If you followed our Vital Revival series of videos, then you might enjoy this...a look back at the build with a little more detail on the parts involved.
The 2005 YZ125 directly after picking up it up from the previous owner found on Craigslist. Notice the original 2005 forks, the stock plastics, and the old FMF Turbinecore 2 silencer.
The project bike just before taking over to Jay Clark to begin the transformation. As you can see, the newer 2008 Yamaha YZ250F forks have already been added. For the most part, though, the bike was close to its original condition from when we first picked it up.
Basically all of the plastics and small bolt on parts were still in decent working condition, but were also very worn and scratched. Time for an upgrade!
The 2005 YZ125 still in stock form. Nice and worn.
The motor at Jay Clark's shop. when it was first pulled out of the frame. They would go on to split the cases and inspect every piece, installing a Hot Rods crank and rod, and Vertex piston.
The Vital Revival 2005 YZ125 as it was being pieced back together at Jay Clark's shop.
We are pretty happy with the finished product for this project bike. The FMF Fatty Pipe is actually the original pipe that came with the bike when we bought it. The original owner had done mostly desert riding, which typically wreaks havoc on parts, but he had protected the pipe with a carbon-fiber guard, keeping the pipe safe (although a little rusty). Once it was cleaned up, we actually dug the "works" look and just stuck with it.
In addition to the awesome semi-custom Moto Graphic,s Moto Concepts hooked us up with their Moto Stand and matching MotoPad Trackside for that race team look.
The silencer that was on the original bike was as tired as silencers get. Throwing on the fresh FMF Shorty added a surprising amount of bottom end hit.
Dubya custom built the wheelset on for our YZ125. Black Excel A60 rims laced up with black Bulldog spokes and blue anodized spline drive nipples to Talon Carbon/Billet hubs. Yeah, these things are sexy to say the least. Pricing varies for builds, so contact www.dubyausa.com for more details.
A closeup look at the Talon hubs from Dubya reveals the beautiful quality that goes into each unit. This F1 technology for dirt bikes.
The YZ Restyle Kit from UFO Plastics (distributed by TUF Racing in the U.S.) has helped breath some new life into an aging design. The stock Yamaha two-strokes have basically been using the same plastics since 2002. That's 12 years! While MX fans should be happy that the tuning fork company still makes premix burning bikes at all, the UFO Restyle Kit really goes a long way. They have also just introduced a retro yellow kit for 2014.
Hinson provided a complete clutch kit replaces the entire stock clutch with a billet hub, billet basket, billet pressure plate, springs, steel and fiber plates...and the pedigree of a ridiculous number of titles.
Works Connection provided a few little trick parts for the YZ, including these very handy (and super light weight) radiator braces.
The Works Connection skidplate is a no brainer. Why let the frame rails and cases of your bike take a beating when a replaceable aluminum plate can do the job instead. Not only does it handle the abuse from riding, it keeps the bottom looking fresh...even after several rides.
Another view of the Works Connection skid plate.
The Pro Taper 4.3 Triple Clamps are lighter than stock and have an adjustable bar mount system for different rider preferences.
Moto Hose makes replacement hoses for pretty much every tube on your bike. We went with white to match some of the graphics on plastics on the Vital Revival machine.
Pro Taper's 2.3 Platform Footpegs are some of our favorites. Replaceable cleats with the option for -5mm or +5mm cleats, or more durable steel.
This is the Light Speed carbon rear disc guard that we got through MotoSport.com. Granted this was shot after a few rides, but the guard is far stronger than the plastic stock unit.
Bolts provided a complete Yamaha bolt kit and also these very cool axel blocks. Different from standard blocks, these use a self tightening chain adjuster. Simply use a 10mm wrench to set your desired tension and tighten your axel nut. No lock nut required.
Bolts makes these cool drilled out aluminum washers that save a tiny bit of weight, but mostly just add a cool factory look
Okay, we got a little creative with the kill switch. The Pro Taper Profile Perch is designed to rotate on its Teflon-style sleeve, so we didn't want to mess with that design. Instead we took the Ride Engineering kill switch (that is meant to have a double function as the back piece of a clutch lever) and used a Works Connection rotating bar clamp to mount it to the handlebar. Yeah, it's a little over kill, but we like the way it looks.
If you have never used the Pro Taper Profile Perch, you are missing out. The rotating bar clamp helps the perch move in a crash, while the barrel adjuster and bearing-pivoted lever are buttery smooth.
Moto Graphics (a division of Moto Concepts) did up the graphics for the Vital Revival YZ125 and we think they look awesome. The graphic company can do just about anything you want for just about any bike. As you can see, they also have the template for UFO's YZ Restyle Kit.
Another carbon bit procured from MotoSport.com.
Why the Pro Taper SE (Seven Eighths) bar instead over an oversized bar? Why not? They are cheaper, provide more flex, and are plenty strong.
Part of the Jay Clark rebuild included throwing in a new Moto Tassanari VForce 3 reed-cage.
The Moto Hose-outfitted carburetor.
Moto Seat has become a go-to source for durable, super grippy, custom seat covers. Run out of a small shot in SoCal, they have tons of different options to match your custom graphics.
VitalMX Test Rider, Cody Baker, took part in the riding portion of Vital Revival. Here he scrubs a small tabletop at Cahuilla Creek Motocross.
Although Cody Baker typically rides KTM SX-Fs, he had a great time aboard the Revived YZ125. Believe it or not, there were no buckets of thrown dirt involved in the making of this photo.
That concludes the first Vital Revival...on to the next project bike. Suggestions?
If you followed our Vital Revival series of videos, then you might enjoy this...a look back at the build with a little more detail on the parts involved.
View replies to: Vital Revival 2005 Yamaha YZ125
Comments