Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hi everyone, nice site, unfortunately your are responsible for refueling an old passion and causing me to seriously consider buying a bike. I had a 73 TM125 that I bought with paper route money back in 1975 an then a 77 or so RM125. But as life goes by and nostalgia for the old days kicks in. I have a 78 Trans Am that I restored in my garage so it needs a period correct MX'er to keep it company. I've seen positive comments about the 80 CR125 and I have a chance to get a mostly original one that supposedly runs great with new dunlops with no issues. I take it with a grain of salt until I see it. Since it's been a while since I've played with one of these can someone give me some points to check out when looking at it? I don't plan to race it, hell I don't even think there's a place to ride it near me so it will probably be a project bike to freshen up and try to make look nice again to park next to my TA and take a blast up the block now and then. Are most parts still avilable like plastics etc. I like the idea of simplicity in an air cooled version. I also have a line on a 77 CR125 that seems just as nice. I am sure the 80 is much more bike and better sorted out and I like the progressive looks a little better with the taller tank and layed down shocks. Which do you feel would be a better investment? I can get the 80 for $1000 an d the 77 for closer to $1500. Any pointers or opinions would be apprectiated. I'll try to attach a pic of the 77, I'm waiting for pics on the 80. I may be able to pick up a 1980 Maico MC250 with some issues for $500, any opinions, I get can of worms type vibe from it.

Thanks,
Jack

NEWS FLASH!!! Just got some nice pics from seller. Can anyone pick out good and bad, correct and not, buy or skip. Got a bottom line of $1300.
?
Thanks,

Jack

All I have to say is, don't try to make this stuff so rational. Passion was the word you used early in your writing. That what's all about, isn't it? Both those Hondas are priced pretty darned good for solid bikes. Put a picture of each bike on opposite walls. Buy the bike your head keeps turning toward.
Something tells me that eventually you'll also have a little TM125 sitting next to the Honda.
Enjoy!
Jon

From what I can see from the pictures, the bike is in OK shape superficially.

The ignition cover has been butchered (common problem) and it looks like
one of the screws is oversized which will necessitate a heli-coil or equivalent
case repair to correct. Also, at least one of the engine mounting bolts is a
"grab bag" so I would double check them all.

The right footpeg is tweaked, just make sure the mount isn't bent as well and it
looks like the forks are "pinched" down around the hub. Could be parallax from
the picture angle or could be missing a spacer.

Obviously, can't tell much about the mechanical side from pictures. If the bike
is local, get a compression test, check the kickstarter action, shift through the
gears, spin the front and rear wheels and listen for strange sounds, etc.
If the bike isn't local, cross your fingers.

Just remember, it is over 30 years old so all this is to be expected and I'm
sure there is more, but it looks like a pretty good start for a restoration.

If you decide to proceed, pick up a Honda owners/service manual and a Clymer
manual. This site is a great source for info if you have questions and the resources
icon at top is loaded with links to vendors. Unfortunately, you won't enjoy the same
level of support (in the form of repops and aftermarket goods) you had with your
TA resto, we are pretty much on our own in that regard.

Jump right in, you won't regret it.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R