1979 Honda CR125 Clean Up

RF145
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Rutherford, NJ US
10/15/2018 10:14am
The simplest route would be to install a 21 inch front wheel from a 1980 CR 125 or one from a 1978/79/80 CR 250 and ride the bike. This does not create an evil handling unrideable bike. Oh, it will feel different then what it did feel like with a 23, but I felt the bike felt more “normal”. It seemed to me, the bike flopped over when turning with the 23.
I have not ridden a 1979 CR 125 with gram mods, so I cannot tell you how those handle, but it will not take much to try a 21 as is and go from there before cutting and welding.
Dropbear
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10/22/2018 2:35am
I raced one back in the day. Ran a Yokohama 23” knobby. I really liked that bike.
3
#214
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GB
10/23/2018 11:24am
These bikes can work well with some work. I raced mine in period and now with a 21" with no frame mods and it handles fine.

7
10/24/2018 4:55am
#214 wrote:
These bikes can work well with some work. I raced mine in period and now with a 21" with no frame mods and it handles fine...
These bikes can work well with some work. I raced mine in period and now with a 21" with no frame mods and it handles fine.

Awesome old school pics #214! What track you on there? Was that a full DG bike? Or just had the add ons?

The Shop

#214
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10/24/2018 6:07am
Just parts: pipe, head, swingarm, plastics, fork caps. Recently got a V-force and 34mm Mikuni for it but not tried them yet. I'm in the UK, photos are Cheddleton and Keele respectively - 30 minutes drive and 39 years apart Smile
3
wfoskir
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Half Moon Bay, CA US
10/25/2018 9:11pm
Well, I have had my fill of looking for a 23" tire. Looks like I will be getting a 21" so I can move on.
Nice pics 214.
2
Mr. Sandman
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Eastvale, CA US
10/26/2018 10:43am
wfoskir wrote:
Well, I have had my fill of looking for a 23" tire. Looks like I will be getting a 21" so I can move on. Nice...
Well, I have had my fill of looking for a 23" tire. Looks like I will be getting a 21" so I can move on.
Nice pics 214.
1
wfoskir
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10/26/2018 9:06pm
wfoskir wrote:
Well, I have had my fill of looking for a 23" tire. Looks like I will be getting a 21" so I can move on. Nice...
Well, I have had my fill of looking for a 23" tire. Looks like I will be getting a 21" so I can move on.
Nice pics 214.
What does "Maybe???" mean? Do you have a 23" tire to sell? or a 21" wheel to sell?
Mr. Sandman
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10/26/2018 11:15pm Edited Date/Time 10/26/2018 11:37pm
Sorry about that...Click on Maybe??? It's a link to a 23" tire through Chaparral.
wfoskir
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10/27/2018 6:20am
Oh, I didn't know it was a link. It says it is a front but it looks like a rear. I guess I will call and see if I can get some better info.
Thanks for the link.
Mr. Sandman
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10/27/2018 8:58am
I think it is a rear that’s pictured, they’re just too lazy to post the right one. There’s also at least one used oem wheel and tire on eBay right now too.
a22
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London GB
10/27/2018 9:06am
Cool find if it is a 23" front, reduced price also- bet they maybe snapped up quick- if I had a 23" FW Honda, would buy 6 of them!
1
Dropbear
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Adelaide AU
10/30/2018 4:14pm

Jeff Leisk won an Australian title on one in ‘79. Not sure if frame mod done but 21” wheel fitted
RF145
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Rutherford, NJ US
10/30/2018 7:45pm
Dropbear wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/10/30/299345/s1200_48D8C7A8_291B_4D08_A1A5_E244D23259CF.jpg[/img] Jeff Leisk won an Australian title on one in ‘79. Not sure if frame mod done but 21” wheel fitted

Jeff Leisk won an Australian title on one in ‘79. Not sure if frame mod done but 21” wheel fitted
Looks like a 23 in this pic.
Just saying, no proof.
Could be the angle.
Anyone else think so?
wfoskir
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10/30/2018 9:03pm
to hard to tell. The bike behind it looks to have the same from wheel, also looks like another Honda. Also, both bike look to have side panels with the number plate towards the rear, which would mean they are likely 1980 models, which had 21" wheels. Also, the RM behind them looks like a 1980 as well.
1
#214
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GB
10/31/2018 1:10am
Those are '79s for sure, straight swingarm, it was common to rivet on "FIM" legal side plates or you could get aftermarket DG or fiberglass ones. Agree, hard to tell on the front wheel I suspect it is the 23" though.
Conn4000
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12/24/2020
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GB
12/24/2020 4:29am
#214 wrote:
Just parts: pipe, head, swingarm, plastics, fork caps. Recently got a V-force and 34mm Mikuni for it but not tried them yet. I'm in the UK...
Just parts: pipe, head, swingarm, plastics, fork caps. Recently got a V-force and 34mm Mikuni for it but not tried them yet. I'm in the UK, photos are Cheddleton and Keele respectively - 30 minutes drive and 39 years apart Smile
hey 212 what’s the story re the v force Reeds are they bolt on? Did not think they do them for the 79. I’m uk based and have a 79 cr125 I’m doing up, have the no’s dg head, dg pipe, dg carb kit, air forks, dg arm and fox shox.
Fancy putting the force on mine. Only bit I’m missing is the bastard ported cylinder, do you have one for sale.
May even trade a cyl for fox factory forks
1
AHRMA361
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221st
12/24/2020 6:47pm
Conn4000 wrote:
214 it was aimed at sorry
He hasn't posted in two years. Doubt you will get a response here.

There was a guy on here that would know, but he got clicked/banned a while back.
12/25/2020 1:13am
#214 wrote:
Just parts: pipe, head, swingarm, plastics, fork caps. Recently got a V-force and 34mm Mikuni for it but not tried them yet. I'm in the UK...
Just parts: pipe, head, swingarm, plastics, fork caps. Recently got a V-force and 34mm Mikuni for it but not tried them yet. I'm in the UK, photos are Cheddleton and Keele respectively - 30 minutes drive and 39 years apart Smile
Conn4000 wrote:
hey 212 what’s the story re the v force Reeds are they bolt on? Did not think they do them for the 79. I’m uk based...
hey 212 what’s the story re the v force Reeds are they bolt on? Did not think they do them for the 79. I’m uk based and have a 79 cr125 I’m doing up, have the no’s dg head, dg pipe, dg carb kit, air forks, dg arm and fox shox.
Fancy putting the force on mine. Only bit I’m missing is the bastard ported cylinder, do you have one for sale.
May even trade a cyl for fox factory forks
Try asking newmann on here. Seems to know his stuff and be genuine

These guys have posted on various Honda threads and may be worth an ask

www.phildentonengineering.com

Hope this helps
12/25/2020 4:58pm Edited Date/Time 12/25/2020 5:05pm
I love my modded 79, stock not so much. 21” front wheel with much stiffer fork springs from Race Tech that totally changed the front end characteristics! Modern EBC shoes add much needed braking power. Mikuni 32/33 sorted the jetting woes. Noleen shocks finished the handling off making the bike a class winner. No frame mods were performed, but in saying that we tested the original fork spring rate and they were so soft they’d bottom out taking the bike off the stand, lol.

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