Honda SL100 restore - last started in 1992

[bert_is_evil]

My first bike has been lovingly stored in my mum's warm dry sleepout under a cosy blanket for the last 25 years. When it was last used it was running well, with the exception of an annoying electrical fault which caused the bike to cut out if you turned the handlebars hard left, or rode at top speed (70ish kph) for more than a few minutes. It would then refuse to start for 30 minutes or so, resulting in a lot of long walks home pushing said bike. I don't plan to use it and it's mighty 13hp but I'd like to get it running - what is required to get a bike that hasn't been started in 25 years going (aside from the obvious new battery)? Is getting it running actually the best thing for it long term or would it be better if I just left it alone?

[AllanB]

Depends how it was stored.

Fuel tank may be full of rust now - any form of fuel anywhere will be varnish. If the tank looks suspect bypass it with a rig-up tank and fuel line to get it going.

Carb will need cleaning

Everything in the engine will be lacking in lube. The oil itself is past it's good life.

Battery will be shit.



Ya know what I'd do?

Pull the plug and gently turn the engine over to check it is not seized.

Drain the oil and refill with fresh oil (whatever is on special as you'll change it again very quickly)

Those Hondas have the large inspection holes in the head for valve clearance adjustments? If so pop them open and put a bit of fresh oil in there so the (hopeful) start-up is not on metal to metal. Not too much!

New or donor battery.

New Plug

Check air filter to ensure it has not be a home to mice or spiders and that the filter has not rotted waiting to be sucked into your engine.

Still got points on that motor I think - if so make sure they are clean.

Prime the carb (try to drain first and see if anything drips out - I doubt it).


Then have a crack at firing it up. It's a Honda -it will run. Probably run if you just kick it over now without doing any of the above.

If it runs I'd not be surprised if it spits and farts about without a carb strip and clean but at least you'll know it's a runner.

[Akzle]

five buck and a bag of chips

[bert_is_evil]

Thanks AllanB, this is really helpful!

Akzle, thanks for the generous offer but she's not for sale

[caseye]

Thanks AllanB, this is really helpful!

Akzle, thanks for the generous offer but she's not for sale

An that is his absolute Best Offer too! Welcome and yes, it's a gay Nonda and it will probably start without a thing being done.
Go on, give it a birthday, get it running, pull the handle bars and forks off and check for rubbed through wiring on the headstock. Likely it's shorting out when you're turning left, overheating and causing ubtold issues.
Lets know how you get on.

[Voltaire]

My first bike was a well used SL 125, spent far too much money at Kingsland Honda on it.
Achilles heel on those Honda singles was the cam running directly in the head with points on the end.
This was sorted out by putting an XR 200 motor in which is a direct swap. A real sleeper.....
They look very small these days.
Axlie sounded pretty keen to become a bike rider.

[actungbaby]

Get it going mate what a cool bike esp if you like them. i have a Xl100 k2
I had since 1986 . it looks like hell it did when i got it. hasint gone in so long maybe 12 years . cant part with. i just loved it , it whouldint be my main bike . though for some years it was. i used ride from palmerston north to feliding most weekends . i add a photo well i add my own post not to crash yours. if you want to look at it. my bike had issue with . not sure what you call it . i say magento had a short in one the wires got it rewond. chould be your issue . mine whould stop a jerk about then go again. sort like was running out fuel light whould dim etc. this is from memory 20 years ago.
i have taken engine apart completly and gearbox to 30 years ago . and yeah there easy to fix. was no real need for it i just wanted too. clean it. well truth the engine oil never been changed and was always mucking up the new stuff. i had mag rewond in 1990. and was great . i was always told mine was a sl 100 not that it matters . because i always said it was xl100 .the sl was before the xl but to me they look the same. i be trying buy another for years for the rear guard . mine whould do 70 kph .
I cant imagine it be to bad to restore theres shit its late guy up north i got parts from i remember in the morning . oh mr kirby encho honda.and also ebay . i been trying get a second had stator as dont rewind here know. mine stoped working first time 8 years ago. i ran it with knacked battery and think damaged the stator as it missed but just keep riding it. oh one thing
mine did was it snap of the small 10 mm under the points cover , and few times it stop beacause of it. but just a case replacing it and of it went.

Id just drain the oil replace it . or even just try kick it over , be no fuel left in the tank just add some try it. your not going to do any harm trying, go from there . i think look at mine and try it too see how it goes . i can, let you know. been wanting to for ages.

My first bike has been lovingly stored in my mum's warm dry sleepout under a cosy blanket for the last 25 years. When it was last used it was running well, with the exception of an annoying electrical fault which caused the bike to cut out if you turned the handlebars hard left, or rode at top speed (70ish kph) for more than a few minutes. It would then refuse to start for 30 minutes or so, resulting in a lot of long walks home pushing said bike. I don't plan to use it and it's mighty 13hp but I'd like to get it running - what is required to get a bike that hasn't been started in 25 years going (aside from the obvious new battery)? Is getting it running actually the best thing for it long term or would it be better if I just left it alone?

[actungbaby]

all i was going to say . with the make shift tank what do you use that petrol safe. another bike tank. got to but ninja 250 motor replacment and just want get it started tank as old as the hills 87 model. i have petrol container i guess i chould gravity feed. though not to keen on another mouth full fuel yuk.

Oh i have a Haynes 1978-1994 manuall covers these engines . 80-to 200 cc.
u can borrow it if you like .