1989 Yamaha YZ 125 and a story...

Mixon848
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Mixon848 6/25/2015 6:46am
6/25/2015 6:46am
mark_swart wrote:
DGY was my go to back in the day! Seriously, they had my dad's credit card in file and whenever I called once I told them...
DGY was my go to back in the day! Seriously, they had my dad's credit card in file and whenever I called once I told them my name we were good to go. Great shop!

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.
Jim Canner and also Rusty Ott were really good guys to me. They helped me a lot in my racing career (if you want to call it a career). Not many people know this but in 1993 Matt Maximoff's FACTORY SUPPORT Suzuki RM125 was built by DGY. In 1994 Jim Canner called me and asked me if I "wanted to be on a good bike in 1994?). He sold me Matt Maximoff's Suzuki Factory RM125 at a price that was almost free. The shipping and the bike where almost the same price lets just say that. Great people.

P.S.
I was no faster on Matt Maximoff's bike. But the cool factor at the races was nice. :-)

I will be picking up the bike from the shop later today. So I should know what is up with the clutch.
Banana_oil
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Banana_oil 6/25/2015 12:50pm
6/25/2015 12:50pm Edited Date/Time 6/25/2015 12:54pm
The 89-92 YZs are very good looking bikes. That low hour 90 is amazing!!

I restored one some years ago. I had the same problem with the clutch and never managed to fix it. the current owner moved the joint of the wire closer to the pivot by drilling a hole in the arm and re-rivet it - it worked!

The clutch cover of the 89-90 is in magnesium and more sensitive to wear than the 91-93 which is in alu. Here is a NOS one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-1991-yamaha-YZ125-outer-clutch-cover-OEM-N…

I'm pretty sure the basket was updated in 91 or 92 aswell.





Mixon848
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Mixon848 6/25/2015 8:46pm
6/25/2015 8:46pm Edited Date/Time 6/26/2015 6:14am
Banana_oil wrote:
The 89-92 YZs are very good looking bikes. That low hour 90 is amazing!! I restored one some years ago. I had the same problem with...
The 89-92 YZs are very good looking bikes. That low hour 90 is amazing!!

I restored one some years ago. I had the same problem with the clutch and never managed to fix it. the current owner moved the joint of the wire closer to the pivot by drilling a hole in the arm and re-rivet it - it worked!

The clutch cover of the 89-90 is in magnesium and more sensitive to wear than the 91-93 which is in alu. Here is a NOS one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-1991-yamaha-YZ125-outer-clutch-cover-OEM-N…

I'm pretty sure the basket was updated in 91 or 92 aswell.





My bike looks like total utter crap compared to the ones that are being posted in here (it will be a little while longer before I post mine).

I wish you would of posted yesterday. Verdict in from the Dealership. Nothing wrong with the clutch. It is a design flaw with that year Yamaha. The cable cannot pull the clutch actuator arm far enough. You would have to reposition the arm, just as Banana_oil stated. Thank you for posting that information. I know that it will help many with their clutch issues. I am not mechanically inclined enough to attempt it.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 6/29/2015 12:25pm
6/29/2015 12:25pm
Things are coming along slowly but surely. Now it is just budget and Right Radiator Shroud, Left Side Panel, Front Number Plate and Shroud Decals. Mostly just cosmetic and it is done.

The Shop

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Matthes
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Matthes 4/25/2016 12:27pm
4/25/2016 12:27pm
Mixon848 wrote:
Needs some serious washing, Mike Craigs #59 from that year and the YZ Shroud Decals.
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/1989-Yamaha-YZ125,38811/1989-Yamah…
How's the rear brake pedal on your bike? They're not in stock anymore but I have a NOS one here I bought my mistake for my 88 250. I'll sell it to you cheap even though I paid a small fortune for it.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 4/25/2016 1:02pm
4/25/2016 1:02pm
Matthes wrote:
How's the rear brake pedal on your bike? They're not in stock anymore but I have a NOS one here I bought my mistake for my...
How's the rear brake pedal on your bike? They're not in stock anymore but I have a NOS one here I bought my mistake for my 88 250. I'll sell it to you cheap even though I paid a small fortune for it.
I was just logging in to post on this thread.

