Question about Super XLs

[Doug Hoffman]

I don't know too much about the history of the SXLs, but aren't there blue ones as well as the red ones? If there are, what are the differences, if any?

I'm brand new to this and just trying to learn. Thank you for your help.

Doug

[chainsawwhisperer]

Hi Doug, From what I have seen and learned. Homelite flip-flopped several times on the colors of the SXL and the XL12 saws.
I don't think that color matters, other than the older 'blue' SXL/XL12 saws were a metallic light blue and the newer ones were a more 'chalky' medium blue.
I don't know about the red color variations.
I have an late 60's SXLAO that is metallic light blue, and a
late 70's/early 80's SXL that is red.
Harbor fright had them for sale in the late 90's as 'Big Red' and
'Old Blue" I am not sure which was which or what was what,
SXL or XL12. CSW

Here is some more info:
houseofhomelite.proboards55.com/index.cgi?board=tech&action=display&thread=292

[lawnmowertech37]

welcome to the forum doug

[OBR]

To add to what csw has already said. XL-12's and SXL's are different saws entirely...aside from sharing basic body parts an SXL is 57cc while and XL-12 is 53cc. Also, ALL SXL's are automatic oiling (save SXL-12's which are a rarity). and to my knowledge NO XL-12's are auto oiling. As far as colors...the vast majority of xl-12's are the metallic blue and there are a few red ones out there. SXL's are the opposite, the majority are the typical homelite red of the 70's-80's and there are some that are again of the metallic blue (these were the earliest SXL's) Coloring on the SXL's of the late 80's early 90's is different from the rest. The red ones (Big Red Versions included) were more of a deeper red color as opposed to the previous red-orange and the blue ones (Usually denoted "Limited Edition" or "Old Blue" models) were a light blue color but this does not in any way match the blue metallic of the 60's and 70's. At least this is some of the knowledge I have found while working on my own saws. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on any points.

[Doug Hoffman]

Thank you for all of the information, guys. Sorry about starting another topic when there was one out there already; I did a search, but I guess I didn't put in the right parameters.

I'm looking forward to picking up some older Homelites and restoring them. I have always liked the look of the Super XL. I first was acquainted with them working with my father. I worked with him in his tree service for about 12 years. There was a period of time there where he used the SXL. They got used HARD! I can't tell you how many seized up on him until he changed over to Stihl. He's still got some laying around and said I could have them, but the shipping will hurt!! He also used to have a couple of C-72s, but I don't know if they're still there or not.

Doug

[MCS]

When I worked on Homelites in the early '70s the XL12 and SXL were metallic blue. The EZ was blue and the Super EZ was red. The 150 was blue at that time but the new little XL or XL2 which ever came out first, was red. So it looks like the transition away from the traditional blue occurred during the 1970s.
Other than the paint scheme, there are just minor changes in the parts, mostly to reduce manufacturing costs. For instance, the air filter cover on the newer red SXL was black plastic where on the older blue saws, it was cast aluminum