Posts
335
Joined
1/27/2011
Location
Oakley, CA, USA
Edited Date/Time
5/26/2022 4:16am
When I got it:
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/1989-Yamaha-YZ125,38811/1989-Yamah…
So I just got a 1989 YZ125. I had a 1988 Yamaha YZ 125 that I was making into a Mike Craig replica but had to sell it. The moment the guy was driving off with it, I felt sad and wished I could of held onto it (actually had him stop so I could kiss the seat one last time).
So I had seen this 1989 Yamaha YZ 125 on a few forums. On every forum it was a story about how the bike didn't have spark. It goes through how they went through everything and cleaned it, checked the Magneto, checked the CDI, checked the Stator. Same story on each forum. And then I would see the bike on craigslist. A few months to a year and the bike would be on craigslist. Saying NO SPARK.
Each time the bike changed a little cosmetically, I guess if they couldn't get it running they would at least get it looking fast. The last 2 owners both went the route of trying to make it look like a new YZ 125 by getting a Blue Seat Cover and putting 2000 Era Fenders on it. The last guy put a Ceet Graphics Kit on it that honestly made it look really modern.
Okay so after watching this bike to for so long, and seeing it listed once again at a price of $300 (Pipe and Silencer alone are worth that.) I decided to call the guy. We talked. He told me it won't run, told me his line of work. I told him I would think about. Then something sparked with me. I had purchased a Welder, and I cannot weld to save my life. I had gotten frustrated with trying and just threw this welder in a box and hid it away. Just up his alley, so I called him back and made an offer to trade. 2 hours later the bike was in my driveway laying on its side. Lol
I look it over. Take off the gas tank to get a look at the wiring. Seems that there are 2 wires missing (they weren't. more on that in the story). I take off the Magneto cover. Flywheel and Stator look like the bike just came fresh off of the assembly line. I guess one of the previous owners bought new Flywheel and Stator.
I go straight to a wiring diagram for the bike since I thought 2 wires were missing. I see that when the last guy removed the Kill Switch he plugged 2 wires into one another. I go out and separate them. No spark. I start to think I will be another guy who gets the bike and puts it back up on craigslist with a NO SPARK reference. I go back to the wiring diagram and see that the harness with the Orange Kill Switch wires also has the Black wire with the white strip and the solid black wire, but there is nothing to stop them from being plugged into the wrong mating pair. So I pull them and switch them.
SPARK. FIRE UP.
I could not believe that something so very simple had been missed by at minimum "4" people.
So now I am getting White Plastics (the Blue ones are so hacked up to make them fit anyway), Correct Red Seat Cover, I may go with the 1992 Yamaha YZ Number Plate and Front Fender, but am not sure yet as I truly want it period correct.
So even though I lost my 1988 Yamaha YZ125 that was quickly becoming my favorite bike to pull out of the garage and take to the track (even over my modern machines), I ended up with a 1 year newer machine and I can still make my Mike Craig replica.
I will post pics of the bike at a later date (when I get all the White Plastics and Red Seat Cover). I will do before and after. It is funny because when I google "1989 Yamaha YZ125" a photo of my bike pops up, also links to the previous owners asking questions on how to get spark.
Question to self:
Why does every Post Vintage YZ owner try to make their bike Blue like a 1996 and newer model?
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/1989-Yamaha-YZ125,38811/1989-Yamah…
So I just got a 1989 YZ125. I had a 1988 Yamaha YZ 125 that I was making into a Mike Craig replica but had to sell it. The moment the guy was driving off with it, I felt sad and wished I could of held onto it (actually had him stop so I could kiss the seat one last time).
So I had seen this 1989 Yamaha YZ 125 on a few forums. On every forum it was a story about how the bike didn't have spark. It goes through how they went through everything and cleaned it, checked the Magneto, checked the CDI, checked the Stator. Same story on each forum. And then I would see the bike on craigslist. A few months to a year and the bike would be on craigslist. Saying NO SPARK.
