Can We Get These Old Hondas Running Again? You Won't Believe It!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Captains log - Day 8: Productivity has dropped to zero. The dirt pile behind the shop is all but gone after 1000s of climbs over it. Seth has now set up camp on top of one of the bikes. All hope is lost.

[@1234567marks]

@@BrickHouseBuilds illogical Captain 🤨

[@diggy-d8w]

This IS how I define a motorcycle..... lmao, the 1st bike I remember seeing in my like was in 1968-70 that I saw 750four on it's side. I was allowed to revv the bike & I was about 8-9 as I remember. The gas tanks were almost level w/ the seat, not exactly but not bulging or protruding out/up ~ just kinda a straight line from seat to bars. What's really kool is finding them & finding them in reasonable good shape. Any deterioration would mean I'm not able to fix it but you my friend, can do it so I love watching it..... happy holiday season. peace & GB

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@diggy-d8w 🤘🤘

[@peterdickson6578]

Great wee bikes, my first bike was a 76 TS250M I traded it after two yesrs for a 79 XL185s. The XL was a great trail bike, a generational improvement over the road biased TS which was a competent back road scratcher even on Japanese trail tyres.

[@dennisrosler5918]

What a great find! "Old Hondas never die!" Words to live by.

[@johndifabrizio2067]

Old Honda 4 strokes are built tuff! I love the fact that they just start up. What a great find!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They want to run thats for sure

[@johnkelly2279]

Great stuff, I have a 97 transalp 600 I rescued from an abuser,I put a lot of work into it, but nursed it back to health....old Honda's never die, they just rust away...! greetings from West of Ireland..

[@michaellicht6126]

Too much fun!! Dual Sport bikes are my absolute favorite!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

You simply can't behave on these things

[@DarrenNoonan-to8ut]

I had a new 1980 honda xls 250 great bike , indestructible brings back awesome memories.

[@DebraHampton-z9g]

Amazing! One spark plug, old gas, 20-25yrs of setting in a barn & fires up running like a scalded dog!! B.J. & Seth, you gotta climb some hills & do some dirt work with these!! The youthfulness you two showed was worth it all! Seth, I seen you suck your gut in when Nathan honked the horn, lol! You guys need more fun days like this one!! I love it! ❤❤

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@kevinlewis9151]

Bro, everyone needs a dirt bike, that's why people keep making these scramblers and mad Max adventure bikes. If you never jumped a hill doing 60 mph and went air born, you really didn't have a childhood, and if you did, it's always a good time to relive that experience and those memories.

[@James-dt7ky]

Cool. Reminds me of being 20 years old. My friend rode a Honda XL500 and I rode a '76 Yamaha XT500 (which I still have).

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Awesome bikes! Seth had an XL500 until recently

[@paulrooney8164]

You two are what motorcycling is supposed to be all about!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Paul

[@patriotoverland4957]

I have a 78 XL250s and a 80 XL500s and they both start in 2 kicks. Can’t kill the old Hondas.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats what they do 🤘

[@willgilligan7605]

This brought back so many memories of my first bike - a 1979 XL185 bought sight unseen. Over 150 bikes later, I realise that I simply could not have chosen a better bike to start my motorcycling journey. Thanks so much!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats awesome!

[@benspeedschannel888]

Why would anyone be surprised about an old Honda starting lol. Lovely pair of bikes 😎

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

This is just what they do!

[@michaelschlup-c5o]

AND NO OIL SMOKE?.. amazing...put some fresh fuel in it and flog it!

[@petermcgrory9972]

Thanks guys , great memories, love the channel

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@petermcgrory9972 Thanks for watching!

[@getwhtugiv]

Oh my gosh Sean is a beast! Unbelievable. I am loving this with you guys!

[@loganalomar9919]

Watching you guys become 12 years old again, was super fun to watch. Happy there was "no deathing". Lol. Love the channel and all the builds you work on. Keep it up! 😎🤙🏽

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@andrewashman3333]

Just happy, joyful entertainment - we all share the smile when it all drops into place like that . Thank you !

