1979 Honda CB125 Cafe Mod

[crowe77]

Just bought a 125 off ebay that is in real good shape. Want to start by swapping in a cafe seat and changing handle bar set up. Any one have good sources for either?

Will parts from 1977moped.com work on this bike? saw a sick set of batmin bars (out of stock though).

 

[Big R]

Here ya go man. There are similar builds and a bunch of links to check out.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=12552.0

 

[VonYinzer]

Richs link there is a gold mine. Always check out RocCity cafe parts and Dime City as well. Theyre active members of the board, and will undoubtedly offer some assistance to ya here if you stick around long enough.

Mopeds77.com is pretty cool too. Theyre narrow clubmans are perfect for these little bikes.

Just remember that anything can work if youre willing to MAKE it work.

Now lets see some pics!

 

[DirtyFrank]

Man, us cb125 guys are slowly taking over this place and I like it. Another moped site that has a good amount of parts for stupid cheap is treatland.tv. I ordered some grips from there for about 8 bucks and I swear they were at my door two days later.

 

[crowe77]

thanks ....should get me started in the right direction. I'm gonna try and post a picture of this beauty. Should arrive sometime next week.

1st bike...and 1st attempt at cafe styleeeeeee

 

[honeybadger]

I'm in the process of making a 125 into a "perfect" budget cafe (good disc brake, cafe seat, clubman bars, 12 volt conversion, good tires, clean overall look)




any moped clubmans work. You don't need the horns to clear the forks, but they should.





As far as seats are concerned, just get your stock one modified. I have an original seat, a "flat" pleated track seat, and am in the process of building a surfboard-style laminated wood solo seat.




The 125 is a great first bike. It's small, simple, easy to work on, and you can get all the parts from the dealer for pennies.




I'm doing all my mods on a budget on the back porch, check out my thread if you have questions, I sort of touch on everything.

 

[crowe77]

I will def. be following your thread...I am trying to post a picture of my bike but I cant seem to pull the picture off ebay. I should have it next week, then I'll get some pics up.

Are you leaving the fenders on or taking them off. I like the look of the bike with them off. not sure if it is practical though. thoughts??

Think I'm going to start with some dragbars or clubmans. Should I get new controls or stick with the old ones.

I know its up to me I just like to hear what others are doing.

Cant wait to get started on this thing!!

 

[VonYinzer]

If you go w clubmans, you'll want rearsets for sure. The stock controls are just fine, unless youre ditching the signals or anything, than you wont need the switches.

Fenders are a real plus if you ever ride in the rain, or where its especially dusty or dirty.

 

[crowe77]

Hmmm...yea I was curious if I need to have rearsets.

I also like the look of the clip-ons. Is it a pain in the ass to mount the controls on clip ons?

Think I might do away with the fenders. I dont plan on riding in the rain.

Love the look of this Kawa

 

[VonYinzer]

Nope, clipons and clubmans are easy with stock controls as long as you dont mind running the wiring outside the bars. You dont HAVE to have rearsets, but it will get really uncomfortable without them on such a small bike.

Clip-ons are the way to go IMO.

 

[crowe77]

dumb question...could be the 1st of many. Are rearsets a replacement for the original footpegs, or are they just pegs set back to rest your feet on so that you are in a comfortable position when riding?? Do you shift from the rearsets?

ok now that everyone is done laughing....searched for some on google but did not comeup with much. Any suggestions

 

[VonYinzer]

Its cool man. Yes, you shift and brake from the rearsets. Use the search function here and you'll see whats up.

 

[Big R]

As far as the fenders go, I highly recommend them. The rear splash guard keeps junk away from the carbs, and if you run with no front fender you will be catching pebbles with your face.

If you keep the steel fenders, you can cut them to make them a little narrower. Or go with fiberglass ones from RocCity.

 

[crowe77]

Hey guys thanks again for all the insight....very helpful.

Since this will be mainly a commuter / town bike I dont think I will need rearsets. Once i get up to cruising speed ( a whole 50 mph ) could i use the passenger pegs as foot rests? Again, probably a stupid question but I'm a first time rider. just have dirtbike experience and not much of it.

Think I will go with the clip -ons. I am starting to love that look. Good idea to pick up a clymer manual? Guy I bought the bike off of didnt have the manual.

Bike is expected to arrive tomorrow. After it does I will get some pics up.

I believe I will name it "Humble Pie".

 

[Erskine]

Word of advice, everything you take off, do not throw away, keep it squirreled away to one side. I'm amazed at how much stuff I originally stripped on my 125 build that I've ended up re-using or recycling.
Rear sets on this frame family are not straight forward but very do-able if you have engineering or fabrication facilities available.
i wouldn't get carried away with modding the engine other than getting it running sweet, as standard they are uber reliable, super economical and easily take the frame beyond sphincter tightening limits.
Spend money on bearings, brakes and a decent pair of modern tyres. Michelin Pilot Sporty are meant to be good.