1974 Honda XL250 motorcycle restoration part 3, resealing front forks

[@kevinhawley8803]

Fantastic job Howard

[@RobertGarity]

I don’t think I’d repaint anything. I like the patina of the old used bike and it looks pretty good on KZbin. Maybe touch up and polish everything to see how it comes out before you commit to a repaint? But of course it’s your bike, your decision. 😊

[@OldCarAlley]

The rear control arm needs paint for sure. The fender paint is rough looking too. By just doing a little extra, I will get a lot more for the bike when I sell it..... plus I enjoy doing the work.

[@RobertGarity]

@@OldCarAlleyI get it. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start and stop. I have a 72 Kawasaki G4TR Trail Boss in about the same condition. I’ve had it since the late 80’s but haven’t taken care of it in a while. Started back on it today because I watched your video on the forks. Mine have been disassembled for a year and it’s time to get them done. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@rloewen11]

Great job, Howard! You may not want to risk getting dirt on it by riding it when you're done though... 😛

[@OldCarAlley]

I'll defiantly be riding it. I ride my 76 XL175 all the time...... I thought I'd never ride it after restoring it, not wanting to get it dirty. It's easy to clean, so I ride it.

[@hughmackellar7941]

You are a master craftsman sir.

[@edcucchiarella7994]

Nice work!

[@barrydennis106]

Forks look amazing!

[@t-rodzgarage]

Nice work ! Looks great.

[@liljoeii6091]

Looks awesome THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@davidverburgt4337]

Looking good Howard!

[@guyfuller1369]

Beautiful work, as usual. Very relaxing watching you coax vintage vehicles back to shiny newness.

[@Martin48964]

Excellent work and results! She's on her way to becoming a better than new bike! I bet you can't wait to ride it.

[@OldCarAlley]

Just waiting on the registration. I want to ride it to make sure all is good, before disassembly. I'm at the point to where going for a ride is next.

[@micksterboone4517]

Finding Honda keys in stock bodes well for a 100 pointer. Nice work!

[@OldCarAlley]

Yeah, that was nice getting the factory correct keys...... Surprised they had them and the cost was surprisingly reasonable too.

[@margegsell958]

Howard, I never owned a bike but I found this video very interesting. My son has a bike and I bet he doesn’t know there is oil in the forks, I didn’t know there was. Those forks really cleaned up nice. Can’t wait to see your bike when it’s all done.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yeah they look better than new! I'm waiting on the registration so I can go for a ride, to make sure nothing else needs addressing before I disassemble it for the cosmetic and paint work.

[@ricktotty2283]

Hey bud, the fork. Two bottoms were originally clearcoated after they polished them at the factory. I’m also pretty sure that the frames are powder coated not painted.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yep, but the corrosion came through the clear in many places, so I had no choice but to polish the whole thing. I will not clear them, as once a year a little Never Dull and/or a coat of wax will keep them looking like new. This frame is a painted one.

[@ricktotty2283]

@@OldCarAlley looks great. I used to restore bikes but I always spent more than they were worth. I did enjoy it though. The motorcycle I have now is most likely the last one I will own. I like to do what you do and take such good care of them ,I can just keep driving them. I have a 2007 civic hybrid that 17 years old. 124,000 miles. Looks and runs perfectly.

[@OldCarAlley]

@@ricktotty2283 Yep, the key is looking after things..... that makes them last, no matter what it is.

[@brianhdueck3372]

Howard you make it all look so easy. It sure cleans up like new. Do you put any sealer over the polished aluminium so it holds the shine longer or just leave it polished and done?

[@OldCarAlley]

They were originally clear coated, but the corrosion popped the clear off in many places and in other places the clear peeled causing dulling. Paint of any type just docent stick to aluminum, so I'll just polish them with either Never Dull or car wax once a year. That will keep them looking new.

[@BrianPaterson-f3i]

Hi good vid ,the tyres look new are they? If not have they got a date code on them ,might be originals,wouldn’t that be interesting.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yeah, I'll have to look at the date code. The seller stated they were original.... he bought the bike new.... they are like brand spanking new, so I kinda think they might have been replaced.....

[@nickbruni8041]

👌🏼🧰⛽️