Hi, this is Mark - the idiot in the video - thanks for the comments. If you have any questions, please do ask and I'll try to answer them. If you're thinking of doing a build, then just get on and do it; there's so much information and support out there and it's the most rewarding thing... but don't underestimate the time and frustration. The one thing the internet can't do is fully represent the effort you have to put in. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
I didn't have to re-jet, but I suspect it would be a god thing to do to optimise performance. Funnily enough, the day this was shot, Vikki suggested it as she'd had it done on hers, and recommended a place called Riverbank. I'll get round to it at some point.
Great build Mark! Love the bike. I wonder, if you would ditch the dual brake light and fit a small single circle. I think it would enhance the looks of the dual headlights in terms of necessity. I mean you need more light out in the desert right? :) But not so much on the tail ;) Anyways, cool build man.
I really like the newer reliability of a 90's onwards dirt bike dual sport coupled with the look of a bike from an older era. Love the 2 headlights. Great shed build 👊
I like the red grips! Reminds me of my old 1976 Honda Elsinore CR125M... I put red grips on it, fanged through the stormwater drains of Cessnock NSW, chased by the cops (and was never caught :^) out to the sandpits of the old Aberdare No. 7 open cut pit, ripping around on the ashes of my innocence. Bitter sweet paradise. And got echoes in terminator 2 and HL2 as well. Funny old world. Did have an XL250 (23" big wheel) with a Peter Allen pipe on it that I worked all summer in the vineyards to buy... Noise is similar! That and shooting all manner of weapons, and cooking all sorts of bangy things, has left notches in my frequency response let me tell you... Ah, a properly misspent youth. And a second childhood nascent... Thanks for the neurological kickstart!
Marty Smith days..74 Elsie of a friends with all the goodies. I used to dream of a red fmf bike showing up in the garage,never happened. Might b time to make it happen.))) Digging the thought of the xl 250 base though,wonder how much power can be gotten out of that engine? Hmmm,wife will think I've lost my mind..perfect.
This is a nice bike to see as an American. Plastic dirt bikes and dual sports are very common here... on the other hand, we never got the Honda dominator. I really want to make one of these European style dual sports here in the states with an XL650. Thanks for posting this example
I'm definitely doing this for my daily commuter winter bike. High ground clearance, winter tires, light and stylish. I drive my old 77 CB all year, rain or snow but my tires are not that good when it's under 0°C.
I just can’t get away from my dual sports. I just love them, I’m so used to them, I love hitting the trails, I love the positioning, I just can’t LOVE other bikes as much. But they do just look like dirt bikes so while I appreciate them, they don’t look “cool”. I think this is the direction I need to go. A nicer looking enduro. Love it. 👍
This is a great bike! Love it... The seat is a work of art! Here's a few suggestions (hope you don't mind, it's all subjective). How about moving the tank badge down, away from the curve of the tank? Also you could spray the headlight guard black and put the fork gaiters back on? Just my two cents.
Thanks - seat and handlebar pad are from Get Leathered (www.get-leathereduk.com/) - they were very good at dealing with a custom request and great value. Tank badge location was dictated by where the mounting point was already located, unfortunately. Headlight guard was already a bit dinged up, so I took the view that it would take too much work to have it black and the finish may not last, as it's aluminum, hence the polishing - I mulled that one for a long time, but then carried that theme across the rest of the bike. it's not for everyone, I guess. For gaiters seem to be quite a divisive issue!
Love that bike Mark, if that’s your first go at customising it’s a brilliant result. Love what you’ve done with the headlamp and sump guards, tied those two features together in a very imaginative way. Yeah it’s a shame about the tank but that can happen when you’re a first time/ non professional, how would you know? It would probably happen to most of us. Do you think getting the rims and spokes powder coated would look good? Love the simplicity of the original bike now magnified in your creation. I just want to go into the garage and get busy, (er get a doner first,) you are an inspiration mate.🏍👍🏻👍🏻😎
Thank you!! Suspect I'll get the rims powder coated in due course - that was definitely on the list of things to do, but time etc... suspect I'll send them off to the powder coaters when I do the wheels on the next build
Afraid the headlights were on the original XLR250 Baja - it was the unique feature of that bike. Good luck with the build - I'd like to go bigger next time
Clean carb and spark (standard NGK job) and lights off (if need be). It just runs v clean. Changing the exhaust made it slightly less willing to start easily, as they seem to like a little bit of back pressure?
