1979 Honda XR

ME025003082

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1979 Honda XR 185. This XR 185 is a 98% original (new tires, handlebar, grips & chain), 1,100 mile, street legal (!), vintage time machine. I looked for a long time to find an original XR from this period that wasn’t butchered or run into the ground and finally found this one. This XR has all original paint, a dent free and rust free gas tank, original fenders, and the original exhaust. The engine runs and shifts very well and the clutch works as it should. Titled in Iowa for both street and off road use, I planned on keeping this bike forever but plans change and I have too many bikes and some must go – my loss is your gain. These vintage XR’s were considered in the day to be quite competitive with the IT & PE’s of the day. The 185cc engine is identical to the XR 200 engine except for bore and the parts mostly interchange (ignition & 1st gear ratio changed in the ‘80’s but other than that the parts are the same). Overall the bike is in great shape for a lightly used trail bike – there are the typical scratches in the plastic, dents in the muffler along with wear marks and scratches in the frame and side covers. Frame is the original OEM frame with no damage, dented tubes, broken brackets, stripped threads or rust. Wheels are in very good shape with new Bridgestone tires. The hubs front and rear are very nice with little if any oxidation and the original black paint is shiny and the spokes have typical light corrosion. The front fork was disassembled & cleaned with new fork seals & fluid installed along with restored lower fork legs. The upper fork legs are near perfect with some minor pitting in the triple clamp area. The original fork boots were cleaned and re-used as they are still pliable with no cracks. OEM rear shocks have worn paint but have no leaks or rust on the shafts. Brake shoes and drum internals are all original and in great shape. The original sprockets (steel front and aluminum rear) are in great shape and the chain was replaced. Other new parts include a new OEM Honda carburetor, petcock and fuel line. Engine runs great with no unusual sounds and no smoke. Other than a tune up (new spark plug, air filter, valve adjustment, oil filter cleaning) it was left alone. The original carb. worked fine but needed some minor parts/seals so I just went ahead and replaced with a new one since I wanted absolutely no issues with this XR. There is some oil seeping around the head gasket but nothing major – not worth a tear down of the excellent running engine in my opinion. The exhaust pipe was cleaned & painted. The rear muffler section is notorious for rusting out in this model and replacements aren’t available anymore but this one was in very good shape considering the age. Some rust through in the rear tail pipe area was repaired with a patch and there are some dents but otherwise it is very solid. The rear pipe doesn’t look very good with the dents but it is solid. Exhaust sounds great – not too loud but has a throaty sound. The side covers are original – the L side cover looks new but the R side is scratched and the lower mount is broke through but it still works and the broken piece is still attached so it could be repaired. All of the handlebar controls and cables are original and still work great. I added a front brake switch to meet minimal street legal requirements and the lights all work. Included with the sale will be the original tool kit, carb. & handlebar (great shape). Visits to see the bike before the sale are encouraged. I’m so confident in my description of this bike that if the buyer doesn’t agree that this bike was described accurately at the time of purchase I will refund the deposit and cancel the sale. With that said, this bike is sold with no warranty given or implied. The buyer must arrange for their own shipping of the motorcycle but I will be happy to work with the buyer on shipping logistics. Bike can be stored for up to 2 weeks until picked up. Bike located in West Des Moines, IA. Please call Greg with any questions: 515-537-5979.