Honda Xl500S '79 /'80

Has anyone got a good link for info on carb' kits that covers th variations of different years. Or general carb' info for that model. I'm having trouble finding th specific kit. Have looked at kit pics' that are meant to be specific, not generic to models but can't find th good info'.

For anyone interested this site is fairly good for Aus' but just misses my mark for what's in th pic' and words c/w whats on th bench in front of me.
http://www.motorcyclespareswarehouse.com.au/

 

Hi Bushy you have probably tried this but I have bought carb kits by
putting the make of the bike followed by carb kit followed by Ebay
into google. Some one in the USA will usually have what I want even
for 37 year old bikes. I dont know of anywhere in Australia other than
ordering through a dealer ship and having to pay the huge amounts
of money that they want. I only buy kits off Ebay now.
Bob

PS I may be reading your post wrong and you may be looking for the
part numbers for a specific carb kit so you can order it and if that is
the case with Honda I would not know.

 

Ended up getting th kit from a place in Melb', as in th link i put in. One part had me confused..th needle jet / emulsion tube..in all th kits i looked at they seem too short, th rest looks and reads right, but as they had th tube i thought it may as well be right even tho i don't need one. They have a bit of XJ stuff too. All from Japan they are an Aus' distributor.

I'm fairly pleased with th bike so far, tho it hasn't run yet, it just needs some basic things done, got v good compression and has been maintained, even got a few new bits on it but then it sat for ?? not too long. Found some other interesting stuff with your google suggestion Bob, it's all a matter of words 'n sequence as to finding what yr after...or not.

 

Hi Bushy Things turned out ok for you. I had a look on the web and the
XL500 is a nice bike. I did not know that Honda made a 500 single. I
knew about the Yamaha 500 single but did not know about the Honda.
That motor would look good in some sort of road frame and I recon
that it would go along nice as well.

 

Bob that idea about th single in a more road version is lurking near th back of my mind. If you want more stuff to look at type in honda GB500, as i've read th engine started off as a XL600 and was sleeved down. I find them a little odd looking, think it's mainly th tank, but like th idea. Th Yam 500's are out of my price range with th SR going for around $5000 and a decent XT at about $2000. Been covering th basics and ruling out potential and actual problems on th XL, i'm enjoying th process.

 

Hi Bushy yes the Yamaha SR500s really hold there price. I have looked up
the GB500 and it makes a smart bike. A bit too cafe racer about the tank and
seat but they have put the XL motor in a road frame. I read up about the
XL600 and XL500 and all the reports say that they are bullet proof and so when you get your XL on the road it will probably last forever. I dont know why motorcycles are so expensive here in Aus. The americans pay 500 to
800 dollars for a bike that we have to pay 1500 to 1900 dollars for the same
bike in the same condition. Bigger population I suppose. Like you say you have to enjoy the process of bringing these older machines back into
there origional specs so that they are reliable and safe to ride. I have
restored my 2 bikes and I have had a lot of fun doing it.
Just a couple of more things both of my bikes are over 30 years old and I
have them on special interest or SI registration which is a big saving and I
am a pensioner so I get a further rego cut.

 

Fired up th bike today, after A carb clean and kit, new fuel line and filter, new plug, much electrical checking cleaning and a couple of put rights, adjust valves, adjust decompressor, check clean oil all cables, side cases off for a look and clean and lots of other bit 'n pieces. 4th kick and running to a smooth idle, no bad noises.

More to do b4 I take it for a run, but I is well pleased.

 

Thats great bushy there is nothing better than to be rewarded for all the hard
work by having the bike fire up and run well. As you say a few more small jobs and you will have a really smart bike that will last for many years of riding.

 

Guys there was an earlier road version of basically the XL500 engine called the FT500.
A few years ago I would not have been in the least bit interested in something like that but now I find the idea of a simple single quite desirable.
I have noticed that the Yamaha versions are quite pricey now, wish you luck with it Bushy dont forget pics when your done eh!

 

Yes would be nice to have a picture when the bike is finally finished

 

Had a look at the FT500 and it is a nice bike too. A modern single with
good power. The Honda 500 single is a very versatile motor. I have never seen these bikes before. I thought that the Yamaha was the only
kid on the block but Honda was there all the time. Very interesting.

 

Here's some chat / info if you havn't found it already and want some reading
http://www.thumperpage.com/articles/ft-500faq.html
Yep ..another day and we learn something new ..hopefully, it keeps things interesting.

Blimey.. put pic's in with my own camera now yr getting technical. ( supppose i'd better learn a new thing)

Gunna'..there's a FT parts / fixer ? on ebay today nearer you than me, $200 at th mo'...no tank seat rear guard as i recall..would be th harder bits to get. And how's th 'flood rat' going, is it still a good idea or ..? A friend used to have th FT, he did a lot of miles on it, as in that link i put in th elec' starter was weak made some ugly noises after a while..they have a 'mod' for it... but he still liked it.

 

Honda FT500. It seems that the electric start is a bit weak in the FT. I
think that the XL and the GB with the kick start may be the better option
or perhaps the GB engine in the FT frame. There is not much that can go wrong with the old kick start.

 

Flood rat not so good pretty sure the TCI is dead and the diaphragms look brand new and my 750rl needs a set so parts bike is looking likely at the moment.
Would like a nice single or a twin but not enough to get rid of the bikes I have in exchange,my wife is patient but why push my luck?