79 RM125 build

752dad
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601
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Location
Hartland, MI US
2/20/2015 7:39pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2021 2:23pm
My buddy dropped this off at my house unannounced.
What do you guys think?
Thanks
Kyle


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EL Sammo
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166
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5/19/2014
Location
AU
2/20/2015 7:54pm
Looks like a solid start for a weekend racer with a tidy up and some new parts.
2/20/2015 8:42pm
Thats a great bike 752Dad but if your going to get it up to race spec then it you will drop a few K into it.
Looks like it needs a new airbox, boot, airfilter etc which is not to expensive. But it will probably need decent replacement shocks and a fork rebuild. That engine will probably need a rebuild, crank, seals, bearings, rebore, piston and rings, carb kit etc...
Then you will be looking at chain and sprockets, muffler, new paint, wheel bearings, some plastics, decals etc..
Its 36 years old and they are not as cheap to "do up" as people think, but once done, it will be fantastic
Below is a pic of my sons 79 RM80N. It owes me about $2700 US after a full rebuild and is ready to ride/race. They are a great bike and worthy of restoring. Good luck with it all and hope you post up some pics of it all finished.


MaxPower
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NJ US
2/21/2015 5:36am
I think i hate Cycle Am fenders and that chain is way too tight. And if it doesn't need a stator now it will like every old RM ive ever heard about incuding the 3 that i have i owned
mayzo
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2/21/2015 5:46am


Should look like this in no time.
1

The Shop

sandman768
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Saratoga Springs, NY US
2/21/2015 6:27am
752dad: they were very good bikes in their time. lots of parts availibility still. easy to work on. bring that thing back to life, if it does not have spark, dont mess around with buying ignition parts, buy a PVL system & be done. if your going to restore it, keep us updated! love following these threads, misery loves company!
752dad
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Hartland, MI US
2/21/2015 7:23am
Thanks so much guys.
I have a lot of other things to spend time and money on, but I have a lot of perks for plating and powdercoating. My plan for now would be to make it a display bike to start with.
Any leads on good low dough parts would be great.
It needs an airbox, plastics, tires, seat cover and rear pipe mount (close up pic would be great)
PS, I couldn't get the fenders off fast enough

MaxPower
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2/21/2015 9:22am Edited Date/Time 2/21/2015 9:25am
Build it and ride it. Once our generation is done with bikes of our time no one is going to care about them anyway. Our kids look at them like we look at steam powered cars from the early 1900s.
That thing has low hours. It's very possible that the stock reat tire is still on it.
I got mine Christmas morning 1979. I was such a dork the first 2 years racing.
1
notme
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5/23/2010
Location
CA
2/21/2015 9:55am
Like another poster said these bikes are easy to work on and pretty decent parts supply remaining compared to other brands of similar years. Lots of threads and info here on this forum, read the ones on the 250 as well. Dont forget to check the engine bolts!
752dad
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601
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Location
Hartland, MI US
2/21/2015 3:11pm
Thanks agin Guys for the encouragement. Chain, sprockets and tires are original.
Bars were Moto X Fox that were once gold irridited. Under tank pic


1
Mike P.
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756
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11/3/2014
Location
Chantilly, VA US
2/23/2015 5:04pm
i currently own a 1980 RM125, but back in 79 I spent some time on a few 79's and over the years I've noticed that most people prefer the 79 or 80 and I have always wonder why? I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this. I was no a huge fan of the fendes in 79 (hence why I own an 80 now), and I the 80 had a better chain tensioner, but was there something better about the motor of the 79...
2/23/2015 8:39pm Edited Date/Time 2/23/2015 8:41pm
The 1979 has a lighter crank. The halves are just slightly thicker on the 1980 model as I recall so you'll have a different torque curve. People seem to gravitate to the on/off 125 power that the 1979 model offered therefore.

The 1979 model though feels different though as it seems the pegs are higher or something funky.

Consider yourself lucky on the one you just picked up though. It seems every other frame has broken number plate tabs. You have a nice start here. Suzuki still has a ton of parts available...airboxes are the in demand items.
2/23/2015 9:52pm
Here is the owners manual and some posters for you... https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=407D7EF0965D3991&id=407D7EF0965D3991!3994
If you have access to powder coating and plating, then get that frame done it you will a great start. Also, if your into saving money and keeping it original, zinc plate every nut, bolt, rod, spring, spoke, nipple etc as a batch. Its cheap and brings the bike up like new. I also have an RM80B 1977 which i restored and i electroplated everything including the original spokes and nipples. There are places that rebuild those un-rebuildable shocks and you can do the front forks yourself.

