2002 Honda CR125 Engine mods

Drail24
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Cobb, GA, USA
Edited Date/Time 4/9/2016 8:26am
I just picked up a 2002 Honda CR125 for a restoration project. This bike will be ridden regularly, so I am trying to consolidate as much info as I can on the various motor mods to help make it at least somewhat respectable in that regard.

I have searched the forums and found some threads on the subject. However, with the exception of a few, many of them were from several years ago. I am curious to hear anyone's input on the matter - cylinders, pistons, cranks, manifolds, etc.

Going off of memory for what I have read so far:

the '02 bottom end can run the 96/97 HPP cylinders, which was a good mod.
the '07 crank (which is lighter) can be used in the '02 bottom end
the '04? carb manifold has a larger volume and when the '02 cases are matched up to it, provides an improvement
the '07 air box assembly offers better flow
If using the '02 cylinder, run the '01 exhaust manifold
the PWK carb

Also, does anyone have details on the bike that was built for Lamson when he ran the 125 in Hangtown...'07, I believe. The only thing I could find on it stated it was a long rod engine and combination of parts from the '02, '03, and '04 engines... all factory stuff, of course, but reportedly the best 125 engine Honda racing had produced.
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pete24
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4/4/2016 10:46am
the best one they ever built had number 16 on it and a guy named Doug ridding it
1
MxKing809
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4/4/2016 6:09pm
I had a HPP on my 02 125, and ended up buying a new oem 02 jug this winter. Just too many moving variables. Do the air boot, set the squish, pipe and silencer, and run some race hooch.
mx621
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4/5/2016 3:39pm
I'm in the same spot with my 02. Pipe/silencer, 05+ airboot, modded Reed boot. It runs pretty good when it's in power, but dam is it work to keep it lit. I'm way to heavy for it so it makes it even worse. I really love riding and racing it though. I have a 95 cyl I'm considering doing a big bore on it.
Mxking what pipe setup did you run on your hpp setup?


MxKing809
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4/5/2016 5:26pm
I tried the 2003 kx125 stock pipe, the stock 02 pipe, but liked the 05-07 PC works pipe the best

The Shop

PNWOffroad
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4/5/2016 5:42pm
I owned a 2002 last year, the updated air-boot make a difference. No matter what you do, this is not a lazy mans bike.
Drail24
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Cobb, GA, USA
4/5/2016 5:47pm
mx621,

Great looking bike. What plastics are those? That's the look I am going for with mine.

I'll try and find the thread I was reading, but I think I remember they suggested using a regular Pro Circuit pipe for an '02 model with the HPP set up, or even a stock '02 pipe. However, there were fitment issues and the pipe would need to be modified slightly. Apparently, Pro Circuit made some special pipes for the 2000+ model bikes that were running the HPP cylinders, but they are very rare.

From what I have read, the '02 cylinder can be made to work decently, but has an odd port arrangement where one of the ports is staggered 3mm higher. The 2000 model cylinder was regarded as being a better platform than the 2002 model. Also, I think the '02 model benefited from a 7mm bushing mod on the power valve linkage arm that helped keep the power valve closed tight and help boost low end performance.

I've been reading off and on the last few days and it's all starting to run together in my head. I'll try and go back and pin down some of the specifics from a few of the articles I found.

mx621
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4/5/2016 7:19pm
It's a 09-12 (450) front fender, 09-12 cyrca stadium plate, cyrca power vented rear fender. Graphics are throttle jockey 12' factory Honda replica. I wanted to make it look like like the modern stock Hondas. I had a email conversation with Tom Morgan. He said the 02cyl was a better platform for making power then any hpp cyl.. Even though the 00+ can only go to a 134cc vs 144cc of the hpp cyl. you just have to know what to do to the 00+ cyl he claimed . He is pricy but you get what u pay for I'm sure. I've spoken to josh at maxrpms and he recommended the hpp cyl over the 02. So... This bike is just a toy to me. I don't really wanna dump a ton of cash into it. Would just be nice if it had broader power range. So I am leaning to the maxrpms 139cc kit for the 95cyl. Thier work looks excellent and josh was happy to answer all my questions. We'll see. I'm open to any other opinions.
Drail24
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4/6/2016 4:23am
mx621,

Thanks for the information on the bodywork.