I just got back from riding this bike today. Absolutely the most fun I have had on a Motocross Bike in a long time (since I sold my 1988 YZ125).

My rear brake pedal is good. Brakes on both ends work great. Break pedal doesn't have many scars, nothing I couldn't buff out. Thanks for the offer.

I got the clutch working great. I had put a Full Barnett Clutch Kit in my online basket this morning, but I can remove that.

I got the carb performance cleaned up right off the bottom, feels good. I need to work on the jetting a tiny bit, and I am going to get a Float Needle and Seal, but it is overall good.

I can't believe this bike changed so many hands because 2 wires were plugged in wrong.

I had planned on selling it within the next 2-weeks, but after todays ride. It has found its "forever" home.
a-molestatore 2/13/2017 10:18am
2/13/2017 10:18am Edited Date/Time 2/13/2017 10:19am
Mixon848 wrote:
When I got it: http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/1989-Yamaha-YZ125,38811/1989-Yamaha-YZ125-morning-after-getting-it,91476/Mixon848,25684 So I just got a 1989 YZ125. I had a 1988 Yamaha YZ 125 that I was making into a Mike...
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?


Hi ik I'm pretty late on this thread but I have a 89 yz125 but when I bought it the clutch basket was completely botched and had no clutch components but I was able to find a 88 complete clutch assembly from a salvage yard does anyone know if these are compatable. The part numbers aren't the same but alot of people swear that's just something to do with the year. If anyone could help me out I'd appreciate It!
Mixon848
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Mixon848 3/3/2017 7:20am
3/3/2017 7:20am
a-molestatore wrote:
Hi ik I'm pretty late on this thread but I have a 89 yz125 but when I bought it the clutch basket was completely botched and...
Hi ik I'm pretty late on this thread but I have a 89 yz125 but when I bought it the clutch basket was completely botched and had no clutch components but I was able to find a 88 complete clutch assembly from a salvage yard does anyone know if these are compatable. The part numbers aren't the same but alot of people swear that's just something to do with the year. If anyone could help me out I'd appreciate It!
You may have already found out on your own, but yes kind sir the 1988 Yamaha YZ125 clutch will work.
Brian_Bowles
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Brian_Bowles 12/13/2018 7:34pm
12/13/2018 7:34pm
Awesome thread! I just got a 1986 yz125 for free. I saved it from death in someone’s yard. Actually I got a cr125 too!
Brian_Bowles
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Brian_Bowles 12/13/2018 7:35pm
12/13/2018 7:35pm
Here is a photo:
wfoskir
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wfoskir 12/13/2018 8:47pm
12/13/2018 8:47pm
Good story and great buy. These picks and stories bring back good memories. I had this bike back in 89. I also have a good story with mine.
I bought the bike new in 89' sold it to a friend around 93'. Sent the change of ownership info to DMV. Last year I was at my office and in walks the County Sheriff. I can hear him talking with someone asking for me. I walk out to talk with him and he tells me he has my motorcycle. I told him I am not missing a motorcycle. He says this is an 89' yamaha. I said I had one but sold it a long time ago. We walk out to him van, he opens the back doors, yep that my bike! No mistaking it, still had my race numbers on it, the scratches and knicks you don't forget about your bike.
Apparently the DMV still had me as the registered owner. I took the bike, called my friend I sold the bike to, to ask him who he sold it to. He didn't remember. I asked him if he wanted it back, no he didn't want it. I stuck it in the shop, stared at it for about a month and sold it again. It had been outside in the salt air and not worth restoring. It was a bummer.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 12/14/2018 4:39am
12/14/2018 4:39am
wfoskir wrote:
Good story and great buy. These picks and stories bring back good memories. I had this bike back in 89. I also have a good story...
Good story and great buy. These picks and stories bring back good memories. I had this bike back in 89. I also have a good story with mine.
I bought the bike new in 89' sold it to a friend around 93'. Sent the change of ownership info to DMV. Last year I was at my office and in walks the County Sheriff. I can hear him talking with someone asking for me. I walk out to talk with him and he tells me he has my motorcycle. I told him I am not missing a motorcycle. He says this is an 89' yamaha. I said I had one but sold it a long time ago. We walk out to him van, he opens the back doors, yep that my bike! No mistaking it, still had my race numbers on it, the scratches and knicks you don't forget about your bike.
Apparently the DMV still had me as the registered owner. I took the bike, called my friend I sold the bike to, to ask him who he sold it to. He didn't remember. I asked him if he wanted it back, no he didn't want it. I stuck it in the shop, stared at it for about a month and sold it again. It had been outside in the salt air and not worth restoring. It was a bummer.
Now that is an amazing story. Too bad you didn't hold on to it just for memory sake. I am now constantly seeing 1989 Yamaha YZ125's on the local craigslists for just about free now. I mean like all the time. I may start collecting all the ones that I see. There is one on there right now for $100.
Russ14
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Russ14 12/14/2018 3:21pm
12/14/2018 3:21pm
Just finished my 89, thought I would share.

