TunaBro's 2003 CR125 build

ecmx274
Profile picture for user ecmx274
Posts
350
Joined
12/9/2019
Location
Thurmont, MD US
ecmx274 10/14/2020 5:32pm
10/14/2020 5:32pm
JMCR250 wrote:
I've had too many experiences like yours with ill- and non-fitting aftermarket parts. The OEM manufacturer may make small year-to-year changes in a part to lighten...
I've had too many experiences like yours with ill- and non-fitting aftermarket parts. The OEM manufacturer may make small year-to-year changes in a part to lighten it or make it stronger and the aftermarket manufacturer just assumes that all internal parts on a common engine family are the same over time. I learned my lesson (several times) the hard way, and now use all OEM parts for motors unless I know from my or others' experience that an aftermarket part is at least the same quality/fit as OEM. Any price difference is just not worth the heartache and hassle.
TunaBro wrote:
I agree. I was impatient and went aftermarket as when I went to order the crank the oem one wasn't available. I did some research and...
I agree. I was impatient and went aftermarket as when I went to order the crank the oem one wasn't available. I did some research and went with what I thought was the best aftermarket option. I should have held off and waited for oem to be available again.
You can get a prox crank assembly for under 200 i recently bought two and both were true with no issues.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 10/15/2020 8:32am
10/15/2020 8:32am Edited Date/Time 10/15/2020 8:34am
Damn, I love the results of vapor blasting!





9
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 10/21/2020 3:57pm
10/21/2020 3:57pm
Ok... this isn’t gonna work. The polisport restyle kit front number plate sits low it seems and these bar clamps are high. Looks like a pit bike. Blink


JMCR250
Profile picture for user JMCR250
Posts
378
Joined
8/26/2018
Location
Chesterfield, MO US
JMCR250 10/21/2020 5:59pm
10/21/2020 5:59pm
The front plate will clip down into a ridge on your restyle kit front fender. Hard to tell for sure from the pic, but I think you'll find it's OK when you fit the front fender. On my son's 07 with the Polisport kit, the bottom of the front plate rests on top of the lower clamp.
1

The Shop

See All »
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 10/22/2020 9:38am
10/22/2020 9:38am
JMCR250 wrote:
The front plate will clip down into a ridge on your restyle kit front fender. Hard to tell for sure from the pic, but I think...
The front plate will clip down into a ridge on your restyle kit front fender. Hard to tell for sure from the pic, but I think you'll find it's OK when you fit the front fender. On my son's 07 with the Polisport kit, the bottom of the front plate rests on top of the lower clamp.
Oh ok, cool. I will roll with it for now and see how it turns out. I was caught off guard by the gap but we will see once its all together.
mattyhamz2 10/22/2020 9:42pm
10/22/2020 9:42pm
TunaBro wrote:
Ok... this isn’t gonna work. The polisport restyle kit front number plate sits low it seems and these bar clamps are high. Looks like a pit...
Ok... this isn’t gonna work. The polisport restyle kit front number plate sits low it seems and these bar clamps are high. Looks like a pit bike. Blink


Look at some of the pictures of when Davy rode for Factory Honda. Even then the bars and clamps looked like they were way higher than the number plate. Seen it a lot from Honda over the last 12 or so years.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/15/2021 1:15pm
2/15/2021 1:15pm
Ordered some parts today of RM. Hoping to get this going again soon!
3
profeshenal125 2/15/2021 6:47pm
2/15/2021 6:47pm
JM racing can get some hp out of your 03. He helped SRS with there engine program. When Dement raced the 125 gp,s on a 03. Built josh Grants cr125,s also. Great job on my 04 cr125, great hit with a long pulling mid, signs off on the over rev.
1
Matt Fisher 2/15/2021 7:24pm
2/15/2021 7:24pm
Hopefully you have better luck with the Polisport plastic than we have with my son's 03 CR250. While the bike looks amazing, that damn fender smacks the front tire like there's no tomorrow. Both the front and back of the fender show tire marks, and you can see stress marks on the outside near the bolts where it flexes.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/16/2021 3:14pm
2/16/2021 3:14pm
Matt Fisher wrote:
Hopefully you have better luck with the Polisport plastic than we have with my son's 03 CR250. While the bike looks amazing, that damn fender smacks...
Hopefully you have better luck with the Polisport plastic than we have with my son's 03 CR250. While the bike looks amazing, that damn fender smacks the front tire like there's no tomorrow. Both the front and back of the fender show tire marks, and you can see stress marks on the outside near the bolts where it flexes.
Well damn. Yeah I hope that's not an issue! If so, Ill end up with a newer CRF fender setup in front. I have seen a few people go that route as well.
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/20/2021 2:28pm
2/20/2021 2:28pm
Did some organizing of the parts and tools today in preparation to start back up on this guy. Decided to throw a few more parts on for the fun of it. Realized I mocked up the front wheel wrong. Oh well.


