1991 KTM 125exc Should I bother rebuilding it?

WRH
Posts
191
Joined
5/5/2014
Location
Saraland, AL US
7/5/2014 10:28pm Edited Date/Time 5/24/2016 6:47pm
I've located a barnfind / doesn't run 1991 KTM 125exc. I can get it for about $200.00. I'm wondering if any parts are available for it at all. It wil need a front master cylinder at least and a engine rebuild. It does have spark. Any leads on Bike test for that year model? Or tips on what always broke or other year model stuff that swaps out?
|
barkhard696
Posts
1466
Joined
1/30/2010
Location
Houston, TX US
7/6/2014 7:49am
Check on Motosport or do a Google search for KTM parts. Considering how hard it's been to find certain parts for the '03-'04 200SX, my guess is that parts availability is nil. In these years, KTM almost always ran dead last in the MX shootouts, although a few years the 125 was considered fast.

$200 for a bike seems like a killer deal until you get into really evaluating the bike. Just getting an older year running can cost far more than the bike will ever be worth if you re not careful or mechanically inclined.

Just my .02, but I'd save the $200 and look for a decent 1991 CR125. There are several restorations of these year CRs here on Vital.
wpark89
Posts
1115
Joined
12/9/2009
Location
Mattawa, WA US
7/6/2014 5:05pm Edited Date/Time 7/7/2014 9:24am
I restored a 95. It was also 200 bucks and looks showroom now. It was the easiest project I've done. Parts are all over ebay or available from ktm. 91 mxa tested them. Good engine..forks need work and clutch and shifting was poor. The bike stayed the same until 97 so lots of stuff is out there. If you dig a left kick white and mint 125 go for it.

My hardest part was plastic...the 93-97 uses the same parts but it's tough to find the stuff in white (the 96/97 was orange) Doing a 91/92 would be easy because UFO still makes the plastic. I used a Vertex piston, found a Dynoport pipe on ebay in excellent shape cheap. A lot of hard parts...bolts...bearings and whatnot cross over to KTM's all through the 2000's.
BigAl
Posts
266
Joined
7/7/2012
Location
Prichard, WV US
7/7/2014 1:03pm
"dead last" is such a harsh statement....even picking from the 5 most gorgeous women in the world, one will be last....

Is the Honda a better bike? No doubt.

Is the Honda easier to find parts for? No doubt.

Do you want to be like everyone else?

Depending on what your end game is, you'll have $3,000+ in either one. Is it a rider, racer or a looker?
The Sneak
Posts
169
Joined
2/24/2009
Location
US
7/7/2014 2:36pm
I dunno what the gearing was like on the 91 125EXC, but the 125MX around those years was pretty fast. Very pipey but fast. Lousy shifting, suspension was always stiff and harsh.

My dad had a 1991 250EXC, as a matter of fact. The mint green seat and all.

The Shop

BigAl
Posts
266
Joined
7/7/2012
Location
Prichard, WV US
7/7/2014 5:03pm
WRH wrote:
I've located a barnfind / doesn't run 1991 KTM 125exc. I can get it for about $200.00. I'm wondering if any parts are available for it...
I've located a barnfind / doesn't run 1991 KTM 125exc. I can get it for about $200.00. I'm wondering if any parts are available for it at all. It wil need a front master cylinder at least and a engine rebuild. It does have spark. Any leads on Bike test for that year model? Or tips on what always broke or other year model stuff that swaps out?
Spent the last 30 minutes doing some research. Found the rods kits and pistons available, aftermarket plastics and seat cover available, gasket sets available, seals and bearings are standard but available, suspension no problem, bars grips controls no problem, ignition is motoplat so no problem, probably slap a Keihin on it, brakes are probably standard brembo stuff and still available.

Probably worth $200 to look at it. I'm sure you could part it out and get your money back.

wpark89
Posts
1115
Joined
12/9/2009
Location
Mattawa, WA US
7/7/2014 5:47pm
BigAl wrote:
Spent the last 30 minutes doing some research. Found the rods kits and pistons available, aftermarket plastics and seat cover available, gasket sets available, seals and...
Spent the last 30 minutes doing some research. Found the rods kits and pistons available, aftermarket plastics and seat cover available, gasket sets available, seals and bearings are standard but available, suspension no problem, bars grips controls no problem, ignition is motoplat so no problem, probably slap a Keihin on it, brakes are probably standard brembo stuff and still available.

Probably worth $200 to look at it. I'm sure you could part it out and get your money back.

Yep...like I said..easiest project I've ever done.

But then again...I normally work on Cagiva's!

I won the show and shine contest last year at the Washougal 125 Dream Race.

The bike works good...Doesn't seem to run much different than my RM 125's I remember from the early 90's. If you keep it pinned it will go good and I can do all the jumps on my local tracks...but I definitely have to keep in wound up. I had to run '93 decals for awhile until I finally found the right '95 Tecnosel Stickers.




barkhard696
Posts
1466
Joined
1/30/2010
Location
Houston, TX US
7/7/2014 8:45pm
That's a great restoration and those are all good points. I don't disagree that there are too many Hondas out there. I suppose for me the primary issue is that if at some point you wanted to divest yourself of the bike, it would probably be easier to sell a Honda. But what do I know? I've spent all kinds of crazy money on projects that I'll never get a fraction of my money back on, so I'm hardly one to give advice Whistling
berniepiet
Posts
526
Joined
12/23/2009
Location
Atlanta, GA US
7/8/2014 4:54am
Check on Motosport or do a Google search for KTM parts. Considering how hard it's been to find certain parts for the '03-'04 200SX, my guess...
Check on Motosport or do a Google search for KTM parts. Considering how hard it's been to find certain parts for the '03-'04 200SX, my guess is that parts availability is nil. In these years, KTM almost always ran dead last in the MX shootouts, although a few years the 125 was considered fast.