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@andrewashman3333 🤘🤘 glad you enjoyed

[@mandiandsean2003]

Loved the video! Thanks for making it. It brought back some memories. The sound of those 185 Honda's really did bring a smile to my face.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@petethefeet1461]

my first bike was a 1978 XL125 .... i watched this with a tear in one eye

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I think all of us have some font memory of a bike like these. Im happy it brought those back!

[@jrc58526]

That took me back. I owned an XL 185 back in the mid 1980s. Rode all over Cornwall on that thing. Never once serviced it. Loved the sound of the engine after having a few CBs that were much more refined.😅

[@rodneybugher9312]

I feel your joy. I've had the pleasure of reviving many old bikes and atvs. It is never not satisfying! Those Hondas are my favorite old dual sports.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it resonated!

[@atombombsgarage]

That was one happy looking Seth 😂. So happy you guys couldn’t stop for a second to put the seat back on. Incredible

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It needed to be ridden right then!

[@douglasfitzsimmons654]

I had a white xl 185s many years ago, rebuilt the engine in my kitchen, it was great little bike. That bike deserves a full refresh. Excelent content. 👌

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@toffeeavatar5011]

Great one guys, Missed those kind of bullet-proof (not literally 😂) bikes and missed the old days ❤

[@timandmichelleschuller3647]

Great and wonderful!! Makes me want to find another one.. I appreciate the content and the fun you guys have!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@FourIntoOne]

Aw man I went straight back to being 17 again (60 now) when you got that fired up. - me and my mates gooning around on an old xl which I didn't own but really wanted to - never ever did for loads of reasons, maybe now is the time lol. Fair brought a tear to me eye. Love those older Xls 👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I'll make you a good deal on one of these! Hope you get the chance

[@tsanders23]

I have my dad's old early 70's XL259 that I'd like to bring back to life at some point. These XL185's only reminded me of the joy that old bike brought me when I was a kid! Also have an early 70's Suzuki TS100 that we dug out of a barn in the 90's that I rode. Hoping to bring it back to life as well!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That would be fun!

[@martinjollimore5441]

These things are awesome!! My buddy had the identical bike when we were like 13-14 years old! Great memories of me and a couple of my buddies (we’re still all great friends 35 years later!) riding 3 up on his 1981 XL185. I remember he bought for like $65 or something ridiculous. I absolutely love these videos you make, love them even more when I can personally relate to the bike. Keep em coming! And to anyone reading this, subscribe to this channel! You won’t regret it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@martinjollimore5441 I'm glad it brings back those good memories! Thank you as well

[@Hykhare]

Merci ! Many memories come back to me from my Xls 125 when I was a kid. Thank you for make us dreams with those old bikes

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it brought those good memories!

[@markwybierala4936]

Made a similar purchase of a pair of ‘76 XL350s about 15 years ago. I still have one of them. These bikes are a blast to ride. It’s a different experience because you don’t need to have throttle discipline. You can go full blast and your skill gets focused in a completely different manner. It’s ALL fun.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Agreed! Slow bike fast is better than fast bike slow

[@vincentwhiteman6433]

Yet again, another great video guys. Certainly beats watching main stream TV, for feel good factor. 👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

The second motorcycle I purchased was a 1981 XL185S. It was $400 in 1988 or so. Good bike, thanks for the memories.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Heck yeah

[@bradwinter156]

I Tumbled 85' feet down a river canyon on my xl185s. I Spent 20 days in the hospital and 6 months learning to walk again. It went 140' down the canyon, when they winched it up the next day it started on the second kick as always and they rode it back to camp. All it needed was new shock tube's and it was as good as the day I got it. Old Honda's Rock

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats insane!

