Author Topic: Honda SL 175 * What a Gem * (Read 21176 times)

dhall57 · « **on:** January 01, 2010, 06:07:17 am »

This is one of my Honda's I had growing up. I stumbled across this old pic in a old photo album. At the time I rode with several guys who had Kaw.and Yam. 2 stokes. While they were filling the woods with smoke and fouling plugs my little SL kept going. It might not of been the fastest or had the most horses, but it never let me down. These bikes are very rare, it's hard to find any of these on C.L. or Ebay. Has anyone else on this forum ever had one of these great little bikes past or present, If so post some pics. Happy New Year 2010!!!!!!

RatBikeRandy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2010, 07:35:51 am »

Nice! My first was an SL70 which was unbreakable. I am now the proud owner of a very clean '73 SL 70 that one of our friend's grandfathers bought new to ride his fence lines. It only has 760 miles and they brought it to me to get it running after several years sitting unused, but inside. I cleaned carbs and it runs like a sewing machine. Of course I told them to PLEASE give me first opportunity if they ever decided to sell. A couple of years later they sold it to my wife as a surprise Christmas present last year.

pae · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2010, 08:28:13 am »

Love it, had one back in about 1981 or 82. An SL125 with a big-bore taking it to 140cc (think piston was from a big bore kit from the 500/4). Great bike, did lots of trails, enduros etc on it. As you say, it just kept plugging away all day in the mud. Had a massive 4.00-18 tyre on the back, could balance on it for hours.

Phil

Joe Mig · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2010, 01:00:37 pm »

At the age of 8 I learned how to ride on a friends SL70 never forgetting the bikes stile and look I really liked. Fast forward 30 years and I bought a 1970 SL350. I used a few years to and from work and a little off road. I wound up selling it but I miss it now.

Speed King · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2010, 04:23:24 pm »

One of my current rides. '70 SL350.

dhall57 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2010, 04:40:42 pm »

The 175's big brother. Those are some sharpe looking SL 350's guys!!!!

gene03079 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:04:20 pm »

I still have my 175.

dhall57 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:45:06 pm »

gene03079, Thanks for posting your SL 175. Super nice, it's just like my old bike. Im sure mine has been in the Honda grave for years by now. It would look good sharing the garage with my CB 750 and my Wide glide, wish I still had it. Are you the orginal owner of your SL or did you buy it and do a rebuild on it. Whats the mileage?

gene03079 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2010, 06:53:09 pm »

My 175 is a duplicate of my first bike. I have had this one about 10 years now.

Most of the parts are NOS and the motor was rebuilt about 300 miles ago. I ride it around a lot when the weather is nice.

Out of all the bikes I own this one puts a smile on my face everytime I take it out.

Tracking down new parts for it took a long time. If I added up the cost I bet it would be a lot more than what my new one was back in 1971.

gene03079 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2010, 01:39:46 pm »

I found another on Craigs today. The guy had it sitting in a gargage for 10 years. He put new coils and plugs in 10 years ago to solve a problem and never got it running.

I found the gas tank like new inside. After cleaning up the carbs and setting the points I located a broken wire. A quick repair and ready to go.

This little bike runs great. The temp here is only 22 degrees today so a couple miles was all I could ride.

Alan F. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:20:36 pm »

Wow Gene, congrats!
-Alan

dhall57 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2010, 04:17:42 pm »

Way to go Gene!! Looks like a great find. Im hoping someday to get another one of these super little bikes, but right now I want to get my 750 fixed up the way I want it. Here I am around 1971 or 72 on my SL 175. I've got just a little more gray hair nowdays.

Good luck on your new project

bill440cars · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2010, 07:36:16 am »

Just now gettin in on this one and see that there are some NICE SLs here along with Gene picking up on a cool deal as well. Never had a smaller one, but had a 71' SL350 some years ago and sold it later on. Missed it too! Picked up on a deal from a buddy ( 2 72' SL350K2s and an SL350KO) that don't run are partially together and have some parts missing. Had started gathering parts slowly. Then, last year (around Dec, I think), I picked up on a blue 72' SL350K2. Haven't got any pictures of it yet (in great shape and has an incredibly exhaust system on it! Looks exactly like this one though.

dhall57 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2010, 08:09:18 pm »

I always liked the Honda SL's. My 175 was so reliable and tough. It was just the right size for trail riding and racing around a track I had out beside the house and even took me to work after school. I knew a few guys who had the 350's, they would roll!!

My Honda's

CT 70
SL 175
CB 360
MT 250
CB 550
CB 750 my current bike

B 550

bjatwood · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2012, 01:40:48 pm »

Just brought a 71 sl-175 out of mothballs from a 30 year hiatis. Man what a bear to get the tank and carbs clean on it. But I finally got it done. Bike runs pretty decent to I might add. Here are a couple pics of the SL70 I restored for the same guy that owns the 175. I will get some pics of the Ruby Red 175 and post em up!

dhall57 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2012, 02:37:06 pm »

Thanks bjatwood for bringing my old thread about my SL175 back to life

It was really a great little bike and I had a lot of fun on it. Being young of course I put it through hell, but it took a licking a kept on ticking

Great restore on the SL70. I had a couple friends that had and red and yellow one around the same time I had my CT (mini trail)70.

Can't wait to see the pic's of the restore on the SL175. I know it will bring back some good memories!!

Flying J · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2012, 10:05:16 pm »

I have an sl but it was Pretty done when i got it. So its not coming back to life in stock form.

Motor was shoot as was everything else.

This was a few weeks ago. Basically an SL frame and then the rest is cb or cl or something else. A nice stock SL175 i have seen listed out here for 3k.

bjatwood · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:13:56 pm »

No worries on the post bring up. I was actually searching for throttle cable routing using google and was linked to this old thread.

So I thought I would add to it, LOL

bjatwood · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2012, 06:19:36 pm »

Here she is boyz, had gas in the tank and carbs since 1985! Took me awhile to get that "varnish" out of everything....

1,000 miles, all original, bad ass SL-175. Man these engines like to rev like no tomorrow. Pulls to 9 Grand like in 3 seconds!!!!!!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2012, 01:37:46 pm »

I had an SL175 growing up too. Sadly all the family photos were lost when my dad moved a few years ago, so I don't have any pictures. It was a great little bike. Eventually I pulled off the rear knobby and replaced it with a regular street tire. A proto-hypermotard look.

dhall57 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2012, 09:43:16 pm »

Quote from: bjatwood on August 05, 2012, 06:19:36 pm

Here she is boyz, had gas in the tank and carbs since 1985! Took me awhile to get that "varnish" out of everything....
1,000 miles, all original, bad ass SL-175. Man these engines like to rev like no tomorrow. Pulls to 9 Grand like in 3 seconds!!!!!!

Looks like a* Gem * also. Makes me want another one real bad since I've been without one for over 40 years. I remember they do tach up fast. Thanks for the pic bjat. Post some more up close and detail pictures when you can.

bjatwood · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2012, 08:24:38 am »

Here are some bigger pics. Knot sure why the cell phone pic was so small...

dhall57 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2012, 01:12:32 am »

Nice, real nice

bjatwood · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2012, 12:46:38 pm »

Quote from: dhall57 on August 11, 2012, 01:12:32 am

Nice, real nice

Thanks, it's official now. In the last 5 years I have brought back to life 8 Old Honda's.
I'll admit this...I'm a Hondaholic

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Author Topic: Honda SL 175 * What a Gem * (Read 21176 times)