Author Topic: '75 XL 350 getting cafed (Read 13157 times)

Dave K · « **on:** November 08, 2011, 09:32:07 AM »

I have been wanting to do this for years! This XL will become(hopefully) a kind of BSA Goldstar. So here is the start of possibly many questions. I want to retain the rear alloy DID rim and change the front 21" to an 18" DID rim to match the rear, only want to get one that is a little narrower to run a 3.50 tire and run a 4.00 in back. Any ideas what bikes would have used that rim? The front forks will probably be changed to something like a CB 350/450 pair of legs for a 2 LS front brake set-up. This new brake will be mated to the rim I hope to find. Of course want to run a 7" front light, headlight ears and front CB fender as well so I am thinking if the forks will fit the XL triple trees, great, if not, there maybe some engineering in my future to mate it all together. Anyhow, this is the start. Anyone have any ideas on what year bikes will have what I am looking for?

KB02 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2011, 04:22:50 AM »

You and I must think alike.

My brother had an old XL250 with a parts bike. I remember they took apart the engine for the 250 and it is still sitting in my Dad's garage. I think the frame is sitting out back somewhere and I was thinking about grabbing it for a winter (or 2) cafe project. That's IF the frame is still around. I'll have to looks around next time I go down for a visit.

Dave K · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2011, 07:29:14 AM »

Thanks for the response! I had a '72 XL 250 back in the 70's and it was just an awesome machine at that time. All my trail riding buddies were on 2 strokes and kind of snickered at the XL. But, before the summer was over, they were ALL on XL 350's. Another friend the next year bought a XT500 when it came out in '76. It was then my turn to laugh as there was NO ONE in my grp. that rode 2 strokes after that. Anyhow, I wanted the bigger 350 for years to build a Goldstar kind of look alike. So if you have any advice on the things I asked about, PLEASE fire away or lead me to someone who knows.

KB02 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2011, 09:25:08 AM »

I was at my Parent's house this weekend and the old XL frame is gone.

Oh, well. I guess I will just have to watch your build and see what could have been.

heffay · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2011, 02:19:45 PM »

Oh... I came here looking for pictures... catch ya later.

Coyote13 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2011, 02:58:11 PM »

Seems I recall a cb500 or 550 19" wheel was a direct swap into the front end of a 350 or 360. May look into something along those lines..

Dave K · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2011, 04:19:10 PM »

I have, but I am looking for an alloy wheel like the XL/XR/GB has. Thanks though for thinking on this.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:17:57 AM »

DaveK,
How's that Cafe project coming along ?

Dave K · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2011, 09:08:28 AM »

Thanks for asking. At the moment, it is going nowhere as I am in the "engineering" phase. You know, searching out parts that will fit and adapt at what I want it to do. It is also hunting season, so while I am hunting, much of my ideas get hatched. Yesterday ,a MR 175 rear DID front rim came in. This is a 36 spoke rim, that I will mate up to the CB 350, twin leading shoe brake and hub, want to use for the front wheel. Lots of polishing will take place to get the rims and hubs polished. Probably as much time polishing as building. In another thread, I asked about a pipe for this bike. I am looking for a down pipe to be on the right side, like a BSA Gold Star or Norton Manx and snugly shaped to the bike. I also want it on the right, to stay away from the drive chain dirt. As I think of all this, I wonder about engine mods. Do I want to increase HP? It would be great to be getting up around the 35hp- 40hp. range, but will I lose reliability to do that. You don't get something without losing something somewhere else, so it seems. I am ALWAYS searching for those who have done an XL 350 to see how they handled these problems and what worked for them....or didn't work. Again, thanks for asking!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2011, 06:42:20 PM »

Dave K,
I hope the hub from the donor MR175 that you have will be correct for the CB350 front hub;it will all depend on the diameter of both hubs.If the hubs are of similar outside diameter,or very close to each other the rim will certainly work.Will it be a nice type of style for your project ? I will also let you know if I here of parts for a big bore/stroke kit or other engine mods for the XL350;I hope you're able to kickstart it ! you may have to put a longer & tougher kickstart lever on it.

KB02 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2012, 07:15:23 AM »

Hey, I just found this guy on ebay. Might be a bit of inspiration for you.