Each time the bike changed a little cosmetically, I guess if they couldn't get it running they would at least get it looking fast. The last 2 owners both went the route of trying to make it look like a new YZ 125 by getting a Blue Seat Cover and putting 2000 Era Fenders on it. The last guy put a Ceet Graphics Kit on it that honestly made it look really modern.
Okay so after watching this bike to for so long, and seeing it listed once again at a price of $300 (Pipe and Silencer alone are worth that.) I decided to call the guy. We talked. He told me it won't run, told me his line of work. I told him I would think about. Then something sparked with me. I had purchased a Welder, and I cannot weld to save my life. I had gotten frustrated with trying and just threw this welder in a box and hid it away. Just up his alley, so I called him back and made an offer to trade. 2 hours later the bike was in my driveway laying on its side. Lol
I look it over. Take off the gas tank to get a look at the wiring. Seems that there are 2 wires missing (they weren't. more on that in the story). I take off the Magneto cover. Flywheel and Stator look like the bike just came fresh off of the assembly line. I guess one of the previous owners bought new Flywheel and Stator.
I go straight to a wiring diagram for the bike since I thought 2 wires were missing. I see that when the last guy removed the Kill Switch he plugged 2 wires into one another. I go out and separate them. No spark. I start to think I will be another guy who gets the bike and puts it back up on craigslist with a NO SPARK reference. I go back to the wiring diagram and see that the harness with the Orange Kill Switch wires also has the Black wire with the white strip and the solid black wire, but there is nothing to stop them from being plugged into the wrong mating pair. So I pull them and switch them.
SPARK. FIRE UP.
I could not believe that something so very simple had been missed by at minimum "4" people.
So now I am getting White Plastics (the Blue ones are so hacked up to make them fit anyway), Correct Red Seat Cover, I may go with the 1992 Yamaha YZ Number Plate and Front Fender, but am not sure yet as I truly want it period correct.
So even though I lost my 1988 Yamaha YZ125 that was quickly becoming my favorite bike to pull out of the garage and take to the track (even over my modern machines), I ended up with a 1 year newer machine and I can still make my Mike Craig replica.
I will post pics of the bike at a later date (when I get all the White Plastics and Red Seat Cover). I will do before and after. It is funny because when I google "1989 Yamaha YZ125" a photo of my bike pops up, also links to the previous owners asking questions on how to get spark.
Question to self:
Why does every Post Vintage YZ owner try to make their bike Blue like a 1996 and newer model?
I noticed that the Air Box didn't quite fit correctly, just a hair off. So they created their own holes. Then in one of the treads on it, the previous owner had asked how could you fit 1991-1992 Plastics on it. He obtained the answer "the airbox is different", "So to use the 1991-1992 grab hole side panels and rear fender you need to use the 1991-1992 airbox". So it looks like he did that switch to the 1991/1992 airbox, yet never got around to using the 1991/1992 Side Panels and Rear Fender.
I am amazed at how easy it is to custom fit new Yamaha Fenders and such onto the older YZ's.
Also the clutch feel is spongy to me. I thought there was an issue. So I went an grabbed my old Super Motocross Magazines (who remembers those?) and my Motocross Action Magazine and started reading bike tests on the 1989 and 1990 Yamaha YZ125. In Motocross Action the test crew mentions that the clutch action was really spongy. So no worries there, although I will change over to a Barnett Clutch Kit later.
Sold it to my best mate years later, and was more pissed off than he was when it got stolen from him.
Would love another, as the midrange punch made it such a great woods bike.
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My 1988 had a Low-Mid power range that was very aburpt. More so then this bike and its power was broader as far as I can tell from a few quick rips.
This bikes suspension feels freakin stiff! I adjusted the sag. And the rear feels a little better.
