Rm 125 Rescue & Restore (Finished with Pics)

K-dubbb
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472
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CA
5/5/2015 9:18am
Bruce372 wrote:
nice bike mate. if you haven't already, maybe replace the float needle valve. they can perish over the years...if that part has failed, you will be...
nice bike mate.

if you haven't already, maybe replace the float needle valve. they can perish over the years...if that part has failed, you will be chasing your tail for a long time.

good luck
Thanks Bruce!

Appreciate the input, I have added all new jets, and valves - put a Moose Carb Rebuild Kit in the carb, aside from the suggested jets.

Running a 460, 27.5, 2nd clip as suggested by FMF

I tried playing with the air screw with little to no difference which leads me to believe there is a seal issue somewhere as my overflow may indicate?

Hoping my plug will reveal my results with current jetting.
Bruce372
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5/5/2015 9:26am
fix the fuel leak first. get the carb operating correctly before you change the jetting
seth505
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SD, CA, USA
5/5/2015 9:38am
Bruce372 wrote:
nice bike mate. if you haven't already, maybe replace the float needle valve. they can perish over the years...if that part has failed, you will be...
nice bike mate.

if you haven't already, maybe replace the float needle valve. they can perish over the years...if that part has failed, you will be chasing your tail for a long time.

good luck
Agreed, worth a look! I had to replace mine in my 03.
project racer
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5/5/2015 7:51pm Edited Date/Time 5/5/2015 7:51pm
Unless the needle and seat are totally shot, usually a sticky needle can be rattled loose with a few taps to the carb bowl with the plastic end of a screwdriver. Turn the fuel on, and as it starts to piss fuel, give it a few taps on the bowl. Eight times out of ten ,you will see the fuel drip subside.

The Shop

K-dubbb
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5/6/2015 4:25am
Unless the needle and seat are totally shot, usually a sticky needle can be rattled loose with a few taps to the carb bowl with the...
Unless the needle and seat are totally shot, usually a sticky needle can be rattled loose with a few taps to the carb bowl with the plastic end of a screwdriver. Turn the fuel on, and as it starts to piss fuel, give it a few taps on the bowl. Eight times out of ten ,you will see the fuel drip subside.
The needle and seat are all new. When I put the carb back together I didn't even look at float height since the carb appeared to operated correctly when I originally started tried the bike.

Anyways I will confirm float height tonight to ensure that is appropriate and go from there.

Thanks for your input though, if the float seems to be fine it is very likely there is a deficiency in this area - or at least my next step!
K-dubbb
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5/7/2015 9:38am
So last night I pulled the needle out and the housing it goes into (valve of some sort?) and this valve with the seal, the seal was broken so I think that is my issue. Float height was okay.

The new needle is different too, I just put back the old needle and valve which looked to have a good seal.




After I threw the carb back in the bike, got started on putting my Z back together Grinning



I will keep you posted on Carb success and post up my photo shoot photos here soon.

Spydee
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Wales, GB
5/7/2015 10:02am
Another project in the making! Sweet dude Cool
Matt Fisher
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Visalia, CA, USA
5/7/2015 10:17am
K-dubbb wrote:
So last night I pulled the needle out and the housing it goes into (valve of some sort?) and this valve with the seal, the seal...
So last night I pulled the needle out and the housing it goes into (valve of some sort?) and this valve with the seal, the seal was broken so I think that is my issue. Float height was okay.

The new needle is different too, I just put back the old needle and valve which looked to have a good seal.




After I threw the carb back in the bike, got started on putting my Z back together Grinning



I will keep you posted on Carb success and post up my photo shoot photos here soon.

The old needle has a slightly visible ring on the sealing area, so it may in fact not seal up all that well.
The TMX carb has an o-ring on the brass "cup " the float valve sets in. That o-ring can go bad, particularly with today's lousy fuel, and cause the same issues as a bad float valve.
K-dubbb
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5/7/2015 10:30am
K-dubbb wrote:
So last night I pulled the needle out and the housing it goes into (valve of some sort?) and this valve with the seal, the seal...
So last night I pulled the needle out and the housing it goes into (valve of some sort?) and this valve with the seal, the seal was broken so I think that is my issue. Float height was okay.

The new needle is different too, I just put back the old needle and valve which looked to have a good seal.




After I threw the carb back in the bike, got started on putting my Z back together Grinning



I will keep you posted on Carb success and post up my photo shoot photos here soon.

The old needle has a slightly visible ring on the sealing area, so it may in fact not seal up all that well. The TMX carb...
The old needle has a slightly visible ring on the sealing area, so it may in fact not seal up all that well.
The TMX carb has an o-ring on the brass "cup " the float valve sets in. That o-ring can go bad, particularly with today's lousy fuel, and cause the same issues as a bad float valve.
Yah that O-ring was the broken part when I pulled out the valve.