Honda XL100 cafe racer // street tracker

Dave K · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2012, 07:37:17 AM »

grcamna2, I must of typed it wrong. I am using a MR 175 rear alloy DID rim for the front rim on the XL. I do have now a CL 350 front wheel, which will rescue the front hub from, lace the MR 175 rim to it. This will be polished along with the factory rear wheel and hub. Still moving very slowly on this as I am servicing the other motorcycles before going full bore on this bike.

KB02, That is one thought out XL 100. Pretty neat.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:09:03 AM »

This will be interesting. I've always had thoughts of building something sporty for the street out of an old XL/XR or possibly even a CR. This looks like fun!

Goofaroo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:17:05 AM »

In case you haven't seen it- here's one example of a 75 XL350 conversion:

Dave K · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:27:37 AM »

How about some details about your '75 XL.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2012, 10:41:34 AM »

Quote

How about some details about your '75 XL.

Me? I don't have an XL350. I was saying I've had the same vision as you for several years so I'll be watching your build. The pic is just a bike I found on the Internet that I thought you might enjoy seeing. I do have an 85 XR350R with a Baja Designs dualsport kit but it won't be getting chopped up anytime soon. Good luck with your project.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:28:04 PM »

Quote from: Goofaroo on January 02, 2012, 08:17:05 AM

In case you haven't seen it- here's one example of a 75 XL350 conversion:

She's got a very Nice custom fuel tank...Goofaroo,can we see any more pics of that one close up ?!

Goofaroo · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:54:52 PM »

Here's the link. Just scroll down a bit.

http://www.caferace.com/cafepix8.html

I was just citing it as a custom street going XL350. I don't know what the plans are for the build. Looking at these pictures you can see many possibilities.

Dave K · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:34:49 PM »

On the 3rd picture from the beginning of this site: http://www.caferace.com/cafepix8.html Where do these guys go to get their pipes bent? Is there usually a local muffler shop that can do it?

Goofaroo, Back in the 70's and early 80's I dirt rode with a modified '72 XL 250 and absolutely loved it. Then in the 80's I went to a '83 XR 350R followed a few years later with a '85 XR 350R. I liked the '83, but I loved the '85. For me, these bikes were like pet rocks. I changed oil and cleaned air filters after every ride and that is IT! I have since read in places that the Radial head bikes had problems. but I sure never did. I also heard that the early XL's had problems. I can attest to a friend that had troubles with his '74 XL 350 that wiped out it's cam bearings and cam. I hope not to have that problem.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2012, 03:28:12 PM »

I've had a few more modern dirt bikes but I have hung on to this 85 XR350R for almost 20 years. I also got rid of my 1999 KTM 640 Adventure in favor of a dualsport kit on my XR and I don't miss the KTM at all. With the jetting I have in it for Oklahoma, I've taken it up all the passes around the Ouray, Telluride, Silverton area and at 13K feet it idles well and starts first kick. It is stable at high speed, doesn't swap in sand whoops, and can pick through the technical stuff with ease. Also, It is far more comfortable than any of the newer bikes and as reliable as the sunrise. As far as I am concerned the 1985 XR350R is the ultimate Honda XR. Mine has the orange tank but the rest of the plastic is white from a 1986 XR250. Here's a crappy pic but I was too lazy to pull it out of the garage.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2012, 03:37:47 PM »

Does yours look like this? Is the pipe in good shape?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2012, 04:09:49 PM »

Nice bikes w/ nice custom tanks !

Dave K · « **Reply #22 on:** January 02, 2012, 05:20:13 PM »

Goofaroo, yes that is the way mine looked when it was younger. Now it looks a little abused. The pipe is still on the bike but I can't say I paid any attention to it yet. There are a few coats of paint on the muffler, I can tell you that much.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2012, 07:52:01 PM »

I know you have something else in mind but I have to say that I like that factory pipe.

gerhed · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2012, 03:03:13 PM »

Dave,

I put an XL600 engine in a CB350 frame.
The machine is actually a little dangerous to ride.

Phil

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Author Topic: '75 XL 350 getting cafed (Read 13157 times)