Day one: it's in the garage

Eight hundred dollars, a truck ride home, and a walk around the bike before touching anything.

It arrived this afternoon in the back of the truck and rolled into the garage next to the other bikes. Eight hundred dollars, a 1984 Honda XL350R, “just needs a carb clean.” I have heard that sentence before.

These are the as-found photos, taken before I touched anything. If you have one of these bikes on the bench and you’re wondering what stock looks like, this is roughly it: tired, complete, and 40 years old.

First impressions

The frame is straight, the tank isn’t rusted through, and the engine turns over with the kickstarter. Those were the three things I checked before handing over cash. Everything else went into the “we’ll see” column. The plastics are faded but not cracked, the seat cover is original, and the rear rack is rusty but solid.

What came next

I lasted about four hours before the carbs came off. That’s the next entry.

Photos

As purchased, right side. Rear rack, XL seat, the original graphics still on the tank. It looked better from here than it did up close.
Tank, plastics & seatBefore

Left side of the engine. RFVC head, header pipe, countershaft cover. Everything is here, it just all needs attention.
Top endBefore

Under the seat, left side, as found. Regulator and CDI mounted to the frame, with a previous owner's wiring and tape in evidence.
Electrical & wiringBefore

Rear wheel, muffler and swingarm. Muffler is intact, which on these bikes counts as good news.
ExhaustBefore

Front wheel and fork lowers. Fork seals are weeping, tire is old but holding air.
Wheels & brakesBefore

Cockpit. Speedo, warning light pod, bars and controls, all original. Dirty but complete.
Cables & controlsBefore