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Xl250 Motorsport?

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PHILIP2908:
Hello,
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 [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Andrew-S:
Interesting story and useful advice Phil, thanks.

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

Cheers, Andrew

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