Cam talk... Need numbers

[M.Pargiello]

Alright, I have been looking into stock upgrades for cams in my 200X. I have always seen the XR200 cam as the best option. However, I have also seen the '79-'81 XL185S cam as being a bit bigger than the previous option, and other information saying it was false. I would like to nail this down once and for all. Im not looking for "I ran xxx cam" or "xxx cam is better than xxx cam". I need hard numbers. I have searched quite a few times and couldn't come up with concrete profiles.

What I'm looking for:

1.'79-'81 XL185S cam specs
2. XR200 cam specs
3. '83-'85 200X cam specs

Looking to find out once and for all what the exact profiles are. Thanks for any concrete input.

[Scootertrash]

My Clymer Honda XL/XR/TLR125-200 79-87 manual states that the XR cam lobes (it actually states "all others" besides the TLR200) should be:
Intake 1.2470 - 1.2459
Exhaust 1.2315 - 1.2393

The actual measurements from the 79-83 XL200R cam I put in my 200S, purchased new from Service Honda in 2010:
Intake: 1.251
Exhaust: 1.235

I don't have a 200X cam out of a motor to mic for you but the manual states that the lobe heights for the 200X are:
Intake: 1.2739 - 1.2082
Exhaust: 1.2615 - 1.2678

I used the XL cam from some info I got from an old cam swap thread on .org:


Camshaft Part# 14101-437-000-----MSRP---$70.13------Status: Discontinued at one point but currently available in limited Qty as of 12/04
This camshaft is used exclusively in the dual sport bikes and has a higher lift and duration than the XR version camshafts.
1979-1984 XL 125S
1979-1983 XL 185S
1983-1984 XL 200R


The above cam is still available from Service Honda according to their website. Although if the 200X manual is correct the 200X cam is larger than the XL cam. I don't have a XR200 cam to measure, but if nothing else you have the XL numbers for comparison when you do get the XR200 measurements.

If/when you do get some actual XR200 and 200X measurements, please update the thread with those numbers. I am curious to compare them to the XL200 numbers.

[M.Pargiello]

Exactly the post I am looking for! Thanks a lot! I have an XL185S cam sitting around and it did measure out smaller than the stock 200X cam so I started to wonder... I don't have my mics here so they were rough, but questionable enough to make me throw up a post.

Does it list duration for the cams anywhere? I need to get my hands on these manuals soon

[Scootertrash]

I never found anything listing the duration of the cam lobes, but I can tell you that the XL cam lobes were a fair bit longer than the lobes on the 200S cam I replaced.

I would like to compare a 200S cam with a 200X cam. The 185/200S/200X all have the same part number on the microfiches (14101-965-000) right now. Previously the 185 and 200 cam had the same part number (14101-958-000), but different than the 200x number (14101-965-000), until they superceded the 185 and 200 cam to the current number which matches the 200X. Of course that could be due to the fact that over time they just starting making one cam grind for all the 185/200 ATCs do cut down on production costs since all they were doing was manufacturing replacement parts for machines still around after they ceased making three wheelers.

I still have my original 200S cam. I will have a 200X cam as soon as I rip into one of my 200X projects. Whenever that happens. :wondering