$200 for a bike seems like a killer deal until you get into really evaluating the bike. Just getting an older year running can cost far more than the bike will ever be worth if you re not careful or mechanically inclined.

Just my .02, but I'd save the $200 and look for a decent 1991 CR125. There are several restorations of these year CRs here on Vital.
Was wondering what parts were hard to find for the KTM 200. I always wanted one of those. I know the bikes themselves are near impossible to find. Which parts were you having trouble finding?
7/8/2014 5:59am
My friend had a 1990 125 EXC. Not sure if the engines are the same. But I do remember it was the slowest 125 I've ever ridden.
endurox
Posts
1873
Joined
3/22/2014
Location
Garden City, ID US
7/8/2014 12:50pm
My friend had a 1990 125 EXC. Not sure if the engines are the same. But I do remember it was the slowest 125 I've ever...
My friend had a 1990 125 EXC. Not sure if the engines are the same. But I do remember it was the slowest 125 I've ever ridden.
power valve needs resealed, that will bring it up to its potential. I remember on my 87 when the bike would run slower it was time for the power valve to get some attention. Bike was fast for it's time. Suspension was not as good as my 84 KTM 125 for off-road.
WRH
Posts
191
Joined
5/5/2014
Location
Saraland, AL US
7/8/2014 8:08pm
Thanks for the comments I'm thinking I'll travel to take a closer look tommorrow.
Moto Mofo
Posts
853
Joined
1/17/2008
Location
TX US
7/8/2014 9:19pm
wpark89 wrote:
Yep...like I said..easiest project I've ever done. But then again...I normally work on Cagiva's! I won the show and shine contest last year at the Washougal...
Yep...like I said..easiest project I've ever done.

But then again...I normally work on Cagiva's!

I won the show and shine contest last year at the Washougal 125 Dream Race.

The bike works good...Doesn't seem to run much different than my RM 125's I remember from the early 90's. If you keep it pinned it will go good and I can do all the jumps on my local tracks...but I definitely have to keep in wound up. I had to run '93 decals for awhile until I finally found the right '95 Tecnosel Stickers.




That thing is so sweet! I love all the Hondas as much as anyone, but agree that it gets old seeing mainly CRs getting restored. I would kill for a '95 or '96 KTM 125.
wpark89
Posts
1115
Joined
12/9/2009
Location
Mattawa, WA US
7/9/2014 10:25am
Thanks Mofo...

It's cool because it's rare. I always thought the white KTM 125's that kicked on the left were neat....you'd see them occasionally at the local tracks in the early 90's but definitely not too many. My buddy had a support rider in '96 and had a 125 and 250 SX. The 125 was exactly the same as my '95 with the butterscotch plastic. He found a SPES pipe from Belgium and we got the GP porting specs from the early 90's and it ran good...it was only a 6 month ride...so by the time it was running really competitive he had to give it back.

This guy posted this in some Saab forum...but he did a really good documentary on restoring a '91.....so if anyone needs info on these weird things...there's some good photos and info here.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ve…
Mixon848
Posts
334
Joined
1/27/2011
Location
Oakley, CA US
5/22/2016 8:25am
I know this is an old thread, but did you pick up the bike? How did the build go?

I sold one of my finished projects yesterday to finish my 1991 Suzuki RM125, and the gentleman threw in a 1991 KTM125 project. I always like Bob Moore on those KTM 125's so I am really happy to get this project.
flywest
Posts
20
Joined
9/6/2011
Location
Olympia, WA US
Fantasy
1926th
5/22/2016 11:16pm





Mixon848
Posts
334
Joined
1/27/2011
Location
Oakley, CA US
5/23/2016 7:46am Edited Date/Time 5/23/2016 7:49am
flywest wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/05/22/136324/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/05/22/136325/s1200_image.jpg[/img]





I have had that top photo saved to both my phone and computer for awhile, drooling over it. Also another one with Bob Moore jumping the bike (photo taken from the leftside). This is all before I obtained the 1991 KTM125 project. With the 1991 Suzuki RM125 and now the 1991 KTM125, I am becoming a 1991 man.

And Bob was so close that season. If he had scored top points in one of the Belgium motos, he would of had it. I am glad that he finally got his 125cc World Mx Gp title that he had searched for so long, when he switched to the Yamaha's.
MaxPower
Posts
2646
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
NJ US
5/24/2016 6:47pm
Now im older i feel magazine tests are meaningless to me. They have to write something and its someones opinion. Of 7 carpenters at my job no 2 will build the same structure identical. Why would my opinion of a bike match someone who i dont even know can get a top 5 trophy in the C Class? If you like that KTM then build that KTM. I like it

Post a reply to: 1991 KTM 125exc Should I bother rebuilding it?

The Latest