1981 HONDA XR80

Gorgeous Classic With The Original-Paint Tank

Comprehensive Cosmetic Restoration

Here is an exceptionally rare survivor: a 1981 Honda XR80 that retains its original engine, original major components, and original factory paint on the fuel tank. Most XR80s from this era were ridden hard, modified, repainted several times, or simply worn beyond repair. This motorcycle was different. It arrived as a tight, low-hour, largely original example—an ideal foundation for the comprehensive mechanical service and cosmetic restoration it received.

The result is a beautifully restored vintage Honda that runs, rides, and sounds like a new motorcycle.

Rare Original-Paint Survivor

The fuel tank still wears its original Honda factory paint. It has a few age-appropriate beauty marks and evidence of minor touch-up, but it remains remarkably attractive and still retains a beautiful shine. We deliberately chose not to repaint it because original paint in this condition is extraordinarily difficult to find on a miniature off-road motorcycle from this era.

The original tank decals were showing their age, so a fresh, correctly sized replacement set is being produced. If the buyer prefers a fully refinished tank, we can arrange a professional paint job through Mill Street Auto, the same shop responsible for our high-end restoration paintwork. The approximate cost would be $750.

However, we believe the original paint is an important part of this XR80’s history and authenticity.

Low-Hour Original Engine

The original engine remains in excellent condition and showed a perfect 120 PSI during compression testing. We also inspected the cylinder internally with a borescope and found everything to be in excellent condition.

The engine starts easily, runs beautifully, sounds healthy, and delivers the strong, crisp performance these legendary Honda four-strokes are known for.

Mechanical service included:

• Carburetor completely cleaned and rebuilt

• Fuel tank internally cleaned and treated with a Caswell liner

• New fuel petcock and fuel lines

• Airbox cleaned

• New air filter installed

• New spark plug installed

• Engine oil changed with Bel-Ray 10W-40

• Compression tested at 120 PSI

• Cylinder inspected internally with a borescope

• New front brake cable

• New front brake lever

• New rear brake lever

• New 14-tooth front sprocket

• New 46-tooth rear sprocket

• New gold drive chain

• Complete inspection, adjustment, and test ride

Extensive Cosmetic Restoration

Once the mechanical work was complete, the XR80 was substantially disassembled for a comprehensive cosmetic restoration. The front end, rear end, wheels, tank, seat, exhaust, suspension components, and related hardware were removed so the motorcycle could be properly cleaned and refinished.

The frame was stripped, prepared, and repainted. The complete motorcycle was steam-cleaned and hand-washed, while the chrome, aluminum, hubs, rims, and hardware were carefully restored and polished.

Restoration work included:

• Frame refinished and repainted

• Complete exterior engine restoration

• Right and left engine covers restored and repainted

• Lower engine cover removed, restored, and refinished

• Exhaust removed, restored, and repainted

• Exhaust heat shield restored and repainted

• Kickstand restored and repainted

• Kickstarter refinished

• Foot pegs restored and repainted

• Chain guide restored and repainted

• Rear brake arm restored and refinished

• Forks removed, polished, and repainted

• Rear shocks dismantled, cleaned, polished, and restored

• Front and rear wheels vapor-honed

• Front and rear rims polished

• Front hub and brake hub restored and polished

• Rear brake hub refinished

• Aluminum components vapor-honed and clear-coated where necessary

• Engine hardware replaced where appropriate

• Original fuel tank carefully cleaned, buffed, and preserved

New Parts and Components

This XR80 received an extensive list of new replacement parts, including:

• New front tire and tube

• New rear tire and tube

• New gold drive chain

• New 14-tooth front sprocket

• New 46-tooth rear sprocket

• New front fender

• New rear fender

• New side panels

• New front number plate

• New seat cover

• New air filter

• New fuel petcock

• New fuel lines

• New spark plug

• New front brake cable

• New front brake lever

• New rear brake lever

• Fresh Bel-Ray 10W-40 engine oil

Remarkable Original Details

Unlike many restored vintage minibikes assembled from several different donor motorcycles, this XR80 retains its original components. We are 99.9% certain that it still has its original handlebars, and it even retains the factory-style cable ties—small details that are almost always missing after more than four decades.

This was not a worn-out collection of mismatched parts. It was an unusually solid and complete original motorcycle that deserved to be preserved and restored properly.

Over $7,500 Invested

A total of 47 hours of professional shop labor was invested in this motorcycle at our standard rate of $150 per hour:

• Professional labor: $7,050

• New parts and materials: $511

• Total restoration investment: $7,561

That figure does not include the original purchase price of the motorcycle or the cost of transporting it to our facility.

This motorcycle will be offered for considerably less than it would cost to purchase another XR80 and commission this level of professional mechanical and cosmetic work. The restoration is complete, the engine is tight, and the motorcycle is fully serviced, tested, and ready to enjoy.

Final Assessment

Finding any 1981 Honda XR80 that survived intact is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one with its original engine, original major components, original handlebars, factory details, and original-paint fuel tank is exceptionally rare.

This XR80 runs like a new bike, rides like a new bike, sounds like a new bike, and has been brought as close to showroom condition as reasonably possible while preserving the originality that makes it special.

It would make an outstanding addition to a serious Honda collection, vintage motorcycle display, private museum, or family collection. It is also fully functional and ready to be ridden and enjoyed.

Please study all photographs and video carefully. As with any 45-year-old motorcycle, minor signs of age and use should be expected. The original-paint tank has some beauty marks and minor touch-up, all of which are visible and part of its preserved history.

For additional information, please call Kaplan Cycles at 860-454-7024.

Thanks for looking, and God bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.