Property of James May
1973 Honda XL70 Trail
Registration no. FRN 226M
Frame no. XL70-1008414
Engine no. XL70E-1008317

Whereas the British motorcycle industry tended to regard small-capacity lightweights as only fit for bread-and-butter commuting duties, the Japanese manufacturers offered a full range of model types in capacities of 100cc or less: mopeds, commuters, sports roadsters and trail bikes all featuring in the catalogues of the 'Big Four'. Introduced for 1974, the XL70 trail bike used Honda's 72cc overhead-camshaft single-cylinder engine and was in essence little more than a re-designated SL70, using the latter's tubular steel frame that had replaced the fabricated spine type used by the first of this family: the CL70 of 1970. The XL70 remained essentially unchanged until production ceased at the end of 1976. This example of a short-lived and rarely seen Honda lightweight was imported by DK Motorcycles and sold to the immediately preceding owner, its first in the UK, in June 2012 (sales receipt on file). Bought by James from Oxford Classic Honda in February 2013, the XL has been partly restored by James and comes with related invoices for parts and services, including a repaint. Described as in generally excellent condition, the machine also comes with dating letter, V5C registration document and an owner's manual. The provision of an 85cc 'big-bore' kit is the only notified deviation from factory specification.