Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

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Newtsalad
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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Newtsalad » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:00 pm

barker wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:11 pm
have you looked at the American site for off road bikes they may be able to offer some help
may be
Yes, doesn't seem to be many of these around, even stateside. Hence my intent to get a thread going here for some info. I've neglected it, so it's good to finally sit down and get some of it written up.

That said, I better go crack on with it. I'm heading for Austria in June with BenB, Chimp, and another, and I'm hoping to take the XL. It's far from ready, and although June is a way off yet, the adventure includes a train journey which needs to be booked in January. And... once its booked, they don't allow a change of vehicle details! So it's make your mind up time.

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by barker » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:15 pm

there is one option open , fit another engine may be from a later model , or at least one that' you can get bits for, check the brakers yards

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Newtsalad
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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Newtsalad » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:46 pm

Breakthrough! :D

Runs perfect with no air filter. :D

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by bikerbaker » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:48 pm

Newtsalad wrote:
Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:46 pm
Breakthrough! :D

Runs perfect with no air filter. :D
Excellent news!

All you need then is a snorkel. :lol:

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Newtsalad
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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Newtsalad » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:14 pm

Now runs perfect with the air filter. :? :? :? :roll:

I reckon I disturbed the HT lead / coil. Time will tell.

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Diesel Dave » Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:12 pm

Somethings dodgy then - not something you want to recur miles from home...

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Newtsalad » Fri Nov 24, 2017 7:36 pm

Done over 60 miles this evening. Trip down the A140, A14, A12 North, to Framlingham on the Rendham road, then home. 59.8 mpg.

Cruises easily at 55-60, had it up to almost 70. Had a few minor sputters, I'm pretty certain it's the HT lead or the dodgy Chinese plug cap I put on it.
Tomorrow I'll trim it back, and replace it with a very nice red waterproof NGK one I bought from the motocross shop in Diss. I feel lucky.

The lights were a nightmare. WHile the 6v sealed beam unit is brilliant on high beam, its rubbish on low. Might be a dodgy connection or dirty switch.

Further, I replaced the throttle tube and switchgear yesterday, as it didn't have any switchgear! That meant stripping out the headlight to feed cables and wire up.

Unfortunately I forgot to do the 14mm bolts up either side, so found myself riding home with the beam pointing skywards, with me continually leaning forward trying top poke the bloody thing down! :roll:

I was getting chilly too, at the end. Unusual for me as I always lag up properly. However, picking up the bike cover when I got back, ice was falling off it! :o :o :o :o

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Diesel Dave » Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:19 pm

Good performance for an upright 250 trailee, fuel consumption is a tad heavy, I get about 80mpg on the Sterling and I think that’s comparable as it’s almost a 250 and the seating position is bolt upright too.

If you can lay your hands on a strobe to set the points it would be a good thing after cleaning the faces with 1200 wet n dry, you want them to be almost polished on 6v system to perform well.

See if the coil is separate to the HT lead too.

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Newtsalad » Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:41 pm

Sounds right Dave. I was thinking the trouble was weak mixture, so the needle is right up. I need to drop it again, to where I originally got 80mpg.

Mind, first time around was general riding, not a dual carriageway sustained speed. I could live with 65-70mpg.

I have a strobe, 12v though. However if I run it off a 12v battery, so long as the negative is also connected to the bike, it works! :D

However... the advance weights kick in at such a ridiculously low RPM (They are meant to) its not really possible to strobe it.

As for the coil, I don't think the HT lead is seperate, and the coils are somewaht expensive. I fear I may have to have one in the spares kit if I'm planning on a Euro visit. :(

I have other 6v coils. Not sure how they would fare. :?

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Re: Honda XL 350 1978 Project.

Post by Tranberg » Sun Nov 26, 2017 3:04 pm

36mm carb seems way to big for a vintage 25 HP 350

Can't you find a 30mm ?

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