My 1990 KTM 125 project

wpark89
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wpark89 12/8/2018 12:54pm
12/8/2018 12:54pm
Here’s a few racing pics from this year. I have it apart now for a new top end and water pump seal. I rode it up to the KTM truck and asked if they had any parts I could use..




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Phildo
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Phildo 12/8/2018 8:52pm
12/8/2018 8:52pm
The 1990 250 and 300 had a crap powervalve design.

KTM improved it a bit year by year, and apparently by 1994 had it beefed up enough.

For my 1990 250 I'll eventually go looking for a 1994 300 barrel and crankshaft.

The 1994 was the last one to use the same shape piston.

There's heaps of info on bikes of that era at http://ktmtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?154-Oldie-but-Goodie-Big-Bore-KTMs
wfoskir
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wfoskir 12/9/2018 6:18pm
12/9/2018 6:18pm
wpark89, you have some really nice bikes!
I just saw a 1983 KTM 125 lower end on marks vintage swap meeting. Thought you may be interested.
Paul333
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Paul333 12/10/2018 8:17am
12/10/2018 8:17am
wpark89 wrote:
Thanks Paul, They are out there. I see them pop up occasionally around the country. To me the 90 is beautiful, but also if you are...
Thanks Paul,

They are out there. I see them pop up occasionally around the country. To me the 90 is beautiful, but also if you are looking for a bike to ride, I would also look for a 91 or 92 that you could build in 90 colors. The 90 was a totally new bike and I think it got more refined and more reliable each year.
Thank you for the advise. I am now actively looking for a 1990-1992 KTM MX250. Starting my lists as I find parts for it as well.

The Shop

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wpark89
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wpark89 12/10/2018 9:05am
12/10/2018 9:05am
I’m not 100% sure but you might be able to put the 90-92 plastic on the 93-97 bikes too if you get the 90-92 tank and seat.

I used a 97 for my 250 build. I wanted a 94/95 look, but the 97 got a lot of motor updates and new ignition that was the basic package into the early 00s. Plus it has the 50mm Conventional forks and Ohlins shock which is a plus to me. I really like the 91 look too, remember when Mike Fisher finishing 4th in a few SXs was such a big breakthrough for KTM.

The hard part for you will be like my 250 SX search, it’s way easier to find EXCs and MXCs as KTM just wasn’t a popular Moto bike at the time.



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TooOld4WFO
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TooOld4WFO 12/10/2018 10:16pm
12/10/2018 10:16pm
I finished my 1990 300 with about 60% restore a couple weeks ago. So I didn’t pull the motor nor repaint frame. But everything else came off at some point and received attention.
I appreciated your enthusiasm for the older KTM series. I enjoyed the process.





Way too much stuff I did to bore you with the details.
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Paul333
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Paul333 12/11/2018 7:15am
12/11/2018 7:15am
TooOld4WFO wrote:
I finished my 1990 300 with about 60% restore a couple weeks ago. So I didn’t pull the motor nor repaint frame. But everything else came...
I finished my 1990 300 with about 60% restore a couple weeks ago. So I didn’t pull the motor nor repaint frame. But everything else came off at some point and received attention.
I appreciated your enthusiasm for the older KTM series. I enjoyed the process.





Way too much stuff I did to bore you with the details.
Absolutely stunning bike. I hope to do the same with a MX250 soon.
BBQkidd
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BBQkidd 3/6/2019 4:24pm
3/6/2019 4:24pm
Hey TooOld4FWO, Did you use EVO-MX graphics on your 1990 300? I have a 1990 300MXC (among many other 80's and 90's KTMS, a couple Italian Husqvarnas and a few 90's RM's) and am looking at putting on their Tank/Shroud graphics, where the tank graphics are perforated like yours to prevent bubbling from the gas.. They informed me they have the profiles for the smaller MX tank only, not the larger EXC/MXC tank. If you used the ones they sell, they look great and I'd be very happy with them but I would just like to check before I order them.
I will try and post some pics of all my bikes when we get out of the deep freeze here. Thanks!

