If we can trust the late Steve McQueen, few hobbies are as exciting and as engaging as off road motorcycle riding!

The XL250 has a narrow, streamlined silhoutte, being only 12 inches at the widest point, excluding the handlebars. It weighs only 288 lbs with oil, grease, and fuel - all favorable traits, keeping demand high among enthusiasts and collectors.

This one is a true California native, the proverbial survivor, carrying all of its factory finishes, including the original factory silver-and-burgundy paint and even the factory seat.

Built in February of 1972, it's an early one. I've purchased it a couple of years ago, with the intention of using it as a "pit bike" during the El Mirage SCTA land speed racing weekends that we attend with our blown gas roadster. To that end, I had my friend Mark, fellow 200mph Club member and crew chief of one of the winningest lakester teams in LSR history, go through it, top to bottom.

Above is summary of the items he took care of. We agreed that we would leave as much of the original "flavor" of the bike intact and focus on reliability of all the mechanical aspects.

As evidenced by the old 1976 sticker, the bike had been in hibernation for 36 years. It comes with a current tag and a clear California title in my name. Why am I selling it? Turns out, I prefer riding around the dry lake on my mountain bike. Guess I need the exercise . . .

The XL 250 is an enduro or "dual purpose" bike. Although set up as an off road only vehicle in this configuration, it can easily be made street legal by adding lights, and having a California title would make this easy as pie.

I had brand new tires mounted, front and rear. Total mileage: less than 20 miles!

Just like Steve McQueen's Triumph desert sled, this XL 250 comes with the characteristic bullnose handlebars. They're in fabulous condition.
Note custom choke mount.

The now legendary 250cc 4-stroke, 24 horsepower thumper. Sounds great!
The original air cleaner box and various miscellaneous small parts that we took off come with the bike.

Engine was just serviced by Ventura's own "Rocky" and starts on the first kick, hot or cold. No pesky oil leaks.

Most appreciated, a custom-made skid plate protects the engine. It's in excellent condition.

I have close to $3,500 invested in this bike, but I simply use it too little to warrant keeping it in the stable. Thus, I'm putting it up for adoption here, hoping that it may find an appreciative new caretaker. She needs to be ridden hard!