5
GIwasB4
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GIwasB4 12/14/2018 5:43pm
12/14/2018 5:43pm
Russ14 wrote:
Just finished my 89, thought I would share. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/14/310027/s1200_0FCD02BA_15EA_466C_BB66_150E1650626D.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/14/310026/s1200_CA7E70F7_4C72_40B6_BE62_6CF5CD681C51.jpg[/img]
Just finished my 89, thought I would share.

That's a really good looking job. What exhaust is that?
Russ14
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Russ14 12/14/2018 5:55pm
12/14/2018 5:55pm
It’s a Dyno Port, had him add a few extra welds to it.
1
wfoskir
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wfoskir 12/16/2018 7:03am
12/16/2018 7:03am
wfoskir wrote:
Good story and great buy. These picks and stories bring back good memories. I had this bike back in 89. I also have a good story...
Good story and great buy. These picks and stories bring back good memories. I had this bike back in 89. I also have a good story with mine.
I bought the bike new in 89' sold it to a friend around 93'. Sent the change of ownership info to DMV. Last year I was at my office and in walks the County Sheriff. I can hear him talking with someone asking for me. I walk out to talk with him and he tells me he has my motorcycle. I told him I am not missing a motorcycle. He says this is an 89' yamaha. I said I had one but sold it a long time ago. We walk out to him van, he opens the back doors, yep that my bike! No mistaking it, still had my race numbers on it, the scratches and knicks you don't forget about your bike.
Apparently the DMV still had me as the registered owner. I took the bike, called my friend I sold the bike to, to ask him who he sold it to. He didn't remember. I asked him if he wanted it back, no he didn't want it. I stuck it in the shop, stared at it for about a month and sold it again. It had been outside in the salt air and not worth restoring. It was a bummer.
Mixon848 wrote:
Now that is an amazing story. Too bad you didn't hold on to it just for memory sake. I am now constantly seeing 1989 Yamaha YZ125's...
Now that is an amazing story. Too bad you didn't hold on to it just for memory sake. I am now constantly seeing 1989 Yamaha YZ125's on the local craigslists for just about free now. I mean like all the time. I may start collecting all the ones that I see. There is one on there right now for $100.
I would have liked to kept it but it was really ruined from the salt air here. The fork upper legs were totally blown up from electrolysis.
The one thing i really remember about that bike is how bad it shifted. Very notchy/hard to shift. I remember seeing some after market shift levers that had linkage to give more leverage. Also, I remember the dealer replacing the stator because it went out shortly after I bought it.
riv187
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riv187 12/21/2018 1:12pm
12/21/2018 1:12pm
Russ14 wrote:
Just finished my 89, thought I would share. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/14/310027/s1200_0FCD02BA_15EA_466C_BB66_150E1650626D.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/14/310026/s1200_CA7E70F7_4C72_40B6_BE62_6CF5CD681C51.jpg[/img]
Just finished my 89, thought I would share.

