XBRs, Where Have They All Gone?

[Terry James]

I've been looking for months for a decent XBR500. The Ebay offerings are few and far between, and most are too far away to view. The bike magazines have very few and I've scoured the internet to no avail. I know they are becoming quite scarce, as they never sold well in the first place, but months of looking have turned up very little. Where else can I search? HELP!!!!!!!

[SteveC#222]

Hi there, welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure there is a shortage of XBR's, there are currently 4 private sales on Ebay from £1100-£1700 plus a couple of dealer bikes at rather more ( £4500!!!  ....Oh how we laughed).  all of them look reasonable to good condition.  I have an XBR myself and have watched a few lately to get an idea of the current values and £1100-£1700 seems about right for a decent bike. They have started to be noticed by the Classic scene and prices are rising - GB's have been there for a while and they do go for £4K +.  You could always put a  ad in the sales/wanted section. You might find one in the Classic mags but they may be expensive there.

If you look at one look out for the usual rattly top ends, decent exhaust, especially down pipes, you can get full aftermarket systems but they're around £350.  Also look out for a pulsing back brake - it isn't an oval hub that can be skimmed but a warped drum thats a bugger to repair cheaply and good rear wheels are like hen's teeth.

Winter is a bad time to sell, there will probably more for sale in the Spring.

Where are you?

[Terry James]

Hi. I owned an XBR500 for about 3 years, but it got wrecked in an accident. I had restored it from a wreck, only to return it to this state on a wet road 2 years ago. I had a hell of a job locating and buying that bike, and travelled over 60 miles to pick it up. Travelling hundreds of miles to view a bike that isn't as described, (which to be honest, is most of them!), is not something I am prepared to do again. I am surprised that full exhaust systems are available, as I had to make do with a refurbished one. I bought the XBR as a wreck, albeit a running wreck, as it was cheap. I don't mind paying the 'right' price for one, but some that are for sale are being sold by dreamers, especially the £4k plus bike on Ebay. I've viewed it and it isn't worth that. I am in Essex by the way, just a few miles from the £4k plus XBR!

[SteveC#222]

The exhaust is sold by David Silver spares - it's made by Motad but made to look like the original system. Original silencers/pipes are no longer available and cost a fortune when they occasionally come up on Ebay. Wemoto are another good source of parts - they are mostly pattern parts but good quality not the usual cheap rubbish.  Keep an eye out in the sales section, most are sold by TC members and so are usually good bikes. You may have more luck in the spring, no-one wants to sell in the winter unless they have to but it's a good time to buy if you can find one. You probably won't find a cheap one anymore even spares bikes and dog rough 'projects' still go for £3-600.

[chris22]

Hi, I have got one for sale but was going to list it on fleabay in the Spring at a starting price of £1,750.
I acquired it in October 2013 as a complete but not roadworthy project with the intention of turning it into a cafe racer.
I stripped it and rebuilt it to almost standard spec and then decided that it was too good to chop about to turn it into a cafe racer. I solved my needs by buying a part complete XBR 500 cafe racer project which is going to be a keeper. Unfortunately I have neither the room or the finances to keep both bikes so the standard one has to go.
If you are interested PM me and I will give you more details, photos etc. I am in Tring, Hertfordshire.
Cheers
Chris

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[Terry James]

Hi, I have got one for sale but was going to list it on fleabay in the Spring at a starting price of £1,750.
I acquired it in October 2013 as a complete but not roadworthy project with the intention of turning it into a cafe racer.
I stripped it and rebuilt it to almost standard spec and then decided that it was too good to chop about to turn it into a cafe racer. I solved my needs by buying a part complete XBR 500 cafe racer project which is going to be a keeper. Unfortunately I have neither the room or the finances to keep both bikes so the standard one has to go.
If you are interested PM me and I will give you more details, photos etc. I am in Tring, Hertfordshire.
Cheers
Chris

I can't access the section I need to send a PM. I don't know if you cam PM me, but if you can, can you give me details such as year of manufacture, mileage and any history, you know, the usual stuff. On another note, has anyone seen the MASH 400, which is based on the XBR engine? They are a French company and have just entered the UK market. I suspect the exhausts from that engine will fit an XBR as it is a sleeved down version.

[SteveC#222]

On another note, has anyone seen the MASH 400, which is based on the XBR engine? They are a French company and have just entered the UK market. I suspect the exhausts from that engine will fit an XBR as it is a sleeved down version.

Sort of XBR meets SR500?

[chris22]

Hi Terry,
I can't figure out PMs either. Send me your e mail address to:
chris.wood22@ntlworld.com
I will try to get some pictures to you tomorrow.

[Terry James]

On another note, has anyone seen the MASH 400, which is based on the XBR engine? They are a French company and have just entered the UK market. I suspect the exhausts from that engine will fit an XBR as it is a sleeved down version.

Sort of XBR meets SR500?

They look interesting, the only down side is they are manufactured, for the most part, in China, but they would obviously have to meet the exacting EU standards. They come with a 2 year warranty. Let's hope other manufacturers start building sensible single cylinder bikes.

[SteveC#222]

Hi Terry,
I can't figure out PMs either. Send me your e mail address to:
chris.wood22@ntlworld.com
I will try to get some pictures to you tomorrow.

You should just have to click on the speech bubble below your avatar on the left of the screen to get onto the PM screen

[guest564]

That Mash looks pretty good 

[timbo]

The engine is a Honda XL400, copy I think. Mash is a French company who have the Mash name registered in mainland Europe, but not in the UK, so they may come here under a different name. They should retail at around £3300. This info was all told to me by a local dealer who had one on appraisal. They are mftrd in China by the same company who make Sinnis, WK, Herald etc