Honda xr650l engine - Horizons Unlimited

**mjp.xrl** · #1 27 Dec 2005

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all!!

I am looking for someone who can help me with my XR650L engine.I am currently in south africa and will be here for another 8 months but my bike is in london.We are planning a trip through africa at the end of 2006.I am looking for a reliable mechanic or workshop in or near london who can have a look at my bike's engine and gearbox and do any repairs that is necessary.
Thank you
Cheers

**BCK_973** · #2 27 Dec 2005

Is anything wrong with it? funny noices?
I think Richlees is "the man" to asked in UK.
He is a Honda single cilinder expert.
If its running fine leave it that way.Now if you think a service is needed......
Happy new year in SA.
KH

**RichLees** · #3 28 Dec 2005

I'm flattered, BCK, but not an engine expert. I don't know that I'd call myself an expert at anything much. perhaps third world hospitals and emergency repatriation of myself and others?

I'd suggest riding it to see if it needs anything. did you buy it from Mark Crook? 40,000km? if so, I imagine he'd have changed the oil reasonably regularly. I wouldn't strip it all down to check it. allow yourself 2 days and you should have 1-1.5 days left over from the following
1) listen to it
2) check for smoke - black = running rich, white = oil
3) check/change the plug and valve gaps and compression
4) if you've got a spare tenner for the gasket, pull off the rocker cover to check for wear on the top end. while you're there, you could also whip out the cam chain tensioner to check the blade for wear, but, more interestingly, you can check how far the tensioner has moved in to take up cam chain stretch. if in doubt, you'll also need a clutch cover gasket, but you can swap the cam chain easily enough. best done at home!!
5) check the clutch basket for wear. without cush drives in the rear wheel, the basket seems to take some abuse on the housing and, with such a tall 1st gear, the alloy plates get worn, too.

the extra couple of days to do this yourself is worth it because it will help you get familiar with the ins and outs of the Dommie engine. failing that, any Honda shop should be able to work on it. well, maybe not the little one I found in Moshi, but a UK one!

**RichLees** · #4 28 Dec 2005

more importantly ... have a great trip!

**BCK_973** · #5 28 Dec 2005

Rich
You have some experties! give your self a bit credit!
Most riders begin to panic when a new noice come from the engine!!!!!!
Saludos
KH

**JonStobbs** · #6 29 Dec 2005

One little thing i would add to RichLees's list is while you've got the clutch cover off,fit a set of slightly up-rated clutch springs.EBC part number should be CSK28 (check this tho) and they're 15% uprated.Well worth it for the small cost.

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Just going for a short ride on my bike....

**mjp.xrl** · #7 29 Dec 2005

Thanks for all the info!
I did not buy the bike from mark crook.I bought the bike in the north of the Uk.The bike is a '93 model.I have put a 1000 ml on the clock since a bought it.Nothing wrong with it but it did not whant to start after 2 months riding,I just checked and adjusted the valves and everything was back to normal,it also used oil during this time but I do not know if this was due to the valve clearance.I started the bike a week later just before i left for SA and left it idling for a few minutes.It started smoking and idling got iregular after about 10 minutes idling.I cheched the valve clearance again but nothing was wrong.The bike started normally after an hour as if nothing was wrong.
The guy I bought it from has never opened the engine and could not tell me if the guy before him did.He had it for 4 years but did not really use it for the last year or so.
I was going to open the engine just to chech the sleeve and piston rings and replace the clutch and fit a new camchain but everything hapened a bit quickly.
Now I am looking for someone that can do all this for me and just go over the hole engine since I am not really going to have enough time when I get back to the Uk.
Thanks for all your replies sofar.
Cheers

**BCK_973** · #8 29 Dec 2005

Why replacing the clutch? I have over 70.000 miles on it and still perfect.
From time to time my old lady(94) smokes a bit at starting.But not longer then 10 seconds.Then gone.Nothing to worrie.Replaced piston and rings once.Also the chain and guides.
Good luck on your trip and hope met you here in BA.
Bye
KH

**JonStobbs** · #9 30 Dec 2005

Probably not a lot of help to you as you're in London and i'm on the West coast of Wales,but i'd be able to do whatever you want to your bike.16 yrs experience as mechanic and owner of 2 of Honda's finest at the moment.But Wales is a bit of a long way to go for an engine checkover!

**mjp.xrl** · #10 4 Jan 2006

Thanks in anycase for overing your help jonstobbs!
Really looking for someone in and around london cause a friend off mine is going to move the bike for me so can't really ask him to ride to wales.
Cheers

**Sime66** · #11 4 Jan 2006

XR650L is the same engine as a Dominator, yes?
I bought a Dommie at Motoserv in King's Cross and the mechanics there are great. I think it's Acton Street, WC1 - if not it's the next street up. Speak to Anthony or Adam.

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Simon

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick

**Sime66** · #12 4 Jan 2006

More info:

Motoserv
18, Acton St, London, WC1X 9ND
Tel: 020 7837 0472

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Simon

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick