Found (most of an) RM125Z on the side of the road

Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger
Edited Date/Time 7/11/2019 11:56am
Someone down the street had this out, with a "free" sign on it. When I saw the Full Floater I couldn't resist tossing it in my truck, out of curiosity more than anything.. The crank is rusted solid, but the gears down in the oil filler hole look good and the countershaft sprocket spins. I could part it out if nothing else.






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goinrcn44h
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goinrcn44h 7/8/2019 9:27am
7/8/2019 9:27am
83 or 84 I think... may be off a year or so...
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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 7/8/2019 9:32am
7/8/2019 9:32am


I believe it's an '82! This is the bike I was supposed to become a pro on, if I hadn't broken my wrist in 1981, and my parents made me quit.



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Herb Eaversmells 7/8/2019 9:51am
7/8/2019 9:51am
Use to race them back in the day. 81 was the first year. Air filters were terrible. Good luck getting the swingarm bolt out.
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beamer
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beamer 7/8/2019 10:19am
7/8/2019 10:19am
It might need a new chain
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project racer 7/8/2019 10:35am
7/8/2019 10:35am
81 had a kick butt motor. They got the Suzuki slow down for 82 and 83 was even worse.
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Question
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Question 7/8/2019 10:52am
7/8/2019 10:52am Edited Date/Time 7/8/2019 10:56am
Sierra Ranger wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/08/358923/s1200_20190707_185036.jpg[/img] I believe it's an '82! This is the bike I was supposed to become a pro on, if I hadn't broken my wrist in 1981...


I believe it's an '82! This is the bike I was supposed to become a pro on, if I hadn't broken my wrist in 1981, and my parents made me quit.



Nice sign, there is probably $1000+ and quite some oil elbow to put, but it can be a cool collector.

Plus, if you don't plan to ride it, maybe for $500+ it can already look good just externally in the garage, like one the pictures above. I think I would do that because i don't have time so far, but for sure I would keep it ! Smile (in term of budget i am only talking : tank, seat, plastics, pipe, silencer, used cylinder, not chain that can be found probably in good shape in your garage. Maybe the engine work can wait)
Sheriff245 7/8/2019 10:56am
7/8/2019 10:56am
beamer wrote:
It might need a new chain
You look like someone who know what's up with these things.
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Harry Backmon 7/8/2019 11:04am
7/8/2019 11:04am
I think that crank rust should buff out.

Kidding! Cool find, Ranger. That's too much work for me. I'm rebuilding an 87 CR125 that ran fine when I stripped it to the frame for the rebuild. What a hassle! And I'm not going for perfection like a lot of guys do in the build forum.
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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 7/8/2019 11:37am
7/8/2019 11:37am
Harry Backmon wrote:
I think that crank rust should buff out. Kidding! Cool find, Ranger. That's too much work for me. I'm rebuilding an 87 CR125 that ran fine...
I think that crank rust should buff out.

Kidding! Cool find, Ranger. That's too much work for me. I'm rebuilding an 87 CR125 that ran fine when I stripped it to the frame for the rebuild. What a hassle! And I'm not going for perfection like a lot of guys do in the build forum.
I spent a good part of last year rebuilding my 2004- pretty much polished every nut on the bike. So I have been there. It's done and runs great! My wife was not pumped to see this new RM show up, though.







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MXATC
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MXATC 7/8/2019 12:05pm
7/8/2019 12:05pm
Sierra Ranger wrote:
Someone down the street had this out, with a "free" sign on it. When I saw the Full Floater I couldn't resist tossing it in my...
Someone down the street had this out, with a "free" sign on it. When I saw the Full Floater I couldn't resist tossing it in my truck, out of curiosity more than anything.. The crank is rusted solid, but the gears down in the oil filler hole look good and the countershaft sprocket spins. I could part it out if nothing else.






Wow!! That's unbelievable !! I wonder what that would cost to restore if someone had that kind of funds? where would you find everything to restore it? I love those older bikes. That's what I grew up dreaming about riding.
VetMX.com
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VetMX.com 7/8/2019 12:20pm
7/8/2019 12:20pm
I had a 1981 and wish I would have kept it. Replaced many water pump seals in it but what a fast bike it was. Holeshoted many motos on it.
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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 7/8/2019 12:32pm
7/8/2019 12:32pm
Sierra Ranger wrote:
Someone down the street had this out, with a "free" sign on it. When I saw the Full Floater I couldn't resist tossing it in my...
Someone down the street had this out, with a "free" sign on it. When I saw the Full Floater I couldn't resist tossing it in my truck, out of curiosity more than anything.. The crank is rusted solid, but the gears down in the oil filler hole look good and the countershaft sprocket spins. I could part it out if nothing else.