5
profeshenal125 2/21/2021 5:57am
2/21/2021 5:57am
TunaBro wrote:
Did some organizing of the parts and tools today in preparation to start back up on this guy. Decided to throw a few more parts on...
Did some organizing of the parts and tools today in preparation to start back up on this guy. Decided to throw a few more parts on for the fun of it. Realized I mocked up the front wheel wrong. Oh well.


Looks Great. How much does vapor blasting cost ? Your parts look better than new.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/21/2021 8:25am
2/21/2021 8:25am
profeshenal125 wrote:
Looks Great. How much does vapor blasting cost ? Your parts look better than new.
Thanks! I believe I’m somewhere around $500 in vapor blasting. Well worth it in my opinion.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/23/2021 11:44am
2/23/2021 11:44am
Did a few small things last night. Worked on the fuel tank, airbox, ignition module and got a few more bolts cleaned up.


1
Fresh
Profile picture for user Fresh
Posts
722
Joined
5/22/2015
Location
AU
Fresh 2/24/2021 8:48pm
2/24/2021 8:48pm
I Just got a 2003 that is in pretty similar condition to yours. I'm looking forwards to seeing how yours turns out!
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/25/2021 2:36pm
2/25/2021 2:36pm
Fresh wrote:
I Just got a 2003 that is in pretty similar condition to yours. I'm looking forwards to seeing how yours turns out!
Thanks! Me too. I'll be putting more work into the motor this weekend so hopefully I can get rolling on all of the rest.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 2/27/2021 2:47pm
2/27/2021 2:47pm
Did some more work this morning. Got the front wheel mounted on, correctly this time. Also installed the rotor and caliper and the linkage. I was hoping to get more motor work done but had a snag with a collar going on. I need to get it sorted so I can work on getting this guy wrapped up!






4
profeshenal125 2/28/2021 7:36am
2/28/2021 7:36am
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes, miss it a lot actually. I found a Like new 05 cr125 for 3,700 cash in Pa. that 04 mod in Ca. Has a lot of hours on it. I think problems like shift forks, etc would need a rebuild. Or a like new bike bought buy a 60 yr old, 05 cr125 is a smarter buy.
1

Pit Row

See All »
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 3/1/2021 2:21pm
3/1/2021 2:21pm
profeshenal125 wrote:
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes...
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes, miss it a lot actually. I found a Like new 05 cr125 for 3,700 cash in Pa. that 04 mod in Ca. Has a lot of hours on it. I think problems like shift forks, etc would need a rebuild. Or a like new bike bought buy a 60 yr old, 05 cr125 is a smarter buy.
The rotor is a Tusk rotor. These are fun bikes to work on and the payoff is turning out great!
1
profeshenal125 3/2/2021 9:08pm
3/2/2021 9:08pm
profeshenal125 wrote:
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes...
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes, miss it a lot actually. I found a Like new 05 cr125 for 3,700 cash in Pa. that 04 mod in Ca. Has a lot of hours on it. I think problems like shift forks, etc would need a rebuild. Or a like new bike bought buy a 60 yr old, 05 cr125 is a smarter buy.
TunaBro wrote:
The rotor is a Tusk rotor. These are fun bikes to work on and the payoff is turning out great!
That vapor blasting shows the details so good, very sharp. Hey I talked to FC, about a bike that has 250f forks and a 450 factory shock. They said they seen riders have problems, getting handling, setup correct. Stock stuff is the way to go.
1
seth505
Profile picture for user seth505
Posts
10170
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
seth505 3/3/2021 9:20am
3/3/2021 9:20am
profeshenal125 wrote:
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes...
Looks amazing, what front rotor is that ? Seeing all the work and many hrs of laborer. I think it’s great, I enjoy working on bikes, miss it a lot actually. I found a Like new 05 cr125 for 3,700 cash in Pa. that 04 mod in Ca. Has a lot of hours on it. I think problems like shift forks, etc would need a rebuild. Or a like new bike bought buy a 60 yr old, 05 cr125 is a smarter buy.
TunaBro wrote:
The rotor is a Tusk rotor. These are fun bikes to work on and the payoff is turning out great!
profeshenal125 wrote:
That vapor blasting shows the details so good, very sharp. Hey I talked to FC, about a bike that has 250f forks and a 450 factory...
That vapor blasting shows the details so good, very sharp. Hey I talked to FC, about a bike that has 250f forks and a 450 factory shock. They said they seen riders have problems, getting handling, setup correct. Stock stuff is the way to go.
I had an 03 with 450 forks revalved for the 125, they were a clear improvement over stock. I never switched the shock so I can't comment there. My 05 I have now has CRF forks/clamps but also keeping stock shock.
2
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 3/29/2021 9:23am
3/29/2021 9:23am
Motor progress this weekend. Finally got that collar on and thought I couldn’t find neutral but all is good so far.