And by the way I owned a 1990 KTM 125MX and 250MX back in 1990. I loved them! The 125 had the porting and suspension done by Slavens, back when Slavens was a KTM dealer here in Colorado and it was just unbelievable how well that bike performed! I dig seeing all the cool stuff you guys are doing. I love your work wpark89!
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endurox
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endurox 3/8/2019 11:47am
3/8/2019 11:47am
wpark89 wrote:
Here’s a few racing pics from this year. I have it apart now for a new top end and water pump seal. I rode it up...
Here’s a few racing pics from this year. I have it apart now for a new top end and water pump seal. I rode it up to the KTM truck and asked if they had any parts I could use..




Bringing the 1990 125 over to OMC next month?
wpark89
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wpark89 3/8/2019 12:08pm
3/8/2019 12:08pm
endurox wrote:
Bringing the 1990 125 over to OMC next month?
Yes! Was hoping to have a month of riding in before then but this late winter in WA is going to make it tough to have any riding time by then.

Needed new graphics so it looks like a 91 now. And I built a 95 250 last fall.



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Jeremy_Brown 3/15/2019 5:51pm
3/15/2019 5:51pm
endurox wrote:
Bringing the 1990 125 over to OMC next month?
wpark89 wrote:
Yes! Was hoping to have a month of riding in before then but this late winter in WA is going to make it tough to have...
Yes! Was hoping to have a month of riding in before then but this late winter in WA is going to make it tough to have any riding time by then.

Needed new graphics so it looks like a 91 now. And I built a 95 250 last fall.



Nice man. I like seeing the work you do.
WODirtCycles 4/7/2019 7:03am
4/7/2019 7:03am Edited Date/Time 4/7/2019 7:10am
Here is a '94 250SX of a friend. wpark89, your bike collection is awesome, I'm very impressed with the details that you made these restorations.
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stephenmotorbikes 4/12/2019 9:43pm
4/12/2019 9:43pm
Hi guys cool stuff on here , any one out there able to help me here in Christchurch New Zealand with a rear caliber seal kit for my ktm 1251989 enduro modal only two in the country that I know of one in bits somewhere and mine which is a runner , the twin pistons are 25 mm have tried genuine part numbers with no joy , any help appreciated .
Ghostrider145 4/14/2019 1:42pm
4/14/2019 1:42pm
stephenmotorbikes wrote:
Hi guys cool stuff on here , any one out there able to help me here in Christchurch New Zealand with a rear caliber seal kit...
Hi guys cool stuff on here , any one out there able to help me here in Christchurch New Zealand with a rear caliber seal kit for my ktm 1251989 enduro modal only two in the country that I know of one in bits somewhere and mine which is a runner , the twin pistons are 25 mm have tried genuine part numbers with no joy , any help appreciated .
I can’t help you but hopefully Wes or some one can chime in. Maybe look Aftermarket? I do know for a fact that KTM has very few parts from 30 years ago. Good luck

Ghost
wpark89
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wpark89 4/14/2019 2:00pm
4/14/2019 2:00pm Edited Date/Time 4/14/2019 2:01pm
If the parts are unavailable from KTM I would try Enduro Klassiker. There is also a ton of knowledge on old KTM stuff on the couple vintage KTM groups on Facebook. Also look up Helmut Classen in Canada. I would assume it’s a brembo brake and was used by some other Euro manufactures on some models wether it was Husaberg, Cagiva, or Aprilia. I’d think a brake piston seal should be a pretty simple thing to measure and cross reference?
Scott smith 701 9/9/2022 2:01am
9/9/2022 2:01am
wpark89 wrote:
Just wanted to share a shot of my '90 KTM 125 project. I'm calling it a 90...but most of the parts are a few years newer...
Just wanted to share a shot of my '90 KTM 125 project. I'm calling it a 90...but most of the parts are a few years newer. This was my favorite KTM color scheme, I always thought the 90's were super clean and good looking. The production 90 125 used the older 87-89 plastic but the factory GP bikes used the 91-92 layout like Mike Healey's below.

After just a few months I was able to track down all the parts I needed and got mine put together last weekend..pretty happy with how it turned out.




