XL350 Project to keep me out of trouble

[ricksax]

So my buddies have dual sports, and I don't want to take my Hawk in the gravel. This 1976 Honda XL350 showed up on CL. Titled. Licensed. Runs. Complete. Electrics work. So ordering gaskets, cables, decals, brake shoes. Very low tech and surprisingly, hard parts are available. Watch this space. A candidate for a clean up and rattle can 20-foot restoration.

1976 Honda XL350 A MED.jpg

[Captain 80s]

Cool. Those are great motors, just keep the oil clean (like everything I suppose).

[6]

Love it!!

If that where mine you couldn't pay me enough to paint it. It's got the PERFECT amount of ......... Hate this word on bikes but "patina". It looks just like it should for what it is. Fresh shiny paint will do it no Justice imho. Plus's, hopefully, you will ride the snot out of it.

I'd clean the rust, get the grime off. Shit maybe even strip it down to do the nooks and crannies, get that rust off the frame and give it some solid lovin. But that bodywork paint... It's perfect.


That said, your bike, it should be just how YOU want it. So I'm not pushing or scolding it anything. Just sayin, I love it. Absolutely love it. And don't feel you will ruin it with some paint work. I just think it's cool af a little used.

[jspeed53]

Your new acquisition is “renaissance cool” ... sorry, But I agree with 6 to keep it as is ... just deep clean and polish, IMHO.

[ricksax]

My problem is that one thing leads to another, and soon the whole bike is apart. But I just want to ride it this summer, so restoration will wait.

[ricksax]

Making some progress. Rebuilt hubs, brake shoes. Painted frame. Compression is okay, have found most needed parts. Shop is installing electronic ignition and wiring for 12V. Cases were vapor honed while off. New shocks on the way.

XL350 Rt Side Case 6-29-22.jpg

[6]

Looking sharp man.

But you are now deep into riding season, think it will be up and riding soon?

[ricksax]

Looking sharp man.

But you are now deep into riding season, think it will be up and riding soon?

Best riding season in Oregon is still to come. September is very nice. I'll ride my Hawk GT and BMW until it is ready. Then I want to take the XL350 with my dual-sport friends due West over the Coast Range through the Tillamook State Forest. A working forest, and majestic country. Yes, it is sort of a second childhood. This photo is from 2015.

Kichis Lookout 1-26-15.jpg

[ricksax]

Your new acquisition is “renaissance cool” ... sorry, But I agree with 6 to keep it as is ... just deep clean and polish, IMHO.

Well, as things came apart, there was grime, filth and rust. So I couldn't put it back together as a rat rod. It just ain't me. But I suppose it would deter theft.

[6]

Best riding season in Oregon is still to come. September is very nice. I'll ride my Hawk GT and BMW until it is ready. Then I want to take the XL350 with my dual-sport friends due West over the Coast Range through the Tillamook State Forest. A working forest, and majestic country. Yes, it is sort of a second childhood. This photo is from 2015.

Kichis Lookout 1-26-15.jpg

That looks and sounds like a LOT of fun. Do you have that KTM still? My exc250 is still on the list of my all-time favorite bikes I've ever had.

This may be controversial, but... as far as just going out for a day on a bike, a day in the woods is, imo, the most fun day that can be had on two wheels.

Racing is great, it fills an itch and it's a LOT of fun but also stressful and not open and free like the woods.

Street riding is fun, but there is a technical aspect and a freadom that is missing.. A day on the trails(especially fall), is the most fun way to spend a day on a bike.

[ricksax]

Sold the KTMs and retired from serious dirt riding a few years back. The KTM RFS bikes (1999-2007) were special. The 500 mile oil changes were no fun. Hence, the XL350. It will get me onto the logging roads again.