86ish XLV750?

[dangerous]

Been thinking a bit lately about changing bike styles or the option of adding a dunga do uper to the fleet...
who remembers the Honda XLV750 and can tell me about it?
Had a mate in the early days that had one they run a VT750 engine and sharft drive iirc? his was a aussie import so were they ever sold in NZ new or those that were about all imported?

[ellipsis]

...it's sitting in my shed right now D...waiting for a real man, just like you to take it off my hands...a real cool big boys toy...

[neels]

So you really did enjoy offroading on the AG100 then ;)

[Eddieb]

Paging Motu......

[iYRe]

My flatmate back in the late 80's early 90's had one.. used to take it out to whatipu for a blast of a summer day..

Great bike, it was the biggest "trail bike" of its day and got a lot of attention heh.. easy to ride, handled great.. I didnt go off road or anything really on it though.. just gravel and the odd trail

[Transalper]

Shaft drive... was thinking they don't have a shaft drive but I got confused between this XLV which I have never seen and the XRV of which I've seen several. XRV750 Africa has a chain and from what I've just read you are right with the XLV750 being shaft....
www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-XLV750R (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-XLV750R/)
Sorry nothing actually useful to add to the conversation.

ps Motus old review... www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/5465-Honda-XLV750 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/5465-Honda-XLV750)

[Paul in NZ]

calling mr Motu.....

[dangerous]

Shaft drive... was thinking they don't have a shaft drive but I got confused between this XLV which I have never seen and the XRV of which I've seen several. XRV750 Africa has a chain and from what I've just read you are right with the XLV750 being shaft.... ok best I google that, never heard nor seen a XRV, were did you see the XRV, in NZ?


So you really did enjoy offroading on the AG100 then ;)hmmmm.... yeah, that wrong of me?


...it's sitting in my shed right now D...waiting for a real man, just like you to take it off my hands...a real cool big boys toy...might have to pay a visit...

[Eddieb]

ok best I google that, never heard nor seen a XRV, were did you see the XRV, in NZ?


The XRV is the Africa Twin series.

http://www.nightwings.org/Marathon/images/big/AT650_marathon11.jpg

[dangerous]

The XRV is the Africa Twin series.yeah seen photos but never in nz, just the XL which Im not sure if it was a nz new bike or imported? 271700

[ellipsis]

...they were a bit of a thing in oz, D...bugger all came down here...I had a lot of fun on mine...definitely not for jumping about on but pretty cool on the rougher trails and gravel type stuff, not too bad on the road either...I loved every second of mine, but I ended up not having the time so it got stuck in a shed...reg on hold, not as original as mrs honda types would like to see it, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder...get out and have a squizz at it...

[dangerous]

thing is neil I love the 80's XR look and now thinking of a adventure bike but these days that have low guards and are massive, the xlv a tradional looking off road bike with a twin and a vee twin at that, how cool is that...

[98tls]

thing is neil I love the 80's XR look and now thinking of a adventure bike but these days that have low guards and are massive, the xlv a tradional looking off road bike with a twin and a vee twin at that, how cool is that...

Have to agree D,that pic you posted the thing looks like a heap of fun,wonder how it weighs in compared to a modernish Beemer etc.

[dino3310]

'caveweta' had one not long ago

[dangerous]

Have to agree D,that pic you posted the thing looks like a heap of fun,wonder how it weighs in compared to a modernish Beemer etc.thats what I mean, look at the frame, alloy box section like flash sport bikes back then, no fat over weight engines or steel frame aye... wonder if a VT1100 engine would slip on in? 271701

[Woodman]

I had a hoon on one in the 80's during a Honda ride day thing. Was pretty cool, first big bike I ever rode.

There is one I see quite often parked on Motuekas main street. Looks ok too.