The fist new bike I ever bought 1990 ktm 125 love the colors.
bigsal
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bigsal 9/9/2022 10:51am
9/9/2022 10:51am
Nice bump on this thread and very nice bikes too.

Pit Row

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bigsal
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bigsal 9/9/2022 10:58am
9/9/2022 10:58am
BBQkidd wrote:
Here's a video with Mike Healy and Bobby Moore on their 1990 125 GP bikes.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZ_WJrwRZI
Here's a video with Mike Healy and Bobby Moore on their 1990 125 GP bikes.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZ_WJrwRZI
Great 125cc motocross video, Mike Healy was so fast. Davey Coombs could ride the wheels off those KTM 125's too!
Fangface
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Fangface 9/10/2022 1:00am
9/10/2022 1:00am
Sidecar wrote:
Awesome bike dude. That video of the 125 GP is awesome, Mike Healey had so much style on the bike, used to love watching him ride...
Awesome bike dude. That video of the 125 GP is awesome, Mike Healey had so much style on the bike, used to love watching him ride.
A little off topic and I don't want to hijack your thread but how's Mike doing these days? I know of the troubles a few years back and I know he was moving in moto circles again a couple of years ago but what's he up to now?
I think hes a running a barber shop now. You can find him on IG :-)
oblitz
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oblitz 9/23/2022 8:57pm
9/23/2022 8:57pm
How can I watch that video?
Tyrone lavelle 9/25/2022 5:12pm
9/25/2022 5:12pm
There are some really good rebuilds of these classic KTM's!
BBQkidd
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BBQkidd 9/25/2022 9:32pm
9/25/2022 9:32pm
Yes there are Tryone. I have a couple myself and they are phenomenal bikes. I really enjoy coming back and seeing this one again from time to time. Wesley does such nice work on his builds.
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wpark89
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wpark89 9/25/2022 10:18pm
9/25/2022 10:18pm
Thanks for keeping this going guys. Cool to see others putting in the work to save some old Katooms.

If you haven’t seen it, I spent the last couple years building a 81 250 MC and I’m currently working on a 86 KTM 80.




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Madmax31
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Madmax31 9/27/2022 11:20am
9/27/2022 11:20am
Nice bikes!
KTM Two Stroke 9/28/2022 10:13pm
9/28/2022 10:13pm
A lot of Good old KTM‘s here
I rebuild a 1990 MX 250 at the moment has anybody an Idea how to Whiten the Tank?

Try it 5 times with Hydrogen Peroxide 10%-20% and 30% it is even better than before but still not White





Tyrone lavelle 9/29/2022 6:15am
9/29/2022 6:15am
KTM Two Stroke wrote:
A lot of Good old KTM‘s here I rebuild a 1990 MX 250 at the moment has anybody an Idea how to Whiten the Tank? Try...
A lot of Good old KTM‘s here
I rebuild a 1990 MX 250 at the moment has anybody an Idea how to Whiten the Tank?

Try it 5 times with Hydrogen Peroxide 10%-20% and 30% it is even better than before but still not White





Try some bleach and a soft bristle pool algae brush. Test a small area with some on a microfiber clothe to see if it takes it off. Mr. Clean cleaning sponge removes crust also.
wpark89
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wpark89 9/29/2022 8:07am
9/29/2022 8:07am
Did you do any sanding before trying the bleach? The bleach works a little but it’s not magic. Also, I have a 90-92 KTM 250 tank that I would probably sell.
wpark89
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wpark89 9/29/2022 8:13am
9/29/2022 8:13am
My original 125 looked like this. Sanding helped the most. I got it close enough and then cover with stickers. To me, I’m going to ride and race the bikes, I want them to look good, but some things don’t need to be showroom new.

KTM Two Stroke 9/29/2022 11:14am
9/29/2022 11:14am
wpark89 wrote:
Did you do any sanding before trying the bleach? The bleach works a little but it’s not magic. Also, I have a 90-92 KTM 250 tank...
Did you do any sanding before trying the bleach? The bleach works a little but it’s not magic. Also, I have a 90-92 KTM 250 tank that I would probably sell.
The Problem is the Yellowish is all through the tank
What about a thin White Foil to Cover the Tank anybody tryed this ??

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