To lead or not to lead

[motorsport74]

Hello to you all,
First post, here goes. I have been given a 1974 XL250 Motorsport, registered 1974. It has covered 8500 miles and was last used in 1982. I have cleaned out the fuel system and serviced it, my problem is, the old gent who gave it to me has said it runs on leaded fuel. I thought the motorsport which was available in the US earlier than 74 was capable of running unleaded. It has an aluminium head, which I believe is of significance. Can someone more knowledgeable than I please advise. Can leaded fuel, if incorrect, in such an old bike cause problems, or indeed help protect the valve seats.

[YEN_POWELL]

See if you can track down an old handbook (probably possible from Dave Silver) or even the original tank decal which will state the type of fuel required. If it does need leaded then all the old vintage car/brit bike clubs usually sell additives.

[headseeze]

If you find it does need leaded petrol as well as the additives avaliable,there are still garages that sell leaded. http://www.leadedpetrol.co.uk/list.htm#pdf this may be of help. have you tried emailing honda uk?

[Redbus]

Hello to you all,
First post, here goes. I have been given a 1974 XL250 Motorsport, registered 1974. It has covered 8500 miles and was last used in 1982. I have cleaned out the fuel system and serviced it, my problem is, the old gent who gave it to me has said it runs on leaded fuel. I thought the motorsport which was available in the US earlier than 74 was capable of running unleaded. It has an aluminium head, which I believe is of significance. Can someone more knowledgeable than I please advise. Can leaded fuel, if incorrect, in such an old bike cause problems, or indeed help protect the valve seats.

Sorry I don't know the bike but unleaded petrol on a leaded petrol bike eats the valve seats depending on the metal. If your up for it DIY and you think it's worth it the valve seats can be replaced by a decent engineering shop. But try to get more info as suggested. Hope you got a goodun given to you.

[FOXY]

I think your best bet is contact Honda UK 01753 590500 - But I'm sure all Honda after about 1963 we unleaded compatible.

Good Luck

Foxy

[motorsport74]

Foxy, Gentlemen.
Thank you all for your help. I have rang Honda UK as advised by foxy and it appears, after a lot of internal consultation, that this bike will run on unleaded. I have an old manual for it, no where does it say what type of fuel must be used.
Once again, thankyou. Local farmer allows use on his land, off to have a go.

[FOXY]

Glad to be of assistance
Foxy

[Bill Badger]

I had one of these about 25 years ago. Great bikes, even if they are a bit heavy. Keep the oil clean though - when I bought mine I had to have the head machined because the camshaft had damaged it, probably due to lack of, or poor, oil.

HHA 600N - Where are you now?

Pretty certain you are ok with unleaded. Even if you should used leaded, problems wouldn't occur overnight - it would take thousands of miles to cause damage of significance, and so only then would you have the seats done. Don't worry about it, just enjoy it!

[Neilios]

I still use a XL250 motorsport 1973 most weeks and it happily runs on unleaded fuel and from what I have been told they were designed to do so, mine is a USA import and has been in the UK since 1993 and is fine. hope that helps and enjoy the bike.