[_Shrek_]

Have to agree D,that pic you posted the thing looks like a heap of fun,wonder how it weighs in compared to a modernish Beemer etc.

well it looks lighter than the sherman.... & it looks like you could have fun on it to :cool:

D..... get round to ellipsis's shed & take it for a :ride: sooner rather than later

[dangerous]

well it looks lighter than the sherman.... & it looks like you could have fun on it to :cool:

D..... get round to ellipsis's shed & take it for a :ride: sooner rather than later
Ive been in his many sheds... nothing prety about any of the contents LOL but they all seem to go... if all else fails wonder how one would go as a post classic motard

:devil2: MEAN :devil2:

[98tls]

Ive been in his many sheds... nothing prety about any of the contents LOL but they all seem to go... if all else fails wonder how one would go as a post classic motard

:devil2: MEAN :devil2:

How about sliding a VTR motor in there,ive a pic somewhere of a TL1000 based tard some Jap put together,farkin awesome thing.

[Motu]

You called...? The XLV750 has no relationship to any other Honda V Twin - a 45 degree aircooled dry sumped engine is not something Honda does, but the XLV750 is the exception. There are theories why - a Paris/Dakar bike to go up against the BMW twins...air cooling and shaft drive was considered the way to go back then. Simplicity of servicing - spin on oil filter, an airfilter in the tank, a 1/4 turn and it's out, hydraulic lash adjusters...they only had 30 minutes at the end of the day to work on the bike. But it was a privateers bike, not a factory racer, Honda did that a bit later.

Then there is the Harley XR750 - a 45 degree aircooled dry sump V Twin....with the same bore and stroke as the XLV750. The engine cases were used as homogulated items to build the RS750 - the bike that could beat the XR750 on the dirttracks.

I loved my XLV750, but for a petite 5' 7'' bloke it was way too big off road. Weighs as much as a BMW, but it's like riding with 2 bags of cement on your lap, the CG is just too much too high. I used mine for back roads and gravel....but did get sucked into going off road a few times - a bike you can't pick up is way too embarrassing to ride. Good fun on gravel, but like most big bikes it takes a lot to get it slowed down for corners - the same size tyres as a bike half it's weight, so laws of nature come into effect.

The gorgeous French colours D model didn't come to NZ, but the ugly F model did. Most were black/ maroon, rare was the black/blue (Cave Weta had/has one) and even more rare was the black/silver. The early model had some cam chain issues (it's a Honda) supposed to be sorted on the F model. I couldn't keep buying bikes and rotating them to the back of the shed, so was really, really sad to see my XLV750 go. I think it ended up in the Sth Is.

To me it rode like a huge XR250 on seal and gravel, so I painted it XR red.

Saw one in town last week - I was going somewhere, when i got back 10 mins later it was gone....

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/PortAlbert9.jpg

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/XLV750.jpg

[98tls]

Nice M,looks like a heap of fun to me.

[98tls]

Found pic of said TL tard.http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92/tlme/SupermotoTLR1000_KTM950supermotoKILLER2Medium.jpg

[ellipsis]

...my tartan paint job seems to attract piss-takers around here, but here we go again...:rolleyes:...the guard and dash cover and seat are in the shed...the mufflers rusted out and they got replaced with whatever I had to hand at the the...hd I think...

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/motorcycle-mania/XLV750.jpg

[Transalper]

ok best I google that, never heard nor seen a XRV, were did you see the XRV, in NZ?....

The XLV definitely looks more dirt worthy than the XRV, XRV has fairing similar to a bigger version of the 600 Transalp.
I've seen two XRV's in Christchurch (KBers thepom and thetourist both had them) and there's another up French Pass way... and a whole thread for the XRV650 and 750 here on KB (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/99038-Africa-Twin-owners-and-wannabes-thread?highlight=africa+twin)and the tourist can be seen sliding about in mud on road tyres on his in one of my videos. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L5n5bq7D5s&feature=plcp)

But again XRV quite a different bike to the XLV which has your interest.

