22 September 2000
Hi Richard,
I just recently ran across your web site
dedicated to XL motorcycles and found it interesting and
entertaining. Between my son and I, we have an 81 XL125, 74 XL175
and a 76 XL350. I also have a variety of other older Hondas.
I have a bike I thought you might consider for
your Former Racer picture gallery. It's a 1965 305 Honda Scrambler
that was apparently set up for TT scrambles. It has some unique
parts on it that I hadn't seen on a Scrambler before. You'll
notice from the pictures it has plastic fenders, knobby tires, a
large 50 tooth rear sprocket, a battery eliminator and a racing
seat. The painted exhausts were also something I had never seen. I
don't know if they were available as an after-market item or what.
The battery eliminator is about 1/2 the size of
the battery and wired in the same. It apparently takes the
alternator to rectifier DC output and sends it directly to the
coils. I know if I have a battery in my bike and can disconnect it
once the engine is running. The racing seat was made specifically
for the Scrambler. I assume it was an aftermarket item. I haven't
seen another one. I had the seat re-upholstered when I was
rebuilding the bike during the winter of 98/99. The
only other non stock items are the ribbed alternator cover and
black allen head screws on the side covers.
Some general Scrambler info: weight 338,
horsepower (305) 28.5 @9000, top speed 85, cost new $765. CL72's
were produced from 1962 - 1965, CL77's from 1965-1968.
It's nice to have a source of information and
parts for the XL's. I'm sure I will be checking for some parts
sooner or later.
Ken
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