MXATC wrote:
Wow!! That's unbelievable !! I wonder what that would cost to restore if someone had that kind of funds? where would you find everything to restore...
Wow!! That's unbelievable !! I wonder what that would cost to restore if someone had that kind of funds? where would you find everything to restore it? I love those older bikes. That's what I grew up dreaming about riding.
What's crazy is that the stuff that is here still functions- except for the major engine issue. It has Cheng Shin tires, which I think came stock. A couple thousand bucks would go a long way on this bike. I just found a cylinder head for $10. But you have to be the type of person that enjoys working on old machinery. I love it, personally. I will at least tear apart the bottom end and see how bad it is. It looks like it was maybe left out in the rain with open cases- but the bottom end doesn't appear to be totally rusted together.
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Harry Backmon 7/8/2019 12:39pm
7/8/2019 12:39pm
Sierra Ranger wrote:
My beloved 2004- love the suspension. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/07/08/358963/s1200_20190708_113240.jpg[/img] And a little clip of it in action (I'm 51 and back on the bike after five years off-...
My beloved 2004- love the suspension.



And a little clip of it in action (I'm 51 and back on the bike after five years off- new full metal hip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrKctUmAKp0
Nice clip, Ranger! That looks like that place where Slipdog rides.

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Falcon
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Falcon 7/8/2019 1:23pm
7/8/2019 1:23pm
Post title says RM125 "Z." Did you see that stamped somewhere? If so, it's an '82. My 1982 RM80 was a "Z."
edgo897
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edgo897 7/8/2019 1:26pm
7/8/2019 1:26pm
I'd like to have it. I've got an 82 PE175 motor that would drop right in and be a cool little bike.
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TexasVet
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TexasVet 7/8/2019 5:54pm
7/8/2019 5:54pm
Thank God it still has the original kickstand!
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yak651
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yak651 7/8/2019 7:22pm
7/8/2019 7:22pm
You should knock on their door and see if they have any of the missing parts laying around...
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mxracer666
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mxracer666 7/8/2019 7:44pm
7/8/2019 7:44pm
Def a 1982! Pretty sure it has the larger 1981 shock on it, or one from a 250 - if its any good...the shock body wore out fast! The 1983 model is recognizable by the cast aluminum struts from swing arm to rocker arm, And they only fit that year.. If you want it to run, find a set of engine cases on eBay - those would require so much material to be removed from the cylinder mating surface (to remove the deep corrosion) that they would be totally out of spec, not to mention what uglyness your're going to find when you split those cases. worth is tho! Awesome bike!
Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 7/8/2019 9:02pm
7/8/2019 9:02pm Edited Date/Time 7/8/2019 9:03pm
mxracer666 wrote:
Def a 1982! Pretty sure it has the larger 1981 shock on it, or one from a 250 - if its any good...the shock body wore...
Def a 1982! Pretty sure it has the larger 1981 shock on it, or one from a 250 - if its any good...the shock body wore out fast! The 1983 model is recognizable by the cast aluminum struts from swing arm to rocker arm, And they only fit that year.. If you want it to run, find a set of engine cases on eBay - those would require so much material to be removed from the cylinder mating surface (to remove the deep corrosion) that they would be totally out of spec, not to mention what uglyness your're going to find when you split those cases. worth is tho! Awesome bike!
Cases don't look that expensive. Some rust remover and a couple taps from a rubber mallet got the rod moving. All the cables, brakes etc. work and the actual riding time seems to be fairly low. Carb looks relatively fresh, slide moves...this might be a legit dumpster find.








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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 7/8/2019 9:11pm
7/8/2019 9:11pm




And bros, I just met her and this might sound crazy and all...but I think I'm in love.
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sandman768
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sandman768 7/9/2019 4:47am
7/9/2019 4:47am
Parts are plentiful, I have safety seat assembly & gas tank...100.00 for both plus shipping.
MaxPower
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MaxPower 7/9/2019 6:21am
7/9/2019 6:21am
Oem rear fender is 100.00. Aftermarket is 40.00 but looks cheesy. Great bike for vintage. It's Ultima Ahrma legal. Built solid, no frame cracking, run fast.
I wish now I built a Suzuki instead of my KX.
It's going to cost you some money to get ready but if you are into vmx it will be worth it
Frodad78
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Frodad78 7/9/2019 7:05am
7/9/2019 7:05am
Little WD-40 and she'll be purring like a kitten..
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