Post by: Arch stanton on January 03, 2021, 06:44:01 PM
I wish to know. How many Xl250 Motorsports, Honda sold in the UK.
I know the 125 sold well. But the 250's were very scarce.
Can anyone advise where to find this info.
Regards
Sean.
Post by: Bryanj on January 03, 2021, 07:04:24 PM
Post by: Arch stanton on January 04, 2021, 12:34:00 AM
Thank you for confirming my suspicions.
Post by: Andrew-S on April 09, 2021, 02:00:53 PM
Hello.Glad I did a search before posting a similar question!
I wish to know. How many Xl250 Motorsports, Honda sold in the UK.
I know the 125 sold well. But the 250's were very scarce.
Can anyone advise where to find this info.
Regards
Sean.
Having bought a SL125 new in 1974 at a mere 17 (with my dad's help of course) and having crashed it within the first 6 months I wanted to trade up a year or so later, but instead of buying a XL250 I bought a new DT250 and pretty much wrecked it doing trail riding and enduro......
Anyway, I've got a hankering for a UK spec XL250 Motosport K0 and just missed one. I know these are far and few between, but before I get too invested and buy on a whim I want to do some research into specs, frame and engine numbers etc, the usual stuff we all do, or should.
I've joined the XL250/350 FB Group but wondered whether there was a XL Owners Club, or can someone point me in the right direction to find the stuff I need to know?
Thanks, Andrew
BTW, here's my SL125 when it was a few days old, sitting on it are my Nan and her sister - mad as a bag of frogs those two!
Oh, the sting in the tail was the registration number spelt my 'SYON' which was my comprehensive school in Isleworth and one I couldn't wait to bloody leave!!! ???
Post by: JamesH on April 09, 2021, 06:27:38 PM
Post by: Andrew-S on April 09, 2021, 07:35:51 PM
Andrew - how are the XL250 K0 motorsports sold in the UK different to the US market model out of interest?James,
From what I've found out so far the UK spec bikes had indicators and left-hand switchgear, black headlight switch on the headlight bowel (lhs) and a slightly different seat design and strap. The US bikes had reflectors on the headlight brackets. Also, I believe they had different speedos i.e. the US spec had a redline from 60mph and the UK bike didn't, plus the UK faces were blue, but I need to confirm this and stand to be corrected.
Post by: JamesH on April 11, 2021, 10:40:13 PM
Post by: Andrew-S on April 11, 2021, 11:03:47 PM
That makes sense Andrew.
I stand self-corrected about the blue clock faces for the UK bike James, as they are the same colour as the US spec - photo below from an unrestored UK K0 I'm viewing on Wednesday morning.
Also attached are a couple of US sales brochures mentioned in my PM.
Post by: Arch stanton on April 12, 2021, 06:31:11 AM
The headlight is excellent. But the rest not so.
I am currently converting to 12v.
Post by: royhall on April 12, 2021, 07:30:25 AM
Post by: PHILIP2908 on April 12, 2021, 11:03:14 AM
I was prompted to go in the snow this morning and take some pics of my XL250 K0 to see if it was a UK spec bike, which I’m sure it is.
It’s a 1975 P reg, I bought it in 1989 and its still only got 1,100 miles on the clock – that’s all on green lanes – tremendous fun.
Usual story: kids, house moves, busy job – all conspired to prevent me from using it and hasn’t been started for nearly 20 years (but regularly turned it over with the kick starter). ‘Lock down’ was supposed to be the time I was going to restore it; but guess what: the CB750 K2 DK/DS special got in the way by fighting me every inch of the way with leaks, electrical gremlins etc (I was going to take it out for the first time this week but now there’s 2 inches of snow).
Looking at the XL:
• The clock faces are green
• There is a warning limit from 60mph on the speedo
• The fork gaiters are not original
• There is no stencil ‘HONDA’ on the back of the seat. I think all UK bikes were like this
When I got it I was warned not to leave it idling when on the side stand as this would starve the cam of oil – I runs directly in the head. Mine was pretty scabby when I took it apart so had it converted to roller bearings. This cost £120 in 1990.
If you are going to look at one be mindful of the side casings: these are magnesium and can corrode to white dust.
The exhaust rots through and when available from Dave Silver they are £275 each. Of course I need one and they don’t have any.
One of the best bikes I’ve owned – its an s.o.h.c. innit !
Phil[attachimg=1]
Post by: Andrew-S on April 12, 2021, 11:31:05 AM
The XL250K0 Motosport was made from 72-73 and one way to tell if yours is a K0 (albeit on a 75 plate) is that although frame numbers began XL250 the engine numbers began with SL250E. If yours turns out to be a UK K0 then it's a rare thing. 8)
This website is useful: https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_XL250 (https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_XL250)
Cheers, Andrew