thinking about an xl600 lm

[coxwain]

hi all , ive been lookin at a few bike and this one is heading for the top of the list , ive found afew here FCTROTT MOTORCYCLES
ive got a few questions about the bikes ie how good the motors are , will it take me to the south of france or will it need loads of seeing to , and the other is parts for them easy or hard to get hold of ,, many thanks

[coxwain]

not alot of help here then

[shack]

Hi Coxwain, be patient the knowledge keepers will respond in time.

What a great choice of many great machines, and well prices, I've seen more expensive shops, as ever it boils down to what it's worth to you.

Maybe more info about your big trip might encourage more details responses such as choice of route (fast as you can or twisty but more sedate fun)

Amount of luggage (and pillion) to take

Fuel range (I noticed a big diff between my old Dommie and @) and that (plus really crap seat) was one of the reasons the NX had to go.

Any off road requirements (or cope with some quality French grass down the middle main roads!

All of these may influence best choice of bike.

Good luck with the responses.

[catteeclan]

If you don't mind sitting around 60mph I would say the lm would be a good choice. Large tank and comfy seat make it stand heads above the standard XLs.
As for the trip, you'll have to do some work like a good service, chain and sprockets, wheel bearings and tyres. They are reliable but you don't know what you've got till you've had it to bits.
Things to look for, corroded wheel rims, oil leaks from the cam cover, noises from the cam cover and smoke from the exhaust. Early models had trouble keeping the valve seats in the head and cracks between the valve seats and spark plug hole.
Take someone who knows bikes with you when you go to test ride.

Oh yea. Fit a new oil feed pipe from the oil tank in the frame to the engine.
Now what have I forgot?

[ktmmark]

off to russia for three months on mine

[MCsanandreas]

off to russia for three months on mine

Russia? in the winter? or will it be next year?

[stubbow]

Great choice of bike as long as your not in a hurry to get there
I have just fully rebuilt mine ready to do a charity ride to Turkey next June, i have covered nearly 1000km since the rebuild and must say it is a really nice ride comfy enough for 2-3 hours in the saddle without a break, handles surprisingly well and i managed to get nearly 600km on a tank full
Electric start is a god send i have never had to kick it over yet!
Watch out for rotten rims which is not always obvious as they corrode from the inside out, should run tubeless tyres so if fitted with tubes be suspicious
Check for any oil leaks especially around the front of head near the spark plug, other than that engines are pretty bullet proof.
Im am going to lower the gearing slightly for better cruising as it tops out at about 70-75mph on standard gearing
All in all a fantastic bike and im very pleased with mine and can't wait to hit the road in June
Danny

[ktmmark]

I go in 2011, my lm will run all day at 60 mph= 4000 rpm all day nice speed for travel, running tubless tyres no problem and rims are good inside and out
Already has 52000 miles on it so will strip it before i go away, but it sounds sweet not a rattle anywhere

[stubbow]

I go in 2011, my lm will run all day at 60 mph= 4000 rpm all day nice speed for travel, running tubless tyres no problem and rims are good inside and out
Already has 52000 miles on it so will strip it before i go away, but it sounds sweet not a rattle anywhere

My advice was aimed at coxwain as he is looking to buy one, If yours is Peters old bike then you have a good one there
Any chance of some close up shots of the centre stand and its mounting points i want to make one for my bike
Danny

[ktmmark]

Reg starts with c70 is that peters the center stand mounts to the foot peg bolts and a plate that bolts to the frame at the rear will try to take a picture