XL 250 - Twin Shock

[wertyuio]

Hello All,

I am a new member with limited (NO) knowledge and this will become more obvious when you read my post.

I have just acquired an XL 250 twin shock to use for beach racing and although it is still in fairly traditional set up, have used it. After a rather unspectacular fall where the bike was on its side and still running, I nursed it back but when i tried to start it again, the compression increased and various chaps who know better than me suggested that the cam may have seized (with bike on its side they thought oil may not have got round properly). Didn't kick bike over anymore in case it brought further damage and I am now looking for any knowhow or help to rectify this problem.

Further to this, various boffins have said that CB 250 and XL 125/185 engines will drop straight in. Is this true?

Not sure of age of my bike and realise it may be a bit cheeky to ask for all this from my first post, but will be giving more back as time goes on.

cheers, Richard.

Also, is there a gallery where I could compare different generations of bikes?

[StumpyFingers]

Not able to answer the question, but just saying hello and welcome to the site.
I never heard of a problem with the bike running while on its side apart from getting parts ( fingers and clothing) caught in the chain wheel mudgaurd area.

[AIRWOLF]

Welcome to the site mate.
A photo would help to identify
Does it look like this;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-HONDA-XL2...QQcmdZViewItem
How long was it running on its side?
what do you mean by 'commpression increased'?
Have you tried to turn it over with the sparkplug out?
The CB250rs engine will fit , but not so easy to find a good one .
The 125/185 engine is phisically smaller.
It's probably best to just take the head and barrel off to check it out.

[wertyuio]

Thanks for the info.

Yes it does look like the bike in the picture, but mine seems to be higher up off the floor (suspension?). Looking to lower it on the suspension for the beach anyway (once I've got it running).

By increase in compression, I mean it was a lot harder to kick over after it stopped so I didn't try and kick it too much in case there was something loose or damaged inside.

It was on its side for about thirty seconds, still running. Not tried it without spark plug yet (work away and can only get to it at weekends).

I think I have to accept that I need to take it apart and see just what may be wrong. I think I was hoping that someone would say 'leave it for a fortnight and it will correct itself'. Anything I need to be wary of? should I take this opportunity to renew seal or parts or 'stuff'?

thanks, Richard.

[wertyuio]

Update:

Took off rocker cover and all looked fine, but on inspections, the valves weren't fully closing so loss of compression. Now sorted this. I know, I know......what happened to it stiffening up.....well who knows, but it now runs as it should except that I can't select any gears!! Save to say, I didn't get to take part in the last meeting of the year.

Not to worry, I have a gentleman friend who has offered to put it all right over the summer so that I'm ready to go in October.

Thanks again and I'll likely be back for more info and parts.

Richard.