Also, everything you ever wanted to know about the RM's from that era is here: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=407d7ef0965d3991&id=407D7EF0965D3991!3198



752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
2/24/2015 3:07pm
Here is the owners manual and some posters for you... https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=407D7EF0965D3991&id=407D7EF0965D3991!3994 If you have access to powder coating and plating, then get that frame done it...
Here is the owners manual and some posters for you... https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=407D7EF0965D3991&id=407D7EF0965D3991!3994
If you have access to powder coating and plating, then get that frame done it you will a great start. Also, if your into saving money and keeping it original, zinc plate every nut, bolt, rod, spring, spoke, nipple etc as a batch. Its cheap and brings the bike up like new. I also have an RM80B 1977 which i restored and i electroplated everything including the original spokes and nipples. There are places that rebuild those un-rebuildable shocks and you can do the front forks yourself.

Also, everything you ever wanted to know about the RM's from that era is here: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=407d7ef0965d3991&id=407D7EF0965D3991!3198



Thank you Mr Trickle
I will try and post my progress pics.
KC
752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
3/2/2015 5:43pm
Sandblasted the frame today. Boy the factory welds are pus. Touched up a couple welds that were horrible. Steering stop was non existent, fabbed a new one and welded it on. Had the anodizing stripped off the wheels and swingarm to refinish. Front wheel cracked at the seam and swingarm cracked too at the chain side pivot. Repairing both of those. Ordered some swingarm bearings and prepped a few things. McMaster Carr has Clevis pins for the foot pegs that look to be identical to stock, one of mine was bent and couldn't get it out without cutting it to save the spring. Pictures to follow soon.
Still need an airbox among other things.
3/2/2015 7:51pm
I completely forgot to mention those swingarms cracking up at the pivot. Repair what you have but keep an eye peeled on ebay for a good one. I believe a PE175 used a like model/fitment arm you could use. They sometimes can be pricey but I don't think most sell for more than $50 plus shipping...just hold out as you always find something for your price eventually. The pivot bolts commonly break on these bikes too.
752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
3/4/2015 6:31pm
Got the frame back today

1
78rm125
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10/24/2014
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CA
3/4/2015 7:20pm
Awesome!! Keep the pics coming . Heres mine ,built it last spring



notme
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5/23/2010
Location
CA
3/4/2015 8:25pm
Heres my 91 Im working on..

752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
3/5/2015 5:56am
notme wrote:
Theres an airbox and some other parts posted at marks,
http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi

go grab it now!
Thanks for the heads up.
I texted him this morning.
Bummer is that I have one coming that probably isn't as nice already.
Oh well, why not have 2 right?
Hasletjoe
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430
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7/29/2013
Location
Haslet, TX US
3/5/2015 6:26am
78rm125 wrote:
Awesome!! Keep the pics coming . Heres mine ,built it last spring[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/03/04/82496/s1200_DSC_0397.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/03/04/82497/s1200_936084_10153112035163135_6929511936202525263_n.jpg[/img]
Awesome!! Keep the pics coming . Heres mine ,built it last spring



Man, that riding gear sure makes you look taller......
78rm125
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CA
3/5/2015 7:14am
It's the "S" on the jersey that throws it off.
752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
6/14/2015 5:17pm
Some progress pics
Wheels and swingarm are done





1
6/14/2015 7:15pm


I got mine for free and turned it into this! Great bike, throw on the '80 520 chain setup. The rear sprockets for RM's are the same from 1980-2008
752dad
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601
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11/24/2014
Location
Hartland, MI US
6/15/2015 6:03am
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/06/14/94667/s1200_image.jpg[/img] I got mine for free and turned it into this! Great bike, throw on the '80 520 chain setup. The rear sprockets for RM's are...


I got mine for free and turned it into this! Great bike, throw on the '80 520 chain setup. The rear sprockets for RM's are the same from 1980-2008
Hey Beast,
Looks great.
I hope mine comes out as good.

Thanks
KC
oldmxracer
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43
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6/29/2009
Location
Benton, IL US
6/15/2015 9:08am
I found that Suzuki has a dealer-access-only database for discontinued parts. Had a mom n pop dealer find some nla stuff for me that way....

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