The perfect "around town" bike. Light, well built, maneuvers like a ferret. A true head-turner.

I love single-cylinder "thumpers," and this is a nice one. I purchased it from its second (possibly third) owner, who had ridden it on streets and off-road for years until he parked it 20 or so years ago. I bought it because it is a lightweight thumper with great handling pedigree (XL-350s were raced successfully back in the day). I was pleased that the bike had been well maintained, was properly stored, had great compression and had almost no rust.

I spent the better part of a year tearing this bike down to its bones and rebuilding into my vision of a cafe racer. Along the way, almost every part was stripped of paint, cleaned and either repainted or polished. Worn parts were replaced right down to the bushing on the kick-stand. The previous owner had maintained it to high standards (he is a machinist by trade), so I inspected the engine, ensured it had good compression, changed the oil and cleaned the filter, then I cleaned it top to bottom. I painted most of the motor with high-temp engine paint (a General Motors color, which has just a tinge of metallic and looks great in the sun). The frame and swingarm were sprayed with Eastwood Chassis-Black. As you see in photos, I polished some parts and filed the edges of cylinder fins for nice effect. Motor-case fasteners were replaced with stainless steel allen-head bolts. I cleaned and polished the points, adjusting them to factory specs, set the timing and installed a new spark plug. It started up nicely, did not smoke and sounded wonderful.

So why am I selling? I built this bike for my own pleasure. However, due to an injury and subsequent recent surgery, I will not be able to ride for an undetermined length of time. It is my loss, and your opportunity to own a really neat machine.

I'll list all the modifications below, but you'll want to know the philosophy behind this creation. First, I wanted a thumper-powered bike that sounded right. For the sound as well as performance, the very heavy original cast iron muffler was replaced with an aluminum Supertrapp -- and the result, to my ears, is perfect. It will not blast your neighbors out of their chairs, but they'll hear you. Because Supertrapps are adjustable, you will be able to tune the sound to your taste by removing discs (easily done with an allen wrench). And tuning this muffler allows you to control back-pressure, which affects breathing and performance. This muffler is a feature you'll come to love. 

I also wanted a light bike, one that was designed for quick moves on asphalt or off road, which this bike is. And because I wanted a light machine, one lighter than factory weight, I stripped off all the heavy stuff I could get rid of. 

I also wanted a bike that is easily started. I did rebuild the stock carb, but with the Keihin carb, these bikes were never easily kicked. So I quickly abandoned it and bought a new Mikuni VM-32 (popular with racers). With a Uni foam filter, the bike now breathes far better than stock and starts easily (sometimes on first kick, more often on the second). Nevertheless -- and please note this -- the carb still needs final jetting for best performance.

Other modifications:
Other features: The license pate is on the rear of the bike (where I like them to be) and is on an angle that allows it to also act as a back fender extension. It is mounted on rubber, so it will deflect and absorb abuse. There is no ignition switch, but there are two toggles more or less hidden that need to be properly positioned for the bike to start. The rims have been painted with Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black (tough stuff) and the spokes have been left bare; I like the contrast; it is more work than just shooting the spokes with the rims. The sprocket is slightly lower gear than stock for better off-the-line performance. The previous owner said it still handles highways geared this way, but I have not tested this.

Disclaimers: This bike needs new tires. I could have bought tires for it, but I am certain a new owner will want to make to make this choice. If it is to be a machine for asphalt driving, you'll want street tires. If it is occasionally going onto dirt, then something closer to the tires on it now might be the choice. But do not buy this bike and leave the current tires on it -- even for a little while. They are very old and hard and not suitable for any kind of riding. 

Also, as mentioned, the carb needs final jetting. Once the new owner decides on what tune the muffler is to be in (that is,how many discs in or out), then jets on the Mikuni need to be replaced with jets that match the improved breathing of this machine. As it is now, it seems to be starving (lean) a bit at full throttle under load. If I had not suffered an injury, I'd have tuned it and be riding by now. So, do know that this bike's carb -- although brand new -- needs to be tuned to this particular bike for best performance.

There is no tachometer, and the drive orifice on the engine case right now is sealed with masking tape (which will do for a while). But it should be closed with a proper plug or cap. I have not researched a source, but know they are available.

I do not know the mileage, but you should assume it is far, far above the 25-or-so km on the speedometer (which is new). I put a huge number in eBay's form, because it required a number.

I do not like the fuel line now on the bike, so I ordered a better grade of line, which I have not installed. Because this dang injury keeps me from bending down, I cannot replace it now. I'll include the new line with the bike. And also because I cannot work on the bike, I cannot remove the seat structure (it is screwed on from below) to get to the wiring pan. The left rear LED signal has stopped working, and I am certain it is a bad connection in that pan. It is an easy fix, but I just cannot do it (and that is very, very frustrating).

Finally, know that I am not an engineer. What you see in the photos is what you get. There are no warranties or guarantees. This is a specialty bike, custom built and sold as is. If you want the safety and reliability of a new bike from a factory and dealer, by all means buy one of those. Please don't expect this (or any other modified or custom-built bike for that matter) to be hassle-free and as safe as a stock machine. In other words, expect to give this bike some love, especially during it's first few months. And ride it safely.

As you can see from my rating (100%), I make every effort to disclose everything about whatever I am selling in advance. I do hope I have not forgotten anything, but if you have any questions, please ask. You will get an honest and thorough answer.

I will include an owner's manual, a workshop manual and that new piece of fuel line. I have a clear title in my name. If you have read all this to here, thank you. The reserve is not unreasonable and should ensure a sale. Good luck if you do bid.

Shipping: Buyer is welcome to pick up the bike here in Walla Walla, Washington. Or arrange your own shipping. If you ship it, you may have your trucker come to my place and I will wheel the bike to the truck's ramp. At that moment it is yours, and you and your trucker will have responsibility from there. 

If you do not have at least ten eBay transactions with a good rating, please contact me before entering a bid. And please do not bid unless you have the funds or proper financing lined up in advance.

Payment: Within 48 hours I need a non-refundable deposit of $250, and within ten (10) days I need your cashier's check for the balance of your winning bid amount. I will not release the bike or its title until the funds have cleared.