May 12, 200719 yr Having been unable to find a slimline sherpa to restore I've decided to freshen up the Honda, not much choise really as the spokes and rims are decidely iffy, and whilst the wheels are out why stop there... Anyway, your views on the best approach would be welcome; for instance I'm thinking of a one piece seat/tank unit and preserving the original, and maybe nickel plating the frame. Is this a no-no, are there any sensible mods I should consider whilst it's in bits? Mick Annick
May 13, 200719 yr I have just posted some of my mods i did to my tlr200 at the end of "restoration projects" in the classic trials forum and also in the lastest ''honda reflex'' post in the the Twinshock forum. These Hondas are alot of fun to build and lots you can do to improve on them.
May 13, 200719 yr I have recently 'freshened up' one of my TLR's, I went for powder coating the frame - not ideal since boots do rub through the coating and powder coating does chip. A nickel plated frame would be nice but would be cery expensive since this requires a lot of prep work. Other things I have done are modify swinging arm (well 2nd hand one from Ebay) to allow normal length shocks to be used. extend bash plate to protect casings when bike falls on side Lower compression using very thick base gasket - makes 250 run much smoother with less chance of stalling in sections - common mod for 250's reprofile inlet manifold to remove step between carb and head - dont know if it does any good or not! There are numerous other little things I have done over the years but I would recommend lowering the compression - opposite from what our friends across the pond do to their 200's. I am currently looking at modifying a Montesa 249 alloy tank & fibreglass cover to give me what I want at a reasonable cost - alloy tank and seat with slim profile.
May 13, 200719 yr Author Thanks for the ideas guys, lowering the compression a tad to make it stall less sounds most attractive. Mick
June 2, 200719 yr Author OK, I'm now committed to the rebuild and plan the following: Whitlock RS frame, nickel plated +alloy s/a Wheels rebuilt using Excel rims, hubs stripped and repainted New Renthal bars Venhill cables Classictrial one piece seat tank unit The Talon sprockets are nearly new and will go back on, as will the mudguards. Given it's 23 years old the engine ought to be stripped and rebuilt, and as I'm technically incompetent, who do you reccommend I get to do the job? I'll preserve all the displaced parts for those that come after me and ask "why did you do it?" Mick
June 22, 200719 yr Mick, I've used PJ Engineering to rebuild my RTL and TLM engines. Paul really knows his stuff and he was able to sleeve the TLM and then rebore it to the old piston. They also offer a very good postal service. David
July 4, 200719 yr Author Well, it's all apart now and my shoddy maintenance is there for all to see... Biggest problem looks to be the drive sprocket is very loose on the shaft; I remember this being discussed before, but are the shafts still available? Mick
July 16, 200719 yr Author So far, apart from stripping it, the fork seals have been replaced, frame gone away for painting (finances wouldn't run to a Whitlock frame), gearbox shaft found along with a few other bits, engine being stripped (thanks Paul), but still seriously considering an alloy swinging arm as there's lots of rust rattling around inside mine... I'm told the original Honda cables are superior to Venhill - anyone any experience of either? I also haven't yet decided on who to use to sort the original problem - rebuilding the wheels - any recommendations? What was the original finish on the exhaust front pipe? I'm told it was black paint but mine looks like it's been chromed, albeit it does look very dark. Mick
December 21, 200718 yr Author I pick the frame up from the painters today (couldn't afford a Whitlock one ), and get a new alloy swinging arm next week. The engine has been rebuilt - light hone and new piston, cam chain kit and seals topped off with a repaint, though they've painted it completely black so have to rub back the ends of the fins - any ideas for a heat resistant clear lacquer to protect them? What was the original finish on the exhaust front pipe? I'm told it was black paint but mine looks like it's been chromed, albeit it does look very dark. Thanks Mick
December 21, 200718 yr Author Haven't decided on rims yet - will be going over to CWC in Coleshill after the holiday to look at the options Mick
March 1, 200818 yr Author The wheels are now at CWC at Coleshill for new rims, stainless spokes and hub repainting, topped of with Michelin tyres and tubes. All the chrome bits have gone to Marque Restore at Coventry for replating. I've managed to source most of the bolts needed in stainless steel and am looking forward to putting it altogether. The only things I now need are a proper gearlever - short alloy one rather than the nasty steel folding tip one I have - any ideas? I could also do with a new front sprocket cover... I'm off to Tokyo in a few weeks and have my son scouting around for bits out there but he's not managed to turn anything up yet, but I live in hope. Mick
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