Archive for the ‘1974 Honda CR125 Project’ Category

1974 CR125 Tank

Good thing about the 74 CR125 bike I bought is it does start with one kick and tank is dent free with no real scratches so should make a good racer with a few repairs/adjustments.

My local Honda shop replaced fork seals you can buy on eBay, had the shop re-bore the cylinder and matched it to a Wiseco piston so compression issue is fixed quickly. Some new side panels, new levers, new brake shoes, a used 1974 original air cleaner cage and a new chain guide covered most things.

Found the small crack in the bottom of the engine case casuing the oil leak so needed to remove motor, cut a small v along the crack with a grinder and covered it with a product called ‘cold-weld’ worked real well.

I have ordered a new pre jetted carb from USA to fix the engine bogging down in corners, that should turn up in a few weeks.

1974 Honda CR125

This was my first purchase of a vmx bike, I watched these CR125′s race as a kid and didnt have any money to buy one in 74 and then I saw this one on eBay.  Trouble was it was 2,000 miles away on the other side of Australia and there were no bikes for sale in my area at all!

It was listed as being previously restored and in great condition but in my enthusiasm I took that as being correct and did not ask for close up photos of the bike or ask for a list of defects, it did look good in the long shots though.

I paid top money and had it freighted over…

• Fork seals were both blown
• Frame looked weary
• Leaked engine oil
• Original air filter cage was missing, small filter was bolted directly on the carb
• Side panels were both cracked
• Sprocket cover was missing part, common from chain throws.
• Chain guide was missing
• Rear wheel has several big flat spots
• Brakes very weak
• Lever perches were mismatched, missing rubbers.
• Compression was weak
• First text ride, engine bogged down in corners when leaned over.
• Bummer!

LESSON 1 : If buying a bike unseen, ask for detailed pics and for a list of issues/defects. Not everyone will disclose the defects in their ads and you need to ask.