My 1990 KTM 125 project

wpark89
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5/12/2015 9:14pm Edited Date/Time 10/5/2022 7:23pm
Just wanted to share a shot of my '90 KTM 125 project. I'm calling it a 90...but most of the parts are a few years newer. This was my favorite KTM color scheme, I always thought the 90's were super clean and good looking. The production 90 125 used the older 87-89 plastic but the factory GP bikes used the 91-92 layout like Mike Healey's below.

After just a few months I was able to track down all the parts I needed and got mine put together last weekend..pretty happy with how it turned out.




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vet323
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5/12/2015 9:34pm
That thing is sweet! Have you ridden it yet?
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5/12/2015 11:29pm Edited Date/Time 5/12/2015 11:31pm
Those bikes (and the later ones with green accents) are high on my list of best looking bikes ever. They cut a nice, racy profile- and still look fairly modern. Those were the first ktm's that had a "japanese bike" feel and layout. Ole' Broc Glover looked good on that style bike (but 250cc) when he was racing the GP's. Trampas Parker also burned it up on those bikes if im not mistaken. Beautiful!
5/13/2015 1:06am
Trampas Parker was world champ in 1990 on the 125.

Great looking bike WPark89. Top stuff.
Uncle Tony
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5/13/2015 7:14am
Nice job! How bout a ride report? I always like that year KTM

The Shop

vmx3
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5/13/2015 7:37am
As usual nice work Wes, that thing is sexy. I dig Healey's number but I may be a bit biased lol
MXM
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5/13/2015 8:34am Edited Date/Time 5/13/2015 1:19pm
Speaking of Trampas Parker and GP KTM's, we have the Team Chesterfield KTM Jersey Parker wore in 1990 thanks to the help of a friend in the UK, and it would look great with your new project bike. Keep up the good work, we love to see unique bikes being restored because they have so much personality!





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EL Sammo
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5/13/2015 10:17am
Nice! looks like a really tidy 125 screamer.
wpark89
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5/13/2015 3:58pm
Thanks guys. I'll ride it next week. I've got a few small things to finish. I'm modifying a 93-95 rm 125 silencer to run on it. It should be fun. Eric Gorr ported it to the 91 ktm gp specs. It's got a boyesen rad valve, new vertex piston and everything is fresh. I've got the dynoport pipe on it now. I bought a nos Dutch power pipe that was labeled 91-92 but unfortunately won't fit. It seems to be for an 87-90. So if anyone needs it or can find me a clean 87-90 let me know. I started this whole project just because I found the seat cover and always loved the 90 ktms!
wpark89
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5/13/2015 7:25pm
This had 25 years of rust on it when I got it...I spent some time cleaning it up and going over the welds...bummer it didn't fit...but the Dynoport looks good too.


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AHRMA361
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Fantasy
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5/13/2015 8:50pm
wpark89 - That is one beautiful bike. Nice job.

I really liked those models, clean, modern look with the Euro touch that KTM still employs today.

Are you thinking of ever putting the WP4054 forks on it?
wpark89
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5/13/2015 9:05pm
Thanks ahrma361

I'm not going to put 4054s on it.

Since the ktm 125's didn't change but cosmetically from 91-97 I actually started this project with a blown up 1995 125 exc. The 95 has great suspension with the ohlins rear and 45mm marzocchi conventional forks.

Since Parker and even Bob Moore raced with conventional marzocchis on their factory ktms these 95 forks with the purple paint stripped off look great and work really well.
The Sneak
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5/15/2015 7:31am
I can't get over this build. It's just awesome, and so clean.
Very nice.

Can we get a ride report? How's the Eric Gorr motor?
wpark89
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5/15/2015 11:33am
Thanks Sneak..

Here's a shot of the other side. It should run great.

And here is the work I had Eric do..


