Planet Minis

Dogboy

Hi, I've just bought this XL100, its a bit od a mess, originally I was planning a Honda Ape build, but this appears to be to expensive. So I now need some ideas on the engine. It will be a vintage street/motard style bike (The XR100 is not street legal in OZ, hence buying the XL which is street legal.)



What is the XL100 engine like? Is it worth spending money on rebuild/bore or better to do a full engine swap?
-Are the XR100 engines better (I've seen alot of peformance parts for them) and do they bolt straight in?
-Do the larger honda 175/200 bolt straight in and are they any good?

Thanks in advance.

firepower354

The old XL/SL/CL/CB100-125 is a completely different engine than the XR100 that evolved from the XR75. Powroll has a few engine bits, and you can make them pretty big cheaply. There are big valve heads, 150-175 engine kits.

I believe the 175-185-200-230 engines will bolt in. There are Chinese 200's, but avoid the one with XR100 looking head cover. It has freaking pushrods!

Dogboy

Thanks for the quick response firepower. These are the only 200cc chineseengine we seem to be getting in Australia. Are they the pushrod variety?

200CC DIRT TRAIL BIKE HUMMER PIT MOTOCROSS ENGINE PARTS - eBay, Scooter Parts, Motorcycle Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 18-Feb-08 17:03:16 AEDST)

and do you know if the xr100 engines bolt straight in?

firepower354

The fry pan head cover is a dead give-away it's a pushrod version. The OHC models have screw-in caps like a 50 or your 100. The XR100 isn't a direct bolt in, and is inferior in power to a modded 125/175/200. The head is awful and was designed around a 75cc rig. Sure, there's lots for it, but it's just polishing a turd. Better off looking for a bigger engine to start with. Don't get me wrong, I love the XR75/80/100 and have several, but they aren't going to push a midsize bike very fast.

Dogboy

Thanks, found a mechanic that has raced these engines for the past 20 years and he recomends using the xl100 engine, fitting the later model cb125 head with a 150cc bore kit, larger carb and exhaust. Says that for reliabilty and decent performance that it's the way to go. It won't quite match the 200cc for power but won't be far off and will rev higher more freely.

Anyone know if there's any front forks that are an easy swap? I would like disc front brakes and probably downsize the wheels to 14" as the larger wheels look to big for the bike.

Dogboy

Here's an update, powdercoated frame and ape wheels fitted:

BlackBeard

whoa! nice job there. keep up the good work

Luckystar64

Looks good! Should be a sweet ride when it's done. --L*64

stevec

Good job. Which rims (wheels) are those?

SUZUKIRM12594

Dogboy

Rims are off a Honda Ape. I bought a Takegawa disc brake hub of Pierce (forum member with a Honda Ape) to convert the front from the drum brakes to disc. But I still have to buy the actual rotor and caliper before I can fit it.

mtxmike27

Wow very nice job.
I'm workin on restorin an older bike as well and was wonderin where you got the shocks?



I'm waitin to order a gas tank off ebay.
It's a 1979 ds80 (suzuki)

Dogboy

Got the shocks of ebay, think he was in thailand and they worked out $70 delivered for new shocks. Quality seems pretty close to stock. I'll probably upgrade them when I can afford it.