Catching up on the XR200R

So as I mentioned in the last post, I've been working on the brakes and front end. It turns out that the front brakes on this bike are somewhat of a mystery. All the aftermarket listings show the same brake shoes front and rear, but this bike has considerably larger front brakes. Here's why they need to be replaced...



After several attempts at ordering shoes, I'm down to a couple possibilities, shoes for an XL model of similar vintage, or the OEM shoes from Honda. We'll know about the XL variant tomorrow.

I pulled the rear wheel back off to see if in fact the rear shoes were the same as the front, and discovered that they're not. In fact, I discovered that they're the same shoes as I have for my XL600 and various other old Hondas...the 200R shoes on the right.






I've also been concerned about the wiring, most notably because of the lack of a kill switch, but also because there was a mysterious "ground" wire running from the harness to the front of the cylinder head. I feared there would be some other modifications that could leave the bike and rider stranded in the woods, so I "took the plunge" and removed the tank to expose the wiring loom nightmare. While I was in there, I re-routed the throttle cable through the frame so that it wouldn't bind at full lock.



I hate electrical.

I removed the seat cover and cut the front of the seat down. It really needs new foam and vinyl, but for now it will allow Hannah to get her toes on the ground.





Here's the steering lock after I put it back together. I should have taken more material off. I will next time I have it apart, there's plenty of clearance between the tank and the forks at full lock.





More on the brakes and other stuff as it comes...

200R progress...

So after Hannah's initial ride at our house we found that the front brakes were not effective. She was still able to take several laps using first gear, and we learned a bit more about the bike.

I took the front wheel off and the brake shoe linings came off in my hand, so that explains why the cable adjustments weren't working. Since I knew I'd have to order new shoes I went ahead and dropped the forks so that I could change the oil, and at the same time I could trim the steering stops down to get a slightly better turning radius.





More to show, but I've been super busy at home and work so there've been many interuptions...maybe I'll catch up this weekend.

XR200R groundwork...

I was able to spend some time on Hannah's new ride on Sunday. I was pleasantly surprised as I inspected the bike a little closer. I decided that the first area of concern was the rear wheel, there was a nasty squeal coming from there when I rode it around the yard, and I'd noticed at least one broken spoke. I was able to pull the bearings and found that only one is bad, on the hub side, because the seal is shot. So that was good news. I'll get a new seal and bearing, and when I replace them I'll see if I have some spokes that will work.

Here's one cool thing about XRs, the quick release for the rear brake. You just pull the spring tensioner forward to release the rod, the brake stay is built into the swingarm, and there's an extension on the lower section of the swingarm to hold the wheel/brake/axle assembly. You can switch the whole thing out in seconds if you have a spare. Tres cool.



A keen observer will also note the missing spokes in that photo.

Another nice find, they provided zurk (grease) fittings for the rear suspension. I don't think I've ever seen that on another dirtbike.





After a fresh plug, oil change and clean filter, I think we'll be able to ride it a little bit and see what needs the most attention. One thing I've noticed is that the steering stops are pretty conservative, I may grind them back some to get a better turning radius
I also modified/fabricated a side stand from one I took off of an older CB. Pictures to follow....

New ride for Hannah!

We just got back from Maine, a quick visit with the Clarkes and a mission to pick up Hannah's new dirt bike. It's an '82 XR200R, "rescued" (ahem) from Aaron's shed. It's going to be a great bike for her, size and power and suspension that she can use. Can't wait to spend some time on it.



She can't either!

I think I'll try to post some progress on this as I go through it. It does have some needs, and there are some interesting details on the bike. For instance, check out how far the forks extend below the front axle! I don't know what they were thinking...

Truck fever

Well after 3 1/2 years, the Red '98 Ranger had pretty much worn me out, heat coming on by itself, flaky A/C, transmission doing funny things in lock-up mode, I decided it was time to upgrade...



so I got a Blue one. Only this is an '03, and in Rangerspeak, it's a 4.0 Edge with a handshaker, 4 door, 4X4, roll-ups, ice and cruise. I'm happy to say it's actually a nice truck and I'm getting decent fuel mileage, even driving around with the ice on.
The cap had to come off as soon as I got it home. Unfortunate, 'cause it's a nice cap.
Anybody need a Sonic Blue cap?

'75 CB125 "Pea Shooter"

This little bike has been fun to tinker with. My brother bought it from the original owner during one of the first gas crunches. Rode it for a year and then it made it's way into many basements and garages over the next decade. I got it a few years ago.
The tank is from some British single, I got the seat on ebay, the bars from one of my flattrackers. It passed a state inspection. Tires are oversize universals.
The gas tank leaks a bit, the carb could stand a cleaning, sometimes hard to start cold after it's been sitting but once you get it going it starts first kick.
Fun bike to ride. Could be a good vintage racer too.

NEMM at Rocky Ridge Raceway

The second New England Mini Moto event of the season ran today in Graniteville VT, at the home track of vtshifterkarts.com
It's a great little track with a surprising amount of elevation change and a good combination of tight and fast turns.

I managed to crash in every points race I entered. Not a very good showing, don't know how I did in the results, but last is never worth much. I also managed to wear out the promoter with my constant helpful comments and insight, sorry Aaron. I further managed to run over a guy's hand who happened to crash next to me, sorry Donald.
I did learn (...by accident...literally) why the XR100 was running so poorly (air filter), and I did determine that racing on 10+ year old crappy street tires is pretty much just a bad idea.

I did have a good time despite myself. Scott Baker graciously invited me to be his teammate on his CB125 for the enduro, which is becoming a tradition after the points racing is done. 2 riders per team, each rider with a 20 minute stint. His CB125 was a fun bike to race, decent power and tires that actually had grip.

Here's a vid of an open practice