I've run across the same findings with regards to the cylinders, some say the 00 & 02 are very capable, others say the HPP's are the way to go. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on my project as well. It will just be a play bike. However, while I am rebuilding it, I at least want to make an effort to maximize what I can. I've ridden some Tom Morgan engines before, and they all ripped. My last few 2 strokes from back in the day had Eric Gorr engine mods, which I was very pleased with how they performed. I've seen comments here and there regarding the 134/139cc kits. They seem to be a good compromise for getting a little more torque out of them without losing too much of the 125 aspect.
MxKing809
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4/6/2016 9:19am
Here is my 02 when it had the HPP and 05 Pipe.




mx621
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4/6/2016 9:42am
what mods had to be done for the 05 pc pipe to fit? ive herd diff things.
MxKing809
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4/6/2016 10:39am Edited Date/Time 4/6/2016 12:48pm
mx621 wrote:
what mods had to be done for the 05 pc pipe to fit? ive herd diff things.
Use a 250 lower pipe hanger and bend the throat to mate flush to the cylinder. I stuck a 1" pipe in the throat and stood on the pipe in the grass and bent it lol
Frodad78
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4/8/2016 9:13am
I did many of the same mods to my 01 CR125. I did the PWK swap but kept the carb when I sold the bike since I sunk some cash into the carb. Its for sale, overall it was easier to tune, moved the power up a bit and revved a little more. For me it was a good mod. Here she is, good luck!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281968972539?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Make me an offer if you are interested.
4/8/2016 9:41am
Didn't the 89 125 use a longer rod and also have a higher rev limit ?

Might've been dreaming, but i sort of remember reading something about someone using an 89 crank assembly in later cases, the crank ends are different so they had to put the 89 electrics on also, stator, flywheel etc.
Tracktor
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4/8/2016 10:00am
Yz killah-

02 Cr125-
96 Hpp top end with PV governor & arm
38mm PWK Airstryker carb
05+ airboot
05+ crank
modded 03 KX125 stock pipe
PC silencer
TX Race 2015 plastic kit.
Just put 2007 CRF forks on it.

I have both a stock and a 144 cylinder for it. Both run extremely well.

Drail24
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Cobb, GA, USA
4/8/2016 10:12am
Tracktor,

What intake manifold and reed assembly are you running? Which PC silencer, the standard or shorty? I take it the silencer is the one for the 02 honda?

Thanks.
CrGuy2T
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Santa Fe, TX, USA
4/8/2016 11:51am Edited Date/Time 4/8/2016 11:55am
02 cr 125
97 HPP 139 cc big bore RPM 97 governer and linkage 99 powervalves
Boyesen rad valve has a bigger intake diameter
02 Plano Honda PC pipe made for the cylinder swap.
07 crank and bearings all OEM
07 air boot
38mm air striker carb
The bike ran really good for a cr 125. I will be honest though my 13 ktm 125 has a faster motor stock. I would just have to say technology differences.
only ol small problem is the bike would flatten out up top and that because of the big bore it really needed a stroked crank to go with the big bore.


4/8/2016 12:34pm
What does the newer crank does and is it a direct fit?
Building a 01 cr 125..
CrGuy2T
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4/8/2016 12:37pm
It's a little bit lighter has the plastic crank stuffers and does not have the metal shields. Yes it is a direct fit.
Tracktor
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4/9/2016 8:26am
Drail24 wrote:
Tracktor, What intake manifold and reed assembly are you running? Which PC silencer, the standard or shorty? I take it the silencer is the one for...
Tracktor,

What intake manifold and reed assembly are you running? Which PC silencer, the standard or shorty? I take it the silencer is the one for the 02 honda?

Thanks.
I compared all i have which is a few 93-97 and the stock 02. All were pretty similar but the 02 boot had best angle. Same with reeds running 02 cage with carbon fiber reeds that came with bike. Not sure what we did but everyone that has rode this loves it especially with the 144 in it. At the 125 dream race he pulled everyone rown the start until he washed out in the corner.
Pc shorty silencer for an 02 Cr125. Bike sounds gnarly.

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