[_Shrek_]

...my tartan paint job seems to attract piss-takers around here

I wonder why ;)

[dangerous]

The XLV750 has no relationship to any other Honda V Twin - a 45 degree aircooled dry sumped engine is not something Honda does, but the XLV750 is the exception. There are theories why - a Paris/Dakar bike to go up against the BMW twins...air cooling and shaft drive was considered the way to go back then. Simplicity of servicing - spin on oil filter, an airfilter in the tank, a 1/4 turn and it's out, hydraulic lash adjusters...ahhh, very interesting I was sure they were a VT engine but there ya go aye... what are lash adjusters, tappits? and Im now thinking parts would be hard to get.



one of my videos.awesome, bit of damage going on tho, did you have to drain ya bike after ditching it in the river and the poor xrv diving in the stones after the same crossing, that would done the tank in. Where was that trip?

[Motu]

ahhh, very interesting I was sure they were a VT engine but there ya go aye... what are lash adjusters, tappits? and Im now thinking parts would be hard to get.

Malcolm at Econohonda has owned an XLV750, so no need to explain to the parts person what you are talking about. Anything I ever wanted for the XLV750 he got or had on shelf.

And the 45 degree engine has an offset crank, it fires as a 90 deg engine - like a Ducati.

[Transalper]

.....awesome, bit of damage going on tho, did you have to drain ya bike after ditching it in the river and the poor xrv diving in the stones after the same crossing, that would done the tank in. Where was that trip?

Yes, squeezed the air filter, pulled the sparkplug and tipped on end for exhaust but the oil did not turn white so all good and going again in half an hour to continue the ride.
The ride started at North Loburn in to Lees Valley then on to private land where the river was which we each paid a small fee for access to. It was one of my favourite rides but we've only been in there a couple of times all told.

[nudemetalz]

Found pic of said TL tard.

Bet it wheelies pretty good :)

I have always liked the XLV's. Sorta a forerunner to the V-Strom 650 but with more style.

[neels]

So you really did enjoy offroading on the AG100 then ;)

hmmmm.... yeah, that wrong of me?
Nope, nothing wrong with that at all, being a recent born again offroader I understand completely.

The 750 sounds like a good compromise for you D, an offroader but you still get a v-twin engine, and not a lot heavier than the new KLR650 I saw at the dealers the other day :2thumbsup

Mentioned this to a guy at work, his comment was that it sounds like the same engine as a NV750, a quick trip to the interwebs and it looks like he's right.....

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_xlv750%2085.htm

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_nv750_custom.htm

[Motu]

No, the NV750 is water cooled - different engine. XLV750 and RS750 - those are the only engines with that crankcase.

[Motu]

2nd sighting today, so looks like we have an XLV750 in town. Might be a resto or rebuild - nice shiny tank with no stickers. Time for some detective work.

[dangerous]

his comment was that it sounds like the same engine as a NV750, a quick trip to the interwebs and it looks like he's right.....The NV is the VT just the jap modle name, which is what I thought the XLV had, but motu says not...? and Motu save me googling what is the RS750?

[98tls]

Bet it wheelies pretty good :)

Seems to...................

[_Shrek_]

Seems to...................

are you still walk'n for do'n that on ....... :corn:

[ellipsis]

...RS750...

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/motorcycle-mania/Honda750Flat-tracker-1.jpg

[Motu]

what is the RS750?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=212332&stc=1&d=1249033601

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/membersonly/museum/images/b25/classmar_600.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/TrailingJack/motorcycle/NickyonXR7501998.jpg

[ellipsis]

...when silly people ask about the best bike...my mind snaps to an image of the RS750 and I get a big horn on...so for me it must be the horniest bike in the universe...

[dangerous]

...when silly people ask about the best bike...my mind snaps to an image of the RS750 and I get a big horn on...so for me it must be the horniest bike in the universe...cool... so looking at that engine in the RS, does it look the same as the XLV? ie: engine casings, barrels, head, filter I see looking like dogs balls, note carbs in back of barrel pipes out the frount thats old school the XLV like that?

[98tls]

are you still walk'n for do'n that on ....... :corn:

No.:banana:

[ellipsis]

...here ya go D, give this to one of your boys to colour in...you can have any casings you want then...