It is starting to look good. I will need Front Number Plate, Front Fender, New Side Panels, Rear Fender and Handle Bars. Later today or tomorrow I plan on painting the Top Triple Clamps as they look like they were coated in Elmers Glue and rolled in sand.
Please just put the correct 89-90 plastics on IMO they look so clean that way. Somebody on here did a Bradshaw #45 replica 89 and it looks bitchin. It makes me miss my old bikes (90-93 YZ125s).
curious to get your take on the 88 vs 89 (rear) suspension and ergos. I bet the 88 forks are better.
I will race the first half of the Hare Scrambles series with the stock suspension, then once I have a break I will be sending it in to FCR Suspension for a revalve. I can live with the shock, but in the short few days I have had the bike I can tell the Forks will need work for my riding style.
Great story, I like to see the 80's and 90's Yamahas being restored!
Last year I ran across this 1990, basically the same bike but with a few minor engine revisions for a more mellow power spread, plus red fork tubes and a different shape right shroud. It had been in storage for 20+ years, this thing is very low hours and all original. I took it to the track ONCE just for my trip down memory lane, did three laps on it, but other than that it's just a collectors piece for me. Which sorta sucks, because it was actually really fun to ride! I am glad you will get to ride yours.
Those are special bikes, they really marked a transformation in ergonomics and suspension (first year USD fork) to something that looks similar to modern bikes. In fact, I'm pretty sure that 89/90 tank carries fuel lower than a current model YZ.
Totally agree on stock plastic. Don't try to make that thing look new, keep it old school!
It is my opinion not to make it some thing it isn't. Keep it the 89 body style. They were way cooler than the 92 look anyway
(Killed 2 stators in the 4 years I owned it)
I can see a GoPro on your noggin.
I think everyone here will back me up in wanting to see the footage.
So you parted the Bradshaw Tribute out? Wozers. Have you done anymore builds?
I was always a slow 125 and 250 Intermediate Motocrosser (those who raced against me say different, but I was slow), but I got a lot of Trophy's in Hare Scramble, Cross Country, Marathon type of races. I beat a lot of Pro's in my area in those long races. I am a Personal Trainer by Trade (degree is in Public Relations yet I am a Personal Trainer, SMH), so usually when they are tiring out at around the 45 minute mark, I am still wicking it up and getting into my rhythm.
So far the Clutch is absolutely awful. I mean terrible. Shifting is bad, but I am used to it because of my 1988 YZ125. The Front Forks are stiff.
All the tests say that the 1989 Yamaha YZ125 was an improvement over the 1988 Yamaha YZ125, but for me it isn't true. The 1988 had a wider power spread from Low to Mid, it had better front forks, it had a much better clutch and feel. The layout feels the same and the 1988 had a more cranky lose feeling rear shock, so the 1989 feels more stable.
Although I will be keeping the 1988-1990 look on this bike, I am one of the few people who thought the body work on the 1992 Yamaha YZ's were the most beautiful thing. The styling was top notch, but the color scheme was horrid.
Oh god, the shifting on all these bikes. Nowadays I bet any good builder can polish and or coat or do whatever needs to be done to make them shift easily, but I remember seeing the aftermarket (Race Tech?) shifter and drooling over it.
Yes, mine will get ridden. It will be raced hard. Raced in classes with Modern bikes. I should be a blast.
I love the fit and feel of the layouts of the 1988-1990 Yamaha YZ125's. With my 1988 it was like I was born on that bike (I used to have a 1986 YZ250 and hated the feel of that bike), I felt like I was one with the bike. Felt like I was inside the bike instead of riding on it. We just blended. It is the same feel with the 1989.
The company that Revalved the Forks and Shock on my 1988 Yamaha YZ 125 are no longer in business, but I have trust in FCR Suspension so I will be sending the Fork and Shock off to FCR for a full Revalve and Rebuild around Christmas time. For now I will learn how to make the suspension the best I can with the clickers, and oil heights. I feel this is knowledge that will be very valuable.
