Ledger, the tank is the original plastic; painted. The bike was a garage queen before I got it, so painting the tank and fenders was ok for that purpose. I bought it to race, though, so the fenders didn't last long. The paint on the tank is holding up ... more »

The forks are 43mm from an 81YZ465. Hot Foot Moto should be able to hook you up with any size, including for the 38mm forks that were stock on the '79

I bought the 125 with both items already on there; so not sure. Externally, I didn't do much to it other than the side panels (I have the originals if anyone needs them). What I DID do is rebuild the entire engine, as explained in my post above to wfoyz250. ... more »

Yep, I have it's big brother as well.

I've run the first few post-vintage races this season on both a 125 and 250, and there is no comparison - the 125 is by far the most fun. I like running 4 motos per event, but once this season wraps up, I'll likely look to swap the 250 for another 125 ... more »

I've ridden two ahrma nationals on my '79 YZ125 with a new HPI system, and the performance is outstanding. I bought my bike a couple weeks before the series started and didn't even ride the bike enough with the OEM ignition to make a comparison before ... more »

Thanks Larry! I've got two rides on it now after a full crank re-build, new rod/piston/rings/cylinder work; along with a full HPI ignition and Boyesen reeds. It's really quick, but only if I make a great effort to keep the revs and momentum up in every ... more »

The problem with these vintage bikes is that you often simply won't know what has been done to it and what parts/cylinders/heads/pistons, etc..are on the bike. So..that makes a normally routine re-build of the top end somewhat of a mystery. For this

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find anything that looked promising. So I went into "typical tourist" mode and walked around for 6-7 hours. With no vintage bike museum to be found, I settled on the Museum of Natural History and then did the standard ... more »

Great info; thanks! About 5 minutes from departing Houston now. Here's to maddening boredom for the next 9 hrs.... yea...

When I look at www.acu.org.uk/events/, I see a mx at Guernsey and a Hare and Hound at Ash Down Farm, Upper Hill Barn, Didcot, Oxon (which sounds like five different places to me

Unless you are dead set on Excel, you might try Full Circle Racing. A buddy of mine just got them on his '84YZ125 and they look amazing. http://www.fullcircleracingltd.com/vintage-mx-rims-and-spokes.html

The only bikes that show the exact same guard are the 82/83 YZ100 and 82/83 IT175. But..the YZ125 guard sure *looks* the same, only black plastic instead of white - maybe that's the only reason the part numbers are different? The chain slider on my 100 ... more »

Since you mention a cracked part being "on" the linkage, are you talking about the "mud flap" between the rear wheel and linkage? If so, it's pretty easy to cut one yourself from a good piece of rubber material. See attached pic. That bike gives you

I have never really wanted a new Husky....until now; that's Beautiful. You may have to get a bib to accent your modern gear.

I actually listened to that tape back in the day, but certainly not every single evening like I believe it suggested. I remember it being too long/boring to sit through with any regularity. It would fail even quicker with today's "8 second social media" ... more »

Yep! Did I tell you that story at one time, or did you know her well enough to tell who it was from my post?

Girl I dated for a while was just insanely messy. Went to pick her up for a first date and literally could not sit on her couch or chairs while she finished getting ready to go out; just too piled with all kinds of crap. She would get things out of dresser ... more »

Fantastic looking bike, sandman! Super attention to detail and some perfect mods to make it look not only race-ready, but ready to kick some butt. Sorry if already discussed, but what are you going to do with it now?