My new Thumper

General Bike chat
Post Reply
User avatar
gilson
Posts: 928
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:31 pm

My new Thumper

Post by gilson »

Having sold my SP2 and not having a road bike, I quickly realised that I can't live without one. So not going for another 100mph+ road missile, I went for one of Honda's finest PD replicas, a 1985 XL600LMF

Image

It really is in great condition having been restored completely, including some brand new Dunlop trailmax (latest model) which would make most things handle well and It's a blast to ride. It tops out at 70-75mph and is comfortable cruising at walking pace... OK, maybe 65mph. It accelerates well up to 50 and loves the B roads where I'm starting to supermoto style it up and keep the accelerator pinned. The riding position, being so high up, is great for looking over hedges and cars, but if the cars are doing more than 60mph, I really just have to stay being them! It takes some getting used to not having the warp speed acceleration available, but that's what I got the bike for....slowing me down and enjoying the view...

It's on it's original front brakes! They are terrible, so EBC are coming to the rescue. Other than that I'll wash it and add some miles to it's 9000.

I hope to do some greenlanes on it too, nothing too severe, even though it does have both kick and electric, it's a heavy lump, but it's more than capable of some greenlanes...

I thought I'd post as it's still a Honda, just missing one cylinder...
No bike (yet).
User avatar
storminateacup
Posts: 715
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:38 pm
Location: Maldon

Re: My new Thumper

Post by storminateacup »

Looks a cracker have fun.
I was born with nothing and I still have most of it left.
User avatar
Wicky
Posts: 7895
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 2:43 pm
Location: Colchester Essex
Contact:

Re: My new Thumper

Post by Wicky »

:thumbup:

More pictures especially if it snows like last winter! :biggrin
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

ImageVTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
marravtr
Posts: 1942
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:23 pm
Location: Old Sawley

Re: My new Thumper

Post by marravtr »

looks in mint nick, love the xl's :thumbup:
4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul...........
User avatar
VeeTeeArrrrrrr
Posts: 74
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:43 pm

Re: My new Thumper

Post by VeeTeeArrrrrrr »

Very Nice. rather have one of those than a Yam XT. :thumbup:
User avatar
SWAGGER
Posts: 118
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:12 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Re: My new Thumper

Post by SWAGGER »

Like that .... :cool2 :cool2
The force is strong with this one!!!

Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere
Yamaha FJR1300
futterbingers
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 2:58 pm
Location: sunny france - now Oxfordshire 'Range Rover' land

Re: My new Thumper

Post by futterbingers »

Cor that's a clean 'un, don't take it through winter!!
User avatar
BigVeeGrin
Posts: 2521
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:41 pm
Location: Glasgow

Re: My new Thumper

Post by BigVeeGrin »

looking at an '83 one of fleabay atm - thinking about a winter bike and it's nowhere near as good nick as that looks.

btw - what's a decompressor cable for? :oops:
User avatar
SWAGGER
Posts: 118
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:12 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK

Re: My new Thumper

Post by SWAGGER »

BigVeeGrin wrote:looking at an '83 one of fleabay atm - thinking about a winter bike and it's nowhere near as good nick as that looks.

btw - what's a decompressor cable for? :oops:

Startin' the bloody thing .... strong as a mule :)
The force is strong with this one!!!

Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere
Yamaha FJR1300
User avatar
benny hedges
Posts: 6110
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:09 pm
Location: Warrington

Re: My new Thumper

Post by benny hedges »

BigVeeGrin wrote:
btw - what's a decompressor cable for? :oops:
you will find out the first time you try to kick it over mid-stroke - your knee will meet your chin :lol:
looks spot on that does... yoshimura do a pretty good range of engine goodies for them as well - cams, hc pistons, thin gaskets etc...
You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when posting something which you later rely on in quote. Anything you do say may be ripped to sh*t.
User avatar
sirch345
Site Admin
Posts: 22408
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2003 10:35 pm
Location: The West Country.

Re: My new Thumper

Post by sirch345 »

Nice find Gilson, I like it :thumbup:

Chris.
Jbrebel
Posts: 2126
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:24 am
Location: Yorkshire

Re: My new Thumper

Post by Jbrebel »

8) 8) 8)

Sweet :thumbup:
SP1's rock!
User avatar
AMCQ46
Posts: 16744
Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 4:54 pm
Location: Worcestershire / Warwickshire border

Re: My new Thumper

Post by AMCQ46 »

Thats bloody clean for its age..............change the oil & filters regularly and it will run for ever :thumbup:
AMcQ
User avatar
gilson
Posts: 928
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:31 pm

Re: My new Thumper

Post by gilson »

Fortunately it's got an electric start.

The decompression lever controls a small valve in the head. Apparrently once at TDC, open the decompression valve and push it down an inch. Then leave go of the lever, and give it a kick. I did it when it was warm and it started well. With improved technique I would think it would be quite easy. Great fun kick starting a big thumper...

Looking forward to Sunday... hopefully...

It's clean because the former owner gave it a good going over. Refurbished the wheels (which are lovely), painted the frame forks etc, but the tank is original and looks prime. It's an original seat too, which are quite rare as they rip. It has obviously been well looked after.

Thanks a lot for the comments....
No bike (yet).
Beamish
Posts: 2862
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:09 pm

Re: My new Thumper

Post by Beamish »

Jealous mate, looks fabulous. Guy down the road has a mint XL500, have chetted to him about it many times. Must admit to loving the big XT as well.
I see myself as a sensitive intelligent man but with the heart of a clown that causes me to **ck things up right at that crucial moment........'Jim Morrison'
Post Reply