[@JoshA86]

Those bikes look so much fun. For a "we don't need any more projects" video this might be in my top 5 lol. Awesome pair of bikes with a cool history. I just got into dual sports this year with my DR650 and I totally understand the appeal. Keep up the great work guys, love the channel.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

A dr650 is a fantastic bike so you can go crazy with that! Glad you enjoyed. Check out my adventure palooza videos. They will be in the klr650 playlist

[@markrobinson4981]

That was the most fun “will it start” video ever. Loved it!!!😂😂

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@markrobinson4981 We had a ton of fun so I'm glad it resonates!

[@cross13000]

I had a smile on my face all the way through this video. thanks guys.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed

[@pieterloock8911]

This video make me feel I was back in 1980’s with you! Loved my xl250s…

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it had that effect!

[@keithstovin1482]

Loving it, great work dudes👍👍

[@togwilson]

Another great video. Thanks guys 👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@togwilson glad you enjoyed!

[@irvinlewis5022]

Great pair of bikes. Little bikes can be so much fun.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Always so much fun!

[@davidjackson7715]

Lovely. I bought a new Honda XL 185 in the early 80s ( white colour) it was one of the best bikes I've ever owned and I've had about 50 different bikes

[@Rollie961]

Excellent old hondas do not die 👍you and Seth are a really good team i can see you both love motorcycles 😊

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@Rollie961 Thank ya! He and I are definitely both addicted to these things

[@Rollie961]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Me too bikes are the best invention in the whole history the world 😊😊😊

[@petermosdell580]

The bike whisperers strike again 😂 We all have jobs but you guys have so much fun in yours 👍 Happy trails on the XL’s

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

We kick them into compliance 😅

[@burninpwder76]

This is awesome. I have a 73 xl175 that I restored love the hondas!!!

[@1234567marks]

Fantastic, my 750 SOHC had sat in an old guys garage from 1995 to 2018 when I picked it up, I connected a battery and it fired right up, Hondas take some beating😅

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats awesome!

[@markconlon814]

I traded my 250 super dream for a new xl125s in March 1980, from Mike Hailwood,s shop in Birmingham UK when I was just 19, and I can still remember the registration 44 years later, EOG 823V, and my best friend had a 185s, very good memories have been reignited, sadly my friend passed away 24 years ago!

[@joshuaross4644]

My favourite video yet from you guys 👌

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@joshuaross4644 glad you enjoyed!

[@geromemalbas9478]

I really like your videos.specially when restoring old bike❤❤❤❤😊

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@reidie6091]

Great work. I love to see old bikes running again. I did it these year with an old Kawa Z440C.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya!

[@getwhtugiv]

You cannot kill a Honda!

[@TheHemiphil81]

Right before I turned 18 I bought by myself a 78 xl125 that I rode the wheels off of and she still runs. ❤

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Nice!

[@michaelweilmuenster5754]

The XL series by Honda in the 80s was some of their most well engineered bikes. They used that small cc engine design in the atc also. I've owned and worked on the 600s, 500s, 350s, 200s. Never had a 185 but I got a 125 atc running for my step father in law on a visit to Texas. It had sat in his barn for at least 10 years and after about 1 hour of cleaning the carb and tank, it started and ran just like a honda should. Bulletproof machines. Nothing fancy, just reliable as an anvil.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Great bikes indeed!

[@awframpton]

Love it! Started right up!

[@henryhawk978]

I remember the 185s . 1981 senior. Enjoyed the video B.J. Time to make the ice cream run. RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Ice cream coming soon!

[@danmac2925]

Fun bikes! My first bike was a 1972 CB100 street bike. My second was a 1974 Kawasaki G5 100 enduro that I rode from MN to AK and back. 19 years old kid adventure.

[@rrretroracer]

Merci pour l'épisode ,je suis un fan de Honda ça démarre toujours ! bonne fêtes a vous et continuez comme ça 👍👍👍👍👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@gpzman9001]

Great video guys, with you for every kick. Thanks

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@kashbut]

I want one

[@citrus1973]

It’s the tippy toe kick start and I’m cool left leg kick start methods.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Bought one new in Dublin 1982. My favorite bike ever.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats awesome!

