1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

[tete]

Well, Here we go. I just finished restoring my CB500 and needed a new project so I picked up a bike always wanted, a CB125s. Not cosmetically perfect but runs like a dream. For those who will push do the brakes and get her running good. Don't waste our time. Brakes are good enough and runs perfect.

I just want to go light weight and style points here. I mean its CB125s. No sonic boom here. If it gets to the point where I think the brakes inadequate I will address it.

that being said. Let get this thing going. For those of you familiar with this bike please feel free to chime in.

I wont be riding it till its close to completion. I figure first exhaust, bars and seat.

The exhaust has been cut of at the muffler seam. I was thinking about going with just a short can on the end. or maybe just pick up a clean OEM exhaust. As for the tank, I'm not sure. I was thinkin about just leaving it red but beating it up a bit with a sander to give it a more rustic effect. throwing some retro stickers on it. I'd like to remove the rear fender and taillight and go with something a little less ugly and replace the front fender with a clean OEM unit or something chopped. I'll go with whatever looks better.

The seat I will source or if someone has something to sell hit me up. Hell if anyone has anything to sell for this bike hit me up.

I have found some clip-ons I believe they are 28mm. If this is not the right size let me know as my measurements could be off. I'm not sold on the clip-ons yet, so I might go with the moped sized clubmans.

I would like to use a different headlight bucket , something smaller with the mesh over it.

here's a pic of the bike. I hope to be done by the end of summer.

 

[tete]

Additonally there are a bunch of little things I need to tidy up. Brake switch, ignition, cables here and there.. these things I will take care of as I go thru the bike.

Any ideas where I can source a short can I can throw on this thing? Also if I decide to go with the scrambler pipes for this model year will I need to replace the side cover?

 

[cafecustom720]

Looking forward to where this goes.

 

[DirtyFrank]

You'll get more out of her with a longer pipe than if you go with shorter.

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

My wife and I were talking , we think going the colors of coors original might be neat

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

Still a ways away.

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

You'll get more out of her with a longer pipe than if you go with shorter.

I was thinking the same thing. Any recommendations? There really aren't to many options for this little guy. I have the original muffler but it's beat up. I also would like it to be quieter as I have a new born coming anyday now.

 

[DirtyFrank]

Congratulations!

According to my mechanic who has hit the ton on a (heavily modified) cb125, something longer like a dunstall style or reverse cone helps a lot. He also swears by mikuni vm's and a less restrictive header. I'd love a fully custom exhaust, but it's not all that easy for me to find anybody who works with pipe this small.

 

[DirtbagUT]

love your bike! I have the same exact bike that I am just starting to build. I think that the coors color would be sweet! as for a seat I got my seat from here.
http://www.hotwingglass.com/seats/road-race-5.shtml

 

[tete]

I was almost thinking a moped exhaust something lik this

I would have to see the diameter and such but it would be cool if it worked out.

 

[bbygrrl]

the moped exhaust is for a two stroke. not so good for 4 stroke. try this place http://www.coneengineering.com/

 

[eyhonda]

I'll follow along. I'm in the middle of my own Honda 125 single build.

If you stay with the same forks, they are 27mm. I'll be making my a set of clip-ons for my son's cb100. He is only 16 and on a very limited budget.

I think the little Honda singles have one of the coolest idles. So pure and clock-like. Check Moto3 videos on Youtube and listen.

 

[tete]

thanks alot for the heads up. I thought they were 28m a friend of mine has some 28mm for sale that I guess I could shim, but I would rather find something that just fits solid. Where did you end up getting yours? Are they the woodcraft bars? also your build is turning out epic. I think I'll make a trip to my motorcycle grave yard here and find myself a long tank. I really don't think it will be a problem as honestly I've never been to a more fantastic place that has many tanks and parts. I was going to go there anyway and see if they had OEM exhaust.