8
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 4/1/2021 9:07pm
4/1/2021 9:07pm
Just wanted to peak at how it’ll look...


5
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 4/4/2021 2:47pm
4/4/2021 2:47pm
Decided to refresh the oem wheels to use as a backup set for this build. Not necessary but a fun project. I haven’t removed tires or torn down wheels so I figured I’d give it a go.


Damn that rear tire was a pain. Wrestled with it for a good hour to get it completely dismounted. The front I got in 5 min. Ha






Got all the spokes off with relative ease on the front and the rear had some seized and wd40 couldn’t penetrate enough to get them free. Angle grinder ftw.
bh
Profile picture for user bh
Posts
949
Joined
12/25/2016
Location
Piedmont, SC US
bh 4/4/2021 5:18pm
4/4/2021 5:18pm
TunaBro wrote:
Decided to refresh the oem wheels to use as a backup set for this build. Not necessary but a fun project. I haven’t removed tires or...
Decided to refresh the oem wheels to use as a backup set for this build. Not necessary but a fun project. I haven’t removed tires or torn down wheels so I figured I’d give it a go.


Damn that rear tire was a pain. Wrestled with it for a good hour to get it completely dismounted. The front I got in 5 min. Ha






Got all the spokes off with relative ease on the front and the rear had some seized and wd40 couldn’t penetrate enough to get them free. Angle grinder ftw.
hey for future reference I always found it to be a bit easier to take a good set of bolt cutters to the spokes. seemed faster imo. But then again its also fun to see sparks fly lol.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 4/4/2021 5:58pm
4/4/2021 5:58pm
bh wrote:
hey for future reference I always found it to be a bit easier to take a good set of bolt cutters to the spokes. seemed faster...
hey for future reference I always found it to be a bit easier to take a good set of bolt cutters to the spokes. seemed faster imo. But then again its also fun to see sparks fly lol.
Definitely a good idea. I didn’t have any handy and it’s a fun excuse to use the grinder. My daughter watched and ran in to tell my wife there were flames! Laughing
2
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 4/10/2021 6:14pm
4/10/2021 6:14pm Edited Date/Time 4/10/2021 6:14pm
Motor is done and in!


7
BartHonda 4/11/2021 10:06am
4/11/2021 10:06am Edited Date/Time 4/11/2021 10:09am
TunaBro wrote:
Motor is done and in! [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/10/487228/s1200_D3B4A993_5AB7_4C2F_939E_FBD242C7770D.jpg[/img]
Motor is done and in!


Nice build Tuna, keep up the good stuff! I'm building a 2005. But still waiting on the motor rebuild and tuning, better performance always good haha.
1
TunaBro
Profile picture for user TunaBro
Posts
421
Joined
1/3/2020
Location
Lake Stevens, WA US
TunaBro 4/11/2021 10:15am
4/11/2021 10:15am Edited Date/Time 4/11/2021 10:16am
BartHonda wrote:
Nice build Tuna, keep up the good stuff! I'm building a 2005. But still waiting on the motor rebuild and tuning, better performance always good haha.
Awesome, and thanks. As you can see I went all oem and didn’t go for more performance or power. I’m just excited to get this thing done. Now that the motor is done and in, I can really crank on the last bits.
1

Post a reply to: TunaBro's 2003 CR125 build