Posts
2101
Joined
12/4/2007
Location
York, PA
US
Fantasy
714th
Edited Date/Time
8/24/2022 6:28pm
A couple years back I drove by the house of an acquaintance of mine. His garage door was up and I noticed in the shadow a bright green dirt bike with the rear number fender number plate. Next time I saw him a told him I saw it and would be interested if he ever wanted to sell. Turns out he co-owns it with his brother, and he said his brother didn't want to part with it.
Fast forward a couple years, and I got a call the other day to ask if I was still interested.
I think I am, but I'm told that parts for these are very hard to come by, and a rebuild, if needed, is difficult. I'm not even sure what sort of shape it's in, but it's been in the back of that garage for a decade or more. He said come take a look and make an offer.
What do you guys think? Not much meaningful price reference info on the web. Saw one race ready in MA for 3800. Seems a bit high even for a race ready machine.
Any legit input will be welcomed.
H
Fast forward a couple years, and I got a call the other day to ask if I was still interested.
I think I am, but I'm told that parts for these are very hard to come by, and a rebuild, if needed, is difficult. I'm not even sure what sort of shape it's in, but it's been in the back of that garage for a decade or more. He said come take a look and make an offer.
What do you guys think? Not much meaningful price reference info on the web. Saw one race ready in MA for 3800. Seems a bit high even for a race ready machine.
Any legit input will be welcomed.
H
Overall condition is really the deciding factor.
You can be upside down and 3k deep into a restore you couldn't recoupe before you know it.
I've been racing vintage MX for 20 years, and I'm not sure I've ever seen an 82-83 KX125 at a race. As mentioned above, there's not a lot of aftermarket support for these bikes.
Thanks again for the input. I'll post an update when I go to look at it. Too bad it's such an odd fish- I just love the way those models looked with the one sided radiator, cool front and rear number plates, gold anodized hard bits, etc.
I recommend Nightmare Racing for the plastic, they sell complete replacement kits online, WAY nicer than the DC shit offered and has the OEM shine vs. DC matte look. There are replica graphics all over ebay as well as number plate backgrounds.
shoot me your email and I can send you pics of mine finished, I'll tell you what I sold it for afterwards.
The Shop
I really don't have the time or space for this project, but I feel like I can't let it slide by if he'll take a decent price for it.
I always wondered about the Kawis of the sametime- were only a few of them.
I know they (KX) got better in '84 and '85. Think the KX 125 '84 was THE bike to have... the best?
How was the 82-83 KX exactly compared to the RM or YZ of that time?
My 82 RM 'Z' was great- the 83 RM 'D' slow... not sure how my 82 was so superior to the 83 RM?!
Damn cool bike, the KX and time- guess very rare now?
It's a great bike.
The cdi from the 84 is different but i havent tried it yet .I wish I had chose the RM to build because of the bullshit Ahrma rule where a 83 bike that came with a disc can't compete against a 83 bike with a drum brake.
And the Suzuki was a much better built bike. It's not the bike to choose if you are going to be racing alot.
I don't understand why Nightmare plastic is raved about. Yes it looks like factory but it doesn't fit like factory. I had to make 3/8 thick spacers for the air scoop and rear fender to fit correctly.
The DC seat cover looks like a cartoon.The Pit Replica looks factory
I also had to get a Noleen shock. Something was wrong with my stock shock and rebuilt it 2x in a few hours . The new shock makes it feel like modern suspension
Whether or not you change the front end, you'll want a top triple from the 88 KX. The bar mounts are way too far back. The 88 clamp puts the bars over the top of the forks
In the end all these mods don't matter
I'm a old man racing old man mx lining up against 3 to 5 other bikes on the gate
Pit Row
Anyway- back on topic for the KX of the same period- your bike looks superb MaxPower! She is a beauty! I think the 82-85 KX125 was the best looking 125 bike of the time. I personally loved the rear mudguard/ plate setup! Other people seem they did not like it.
Also the gold swing arm and rims- were lovely looking bikes.
What a rare and cool bike to have! Great thread.
Who thinks these rules up?! Its like they never banned it in 82-83!?! So how is it not allowed now? Absolutely stupid ruling. As long as the bike is period correct, it should be allowed to race other period correct bikes of the time of like 1981-1984 thereabouts.
. I think Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are on the ruling body of the Ahrma. The only reason I'd show up at on of thier events is because I like the track like Unadilla.
It looks like a good core to redo. I wouldn’t expect a race bike unless I totallyrebuilt engine, including replate, suspension , bearings bushings ..everything that moves. The plastic and stickers are the end cream on top. It’ll cost some $$. I’m small at 5’5” and the bike , power and handling fits me well
The key I have found to buying a few in my collection is polite perseverance. I once spotted a 79 RM125 leaned up against a house, muddy as it was being ridden. It was obvious bone stock original.I like those kind when buying. Stopped said hello,was told it was bought new by son in 79,,now grandson was riding it,not for sale. I left my number, but made sure was polite and left on good note. I stopped by again 6 months later to say HI remember me?! Was again shot down,,,I made small talk and left with smile...2 years of this each 6 months and I got a call it no longer ran and was interested now. Obviously the kid had run the original piston till she wouldn't run no more and pushed it home covered in mud. $400 and she was mine. I freshened top end and changed the original tires,,and raced it steady for 3-4 seasons winning countless motos. Still have her. It's all about timing...the spark he got now may where off and he may need money 6 months from now...just be ready and follow up. This model is worth it since it is so rare to find intact.
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