[@sc7568]

Old Honda's are just the best. Bought a 81cb250rs a few months ago, which was parked for more than 15 years. Cleaned the carb, put new fuel in, and after 4 kicks she lived. Found a 82 xl500r one month ago, and the same story. Am now restoring the xl to its former glory.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Heck yeah!

[@kendiggy]

My slow to be fixed project cb650 sat for at least 15 years or so in a shed. Tanks was shot, but I brought it home and put a cheap plastic tank over it, and it fired just as easy. Love the old Hondas!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Awesome!

[@danthemowermedic4444]

You are the reason I got into old Honda's. I picked up a 79' CM400T and restored it and spent wayyy to much but LaFonda is a beaut now.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hey I'm sure it was fun though!

[@danthemowermedic4444]

@@BrickHouseBuilds most definitely was! She still ain't finished. As are all restoration projects.

[@reinhardzinter2219]

Its a Joy to see how much fun you have. Great video. Greetings from Austria (not australia)

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@johnhughes8563]

Excellent video thank you so much .

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed

[@donnydenfeld2394]

BJ you and Seth put out extremely great videos.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Donny!

[@bugsbigone]

Give them love and make them clean

[@trader4239]

Love Honda, awesome found

[@shaunhardie6077]

One of the most enjoyable videos you guys have made so far, watching your faces as the bikes fired up, PRICELESS. The bikes should be made to run and ride good and then use them as official BHB shop bikes. 😎👍.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

It's really hard to beat an old Honda motorcycle. They'll run wounded on terrible fuel for a long time. Nice find those are great bikes.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@andersaxelsson2196]

Awsome old Honda offroad bikes

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@davidcamera8464]

You guys killed it on this episode love the Honda stuff more CB750 would be nice

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! We're trying to find a day to get back on the gold cb750 we recently picked up. We want to get that going asap

[@bluehazeboy]

Appreciate the effort you guys put in,these trail bikes are a lot of fun,I bought a 1973 Yamaha dt175 last ,it’s all up & running,I never realised that cornering at 30mph could feel that fast😂.great job guys 🤟

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Fluxo2]

my first bike was xl 185.. 1983! 👍

[@bsajoss]

So jealous. I have a xl250k3 and a xl250s in the shed both good bikes ,but the xl185 was the one we had as kids . Get them running and do a week camping trip . Please ( or invite me over from this side of the pond and I'll take one camping for you 😂😊)

[@kevinlewis9151]

Everyone needs a dirt bike in there life.

[@marco12535]

beautiful bikes, now i want one

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It's definitely contagious

[@markfranks48]

That's right old Hondas never die a friend and I bought 87 xl250r's 2 basket cases took a while they both ran after valves and rings and many parts gone and glad

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@mariokolenko4322]

All the best for you and your family in next year

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Do they have points of CDI? I have a 1971 Honda SL-125 Borked and Stroked ported head reground cam by Powroll 160 CC. I put the motor in a 1977 Honda CR-125 Frame It ran great until it lost spark.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Both cdi bikes with magneto so you they can run without a battery

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@BrickHouseBuilds My SL with Points I ran a small battery to make it work and for the charging system to work with .