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MXM
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5/15/2015 11:59am
wpark89, I received your message and sent you a photo and reply. I am not sure if the messaging system is working right.
Sidecar
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5/15/2015 12:15pm
Awesome bike dude. That video of the 125 GP is awesome, Mike Healey had so much style on the bike, used to love watching him ride.
A little off topic and I don't want to hijack your thread but how's Mike doing these days? I know of the troubles a few years back and I know he was moving in moto circles again a couple of years ago but what's he up to now?
wpark89
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5/15/2015 12:22pm
I haven't heard anything about Mike since that racerx article a year or two ago...and that's probably a good thing!
jarvinator
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5/15/2015 6:57pm
WOW, was that Donny Schmidt on the podium there at the very end of the vid?
Sidecar
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5/15/2015 10:38pm
wpark89 wrote:
I haven't heard anything about Mike since that racerx article a year or two ago...and that's probably a good thing!
No news is good news type of deal!!!
Your bike and the short film you posted took me back to a great era of MX. Thanks. Keep up the good work with the bike.
Moto Mofo
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5/27/2015 6:07pm
Such an awesome build. A breath of fresh air after seeing all the Hondas everyone wants to redo (which I'm also guilty of). Arent you the same guy with the really nice '95 125SX?
wpark89
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5/27/2015 6:31pm
Dream race?
The Dream Race is a blast. I'm starting to feel a little old out there in the Pro Class but it's definitely one event I want to keep doing. I've got a kid due this Septermber so I will have to miss it...but I plan on being at Washougal in August for the NW VMX Challenge again. The grass track is a blast and I had a ton of fun and great racing there last year.
barkhard696
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5/27/2015 6:33pm Edited Date/Time 5/27/2015 6:33pm
>A breath of fresh air after seeing all the Hondas everyone wants to redo (which I'm also guilty of).

+1

Gotta eat a lot of crow here. I said restoring a KTM of this era wouldn't be worth it. Boy was I ever wrong -- this bike is SA-WEET. And totally not the everyday build. Probably stone righteous to ride.

You completely win, WPark. Your KTM build kicks 100% ass.
wpark89
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5/27/2015 6:34pm
Moto Mofo wrote:
Such an awesome build. A breath of fresh air after seeing all the Hondas everyone wants to redo (which I'm also guilty of). Arent you the...
Such an awesome build. A breath of fresh air after seeing all the Hondas everyone wants to redo (which I'm also guilty of). Arent you the same guy with the really nice '95 125SX?
Yes, I've built the '95 and I have an '83 Cagiva WMX 125 and '88 250. I've got all the parts I need to hopefully do a 96 or 97 KTM 250 SX whenever I can find one (but I plan to build it with the white/purple look of 94/95 as opposed to the orange).

I just got an '87 YZ 80 which was my first race bike that I plan on building one day.



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Bonobo
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6/4/2015 4:42am
that's a great project and actually served as an inpiration for me!. I found a ''92 KTM 125 that could be the build base. where did you find the tank and shrouds' graphics?

thanks
Marco
Kidkawie
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6/4/2015 9:44am
Nice bikes wpark89!
The Sneak
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6/4/2015 10:08am Edited Date/Time 6/4/2015 10:09am
wpark89 wrote:
Yes, I've built the '95 and I have an '83 Cagiva WMX 125 and '88 250. I've got all the parts I need to hopefully do...
Yes, I've built the '95 and I have an '83 Cagiva WMX 125 and '88 250. I've got all the parts I need to hopefully do a 96 or 97 KTM 250 SX whenever I can find one (but I plan to build it with the white/purple look of 94/95 as opposed to the orange).

I just got an '87 YZ 80 which was my first race bike that I plan on building one day.



Wpark,

While I had a YZ60 and DS80 beforehand, an 87 YZ80 was my first race bike as well (in the sense I actually raced it). I would love to restore one. Please start a thread to cover your build!
Bonobo
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6/5/2015 4:42am
wpark89 wrote:
Ciao Marco Come stai? Adesivi was made by evo-mx in the uk. You need this.. http://www.enduroklassiker.at/en/decalsstickersaccessoirs/4630-aufklebersatz-k-team-1992.html I have seen the 92 stickers on ebay. Also if...
Ciao Marco

Come stai?

Adesivi was made by evo-mx in the uk.

You need this..

http://www.enduroklassiker.at/en/decalsstickersaccessoirs/4630-aufklebe…

I have seen the 92 stickers on ebay. Also if you have the part numbers you can check with KTM.
ciao
thanks a lot for your reply, I know Eunduroklassiker has a lot of interesting stuff. i am looking for the '90 graphics and in particular for the tank graphics because my tank is a bit yellowish.
I have to buy the bike first, I already found it and will soon pick it up, hopefully
the article about the engine tuning is awesome! great find, compliments. where does the seat cover come from? Italy?

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