Yet another new owner

[guest1668]

Reporting in, as a new member.  Just purchased an XBR500, as my old Z was starting to feel a bit cumbersome/heavy for the old bones. I've had an XBR on my list for a wee while, really happy with the bike, although at present it won't run, or at least not properly, will idle very roughly on full choke but nothing else, I supect a carb problem as the bike had been laid up for some considerable time. Are there any other possiblities for this problem.. timing for instance?  Before taking the carb off I'd like to source a pair of carb mounting rubbers, does anyone know where these can be found? An obsolete part, according to David Silver.  Similarly the fork seals need replacing so I thought I'd fit a pair of fork gaiters.at the same time.  Are the XBR forks compatible with any other Honda or British bike. Any leads appreciated. The GB500 has fork gaiters as standard, are there any suppliers who might stock these bits?

Many thanks,   great site

Seumas

[Mark]

Hello and welcome, sounds like a blocked pilot jet regarding the idle speed, carbs always need a clean after being stood, as for your other queries I'm sure a few XBR boys will be along to help.

Mark

[JOOLZ]

Sounds like a carb problem, give it a good clean and check the diaphragm for splits.  I think the intake rubbers from an NX650, XR650L and SLR650 should fit, and they are more modern machines

[SRXweb]

Welcome to the family

[guest1670]

Welcome seumas,

Only been a member a few weeks myself and already getting some good advice and help on my Srx project - you've come to the right place here!

I expect you'll be looking for NOS carb rubbers, good luck with that but don't forget to look further afield than the UK for your other needs - I've been surprised at the amount of parts available for my bike (different I know) on French and German Ebay.

Good luck with the bike.

[Smithy]

Hi there. The XBR still rates as one of the best bikes I ever owned. I sold mine due to the riding position as back then no-one was doing higher bar conversions. Have fun mate.

[timbo]

Hi Seumas,

Fork gaiters are definitely a good idea. Size medium from Wemoto. I think mine were about £10, but that's a while ago. To tidy them up, once you fit them, cut them to length with a Stanley blade or similar, then cable tie them round the bottom. Just the job mate. As for the poor running, definitely a carb clean required, and wash out any old fuel from the fuel tank. Modern fuel doesn't keep very well.

Good luck

Tim

[guest1668]

Many thanks to all for the helpful responses.  Not had the carb off yet but it's almost certainly the cause of the poor running, I've been giving the carb a good squirt of carb cleaner every time I start it up. still not perfect but it now starts easier and will rev up  more freely.  That's the good bit, not so good is that I did a comprssion test and was only getting 90 Psi . The manual suggests it should be  172 Psi +/- 21 so it looks like new rings at least. What would other XBR owners consider acceptable?

 Hey Ho.

Martin, yes the overseas sites look interesting, particularly the German ones. I speak some German so that makes life a bit easier.

Seumas