I've been searching years for a baja, you didnt murder her but it isnt a baja anymore. I think there are bikes like a XR1000 XLCR or a Baja that not meant to customize. But thats only my opinion, if you like it this way its ok for me, but the baja is a bike you dont find so easy. I road one once in the Akamas in cyprus and been searching and diddnt find one again.
Some real nice points. My grandson is rebuilding/restoring a Honda 150, looks like this one did before the rebuild. I think we might borrow some of your ideas. Thanks!
I have an original 1992 which was the last year, and I live in Japan. I love my Baja! I'm afraid you have ruined it really. You must look funny with a wet stripe up your back when it rains. The noise it makes would attract the cops too and the fuel tanks holds too little fuel. Without gaiters the fork seals won't be happy, and that seat looks painful. The pipe wrap covers the fabulous pipe arrangement these bikes had and no doubt the air cleaner is too small. But hey, each to their own taste.
Random tank from eBay that was made in India... I took a chance on it as the fit was good, but I struggled to get a good filler cap to fit properly (needed a bit of modification) and also it wasn't primed in 2k, which I wrongly assumed it would be (as it should have been), which has meant I'm going to have to strip and re-spray it.
This again, like lots of bikes shown on this channel, looks amazing! Still, I'm always left to wonder what kind of money you need to sink into a project like this... Maybe the truth hurts too much to tell us? :P
Awsome built just the right amount of customization great taste just that the exhaust would have been straight pipes stainless steel would have looked better just my opinion.
Fantastic build. Colours, style, spot on. I've been thinking of doing something similar with my xr650r, though I dare say it won't look as good, being water cooled. Rads and water bottles never look great exposed. Also, the alu frame with the integrated oil sump not as pretty. Agree with Honda simplicity / reliability, and I think up to the 650l they make a great 70s baja style build. I'll keep thinking about it, but the more see these kind of builds the more I want to try something similar. Enjoy your bike, superb job. My original inspiration: www.bikeexif.com/honda-xr650
I think you're probably right - a little fatter - maybe I'll change it in the future, but expect I'd have to fully strip it again to re-weld the mounts, so may save that for the next build. Always, learning! I have a tool roll for the side, but don't have it in London as it will only get pinched!
Mark Shaw great comeback bro, but your bike is still gay :) And I’m not sure I can accurately quantify the reasons why just from this video. But if any build leaves me asking Why did you do that? with reference to any aspects of the whole, it’s safe to say there’s something missing. This is essentially an impractical field bike, built out of a practical dual sport bike which did both jobs tolerably well. So I guess your first crime is to have created LESS than the sum of its parts. Whilst this is a philosophical question, and obviously a subjective one, there are also substantial design principles being violated here. But you can take heart in the knowledge that you’re not alone. Destroying decent bikes and making passé racers, brat bikes and scramblers, none of which could ever scramble, pass the brat test or win a race, is the order of the day. And no matter how much time you spend effecting these alterations, the only thing that’s usually achieved in the end is a significant reduction in the usefulness and true value of the surviving parts. Yes, I said passé racers. Ride safe Peace
I love the idea of taking a dirt bike and making it look like a vintage street bike. Looks like fun to ride and low hassle
Hi, this is Mark - the idiot in the video - thanks for the comments. If you have any questions, please do ask and I'll try to answer them. If you're thinking of doing a build, then just get on and do it; there's so much information and support out there and it's the most rewarding thing... but don't underestimate the time and frustration. The one thing the internet can't do is fully represent the effort you have to put in. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
Mark Shaw awesome build! Did you have to rejet when you switched out the air box for a pod filter?
