xl350 is...progressing?

[kvjb]

Hey all, picked up a '78 xl350 a few months back. Unfortunately 4 wheeled stuffs got in the way and the bike got moved to the corner. Last weekend, I was in between projects so I decided to drag this out and get started. I" not sure where I'm heading with it style wise but it will be used to go around, over and off stuff in town and on the trails.

How it began

I found a smaller tank at the junkyard, I think it's off an older xl of some sort. It needed some surgery on the tunnel but seems to fit well enough. No indication of whether it will hold fluids but I'm mildly optimistic

The tail got hacked off and I started cutting on some 3/4" tube. Seems it wants some moto gp flavor, I didn't see that coming

So I took some more sheet and followed that theme

And a seat pan

So that's progress so far, I'm pretty excited to see what happens next...

 

[tomsljr]

Great start!

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Hell yeah, I'm currently thinking of tail ideas for my cb500 and this is what I had in mind. Now I guess I've got to change my idea

All kidding aside, this is looking great!

 

[BIG E]

looking good keep it up. That tank looks to be off a 1975 XL250/350 same tank I believe.

 

[kvjb]

Thanks for the replies fellas

Bruno-just checked out your thread, an upswept tail would look great with the monoshock.

Got a little more done tonight, cut down the stock bars. I put a sleeve inside and did a bunch of plug welds, hopefully it will be strong enough without the cross-brace.

I picked up a little 6v battery and made a tray for the electrics.

This bike is kick only and I plan on making led lights for the tail and signals so I think the battery should be sufficient to keep it running smoothly.

I've been considering the possibility of making an led headlight but I have no idea whether it's feasible. Anyone have any experience with this?

Cheers,
Klay

 

[Bert Jan]

As far as i know (had an XL500 back in the days) they run without battery. The genny is capable of powering the coil AND the lights, although the lights go dim at low rpm. thats why they installed a battery.

I would be very interested in a LED headlight solution btw!

 

[hillsy]

I would be very interested in a LED headlight solution btw!

There's a billion H4 LED bulbs on eBay for next to nothing:


http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=car+led+head+lights&_sop=2&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=car+led+head+lights+H4&_sacat=0


No idea how bright they are though....

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Rock on, I'd like to see if you could get an LED light bright enough for the road. I think the main problem would be the angle of the light that comes out of them, you wouldn't get the projection off the back like a normal light bulb would. All of the H4 LED bulbs on ebay there seem to be super bright on the sides, but the forward projection doesn't look that amazing.

 

[hillsy]

That's what the headlight lens is for. Look at a "normal" headlight bulb and you'll see the front part is actually blacked out - light gets reflected to the sides and the rear.

On 2nd glance though, I don't think any of those LED bulbs are dual filament style (IE: no high beam). Which means you could only use them in a twin lensed headlight unit.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

That's what the headlight lens is for. Look at a "normal" headlight bulb and you'll see the front part is actually blacked out - light gets reflected to the sides and the rear.

On 2nd glance though, I don't think any of those LED bulbs are dual filament style (IE: no high beam). Which means you could only use them in a twin lensed headlight unit.

Good point, they really only list them as fog lights though. Usually anything listed as that has never really thrown out enough light IMO.

 

[tomsljr]

I an some other guys around here run those LED fog lights on our track bikes so we look quasi-legal while riding Deal's Gap. You absolutely do not want to try to use them to navigate at night. Found out the hard way.

 

[kvjb]

I was wondering if those fog lights would work. Is it that the beam is too narrow? As it stands, the front light is completely useless anyway, definitely not confidence inspiring riding at night. I haven't seen any pre-fab 6v LEDs yet so it looks like more research is in order.
I did pick up some red and amber LEDs along with some resistors so I'ma try and figure out the tail light and indicators first. I didn't get anything else done worthy of pics. Just made some mounting tabs and removed some others.

 

[hillsy]

I doubt you'll find any LED headlight bulbs in 6v.


Might actually be an idea to convert to 12v. Depending on the charging system, you might only need a reg/rec.


Of course you'll need a 12v coil, horn and all the lights to go to 12v, but it will broaden your options.

 

[Bert Jan]

So, there's still no LED H4 capable of producing a fancy beam? Dont care about high/low. Light is light

Sorry for the hacking, but i thought you might be interested as well.

 

[kvjb]

So, there's still no LED H4 capable of producing a fancy beam? Dont care about high/low. Light is light

Sorry for the hacking, but i thought you might be interested as well.

I'm interested, highly doubt there is much demand for it though. At the end of the day, anything is better than the stock setup.

Spent some more time on the xl tonight, welded some nuts into the frame to hold the tail light and license plate bracket. I'm planning on putting the light inside a piece of tube that will run back to just behind the back of the seat. I'm hoping there will be enough room to stash regi. papers and other consumables. Also got the exhaust roughed up and made a relief for the tail light tube to slide into.

Pics:

One of these days I'll take some proper photos and spare everyone the shitty phone pics.

 

[7aliveatlast7]

i like your motorcycle, i like your datsun...ah heck, just give me everything you have with wheels

 

[EdgeGrip]

This is very cool. Interested to see how it turns out.

 

[kvjb]

i like your motorcycle, i like your datsun...ah heck, just give me everything you have with wheels

Cheers, make me an offer... could even throw in an old mobility scooter. Joking, that's getting a 400 twin

I've been working on it here and there. Cut up some foam for the seat, just gotta get down to the thrift store to find some leather to cover it. Finished cleaning up the frame and then did the most foolish thing to date. I painted it white. I'm still not sure about the color but it was left over from another project so what the hell
On to some pics

Gonna try to get the forks shortened a few inches tomorrow and put the front end back together.

 

[manolon6]

Really nice and different!!!

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

I don't know...I don't mind the white, I'd say put it back together, and you are going to paint the tank right?