Honda XL70 - video #5…..it’s a roller!!

[@things_that_click]

Restored to 100% fun! When I was young I had the Yamaha GT80 for a while, at the time my friends had an XR75 and the XL80. The world was ours and we never knew how good we had it.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@things_that_click Sounds like good times. Growing up out in “no man’s land”, I never had anyone to ride with, unless Dad wasn’t busy.

[@jakebell212]

That thing looks like a riot, would be fun to rip around some trails

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@jakebell212 Hey buddy! Hope all is well. It definitely looks a lot better than when I started. I put trail tires on it, it should sling some dirt.

[@ReddingCT70]

To each his own. Having pride in something you build is what counts. I do enjoy bring them back to full life as new. I ride restored bikes as well as sell them. A lot of them.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@ReddingCT70 Exactly, to each their own. I’m not here to cater to the guys buying $8000+ bikes. My videos (and bikes) are for the Average Joe that likes to tinker in their garage. They want a decent looking bike, but not a restored bike. The goal of my videos is to show that a fun rider can be built on a budget.

[@donsoule6411]

On using the EVAPO-RUST, you might want to view a few videos on its use. My experience with de-rusting and sealing a CT-90 tank is dealing with “flash-rust” after neutralizing the product. Instead of tap water, I used distilled water followed quickly by a rubbing alcohol rinse. Drying is best accomplished by forced air… by use of a shop vac, blow dryer, or fan (avoid compressed air as it may cause condensation to develop). The sealing kit I used included a zinc phosphate solution as the prep for the sealer. If your not gonna seal it, I’ve seen where some people use WD-40 as the last step.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@donsoule6411 Yeah, I’m not using any sealer. Yep, it will finish with a coat of WD40.

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

Dish soap is a great lube for installing foot pedals etc. If I had to fix a tank dent, I think the traditional auto body techniques apply. At least that’s where I’d start. Bike is looking great. Someone is going to enjoy it soon.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@ChrisHiblerPinball Thanks. Unfortunately, I don’t know any traditional auto body techniques. I’d have better luck cutting out the dents and welding in a patch. Haha

[@idiot-proofgarage3739]

Looking great Mike. I hope your father is doing better.. Always a great day when your new videos come out… Randy

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@idiot-proofgarage3739 Thanks Randy. Dad is doing great and glad to be home.

[@vorhese]

Oh one more thing. I run large knobby tires on Old Triumphs off-road and it's very common to take a knife to cut the side of the knob off that hits the brake stay.

[@robertengland8769]

I like motorcycles, and mechanicing. Therefore, I like this sort of video.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@robertengland8769 Thanks

[@bartgoins1782]

Another great video, Mike. You are definitely much further along than I am on mine. On that rear axle, I was thinking, if you put a thick washer on the head of the axle side, and then one on the nut side, that should solve your problem. I'd love to know what the great Mr Wells thinks about it. Continued prayers for your dad and your mom. Thanks for the video.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@bartgoins1782 Thanks Bart. Patrick says I have the wrong rear axle. The stock axle should be a hex end, not the rounded end with hole. I don’t have the correct axle in stock, so I’ll add a washer or two to this one. Thanks, Dad is home and doing well.

[@bartgoins1782]

@@MiniBikeMike Awesome!

[@donsoule6411]

@@MiniBikeMikeThe exploded view on the Partzilla website gives the Honda part number and shows the stock axle with a rounded head and hole, just like every other axle used by Honda. The hex head type are what can be found on aftermarket webpages…

[@SVCRescue]

@@donsoule6411 the picture in the exploded parts illustration shows the rounded end but if you look up the actual part number on other sites that show a picture of the actual individual part it's a hex head.

[@donsoule6411]

@@SVCRescueAnother source to get some verification is to look at actual bikes, for example on “Bring A Trailer”, that have multiple photos of the bike. There’s a couple with views of both sides of the swing arm and rear tire.

