New member just started on restoring a XL185S

[odtech]

HI All.

I signed up to this forum because i decided to start wrenching again. It used to be a hobby in my younger days but i didn't have time for it but now i'm back at it.
I am from south africa, hopefully it won't be a issue to identify the bike.

The bike i chose was probably not the best choice because of the condition it's in but i'm going to do my best to revive it but first i need to identify it. The pic is from before i started stripping it and as you can see it needs alot of love and parts.

Would anybody be able to id the year model by the VIN number and or engine number?
Honda XL185
VIN: MD065002310
Engine: L185SE-5026101

I just stripped the bike today so now my first order of business is to get the correct service manual so i can start looking for parts.

[TOOLS1]

According to this site https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/honda-parts/honda-model-prefix it is an XL200 1983-84.
I am in the process of getting a 1971 Kawasaki F-7 going, and am thrilled to see someone else saving an old enduro bike.
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[odtech]

Thanks for the reply.

The page you linked is for the newer 17digit vin numbers but the bike i have still has the 11 digit vin which seems isn't as well documented. Below is what i found to read the 11 digit vin but it doesn't help me much to ID the bike, not yet at least..

e.g. RD023600883
R: cc (A=up to 50, D=up to 70, H=up to 80, J=up to 125, K=up to 150, M=up to 250, N=up to 400, P=up to 600, R=up to 800, S=up to 800)
D: type of motorcycle (B=kids bike/ATC, C=Street, D=Enduro, E=OHV/Offroad bike - not street legal, F=Scooter)
02: internal production number (here NX650 Dominator)
3: version
6: series
00883: serial number

So the 11 digit vin starting with MD can mean any Enduro bike up to 250cc
I can't find a chart to explain the rest of the information.

[odtech]

So i noticed that the XL185 has 2 rear shocks but the frame i have only has 1 shock in the middle of the bike under the seat which would then make your info correct that it is a XL200 frame.

The engine was not installed in this bike when i bought it but it clearly says XL185SE on the engine case.
I am guessing someone tried a engine swop or could it possibly be a 200cc engine even though xl185se is printed on it?
I understand the engines are very similar and some parts are interchangeable?

[TOOLS1]

I would say engine swap.
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[shinyribs]

Very cool! I love seeing these old enduro ,scramblers or whatever you want to call them come back to life. Good luck on the project.

[gareth06]

That's a nice project but really requires a lot of work.