Very Very nice job Russ! To be proud of!

Pit Row

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quiknic
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quiknic 12/24/2018 6:37pm
12/24/2018 6:37pm
Mixon848 wrote:
Now that is an amazing story. Too bad you didn't hold on to it just for memory sake. I am now constantly seeing 1989 Yamaha YZ125's...
Now that is an amazing story. Too bad you didn't hold on to it just for memory sake. I am now constantly seeing 1989 Yamaha YZ125's on the local craigslists for just about free now. I mean like all the time. I may start collecting all the ones that I see. There is one on there right now for $100.
Mixon848 - Let me know if you find any more of these 89/90 YZ-125’s floating around as I have been looking for the past couple of years with limited luck in finding a nice one to restore.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 11/30/2019 12:17pm
11/30/2019 12:17pm
quiknic wrote:
Mixon848 - Let me know if you find any more of these 89/90 YZ-125’s floating around as I have been looking for the past couple of...
Mixon848 - Let me know if you find any more of these 89/90 YZ-125’s floating around as I have been looking for the past couple of years with limited luck in finding a nice one to restore.
1989 Yamaha YZ125 https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/1989-yz-125_40c0d1c2-9629-4b3f-9811-0e36e…

1990 Yamaha YZ125 (Note: In the time of writing this message I went to find the link to the 1990 YZ125 on craigslist and it was already removed by seller. I guess these bikes are the hot item).


As a bonus a 1987 Yamaha YZ125 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/d/belmont-1987-yz125t-vintage-moto…
Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 1/31/2020 10:09am
1/31/2020 10:09am
This is my 90 125.Before and after. Legit 20 hr bike! Everything was original.When I finished the only things not original, were tires, handlebars,
grips, and # plate backgrounds. Engine was never opened up. Started 3rd kick.



Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 1/31/2020 10:11am
1/31/2020 10:11am
quiknic wrote:
Mixon848 - Let me know if you find any more of these 89/90 YZ-125’s floating around as I have been looking for the past couple of...
Mixon848 - Let me know if you find any more of these 89/90 YZ-125’s floating around as I have been looking for the past couple of years with limited luck in finding a nice one to restore.
Mixon848 wrote:
1989 Yamaha YZ125 https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/1989-yz-125_40c0d1c2-9629-4b3f-9811-0e36e2030a97 1990 Yamaha YZ125 (Note: In the time of writing this message I went to find the link to the 1990 YZ125 on...
1989 Yamaha YZ125 https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/1989-yz-125_40c0d1c2-9629-4b3f-9811-0e36e…

1990 Yamaha YZ125 (Note: In the time of writing this message I went to find the link to the 1990 YZ125 on craigslist and it was already removed by seller. I guess these bikes are the hot item).


As a bonus a 1987 Yamaha YZ125 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/d/belmont-1987-yz125t-vintage-moto…
Mine sold in 2 days!
Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 1/31/2020 10:14am
1/31/2020 10:14am
38special wrote:
To those with the clutch issues: Another culprit is the clutch cover itself. The bore that the lifting actuator sits in gets out of round, allowing...
To those with the clutch issues:

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!
True, I had nothing but problems with mine! Went back to OEM plates and springs, found a 91 Aluminum cover and it WORKED!
Tim_Rudöfors 11/4/2021 11:17am
11/4/2021 11:17am
Do you guys know if a 88 cylinder (2VN00) Works on an 89 motor (3JD00)
Tim_Rudöfors 5/26/2022 4:16am
5/26/2022 4:16am



I finished my rebuild now. I think it looks great.
Did a full rebuild of the engine every bearing.
Did the swing bearings shock and front suspension rebuild. Painted it and put new plastic and dekals and seat cover.
The clutch works not draging like some of yours but it's pretty hard to pull in
2

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