What model of bike is this ?

[africajim]

Hi Rick,
I think the tank was more rounded than yours but difficult to say from the pic. One thing I notice, your one has the same inlet manifold as mine, that puts the carb over to the right side of the bike. I'm pretty sure mine was earlier, 72,73 maybe, and possibly a K2?

Any way, here's all the info you could ever want mate;

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_XL250#1979

[Dilbert]

Wow Rick, that takes me back, one of my few brand new bikes was about a '75 XL125 and I loved it to bits, it handled on the road like it shouldn't oughta and was pretty nimble across the fields and through the River Bollin

Oh and I also had a CB250G5 (rocket launcher silencers) and several Griffin helmets, they were the wotsits back then, made from real fibreglass you know

[RickSkye]

LOL

I have no idea what type of helmet it is !!

I normally bought the best I could afford but thats it.

"Wow Rick, that takes me back, one of my few brand new bikes was about a '75 XL125 and I loved it to bits, it handled on the road like it shouldn't oughta and was pretty nimble across the fields and through the River Bollin "

Yeah, I had mine when I lived on the Outer Isles, gales, ice and snow, single track roads, the only thing that got me off was a cow. ouch.

[Neilios]

The bike is definately a K3 (mine is a 1976) I have one just like it in the garage, just going to start the rebuild for the winter, I also have a 1973 Motorsport, will post pictures when I get time.

[spikegomez]

Hi Rick,
I think the tank was more rounded than yours but difficult to say from the pic. One thing I notice, your one has the same inlet manifold as mine, that puts the carb over to the right side of the bike. I'm pretty sure mine was earlier, 72,73 maybe, and possibly a K2?

Any way, here's all the info you could ever want mate;

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_XL250#1979

Awesome link man... thanks, buell accessories

[RickSkye]

The bike is definately a K3 (mine is a 1976) I have one just like it in the garage, just going to start the rebuild for the winter, I also have a 1973 Motorsport, will post pictures when I get time.

Your lucky to have one, engine is a piece of piss to rebuild.

Note Do not try to kick start it when you are rolling down a hill. Rear wheel locks up, (the clutch won,t help) and you skid to a halt. Upright if you are lucky like I was. Had to undo the chain and push like "£$% to catch a ferry.
I would have to look at an engine diagram to see which bit seized.

Rick

[datsun fan]

Hi, this is what caused my 1979 XL250S to stop!!




Luckily the bits didn't damage the piston too much, but it was tricky to remove what was left of the valve from the seat, it was well lodged in there after being whacked in by the piston





So the rebuild began - finished article







Was nice and clean - out on Salisbury Plain - marshalling Enduro

and again on last Sunday with the ride out.






Amusing snap from the official enduro snapper!! there is a machine underneath him!!!

[MCsanandreas]

thats a tidy XL datsun fan! need to get mine sorted when funds allow.

[RickSkye]

Nice bike. brings back some memories. (I bought the 1976 xl250 new)

How did you get the valve seat repaired ?

Rick

[datsun fan]

The valve seat, believe it or not seemed OK, just had to give the new valves a careful lap in, more on the damaged seat, so the seat width is a little bit wide but got 99% of the marks out.

You just have to watch if you grind it in too much that the stem doesn't come up to the cam follower too much so you can't get the clearance adjusted at the tappet.

The last resort is to grind the top of the stem down!!! Not unknown!!