I am gonna try these previous components to see if it improves at all. If it is better, but not perfect I will just re-order the valve and needle.

Thanks for the advice!
moto899ca
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Rowe, NM, USA
5/7/2015 12:58pm
K-dubbb wrote:
Thanks for the comments guys, here is one from my phone at the photo shoot we did, the real pictures from a real camera are on...
Thanks for the comments guys, here is one from my phone at the photo shoot we did, the real pictures from a real camera are on there way.



I rode it on Saturday and felt comfortable right away, I can now tell why people love this chassis! Cornered like a champion.

I am still getting some bogging and fuel overflow, I am going to revisit the float setting tomorrow and inspect the carb. I will take some pictures of the plug too to judge my jetting.

I think the bike is just getting too much fuel, it floods out extremely easy and like I said almost consistently leaks fuel out of the over flow - something isn't right. Plus the bike is bogging a lot, especially under load - I can typically pull the clutch in and get the revs back up.

Any input, thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
What the hell is up with your levers/throttle housing?

Nice bike though!! Love following these builds
K-dubbb
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5/10/2015 6:29pm Edited Date/Time 5/10/2015 6:33pm
So I rode the bike yesterday and it was incredible, felt so tight and really a lot of fun on the track. Suspension needs to be sent away to a pro at some point, but going to enjoy it like this for this season anyways.

SO here are the final photos, thanks all for the input/advice and support on the build. Really happy with my end result.





















Next step! How do I share or enter my photos for Bike of the Day? Smile
5/10/2015 8:18pm
Aawesome bike and great build!

For the love of all that is moto please raise those levers up. I don't even know how you could reach those things.
liamjumper
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Vancouver, CA
5/10/2015 8:22pm Edited Date/Time 5/10/2015 8:22pm
Aawesome bike and great build! For the love of all that is moto please raise those levers up. I don't even know how you could reach...
Aawesome bike and great build!

For the love of all that is moto please raise those levers up. I don't even know how you could reach those things.
Reminds me of how my dad used to put my levers on my 65 so I'd keep my elbows up, but I know a lot of people that actually like them that low. Bike looks awesome, done right!
K-dubbb
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5/11/2015 2:54am
Aawesome bike and great build! For the love of all that is moto please raise those levers up. I don't even know how you could reach...
Aawesome bike and great build!

For the love of all that is moto please raise those levers up. I don't even know how you could reach those things.
I know they're coming up. The problem is, the motion pro throttle assembly gets in the way. If I lean that back any further my twist position is a wrist breaker. I gotta figure out a way to adjust this or switch it up.
HenryA
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Stockholm, SE
5/11/2015 5:25am
Wow, that is a great looking bike!
moto899ca
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5/3/2015
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Rowe, NM, USA
5/11/2015 5:50am
K-dubbb wrote:
I know they're coming up. The problem is, the motion pro throttle assembly gets in the way. If I lean that back any further my twist...
I know they're coming up. The problem is, the motion pro throttle assembly gets in the way. If I lean that back any further my twist position is a wrist breaker. I gotta figure out a way to adjust this or switch it up.
?

the position of the throttle housing doesnt affect the twist of the tube. It only turns a specific amount regardless of what position it starts in. You could have it upside down and it would still turn exactly the same as it does right now.
Spydee
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Wales, GB
5/11/2015 11:50am
If I were being picky I'd say flip the bar pad cover round Wink
jhansen510
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GREENFIELD, MN, USA
5/11/2015 2:07pm
And get rid of the hardware store bolts! Other than that it looks great bud!
rovertnamrod
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Clearwater, FL, USA
5/12/2015 3:10pm
stunning... I prefer a yellow seat and yellow on the side of the rear fender myself but damn that bike looks good.
K-dubbb
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CA
9/16/2015 9:01am
Hey guys,

Just posting a bit of an update. Have about 13 hours on the bike now and it is a ton of fun! Since the restore I got the suspension re-valved and added a new sprocket and chain set. Here is some pics of the bike currently, and some riding photos from the weekend in the mud.














Last night, about an hour into my ride the bike just died on the track - at first I thought I ran out of gas, than I thought my top end went. Anyways, after further inspection, I am simply not getting any spark (even with a new plug) so will be popping the tank off this weekend to clean all my connections and see if I can reactivate spark, plus do a compression test.

Thanks for checking in.