I didn't have to re-jet, but I suspect it would be a god thing to do to optimise performance. Funnily enough, the day this was shot, Vikki suggested it as she'd had it done on hers, and recommended a place called Riverbank. I'll get round to it at some point.
Mark Shaw awesome thanks !
such an awesome build!
Great build Mark! Love the bike. I wonder, if you would ditch the dual brake light and fit a small single circle. I think it would enhance the looks of the dual headlights in terms of necessity. I mean you need more light out in the desert right? :) But not so much on the tail ;) Anyways, cool build man.
It looks straight out of Mad Max. Gorgeous.
Ooh like that a lot - wonder if I could do something similar with my Honda CRF [rubs chin and looks skywards in a pondering manner]
I feel a build series coming......do it!!!
TheMissendenFlyer ...not gonna happen
Looks like just XR on the original tank. I rather liked it before except the big twin headlight out of place on such a small bike. Hi TMF....
This is such a reminder that a motorcycle is an really just an engine with a seat. Something so simple and elegant in this build
That Honda!!!! it just looks so sleek and flexible... Absolute.
These Baja 250 bikes are very popular here in Laos & Thailand. Lots around and plentiful spares & knowledge.
Awesome build, like the colors you went with.
I really like the newer reliability of a 90's onwards dirt bike dual sport coupled with the look of a bike from an older era. Love the 2 headlights. Great shed build 👊
Another gorgeous creation!!!
Woooow!!!
I loved bike shed!!!!
Best wishes buddy's 👏👏👏😉🤘
I like the red grips! Reminds me of my old 1976 Honda Elsinore CR125M... I put red grips on it, fanged through the stormwater drains of Cessnock NSW, chased by the cops (and was never caught :^) out to the sandpits of the old Aberdare No. 7 open cut pit, ripping around on the ashes of my innocence. Bitter sweet paradise. And got echoes in terminator 2 and HL2 as well. Funny old world. Did have an XL250 (23" big wheel) with a Peter Allen pipe on it that I worked all summer in the vineyards to buy... Noise is similar! That and shooting all manner of weapons, and cooking all sorts of bangy things, has left notches in my frequency response let me tell you... Ah, a properly misspent youth. And a second childhood nascent... Thanks for the neurological kickstart!
Love this!
Marty Smith days..74 Elsie of a friends with all the goodies. I used to dream of a red fmf bike showing up in the garage,never happened. Might b time to make it happen.))) Digging the thought of the xl 250 base though,wonder how much power can be gotten out of that engine? Hmmm,wife will think I've lost my mind..perfect.
Very nice build. Looks like something out of mad max
This is a nice bike to see as an American. Plastic dirt bikes and dual sports are very common here... on the other hand, we never got the Honda dominator. I really want to make one of these European style dual sports here in the states with an XL650. Thanks for posting this example
Well the Dominator is 90% of the XL650
I just finished my build and I think I should ride to London from Bavaria just to be on Bike Shed :p
super cool build, this bike looks and sounds great.
Thank you :D
Im so glad im not the only one making mistakes on the builds
Nice build! I´ve got pretty similar ideas on an old XT 660 which waits for me in my garage.
Love the simplicity of the bike
Looks like the sort of field bike we all learned to ride on.
I'm definitely doing this for my daily commuter winter bike. High ground clearance, winter tires, light and stylish. I drive my old 77 CB all year, rain or snow but my tires are not that good when it's under 0°C.
I just can’t get away from my dual sports. I just love them, I’m so used to them, I love hitting the trails, I love the positioning, I just can’t LOVE other bikes as much. But they do just look like dirt bikes so while I appreciate them, they don’t look “cool”. I think this is the direction I need to go. A nicer looking enduro. Love it. 👍
awesome bike ! i love how she looks light !
