What Is This Swingarm On My Tl250?

[1975tl250]

Hello all. I'm happy to have found this site. I have done some reading and you all seem like smart people with a large base of knowledge regarding the world of Trials. I have a question and some pictures.

I have always been very interested in Trials. Especially vintage trials. I'm 28 but I grew up around vintage trials, motocross and vintage racing all of my life. My dad was a big time Motocross rider before I was born. I got to see a lot of his pictures and sit on a lot of his bikes.

Anywho. That's besides the point.

I picked up what I believe is a 1975 Honda TL250 from a guy for a great price. It was mostly complete so I figure I can't go wrong with this thing. I've always wanted one and now is my chance to rebuild it and give it a new life.

So I'm stripping the swing arm for paint and I notice that it has two sets of slots for the rear axle. I thought to my self how cool is that. I can decide which slots to use and it will have an effect on my steering geometry and shock rebound right. So I start looking into it online and start noticing that I cannot find another Honda TL250 with this same swing arm setup. What gives? Has anyone seen this or does anyone know what I'm looking at here?

The bike sans motor being stripped down for paint.

The frame after the first coat back in the to get a good look at.

The swingarm. Notice the two sets of slots for the rear axle? The hole in front of the back set is for an allen bolt that acts as the chain adjuster stop. I removed the allen head for stripping and painting.

I'll post more pictures of this project as I go.

Thanks and nice to meet you guys!

[lineaway]

The bike has been altered for a trail bike. The swingarm has been extended for increasing the wheelbase. I cannot tell from the pictures, but has the forks been raked out? Just recently seen one with the forks raked out to be a desert sled. The bikes been modified, but not to make it a better trials bike!

[feetupfun]

may also have been to make it a better flat tracker. It wouldn't be the first TL250 to be used for that

[ross brown]

may also have been to make it a better flat tracker. It wouldn't be the first TL250 to be used for that

HIgh Mudguard too. Looks to have original rear sprocket on it now.

Cost me $115 for a 30 year old swing arm on ebay to be delivered across the Pacific from the US to here. A 'hundy' is nothing in the scheme of dollars that you will haemorrhage in order to bring your TL back to life. Whether you 'restore' it to spend the rest of its days doing trials, trails, or flat tracking- You Have Saved one.

Edited February 7, 2013 by ross brown

[1975tl250]

Thanks for the quick replies. Modified makes sense. The front frame when preppung for paint showed signs of the original color. The swing arm at least as far as I've stripped it has yet to show that paint.

This swingarm has been modified very well. I believe it to be setup for stock trials or extended trails. It looks like all you woukd need is a second chain. any thoughts?

As far as the front forks being raked i could.see no sign of any work done to the neck. It looks to be factory.

Zak

[feetupfun]

Thanks for the quick replies. Modified makes sense. The front frame when preppung for paint showed signs of the original color. The swing arm at least as far as I've stripped it has yet to show that paint.

This swingarm has been modified very well. I believe it to be setup for stock trials or extended trails. It looks like all you woukd need is a second chain. any thoughts?

As far as the front forks being raked i could.see no sign of any work done to the neck. It looks to be factory.

Zak

You can add a piece to a chain to suit different sprocket sizes, swingarm length etc. Using the rear axle slot would also make the rear suspension a lot softer if you used the same shocks as for the front slot.