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I can find CDI Conversion kits all day long for the CT-70 and some other models, but I can't find a kit for the SL-125. I think it has something to do with the location of the points. Maybe I will try and figure out if the XL-185 parts will work. I built one CR-160 Four Stroke about 1 year before Honda came out with the XR-200 everyone jokes about how slow the XL-200 is. But it has a shorter stroke bigger bore and 4 valve head. I think it has a 6 speed Transmission too. My SL-125 still is 6 volts, but I could easily had a 6 volt headlight and taillight to it. It looks like the same engine cases as the XL-185 has. I have also considered looking for a modern Made in China Honda Clone motor for it . I don't live to far from Janus Motorcycles in Goshen IN and they use them. Powroll gave me flow charts that showed about 40% improvement with their port work. It has high compression. It ran hot with a silencer .. I had to run a straight pipe with it. My friends had a Honda XL-250 and a Honda XL-350 .. My 1974 Yamaha YZ-80-A with a GYT kit in it would eat them for lunch . Another Neighbor had a Yamaha AT-500 I was about 15 years old 115# and he let me ride it .. I opened up the throttle and went through the 4 gears with the front end about a foot off the ground. That was faster than anything I ever rode for a few years. That guy was sadly killed in a car wreck .

[@brettcreech3490]

Very cool good job guys.

[@Motocentrick]

Those are great looking bikes

[@scottderuyter6627]

2 awesome rides!!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@scottderuyter6627 🤘🤘

[@rustytanks]

Brings back my Kawasaki KE175 days

[@markholden57]

keep up the good work guys😀😀😀

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@peteraitken6494]

Brilliant guys and yeah I believe it did start on the fourth kick these old Honda s never give in ,knew you would play with them hahaha and why not the temptation is so overwhelming take car and have a great weekend 👍👍👌🏍️🏍️🔧🔧🔧❤️

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@RobertAdams-wd6pt]

Hey guys ,I have been subscribed for quite a few years , like and share

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

And we greatly appreciate that!

[@MichaelWinstanley-rq9hq]

You guys have got such a cool job 👍Mike from Liverpool England thanks

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@Legweak]

The XL series were great bikes Done my learners licence on a XL175S , then later had a XL500s

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I took my test on an xl200!

[@benoit19761]

You're so funny, nice job 👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@FileShare-gu7wk]

Great video! I enjoy most of your stuff but the simplicity of just picking up some old bikes and out of nowhere one just goes and you can see the excitment. You cant fake happiness like that. Keep up the good work and I hope you have half as much fun making the videos and I do watching them.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! This was every bit as fun as it looked

[@Japjongetje]

185? Never knew these existed. I know the 125. They look pretty similar. Nice bikes. Buddy of mine back in the day had an XL500 on lifted front and rear shocks. That was one hell of a cool bike.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Very similar across the board with changes in size obviously

[@addventure2863]

What a fun video. I always at least try to start and run every honda before doing anything. It's surprising how often they just work. Bonus, cameo from an old highschool friend of mine!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Nice!

[@djantix1200]

And that's why I love my Honda's!!! They just want to run! The tanks where pristine, damn that's sick. That CR125 is cherry too. I just finished my 1986 CR125R restoration and is came out absolutely beautiful. Hoping to get it into TheOneMoto show in Portland this spring. They are hosting two shows this year and the first one is in Vegas. Pretty cool.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I really want to make it to the one show but damn it's so far away

[@mfc4591]

Can't fault those single Honda bikes, Thanks for the content and the reminder that i need ice cream

[@LS-uv9gg]

I traded in my two year old 1977 XR75 for a brand new 1979 XL185S and took my Motorcycle Class 6 licence on it the day I turned 16. It was winter in Northern Canada and the Instructor stood on the stairs under the awning smoking a cigarette. The test was: "If you make it around the block before I finish my cig, you pass. If I finish my smoke or have to come look for you, you fail. Good luck!" I passed and had great times until the heart achingly siren song beauty of the brand new (1980) CB400T Hawk showed up in the Dealer's shop window, lol.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hahaha that's awesome

[@nomasker1360]

Put a 12:1 big bore piston and a midrange cam in. The performance increase is amazing .

[@kevinlewis9151]

Looks like you already got your $s worth out of both bikes just in the enjoyment of the ride. I love old street and trails.

[@TheKerb10videosandpictures]

Really cool bikes

[@geraldwalker2209]

I had part for 185s working on xl500r