Who's that back yard motorcycle fixer upper?

[Irving]

I've got a bike I'm going to try and fix up with my grandpa. It is a 1985ish Honda XL185S. I know there are some bike guys on here, where is the best place to gets parts for it?

I know it needs a clutch handle right now.

Anyone know if there is a kit or something that would allow me to mount a more powerful engine in it? I know it's not really worth doing a swap on, but I thought it'd be cool to do if possible.

Thanks.

[roberth]

You could try Denver Used Motorcycle Parts (DUMP) for the clutch lever.

[BPTactical]

The problem you are going to run into with an 80 something rice grinder is the parts are going to be obsolete. The Jap manufacturers typically make parts for 3 to 5 years for a particular model then stop.
In addition to the DUMP I recall a place off of Sante Fe and Oxford called Koch Motorcycle Salvage that I used a few years ago when I was restoring a Huskie WR 250. I dont know, they may not be around anymore.
Internet forums and E-Bay would be good sources also.

[TFOGGER]

Call me... TFOG Wheelsports 303-216-2400. Parts are readily available, most from Honda, and a huge aftermarket.

[mx'r]

Steele's motorcycle salvage off of south sante fe.. they've got thousands of bikes to pull parts from.

[TFOGGER]

I've got a bike I'm going to try and fix up with my grandpa. It is a 1985ish Honda XL185S. I know there are some bike guys on here, where is the best place to gets parts for it?

I know it needs a clutch handle right now.

Anyone know if there is a kit or something that would allow me to mount a more powerful engine in it? I know it's not really worth doing a swap on, but I thought it'd be cool to do if possible.

Thanks.

The 200 engine is a bolt in, but any power gains are going to be minimal. Accept it for what it is: A great little dual sport runabout.

You could try Denver Used Motorcycle Parts (DUMP) for the clutch lever.

Out of business for at least 6 years. I bought a lot of their old inventory at auction.

The problem you are going to run into with an 80 something rice grinder is the parts are going to be obsolete. The Jap manufacturers typically make parts for 3 to 5 years for a particular model then stop.
In addition to the DUMP I recall a place off of Sante Fe and Oxford called Koch Motorcycle Salvage that I used a few years ago when I was restoring a Huskie WR 250. I dont know, they may not be around anymore.
Internet forums and E-Bay would be good sources also.

XL185 parts are not bad to get. We still routinely get OEM parts for bikes from the 70s.

[buffalobo]

Pics, need pics, before, during and after. Old bike and pappy, sounds like fun.

[HBARleatherneck]

i had a xl185 until some meth head stole it.

thanks for bringing up bad memories.

i loved that little bike.

now i have to ride my kids 80,50 or my harley.

whoa is me. nobody knows the trouble ive seen, nobody knows my sorrow.

[OgenRwot]

If you call any of the online places...or your local shop, they can look up parts for you out of any suppliers book. I used to work in the motorcycle industry and we had thousands of pages of parts to look through from several different suppliers. There are parts out there for older bikes, you just wont find them listed on websites.

[Irving]

TFOGGER! You're the guy! Thanks for responding.

HBARLeatherneck, when I get it finished, I plan to store it on the land up by you. Maybe I'll ride it over to your place.

Mr. Fogger,
I bought the bike from friends back in high school. I know it will never be very fast, but figured that people must have modded them. This one has a larger rear sproket, so even going down hill I was only ever able to get it up to about 50 mph. This is really the only motorcycle that I could ever ride, so it is perfect for my skill level. Shortly after I bought it, my friends took me to the track out in Watkins and I rode around on the little track all day. By the end of the day I could clear all the jumps and didn't crash all day long. I was pretty proud. Too bad that was 10 years ago and I only ever rode it around in my neighborhood after that.

Anyway, if I screwed up my motor too bad (I probably didn't) should I just pick up a 200 and throw it in there?

Thanks for all the responses guys!

By the way, my grandpa rebuilds old Indian motorcycles. If you are into old bikes and live in this state, you've probably heard of him. He also has the oldest car in the state (that we know of).