Bulletproof: A crisp 1972 Honda XL 250 by Mule Bikes

The reliability of Honda bikes is known. When this 1972 Honda XL 250 arrived at Mule Bikes, Richard Pollock had a protracted listing of efficiency upgrades and beauty modifications to work by way of. However when it got here to the engine, some timing changes and a carb rebuild have been all it took for the 51-year-old thumper to run true.

“The donor bike was in high form,” Richard tells us. “One lesson I realized way back, was the higher the donor, the higher the top product.”

Remarkably, Richard remembers engaged on Honda XL 250s after they have been model new, as a result of his first job was in a Honda motorbike workshop. “It’s path bike, however not a motocrosser,” he says. “In inventory trim; 250 cc, a 6V electrical system, drum brakes entrance and rear, and manufactured earlier than flip indicators have been a regular requirement on all bikes.”

“In modified type, with closely upgraded motor output and in light-weight frames, these bikes and motors are nonetheless very fashionable in classic flat monitor racing. This one, nonetheless, was sourced as a very inventory unit, with the shopper requesting a considerably extra trendy look.”

Mule Bikes is finest identified for its unparalleled flat monitor builds—however Richard is a much more versatile motorbike builder than most individuals notice. He at present has ten builds within the queue, spanning myriad marques and construct types. And sure, he’s well-versed in classic Honda scramblers.

At a look, this Honda XL 250 appears to be like like a gentle restomod. However it’s sporting a bunch of delicate modifications, that add as much as give it a slicker vibe than it initially had.

Richard began by stripping the bike down, then cleansing up and sand-blasting the body and swingarm. He then stretched the swingarm by an inch and a half, trimmed and looped the subframe, and added new steering stops up entrance. All the pieces was then coated black and reassembled with contemporary suspension elements.

A set of Mule yokes grips the forks from a Yamaha FZR600 up entrance, whereas new YSS shocks prop up the rear. The 18” drum brake-equipped rear wheel continues to be in play, however the venture referred to as for a disc brake improve on the entrance wheel. Richard made it occur by piecing collectively components from an extremely different listing of sources.

The 21” entrance wheel comes off a Yamaha YZ450F motocross bike, whereas the axle and brake caliper have been borrowed from a Triumph Bonneville. Richard fabricated a {custom} bracket for the latter, then put in a 300 mm Yamaha rotor onto a custom-made provider with Brembo floating bobbins. The retro trials-style rubber comes from Shinko.

The bodywork appears to be like period-correct, nevertheless it’s solely actually the gas tank that’s nonetheless inventory. The seat specialists Corbin made the saddle to spec, combining the traditional enduro bike chunkiness with a completely trendy gripper cloth. The fenders are copy Honda CR250 gadgets, which go well with this construct completely.

The entrance fender sits on a {custom} bracket that doubles up as a headlight mount, whereas the rear fender wears a traditional rectangular taillight. True to the period there aren’t any flip indicators—however there are reflectors.

A set of duplicate Cz 360 handlebars adorn the cockpit, fitted with Renthal grips, a Nissin brake grasp cylinder, a brand new throttle, and some important switches. The ignition now sits on the left of the bike, whereas the choke sits simply in entrance of the bars. The cables are all-new, provided by Xlint Efficiency, an organization that makes a speciality of OEM components for XL-series bikes.

Regardless that the engine didn’t want any work on the within, it now appears to be like model new on the skin. The covers have been achieved in a tungsten-colored Cerakote end, and Randy Troy rebuilt the carb. All advised this XL 250 must be good for one more century.

Rounding out the spec are a handful of smaller CNC-machined components and a really cheeky exhaust system. It makes use of a chrome steel header pipe, a brief MX-style muffler, and a custom-made exit pipe, all to create a setup that Richard admits “doesn’t muffle a lot!”

A crisp, and considerably conventional, livery pushes the XL 250 over the end line, courtesy of David Tovar at SBK Paint. And as shiny as it’s, we will’t assist however lengthy to see it soiled.

Mule Motorcycles | Instagram | Pictures by Bart Cepek