[@billmatits8979]

Try Works toilet bowl cleaner for removing rust from tanks. Its inexpensive and effective! Best wishes to your dad and family.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@billmatits8979 Thanks! If the stuff I’ve bought doesn’t do the job, I’ll give that a try. 👍🏻

[@donsoule6411]

@@billmatits8979 I’ve used “the Works” also, it’s 9.5% Hydrogen Chloride” (aka Hydrochloric Acid)… does an amazing job on rust. Then ya just have to deal with the “flash-rust” !!

[@cainbeeping8480]

Good job Mike.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@cainbeeping8480 Thanks Cain!

[@mikeb6431]

Looking good Mike. Evaporust works really good. I’ve used it several times. It may help to put some drywall screws in it first and shake it really well. The sharp threads will remove a lot of the toughest rust particles.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@mikeb6431 Thanks Mike. I’ll give the screws a try, never heard of that one. 👍🏻

[@mikeb6431]

@ the yellow SL70 I’m working on had a cream liner in the tank and they removed most of that liner. Worked really well for me.

[@donsoule6411]

@@mikeb6431 I think I’ve read or seen in a video that Acetone may remove some tank sealers. Just gotta keep that away from external painted surfaces…

[@ralphpitcher8849]

Glad to see your back! Still keeping your dad in my thoughts and prayers.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@ralphpitcher8849 Thank you!

[@mikelauer8352]

Looking Good Mikey. The Evapo Rust works Great. Looking forward to the next video.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@mikelauer8352 Thanks.

[@djantix1200]

Cool bike! She's coming along! Evapo-rust works really well and you can get multiple uses out of it. Also, apple-cider vinegar works extremely well.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@djantix1200 Thanks. I’ve not tried the vinegar, but have heard it works.

[@conniewaite1371]

Apple cider or white vinegar? I use vinegar to clean alot of things,works well with baking soda too.together they can clean rust,tho not sure it works on gas tanks. I think jujitsu 2000 cleaned a tank with a coup,e of things that worked pretty good!

[@djantix1200]

@@conniewaite1371 White vinegar is better due to it's higher acidity.But they will both work. I've cleaned many gas tanks with this method. Hard not to use it because it's so dang cheap!

[@bobandmaryw4336]

Thank you, sir! Enjoy your videos! I’m a big fan! Prayers for your dad and family!

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@bobandmaryw4336 Thank you!

[@johndavis6596]

Catching up on some minibike videos :) It's coming along awesomely. Glad to hear your dad is doing well too!

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@johndavis6596 Thank you! Dad has been home for a week and is doing well.

[@jeffferguson899]

I love the xl70s. great project. I hope your dad tgets well soon

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@jeffferguson899 Thanks

[@donsoule6411]

Regarding the rear axle… I know CT-90s have a longer axle because the driven sprocket is attached to its own bearing cartridge that can stay with the swing-arm when removing the rear wheel. That way the chain doesn’t need to be adjusted, no doubt to minimize what needs to be disassemble/reassembled if a tire needs fixing out in the back-country. So, there is 2-nuts on the sprocket side of the swing-arm. The extra length axle allows for the inner nut to retain the sprocket/bearing cartridge and the outer nut is for removing the axle.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@donsoule6411 My S65 has the same rear axle setup.

[@Sgsl70]

Not the craftsman 😱😱😱😱

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@Sgsl70 It seems to still be working, but reeks of fried motor smell. Hahaha

[@gerardkenny8408]

Another awesome video, thanks mike, blessings to your father

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@gerardkenny8408 Thank you

[@ReddingCT70]

You said it

[@HondaRay]

Looking Good Mike !!!

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@HondaRay Thanks

[@randyhemker792]

Great Vid 👍 👍😎

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@randyhemker792 Thanks

[@franciscoolvera6871]

Looking great 👍🏾

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@franciscoolvera6871 Thanks buddy!