I will be making the bike into a Mike Craig Replica so it will have all of the correct model year Plastics. Although my daughter doen't like it anymore since I have been making it White and Red. I asked her why and she said it doesn't match her bike anymore. Her bike a Blue Yamaha PW50. Lol
Pit Row
Now the bad news... I was all excited that day, borrowed a nice SLR camera for my daughter to take pics with, but forgot the dang memory card for the gopro!! It kills me!
The bike feels a little short in the wheelbase compared to modern 125s, but I felt like it could get around the track just fine. In those three laps, I did almost all of the jumps I do on my kid's '04YZ 125. And that was just three laps, nothing really dialed in at all.
Very friendly powerband for a 125.
I put gas in it and start it up about every other month.
I'm insanely jealous. The '89 YZ125 is my teenage years wrapped up in one bike.
By now I'd have worn the paint through on the frame, and the decals off the side panels if that were mine - id even have to sit on it to eat my dinner.
Well done for getting out on it and using it before it got mothballed. It must mean a lot more to you now that you've turned some laps on it.
Sorry, I hope I'm not hijacking, but since you asked....
And my original 89, racing at Budds Creek amateur day in 1990!!
(No, I am NOT inclined to put the hot pink graphics and pinstripe seat on my current bike haha!!)
That 1990 is so perfectly clean. Very nice.
I was sponsored by DGY (Downers Grove Yamaha) for many years. I had both the White DGY Seat with the Pink Stripes and also a White DGY Seat with Blue Stripes. I would use the one with Blue Stripes on a bike today as it was a really nice looking cover.
And I notice the Jeff Stanton #56 for his 1987 season as a Yamaha Support Rider, any meaning?
I am going to take the bike to the shop today and have them look at the Clutch. I know it is just an issue with this year, but I will spend the $75-$100 (I truly don't have the cash to spend) on having them take a look at the Clutch.
I looked at it and the Basket, Plates, Hub all seem fine. But it is spongy and like you said in regards to yours, it won't fully disengage.
I plan on switching to Barnett Clutch Plates and Springs, but I may see if I can ship the clutch plates to Eric Gorr and see if he can polish and coat the parts. I know he used to do similar work on Ron Tichenor's 1992 TUF Racing Suzuki's.
I can't live with riding with this clutch like this. I guess modern bikes do spoil you and I never believed that before I felt this clutch.
Another culprit is the clutch cover itself. The bore that the lifting actuator sits in gets out of round, allowing the lifter to wobble, hence the clutch stack is not pulled apart evenly, hence the drag that you can't get rid of. Back in '89 when we put a new clutch in (which was about every 3 races, it seems), we'd have to put a new cover on it as well as hub, pressure plate, springs, and plates. The basked seemed to last a little longer than the other pieces.
Unfortunately, I also recall that the cover is NLA from Yamaha from doing my restore.
Not to deter you from riding these bikes, but the reason I parted out my '89 Bradshaw replica is that I was always fighting clutch and ignition problems, and clutch parts are getting harder to find (the ones you need, anyway, like the hub and cover). Sweet bikes, but they didn't hold-up back in '89, and they don't hold up any better nowadays!
Is that specific to the 1989 Yamaha YZ125 as far as not using the Barnett Clutch Kits? I ask because I started using Barnett Clutch Kits in all of my bikes starting in 1987 because they seem to last longer for me. I have 7 bikes in my garage and all of them except my 1976 Yamaha YZ125 have Barnett Clutch Kits in them. I just about 3 months ago (or somewhere around there) put a Barnett Clutch Kit in my Honda CR250.
Good eye on the number but it was really a coincidence. My buddy ran 46 when we started in 87, and in 88 I went with 56 because we always rode to races together so we thought it would be cool. Then in 89 I got the yz, but Stanton had made it stand out in 88. Pure coincidence!
As for the clutch, I have also heard it could be a cover problem if everything else checks out.
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