All amazing bikes. Keep em coming guys!
He just lifts it as if it was a bicycle - great work!
it sounds really great! beautiful bike!
Gorgeous! love the headlights!
Wow what a sound. What a machine !
Great job, looks and sounds really good!
This looks so good.
My favorite so far
Grew up riding 70s bikes..just love this, but why do you all wrap the exaust?
so the rider doesn't scold the fuck out of their leg...
cool bike Mark!
Great build
This is a great bike! Love it... The seat is a work of art! Here's a few suggestions (hope you don't mind, it's all subjective). How about moving the tank badge down, away from the curve of the tank? Also you could spray the headlight guard black and put the fork gaiters back on? Just my two cents.
Thanks - seat and handlebar pad are from Get Leathered (www.get-leathereduk.com/) - they were very good at dealing with a custom request and great value. Tank badge location was dictated by where the mounting point was already located, unfortunately. Headlight guard was already a bit dinged up, so I took the view that it would take too much work to have it black and the finish may not last, as it's aluminum, hence the polishing - I mulled that one for a long time, but then carried that theme across the rest of the bike. it's not for everyone, I guess. For gaiters seem to be quite a divisive issue!
Love that bike Mark, if that’s your first go at customising it’s a brilliant result. Love what you’ve done with the headlamp and sump guards, tied those two features together in a very imaginative way. Yeah it’s a shame about the tank but that can happen when you’re a first time/ non professional, how would you know?
It would probably happen to most of us. Do you think getting the rims and spokes powder coated would look good?
Love the simplicity of the original bike now magnified in your creation. I just want to go into the garage and get busy, (er get a doner first,) you are an inspiration mate.🏍👍🏻👍🏻😎
Thank you!! Suspect I'll get the rims powder coated in due course - that was definitely on the list of things to do, but time etc... suspect I'll send them off to the powder coaters when I do the wheels on the next build
Great bike!!!! Congratulations.
Needs a bit of rust, oil and mud though ;)
That's really cool. Love it. 👍
That's actually a kind of bike to cruise downtown. In my case Berlin. 👍
Awesome, great job 👍🏻
Beautiful. Good job.
i have the same bike, but it's a bobber, i want to put a king and queen seat on it in a future.......nice bike
BEAUTY!
A really interesting bike
Love it
"growing mass" mate ya look fine and build a cool bike
*Perfect Scrambler*
nice build
Increadible
I wish they made bikes like that and I wish I could straight up buy these
Hi Mark, I just bought a XR650 and love your bike! Could I ask where you got the headlights from? Can’t seem to find any online!
Afraid the headlights were on the original XLR250 Baja - it was the unique feature of that bike. Good luck with the build - I'd like to go bigger next time
Thanks for the info mark! Maybe I can pick up and old one from somewhere.
Such a beautiful bike.. does anyone have recommendations of similar styled bikes like the xlr250??
How do u get to to start on 1 kick? With clean carb, What spark plug? I ask cause my 91 XL250 takes a f load of kicks. with clean carb.
Clean carb and spark (standard NGK job) and lights off (if need be). It just runs v clean. Changing the exhaust made it slightly less willing to start easily, as they seem to like a little bit of back pressure?
I've been searching years for a baja, you didnt murder her but it isnt a baja anymore. I think there are bikes like a XR1000 XLCR or a Baja that not meant to customize. But thats only my opinion, if you like it this way its ok for me, but the baja is a bike you dont find so easy. I road one once in the Akamas in cyprus and been searching and diddnt find one again.
I always thought the originals looked so fat and lazy. You've made it look light and nimble. Stunner
I love it!!!!!
Very cool.
Love
Very pretty bike, good job, your chain looks a bit tight though.
Some real nice points. My grandson is rebuilding/restoring a Honda 150, looks like this one did before the rebuild. I think we might borrow some of your ideas. Thanks!
well done indeed.
