New XL250S Owner

[Pablo]

Hello to you guys and apologies in advance for the stream of 'newbie' questions which are likely to come your way.

I will post some pictures shortly but basically I want to get out on the bike having waited some 8 months to find the right one. I saw a truly stunning white XL250S in the west country last year and fell 'head over wallet' in need! My offers to buy the bike were knocked back at which point I knew I was in for some trouble - trouble which came to an end last week having purchased a 1981 white and blue in near original condition with 10K on the clock.

I'm well chuffed but also a little apprehensive on the parts availability front as I intend to work thru the bike to get it super nice (at which point it will probably be too nice to ride!!)

In the meantime I dont even have a manual for the bike! - (Do you run these bikes on 21 psi Front & Rear?)

Any initial guidance / advice would be gratefully received as would a chat with suffers in the surrey area?

More extensive questions to follow>>>

Cheers Paul

[catteeclan]

Hello and welcome.
Excellent little bike congratulations.
Haynes do a manual and there's lots about.
Tyre pressures are indeed 21psi front and rear.

[MCsanandreas]

sounds like yours is a lot better than mine! i am trying to make one good bike out of 2 XL's and aCB250RS engine.

[Pablo]

MCsanandreas -seems like your making work for yourself to me?

In the meantime I found sometime to take the bike for its first few miles following its MOT this week. The wife wanted a trip out too as the sun was out so she went pillion.

I must confess that I was a little apprehensive 'cause i noted that the bike was less than positive on the road when faced with tarmac ruts or in the corners. The rear tyre is a trials profile, and whilst i have no experience of trials riding Im thinking that there's probably less wall strength in these tyres than what Im used to, hence the 'wandering' feeling I was getting...At 21psi things were positively alarming - upped pressure to 30psi (ish) and things improved but not solved.

Im going to look into getting a spare rear wheel and tyre combo and see how that goes. Failing that I guess the shocks need looking at?? ANY ADVISE WELCOME.

Also looking for an original 1981 manual / owners book if anyone has one or has a contact. Also the Haynes Manuals also seem to cover later bikes too - is it still possible to find a dedicated 1980 - 1981 Haynes Manual?

Finally, are there any guys on this list (or indeed 'a List') of approved Honda parts suppliers / workshops / restoration specialists? I know there are a few Yam XT / LC specialists around and another list I follow holds details of people who have 'served well' other members. Silvers / Oldfield / CMS appear to be the main protagonists to date.

[MCsanandreas]

MCsanandreas -seems like your making work for yourself to me?

haha!! possibly,but i like mucking about with things anyway so it is more like fun than work.

[Pablo]

Thought I'd post a few snaps as promised. I'm ashamed to say that I've not had time to give her the clean she deserves.

If any one has a spare XL250 Haynes manual ....you have a buyer.

Does anyone know where you can obtain the Japanese tank decal?

In the meantime the rebuild starts here.

[MadWelshBiker]

Hi,
A bit late but welcome to the forum. You will usually find loads of help in here, all you have to do is ask.

I have a 1974 XL250, silver tank Motosport. Bought new and used to the extreme. I get most of my parts from Dave Silver. There are a few parts that are no longer available but they have proved to be few. I also scan eBay as the odd new old stock item comes up, like last year I found a NOS seat. I am still looking for a dent less tank though. Luckily I managed to pick up spare wheels and front forks many years ago and the front wheel will be replaced when I get around to giving the bike the attention it deserves. I managed to break the original front rim during the Welsh International 2 Day Trial back in 1976. The point is, if I can still get parts for my old girl then you shouldn't have much of a problem.

Good luck in your search and don't forget, if in doubt ask.
Mike
Oh yeah I forgot. I got a complete set of decals for her about 2 years ago. I'll try and found who supplied them and will let you know.

[416cc]

I bought my XL250SA as a basket case and intended to do it up for greenlaning.But the bike had been stripped by a friend who then decided that it was too much for him.I ended up rebuilding the bike and spent far more than I had intended to.
I found that spares back in 1988 were more readily available than they will be now.But being a member of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club did help...a lot. www.vjmc.com
I'll dig out some piccies and post them on here.

[416cc]

This was how the 250 ended up after a lengthy rebuild...

And this is how the bike ended up just before I sold it...

[restorit]

Just acquired a pair of '79 XL250S bikes. Both need engine rebuild.

I've been looking for a repair manual online but the closest thing I've found is for a '79 XL500 and its in German. Unfortunately, I have a 250, not 500, and I don't speak German!

Can anyone direct me to an online manual for the '79 XL250S in English?