 

[eyhonda]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Yes, my bars are 31mm Woodcrafts. They are actually 35mm clamps with 2mm alum shims. Pricey, but worth it. My son, who is not so flush with $$, will make do with a set of home-made ones. I have an extra 27mm lower triple clamp. I will cut off the clamps close to the stem. Then, I'll weld a set of steel bars to them at a set angle. Stay tuned for that.

Anyway, for tanks, look for Yamaha tanks from their small cc bikes. It seems to me that Yamaha makes better cafe-looking tanks than Honda. Although, the one from an early cb175 or cb200t look nice. Exhausts should be easy. Almost any headpipe from a 100, 125, 185 or 200 single will fit. The rest may need to be cut and welded to fit. Or go CB with the low pipe. That will bolt on easy. Most are rusty underneath. I like the high pipes myself.

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

Ok. So out of boredom I got a few things going on the bike. First of all I got a full exhaust.

Here is a pic of where I spent a few hours digging only find one with a small dent in the header but the muffler was clean. I picked it up and installed it. I put on some left over thermal wrap I had simply to hide the dent. Ive never issues w the stuff before so I can't expect I will now. It aint pretty but it looks better than the dingy pipe and dent. I also found some cheapie clubmans that I cut 2" off each end and installed and some cheap grips. I have an alternative bar set up I may use and some quality grips but I'm saving those for the end product as the real gran turismos are too expensive to experiment with.

The clubmans look oversized but I may need the space for the gauges I have. If it doesn't work whatever. Like I said this is not permenate but more of experiment with position etc. I don't like that they get in the way of lowering the front end a bit. More than likely 27mm clip ons will be the end game but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

In process I found the left (clutch) control housing was cracked where the clutch cable threads in. So now I'm looking for one I those if anyone is in position to get rid of one.
I don't want to go back here

Unless I absolutely have to. It's too hot here in AZ already.

Also I like the levers I have, as the have a large "J" shaped bend. Was this a trend back in the day? Can I source them like this as I like the look. Kinda pirate like.

The bike itself continues to run great but it's easy to get bored just kinda waiting. I find myself looking for stuff to do. I'm not very mechanically inclined but most of this superficial stuff I have no problems with.
Also, does anyone know a better solution for the idiot lights and ignition as it is uuuuuuggggggly!

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

I also have a seat in mind but haven't decided might take my chance at trying to make one. I've never worked with fiberglass so I really would have no idea where to even start, but hey, I won't learn if I don't try. Here is the seat I am debating about picking up

But I would really like something with a very small bump. About Half the size of this one.

As for rear sets, I have a friend who put some on his 125. He said it was easier than he thought. That will be later in the project. And probably the most expensive part.

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

Ok well I got the seat cover off.

And the cushion is Nice and firm. I figure I will try to make my own but honestly I have no idea where to start. For example how do I cut the foam smoothly. And If not what do you guys use to make a cowl? If anyone cares to give me some input on a technique.

I'm not sold on using this as it is a bit wide but perhaps w the correct structure it's width won't bother me too much.

 

[tete]

can anyone tell me what my options are in regards to a headlight? is there a bigger headlight I can get? Also, for anyone considering getting clubmans for a CB125s I can officially say that it is not a good option. I will leave mine for now but I can see them being too high for a cafe build proper. Looks like I'll be shimming some 28mm or bite down and get the price woodcraft.

Also there are 5 wires coming off the ignition, my questions is what is the black wire with the yellow "flag" or " small tape" attached to it?

If anyone is reading this and has input please respond as I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[andycafe]

Afternoon, there is always bigger, I picked up an OEM 7" headlamp for my cb250rs and it looks mad (if i do say so myself) I always prefer a lager head lamp anyway. Are you sure it's black with yellow band and not Black with white band which would be the wire that goes to the coil pack ?

 

[tete]

1980 CB125s MaS' Riding Dirty

Here is a pic of the wire. 5 wires from ignition. The one w the yellow "flag" is my concern. Also you mind posting a pic of your bike w the bigger headlamp?
Got the ears on today.