Lechien Tribute YZ125

The OW125 ran a DLS front brake. The 1983 YZ125 had a single leading shoe. I found a DLS on Ebay and reconditioned it and fit it so that the setup was the same. I believe the OW had 43mm front forks, but I never had a problem with the light weight 38mm forks so these were kept, but fully rebuilt with Race Tech emulators, heavier springs and new bushes and seals.




Then engine was tired and needed a full rebuild. Every single bearing and seal was replaced. In fact, the cases were replaced as well as getting Eric Gorr to resleave the cylinder back to standard, fit a Wossner piston, machine the head, match the power valve and do a port job. The OW had a rotary valve engine so I was never going to replicate it, but I could make screamer by following the Yamaha Race Report.

To go with the engine mods, a 36mm oversize carb was fitted as per the Race Report, and Jon Easton at Jemco made me custom cone pipe. The bike also runs a DG muffler. The electrics were getting old, so I replaced everything with a digital PVL setup that was supplied by Newman.



The rads were bent, so I sent them together with the hoses to GPI and had them reverse engineer a set for me. These came back and fitted great. The yellow silicon hoses are quite trick too.



Lechien ran a vented black number plate back in 83. There were a few variations on the “holeshot” plate, but I found a genuine Preston Petty plate which is very similar. The OW also had Takasago rims, so I had mine rebuilt with gold Takasago rims with gold nipples and Dunlop tyres. I also drilled out the rear brake arm similar to what the works bike ran.





Race Tech in OZ rebuilt the rear suspension. It took 3 shocks to get one that was suitable as the alloy bodies get scored and become unserviceable. Gold valves and a heavier spring were fitted and the initial feel is fantastic.

The bike has only been run less than 2 hours but is showing promise of being a great VMX racer. The project is complete and there are just a few minor jetting, suspension and other adjustments to make.

Thanks newmann, the PVL was a direct fit with no hassles what so ever. Set the timing on the bench and rechecked later. Started first or second kick after rebuild. I am still playing with plugs, as the new Iridium NGK BR9EIX i used failed on the second test ride. I have a Denso IW27 to try which is supposed to be better than the NGK.

Thanks for the positve feedback Vitards. MB, the closest i could find was a 1980 setup.. http://amsracing.com/product/1980-0-yamaha-yz-125-pro-form-racing-pipes…. I actually have another YZ125K and it came with a L and J pipes and silencers. The J pipe gave them more top end. The L silencer is repackable and if painted an alloy color, would look the same as the OW.
MXM, yes the jersey looks great. I was hoping the Dogger was coming to Connodale in OZ this year so i could get it signed.... perhaps next year.
The Lechien tribute bike has a twin. I am doing it up as my Euro version practice bike. Only have the engine and a few bits to go. Originally, the Euro version had gold rims. I rebuilt the wheels using new OEM spokes, but had the hubs and original rims powder coated black.

Hi Lonestar, i have emailed you back. Hope i can help you out with your bike...glad you joined the club. Just for your information, or any one else out there interested in this particular model, i have created a website packed full of useful and interesting stuff. You will find the full workshop manual, Yamaha Race Report, parts manual, magazine articles and shootouts, photo's, tutorials etc... Look here.. http://yz125k.weebly.com/
Cheers,

Most people that actually raced the 83 model put it down as one of their favorites... as mx bikes were progressing at a fast rate during this period, there were a lot of hit and miss models. Not sure if you could even buy white shrouds back then, but i asked DC plastics if they could make me up some white ones, and they said no problem, and it only took them 3 days.

"1986: An all-new motor came. The countershaft sprocket was moved back to the left side, which made more room for the shifter and less complication for the kickstarter. The bad news was that the motor wasn’t very fast. The shock location was also changed to a more conventional vertical orientation with Honda-like linkage" http://dirtbikemagazine.com/home-features/yz125-the-bike-they-cant-kill ..... i never had a problem with the kickstart and rebuilding it recently, i never noticed any over complication. I have heard though, that later model bikes were noticeably slower. The linkage thing was just progress, as the J model preceding it was woeful.

Thanks for the offer Honda88L, i am in Oz and the Dogger is supposed to be coming to the the East Coast(of Oz) at some stage for Conondale, which is a huge VMX meet. I am on the West Coast but have a few offers from people to help me get it signed. MXM did a great job on the jersey... heres the other side...




If anyone else has any old pics of Lechien on the OW125, it would be great if you could post them up.
Cheers,