KL 250, It's very simple and is quite light. If it is as much fun as I think it will be my son is going to have a tough time getting the key from me.  8)
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2023, 08:45:02 PM »
The front mudguard fits so nicely that it “has to be original”

I actually just did a google image search & there are different front guards by the look of what I saw
« Last Edit: October 27, 2023, 08:56:24 PM by Scott »
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Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2023, 08:55:02 PM »
Muffler to me looks cool.

I think to myself “I wonder when & why the original owner did this”. Looks like he did a bit of work to make a quality job with what he had around the farm.   This bloke had the bike since new to use around his farm. I bought it from the second owner who only had it briefly.

For me I would never change the muffler as my intention is to have the bike mechanically sound and just ride it.

I’ll get a close up of his work later.
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Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2023, 08:57:27 PM »
Sorry for the double photo. I tried twice, but can’t get it right way up.
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2023, 09:14:21 PM »
It looks like a trials bike front end and fender.
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Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #16 on: October 28, 2023, 08:46:23 AM »
The low clearance front fender can turn into an emergency brake in a hurry in heavy mud. Carry a wrench with you to remove it if necessary.
Ask me how I know.
 ;D ;D ;D
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If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #17 on: October 29, 2023, 01:17:30 AM »
Nice advice mate.

I do want to know why you know this mate.

I usually only ride on gravel roads, but I can imagine how a low clearance guard & sticky mud could be an issue now I think about it.

Where did it happen & how old were you?

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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #18 on: October 29, 2023, 07:46:10 AM »
i thought you'd never ask. :D
different bike but similar fender clearance:
Picture it: rural Saskatchewan, 1981; 16 year old me on my first CB550 sets out for the highway after a heavy rain
over 1 1/2 miles of grid road and encounters a freshly repaired section that hadn't been gravelled yet.
Nervously Creeping along at nought mph; front wheel slithering side to side; both feet off the pegs and prepared for the front wheel to stop rolling entirely until it got to the point that forward motion was motionless and I feared engine overheating.
I walked back to the farm (I hadn't made it very far ;D) and retrieved my favourite 10mm open end and an impact and a hammer as I'd never removed the front fender braces and speedo drive before, and removed the fender.
I left it off until the RM finally gravelled the repaired section. They weren't in any hurry back then unless a Reeve lived on the same road. ;D ;D ;D
At that age, all roads led to the highway, but they were gravel.
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If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
Kawi GPz900, H1

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #19 on: October 29, 2023, 10:04:53 AM »
A very nice 1976' XL250 !  8)
The 76' has the improved cylinder head:better breathing.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2023, 02:28:01 AM »
Hey cool, so you made it. Nice one
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Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2023, 02:30:34 AM »
Mate I reckon they did a good job on the cylinder head then, cause the bike is no slouch.
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Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2023, 02:37:37 AM »
The poor thing looks like it was used to carry a heavy load.

As soon as I sit on it the shocks just bottom straight out & I only weigh 70 kg.  I then adjusted the pre load thing for the spring to it’s max setting & it still bottoms out (a second slower)

Poor old seat squashed, repaired & broken
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #23 on: October 30, 2023, 08:39:04 AM »
Scott,I think the suspension is due for a much needed overhaul.
This bike was under 'hard duty'., good thing it's a Honda.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Scott

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Re: Cool old Honda
« Reply #24 on: October 30, 2023, 09:00:11 PM »
Cute. I found a little mouse house in the seat.

That’s their door way
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