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85/motorcycle-mania/xlv750r.jpg

[dangerous]

...here ya go D, give this to one of your boys to colour in...you can have any casings you want then...
so there are simerlaitys with the RS but defnitly not the same engine... all very interesting tho
Whats the milage on yours, burn oil rattle much?

[ellipsis]

...she was parked up on its side stand as a warranted registered bike a long time ago, five years maybe longer... a strong running thing of awe and majesty...problematic carb diaphagm, torn probably...a starter motor that wasn't the best on any of them, from day one, or so i've read...fukd if i know the mileage...i'll have a look tomorrow...there was a battery charge problem i think, at the time it was parked up...regs/recs, may have just been a stuffed battery too..

[Motu]

cool... so looking at that engine in the RS, does it look the same as the XLV? ie: engine casings, barrels, head, filter I see looking like dogs balls, note carbs in back of barrel pipes out the frount thats old school the XLV like that?

They used the same crankcase - check out the oil filter and gearshift locations. The RS was a race bike, so had 4 valve heads and carbs at the rear of each head. Same as the difference between a Sportster and an XR750. OK, so you can't see the gearshift, but they have the lever coming from the front of the cases back, a bit different from your normal shift lever. Seeing as the point of going to a 45 degree V twin for flattrack was to get the traction of the Harley, I haven't been able to find out what firing interval the RS had. Did it fire like a Harley...or like the XLV ? I have some videos of Ricky Graham cleaning up at Springfield and Ascot on the RS750, but can't notice any difference in sound with the Honda - I think they must've ran them as a single pin....but maybe they had choices for different tracks.

[BMWST?]

slightly ot there is a guy selling an xtz 750 yammie on here somewhere....That and the africa twin would be very similar to the xlv( or a r100gs beemer)

[dangerous]

OK... so, maybe I could manage a starter motor, I mean single... quite like the 650 Dominator, ideal actually... so changing the thread from XLV to NX... I asume the engine is a XR650 RFVC, which iirc as small bores had issues, what bout the 650?

[dino3310]

There a bloody good donkey in them NX650's, got the kick starter as well as the lecky leg.

[Transalper]

Hey D, Bugs has a Domie, could be for sale if it isn't already gone. Bit scruffy his one though.

[cooneyr]

...I asume the engine is a XR650 RFVC, ...

XR650L not XR650R. L is air cooled not water and is more akin to a over bored 600. 650 is a different beast though knowing a little of Honda there will be a lot of similarity as well.

[dangerous]

Hey D, Bugs has a Domie, could be for sale if it isn't already gone. Bit scruffy his one though.How the hell would he manage to clime aboard one of them? so thats what he swaped the Laverda for, hopfully he has the same cell number as 2yrs ago then.
The Domie is electrick start yeah?


There a bloody good donkey in them NX650's, got the kick starter as well as the lecky leg.HUH lecky leg?

[Underground]

How the hell would he manage to clime aboard one of them? so thats what he swaped the Laverda for, hopfully he has the same cell number as 2yrs ago then.
The Domie is electrick start yeah?

HUH lecky leg?

Early Dommies had both kick and letrik, mine's got both which came in real handy on the last dusy after my battery failed .
In 'Honda speak' I think you'll find that the 'L' stands for Letrik as in XR650L
The engine in my one is really rooted but it still runs faultlessly....I'm just plucking up the courage to rip its guts out and put some shiny new bits in there.

[dino3310]

The Domie is electrick start yeah?

HUH lecky leg?

after a few sherry's its called a lecky leg, before the sherry's its called an electric start:lol:

[dangerous]

after a few sherry's its called a lecky leg, before the sherry's its called an electric start:lol:Ok, Im a whisky drinker so I didnt know that... :doh:


Bit scruffy his one though.whats scruffy bout it? didnt relise they were back in chch

[Transalper]

Ok, Im a whisky drinker so I didnt know that... :doh:

whats scruffy bout it? didnt relise they were back in chch

I only seen it in his garage when they were out Rangiora, ages ago, I remember it needed some TLC. Don't remember specifics.
I take it you've caught up with him now, I'd be about due for another visit too, only Liz was home when I was last there.