Until the early 1970’s most dirt bikes used full size frames and 21 inch front and 18 inch rear wheels making for fairly tall seat heights. Then scaled down real motorcycles like the XL70 with seat heights for kids became popular, and soon serious racing minis, machines for every size of person, every type of off-road riding, and the rest is history.
Back in the 1960’s there were CB, CL and CA model lines from Honda. They were sport, off-road and touring segments of the Honda line up. As specialization came about in the industry, and more focused machines were offered by all manufacturers, new model lines arrived. The Honda SLs hit about 1969 and were better dirt bikes but still very street-able, XL models were a step up starting with the XL250 MotoSport of 1972. With a three-valve head and magnesium engine components they were getting serious. Honda was really trying to make a good four-stroke dirt bike, lighter with good power characteristics and suspension. But they were competing head on with several serious European companies plus Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki whose two-stroke offerings year by year were becoming really good, serious off-road machines.
The 1972 XL250 was well received and soon there were XLs up and down the displacement range, something for everyone, from 70cc’s all the way to 650cc’s. The XL70 was only made from 1974 to 1976 and each year in just one color; Candy Topaz Orange, Candy Riviera Blue/Silver, Mighty Green /Silver Metallic. The “sloper” motor was OHC and derived from a long line of similar machines that went back about 15 years; the Super 90, CT70, Trail 90, etc used pretty similar power-plants. Easy to service, if you could manage getting the cam chain back in place, and cam timing correct, a top end job was a snap.
Today bikes like the XL70 are sought after collectible machines often ridden by full size adults as pit bikes or just to sit and look at, remembering the good old days.
Specifications:
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- Engine: OHC Single, Air-cooled
- Bore & Stroke: 47mm x 41.5mm
- Displacement: 72 cc’s
- Horsepower: 5HP
- Primary: Gear Driven
- Transmission: 4-Speed
- Final Drive: Chain
- Frame: Tubular Steel
- Suspension: Telescopic Fork / Swingarm, Twin Shocks
- Wheels/Tires: 2.50 x 16 / 2.75 x 14
- Weight: 165 Pounds
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Xl250 has a Four valve head, not three.
Love your emails!
Not back then it didnt. 4 valve heads didnt come out til much later.
Mike,
I stand corrected; four valves. I attended a Honda tech training session for the XL250 Motosport when it came out, but I guess the details of the motor did not stick with me!
This is what makes the National Motorcycle museum great. Doing stories about all the different motorcycles. Not just HDs or other niche bikes. Keep up the great work!
XL 70 was my first bike after I just turned 4yo. Had short stubby little legs and my dad had to remove the seat so I could ride it lol 😂
I have an xl 70 motor bike that’s completely original and 95% complete . Need tidying up but it’s for sale if anyone is keen
Do you still have the xl70?
I have a 1974 xl 70 that I have had since I was 5 Givin to me by my dad it’s all orginal from both triangle covers exhaust front and rear fenders as with orginal front and rear tires I’m thinking of selling it seeing that I’ve had for 33 years now I want to rebuild engine with honda parts so it’s all period correct the other half of me wants to keep it and find a different block so I can have the orginal rebuilt I haven’t rode it since 2003 high school lol I just look at it I would like another 1985 cr 250 so that’s why I debating on selling it