-Kevin
slackinoff
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Nacogdoches, TX, USA
9/16/2015 1:34pm
Unplug the kill switch and give it a try.
liamjumper
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Location
Vancouver, CA
9/21/2015 10:55am
K-dubbb wrote:
Hey guys, Just posting a bit of an update. Have about 13 hours on the bike now and it is a ton of fun! Since the...
Hey guys,

Just posting a bit of an update. Have about 13 hours on the bike now and it is a ton of fun! Since the restore I got the suspension re-valved and added a new sprocket and chain set. Here is some pics of the bike currently, and some riding photos from the weekend in the mud.














Last night, about an hour into my ride the bike just died on the track - at first I thought I ran out of gas, than I thought my top end went. Anyways, after further inspection, I am simply not getting any spark (even with a new plug) so will be popping the tank off this weekend to clean all my connections and see if I can reactivate spark, plus do a compression test.

Thanks for checking in.

-Kevin
Could also be a stator problem. If you can't seem to figure it out, check that. Timing could be off, or something could just be broken.
d394
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2/27/2015
Location
Middletown, NY, USA
9/21/2015 2:25pm
Hey, would you happen to know the RAL code of your frame color?
9/23/2015 1:32am
Sounds like an issue with your stator. Which sucks. I just had the same issue with my 04 rm 125. The stator for it was on back order. Down time was 4 weeks for me. I also live in Canada maybe that had something to do with it.

What type of grip tape did you use on the side of your frame? I tried skateboard grip for a single ride and I chewed the heck out of my tech 8 boots. Haven't used it since then. Has it chewed your boots?

Nice bike btw
K-dubbb
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CA
9/24/2015 9:44am
Ha well an easy fix, took the tank off and 1 plug must of rattled loose and came unplugged - plugged it back in and started first kick!

Did a compression test and got a reading of 140 - so I think we're looking good.

As for frame guards, I am using grip tape but it lasts like 1 ride - so I am gonna get these when opportunity strikes: http://www.carbonperformanceparts.co.uk/rm-125-carbon-fibre-frame-guard…


K-dubbb
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472
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CA
9/24/2015 12:11pm
d394 wrote:
Hey, would you happen to know the RAL code of your frame color?
Ral 1016 sulphur yellow
9/28/2015 6:49am
K-dubbb wrote:
Ha well an easy fix, took the tank off and 1 plug must of rattled loose and came unplugged - plugged it back in and started...
Ha well an easy fix, took the tank off and 1 plug must of rattled loose and came unplugged - plugged it back in and started first kick!

Did a compression test and got a reading of 140 - so I think we're looking good.

As for frame guards, I am using grip tape but it lasts like 1 ride - so I am gonna get these when opportunity strikes: http://www.carbonperformanceparts.co.uk/rm-125-carbon-fibre-frame-guard…


Can you let me know what the quality and fit of those carbon fiber frame guards is if you end up ordering them. Thanks
9/30/2015 7:00pm
K-dubbb wrote:
Very productive weekend, got my frame and swing arm back, plus did up some other small parts. Majority of my parts will be back this week...
Very productive weekend, got my frame and swing arm back, plus did up some other small parts.

Majority of my parts will be back this week so next weekend I hope to have a rolling chassis.

I come from lengthy mountain bike background so I am kind of approaching this build, as I would with my bike builds. I want the rolling chassis perfect before I move onto the power plant. Getting there and I am fired up!







When you got your triple clamps powder coated did you have to specify to plug the holes so the threads didn't get full of paint?
K-dubbb
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472
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12/10/2013
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CA
10/1/2015 6:00am
K-dubbb wrote:
Very productive weekend, got my frame and swing arm back, plus did up some other small parts. Majority of my parts will be back this week...
Very productive weekend, got my frame and swing arm back, plus did up some other small parts.

Majority of my parts will be back this week so next weekend I hope to have a rolling chassis.

I come from lengthy mountain bike background so I am kind of approaching this build, as I would with my bike builds. I want the rolling chassis perfect before I move onto the power plant. Getting there and I am fired up!







When you got your triple clamps powder coated did you have to specify to plug the holes so the threads didn't get full of paint?
I did the triple clamps myself and didn't plug any of the holes - but I also didn't point the sprayer directly into the threaded sections.

As for the fork tube tension bolts on the clamps, it isn't until the second side that threads exist - so getting paint in there is pretty tough.

As for other parts that were powder coated with threads, I just re-tapped the holes before assembling.
Slosh 112
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Mackay QLD, AU
10/1/2015 4:44pm
K-dubb I am just noticing now that there are a lot of differences between your RM and mine.

Your swingarm is almost totally different, so are the foot peg mounts and the top triple clamp... and yet they look totally the same on the outside...

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