Super cool, 👍🏼
I have an original 1992 which was the last year, and I live in Japan. I love my Baja! I'm afraid you have ruined it really. You must look funny with a wet stripe up your back when it rains. The noise it makes would attract the cops too and the fuel tanks holds too little fuel. Without gaiters the fork seals won't be happy, and that seat looks painful. The pipe wrap covers the fabulous pipe arrangement these bikes had and no doubt the air cleaner is too small. But hey, each to their own taste.
Hey Mark, what tank is this?
Random tank from eBay that was made in India... I took a chance on it as the fit was good, but I struggled to get a good filler cap to fit properly (needed a bit of modification) and also it wasn't primed in 2k, which I wrongly assumed it would be (as it should have been), which has meant I'm going to have to strip and re-spray it.
Sweet !!
that brown brick is so london
This again, like lots of bikes shown on this channel, looks amazing! Still, I'm always left to wonder what kind of money you need to sink into a project like this... Maybe the truth hurts too much to tell us? :P
Awsome built just the right amount of customization great taste just that the exhaust would have been straight pipes stainless steel would have looked better just my opinion.
👍👍
As also seen here:
advrider.com/f/threads/and-then-i-ruined-a-really-good-bike.1391367/
Why is it we don't see bikes like this in the United States. The bare bones styling must be something unique to the UK
Gauge looks like it's the same as the honda cb175t
your front mud guard is to high
Fantastic build. Colours, style, spot on. I've been thinking of doing something similar with my xr650r, though I dare say it won't look as good, being water cooled. Rads and water bottles never look great exposed. Also, the alu frame with the integrated oil sump not as pretty. Agree with Honda simplicity / reliability, and I think up to the 650l they make a great 70s baja style build. I'll keep thinking about it, but the more see these kind of builds the more I want to try something similar. Enjoy your bike, superb job.
My original inspiration: www.bikeexif.com/honda-xr650
I'm thinking of something a little bigger next - I like that bike a lot - a LOT of time and money has gone into that!
Why would you destroy a rare bike and turn it into this abomination!?
I need one :[
COOL BIKE BUT THE DUDE IS A CORNBALL DELUXE
Bigger tank, low on the frame. A tool kit. Ran dessert when I was a kid. You need gas and tools.
I think you're probably right - a little fatter - maybe I'll change it in the future, but expect I'd have to fully strip it again to re-weld the mounts, so may save that for the next build. Always, learning! I have a tool roll for the side, but don't have it in London as it will only get pinched!
There's a thread featuring your build on Advrider: advrider.com/f/threads/and-then-i-ruined-a-really-good-bike.1391367/
"GAY"
Afraid not, but I suppose everyone has their price. Make me an offer, including travel costs, and maybe I could be, just for you? Discretion assured.
LOL
Mark Shaw great comeback bro, but your bike is still gay :)
And I’m not sure I can accurately quantify the reasons why just from this video. But if any build leaves me asking Why did you do that? with reference to any aspects of the whole, it’s safe to say there’s something missing.
This is essentially an impractical field bike, built out of a practical dual sport bike which did both jobs tolerably well. So I guess your first crime is to have created LESS than the sum of its parts.
Whilst this is a philosophical question, and obviously a subjective one, there are also substantial design principles being violated here.
But you can take heart in the knowledge that you’re not alone. Destroying decent bikes and making passé racers, brat bikes and scramblers, none of which could ever scramble, pass the brat test or win a race, is the order of the day.
And no matter how much time you spend effecting these alterations, the only thing that’s usually achieved in the end is a significant reduction in the usefulness and true value of the surviving parts.
Yes, I said passé racers.
Ride safe
Peace
I don't like the wrong black plate. It isn't old enough. Get a ticket.
Sorry, but that isn't nice at all IMHO :(
Agree. It's beautiful.
Nothing interesting, at all
Agreed
oh, Lord...that is one UGLY bike!!
Thanks for taking the time to not only provide useful feedback, but also pray to God about it. I'm flattered