[@mikeonabike4791]

Sweet! Looking good Mike,

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@mikeonabike4791 Thanks

[@vorhese]

Love watching the videos. Your castle nut is incorrect. The one on the bike should be longer and flanged. I can send you a picture if you like

[@ChrisHamby-o4n]

Look good

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@ChrisHamby-o4n Thanks!

[@SVCRescue]

You've got the wrong rear axle. The correct one has a hex head on the other end like a bit bolt versus the one you have on there now with the rounded head. They are hard to find and super expensive if you can find one.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@SVCRescue I knew you would know. I also was pretty sure this one wasn’t correct. Looks like I’m adding a washer or two. 👍🏻

[@SVCRescue]

@@MiniBikeMike a couple washers sounds like a great plan.

[@donsoule6411]

@@MiniBikeMike Just another thought… a long with a washer/spacer behind the nut, re-drill the cotter pin hole and cut-off the end if you get ambitious.

[@MiniBikeMike]

@ I actually gave that about 3 seconds of thought, then decided adding a washer or two sounded easier. 🤣 I’m kinda lazy sometimes.

[@donsoule6411]

@ Understood,… with all that been going on you’ve earned some laziness time !!

[@cainbeeping8480]

Here

[@johnmiceli6688]

Mike have you ever worked on a Harley X-90. I have a rolling chassis. Had it stripped down and painted. I’m just not inclined to finish it off

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@johnmiceli6688 Sorry, I have not. I’ve only owned or worked on little Hondas. I’ve never owned any other model.

[@mikeonabike4791]

I use harpic bleach to clean my tanks out, not sure if you get that in the states tho

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@mikeonabike4791 I’m hoping what I’ve bought works, if not, I’ll check into that.

[@ReddingCT70]

Shame you do not paint fenders. Brazing rod could of fixed crack

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@ReddingCT70 I’ve found that if you make the bikes too nice, guys put them in their basements/living rooms, instead of riding them. I want my buyers to ride the bikes and they’re more likely to do that, if they don’t have to worry about paint.

[@ReddingCT70]

@@MiniBikeMike I get it but the 70 has been finished off very nice by you. Not knowing the bike history. All it needs I guess is painted fenders? Good Video

[@MiniBikeMike]

@ The tank is a mess, full of dents, from a broken steering stop. It holds fuel, just doesn’t look good. I left the fenders, so they would match the tank. The bike isn’t really that nice….maybe a 10’er. I don’t rebuild things the correct way, I typically lean toward building them as cheap as possible. But, I sell them cheap also.

[@ReddingCT70]

@@MiniBikeMike Hi Mike. I do not use evapo rust for tanks. the rust will always come back even wit all the coatings used. I still use Skyco OSPHO I have added to alot of Z50 tanks, add ball bearings and shake the tanks in all directions to coat and remove the bad rust. careful when draining out chemical it can damage painted services. But works very well. I am restoring 2 1969 SL90 Moto Sport bikes. back to there glory But both fork stops got bent plus years of small dings. I have found a guy in Spokane Washington who after taking both Stock tanks to as new. No dents left. Of course massive creases and more heavy damage either bondo and paint. But I now powder coat all my bikes now. So a JB weld metal bond. would work but its a lot of work. Then It can be powder coated. Both my tanks are at powder coater as well go thru motors. Thanks

[@MiniBikeMike]

@ This is my first experience with Evapo Rust. As stated before, I don’t really care if it damages the paint, the rest of the tank isn’t that great. All that stuff you mention sounds expensive. Again, I’m definitely not into restored bikes, I much prefer bikes to be ridden. I sell all my bikes for $2k or less. To stay in that price range, I don’t worry about dent removal or powder coat.

[@prestongriffin416]

Mike question any idea where i would fine parts for a 1988 Honda scrambler dirt bike need both fenders gas tank seat throutle and cables thank you PRESTON GRIFFIN

[@MiniBikeMike]

@@prestongriffin416 Sorry, no clue. I’ve never owned or worked on anything but the small horizontal Honda bikes.

[@prestongriffin416]

for got fenders front and back preston