Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hi, I'm working on a '74 CR125 Elsinore. Right now, I'm working on the shocks. I have found seals and o'ring and will be ready to paint the body and the spring soon.

My question here is how much oil is needed for those shocks and what grade?

Here's a few pictures:

When I bought it last summer


Right now:


The shocks rebuild:

Shocks body before repair:


After repair:


Parts:

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

Oil will go full to the top, then as you put the piston in the body some will leak out.
Keep working the piston up and down to get all the air out.
The body should be full to the top with oil with no bubbles or foam. Then screw the seal head in, more will leak out.
The key is to have zero air in there to get the best damping.
I use spectro:
http://www.spectro-oils.com/platinum-sx ... ork-fluid/

Make sure the shafts are not bent, if they are the seal head will be junk.

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1994 AHRMA National Champion Sportsman 125 Intermediate.
1996 AHRMA National Champion Classic 125 Expert.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2576&hilit=Showa+360+Shock+Rebuilding

I ended up using 110cc of Bel-Ray 3W shock oil. I've also seen Showa shock oil recommended, as apparently it's still available.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric

Thanks guys and thanks for the link rayivers!

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

Impressive restoration.

Nice restoration job in progress. I've got a 1976 CR125M that I'm currently restoring and it looks like your, all in pieces. I've got the same problem with the rear shocks only mine has a schrader valve on the bottom of housing for nitrogen gas charge. I assume I fill with oil as described but when do and how do I charge with nitrogen? Any help would be appreciated.
Kenny

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Kenny Rogers

'76 CR125M Elsinore

Thank you for your comments!

supermanksr, any shock rebuilt shop near you? You can ask them about the gas. Anyway, you will have to find one for the refill.

Here's an update picture of my CR

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

Beautiful looking rebuild Stou, Hope mine turns out that nice. I'm working on a very small budget. Mine is a 76 Honda cr125m and I'm painting it orange instead of Tahiatian Red, I hope nobody minds, LOL.

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Kenny Rogers

'76 CR125M Elsinore

When you say orange, is it orange like a KTM or orange/red like a Honda TLR frame?

If it's really like a KTM, it will look a little bit strange. I'm curious to see what a CR will look in that color!

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

I'll post pictures when I make some progress, I've been sick lately and not much is getting done plus it's been in the 30's and 40's here in Virginia lately. Your bike is lookin awsome. Hope mine turns out half as good. Runnin is another story. I'm gonna start on the engine soon to see if it even has spark now that I've got a new carb. comming from E-bay.
Kenny

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Kenny Rogers

'76 CR125M Elsinore

Hi Stou,

Beautiful job on the restoration! I too would like to rebuild my '74 Elsinore 125 shocks. Where did you find the seals?

Thanx!
Randy

Randy, I bought the seals at a bearing store. I brought the old one and they find something really similar to the old one. I'll see if it's ok when I'll try the bike. Right now they didn't leak. I also changed the small o'ring.

Sorry for the late reply!

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

where did you get the seat cover? or is that the same one just cleaned up?

Sorry for the late reply, I bought on eBay. $32 + shipping.

Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/CR125M-1974-75-E ... 1449wt_940

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1974 Honda CR125M - 1977 Honda CB750 - 1982 Yamaha XT550 - 1986 Honda TLR200 - 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin- 2012 Ossa TR280i

Hi stou, I'm hoping you can help me out. How did you repair those shock cooling fins. I'm restoring a bike now and have thought of this for awhile? Thank you