125-200cc 1997 RM125, anyone ever have one?

So as i stated got the bike out of a shakedown run last weekend. Was hard to start and almost would not start at the end of the day and I knew it was compression related as you could feel it when kicking it. By the end of the test ride I could not start it without getting it rolling fast and dumping the clutch and then it would not idle. was interesting trying to get it back to the truck. As I have very little into this and 95% the way there i figured I'd get a piston kit for it. Yanked the head to inspec and found the cylinder looking like new and stock bore. The more I look at this bike the more I realize it is a low hour bike but sat for many years unridden. With the cylinder inspected and measured i set out to find solutions to my compression problem. I could get a ring for $17. I Chinese piston kit for $58 or a full on Weisco kit for $119. I went with the Weisco as the kit was super complete with all gaskets, pipe o-ring and brass header shim. Nice. I thought Huskys 125 were stupid simple to work on, this is even EZer!!! Having done it once now I could literally do this in 10-15 minutes trackside if the gaskets came off clean. super EZ.

The stock piston was still petty clean and scare free and could have just got a ring. The Ring was way out of spec, was not round and end gap was huge. Tons of blow by hence the compression loss. Crank and rod looked and feel new.



Cylinder looks nearly new...





The new piston has three lube holes instead of two and are larger on the critical exhaust bridge area...



Time to slap it back together...



Guess what, way more compression, starts if you look at it funny (seriously the EZest starting bike ever now, Half a kick and it is lit. Runs great, snappy, nice idle. It has the first Lectron I had on my 125/165 on it and runs fantastic. Feels husky 125 strong, maybe stronger. Has the Lectron and FMF pipe so I'm sure that helps.

Can't ride this weekend but next weekend it is on and Joe is going to be one happy camper. Looks like I have another loaner bike. Going to introduce my nephew to riding this summer too so this will get used.

Special thanks to Jake for the hand guards, chain, tires and skid plate.

Glad Joe needed a bike and pushed me in this direction because as old and rusty as this bike looked externally it looks new inside and has low hours. Worth saving. Feels good to help out a friend and also introduce a new kid to riding. I bet my wife will spend some time on this too. Will be a good EZ to ride loaner / learner.

Just opened a box from Tim (454X) with levers and perches for this bike. Thanks man

thanks for the info. Top end and PVs looked good. Clip for the PV rod looked new and was flexible.

K

Bike runs and rides very good. Feels super light and lists at 194 pounds so IS light. Feels small too. Power is much like a husky 125 but with the FMF pipe and Lectron feels slightly stronger and zero bog anywhere. Very good motor. I like it.

Shifter is a little high. It shifts really EZ and that was my first ride. Once i got used to it no more ... "there it is again" Its a good bike. Joe will be enjoying it this weekend.

Hey listen shorty...

derailed.