$650 Dirt Bike Find. How Bad Could It Be? 

Hey Joe, just a thought on your videos, if you include the year/make/model in your title, it might help pick up viewers who are searching for info on maybe old bikes they have and are looking for help on them

Dude considering how rough the bike looks it sounds great! That was a good buy. The original first start on 2nd kick blew me away

Looking at your thumbnail I figured it's an 86, the C is most likely a G which is 86. No rear disc in 82, rear number plates were set way back on the rear fender in 82 the seat and KX graphics are also 86. I grew up in this era racing these, Love em! Keep the awesome vids coming! Cheers from Canada!😁🇨🇦 Its called a Roost Boost. It changes the ignition timing.

There’s 1986 KX 125 parts all over that bike. Looks like a 1986. Has the power valve. I don’t think the 1982 had any of that stuff or the rear disc brake or the front

Picked up an 86 kx125 about 4 months ago for $1200 still registered got pink slip and two seats came with it from seller lost the silencer second time i rode it and needed a bit of work expansion chamber bolt was not holding it to the frame anymore intake boot manifold was cracked to all hell and forks were leaking terribly couldnt find a new manifold so i ended up getting a chunk of aluminum plate and fabbing it up to the exact same specs as the old one welded a pipe to it at the same angle as the old one and heated up some radiator hose around it and got it to work with a 2000 ktm 300 carburetor ive now rebuilt the forks all new seals and cleaned up they now dont leak at all, got an fmf turbinecore 2 that perfectly fit around old pipe. First dirtbike ive owned myself and love every bit about it the powerband is extremely snappy and it is a great project to work on with my dad i now have no problems with the bike and it sounds extremely healthy love seeing this content and look forward to watching you continue fixing up oldies great work man🤘🏼

It's a 1986 Joe, had one , my BF still has it. Your rite the carb is not stock.The cylinder plating not the best, they changed to nikisil in 2002, much better. Keep up the good work.

After adding oil down the plug hole you get inflated compression numbers, you don’t get an accurate reading unless the cylinder is in the state it would be during normal running, so whatever mix you’re running. Even a totally trashed worn out motor will get good compression number after you add a bunch of oil to the cylinder. Just fyi

Love the vids. I recently got a kdx200 for $330. It was very rough. Engine needed some rebuilding. That's been my current project. I am excited to try it out soon!

KEEP IT ... I had a 1985 125kx called evil 😈 ... all my friends were scared to ride it ... she was so peppy & fast ... I miss her a lot

The frame might be 1982 but those bikes didn't have front and rear disc breaks until mid to late 80s

Love the late 80s two strokes idk maybe because that’s where the passion started or I’m just getting old lol .. keep putting out them great videos Joe.

That's an answer roost boost is what they called them on a four-stroke it would be called a REV box gives you a steeper ignition curve and a higher Red line

Paint stripper and a plastic razor blade works very well for cleaning up engine case gaskets the paint stripper softens the gasket and just use the plastic razor so you don't gauge the aluminum

Fired up! We had exact bike back in 90’s as kids love it

Excellent video, I picked up a ttr125 non runner and posted my first videos a few days ago. Wales , UK. Cleaned out the carb, was running fine , but now overflowing with fuel 🤔

The little electronic thing is a Roost Boost. Supposed to help make a stronger spark.

after dumping all that WD-40 and oil down on top of the piston and rings that can give you a false reading on the compression

Put a cone air filter on, easy to care for... heat that boot up til it fits over the carb, it'll work.

Mineral turpentine on a clean cloth cleans plastics mint with far less efort. Trick is hold the cloth with turpentine on the stain for about 10 seconds then rub. Repeat if doesn't rub straight off

picked up a barn find 89 same 125. locked up bottom end. let's see if it'll run ha Gonna need to add a second story to that unit you know.

My tank on my 85 cr looked like that and I used a 3m headlight restoration kit to restore it and it looks brand new, you need the kit that has the sanding disc's and polish, I used a 4 inch dual action sander and 4 inch polisher

There's no way that where that gasket was ripped would have caused it to leak I'm betting that it's actually leaking out the weep hole underneath the water pump which is a sign of the mechanical seal leaking the mechanical seal can leak and it's still not going to the oil as long as the seal behind the mechanical seal is still good and it will just come out the weep hole

i sandblasted my plastics with glass bead and then used a polish on a wool buffing pad. they cleaned up super good.

Always enjoy your video's I was wondering if the compression test mite be a little skewed doing it rite after putting oil in the cylinder could cause higher compression I think

You should keep it and restore The plastics and fix The clutch so it doesnt slip. Great vid!

Putting oil into the cylinder will give you false readings but at 170 its definitely good lol here's a thought wash the bikes before working on them can save you a headache in the future

Good work am just getting into this as a hobby got a Ktm 50 sx and polaris outlaw 50 hoping my kids can start liking it as a sport soon. Glen Newcastle UK.

That electrical module is what is called a Roost Boost. Was a gimmick in the 80's. Was supposed to make a stronger spark but they were useless lol.

GOOD DEAL IMO......Cant find a bike like that for that price anywhere withing 500 miles of where I live.

That looks more like a 1986 Kawasaki KX125, not the 1982 model you mentioned. The 1986's had blue seats and a rear disc brake just like this one but the 1982 model had a rear drum brake with a black seat.

Great compression tester.. love all 3 of mine. Nice little kit too.

That thing that you thought was to run the lights is actually a “Answer Roost Boost” it was a popular ignition mod supposedly to get a better spark, however, I personally don’t think they made a noticeable difference.

Sounds great dude! Love that popping growl, 2 strokes kick.

I'd say that's an 87 KX with it having discs front and back and that seat cover, the wiring on the side is an Answer Roost Boost and on it was ment to give more rpm and power back in the day

Leaner is with the air cleaner on. And richer is with out the air cleaner on. Cause it drawls in more fuel into the carburerator to stay running so it has to force more fuel into the carbiterator. To able to keep with the outside air pressure around the dirt bike its self to. Try it then you tell me if it doesn't go faster afterwards. Even if you half to readjust the carb screws again.

I hope you checked the coolent level after you started it (coolent would be lower because it made its way into the cylinder)

And just wanted to say i have been watching your vids since the beginning and you have gotten so much better at fixing these things up.

g`day i think you got a false reading on the compression tester as you put oil in the cylinder before testing which would seal the rings and give a false reading of the true compression i use oil when testing to see if its the rings or valves (on a 4 stroke) that are losing the compression or to see how worn the rings are by the increase in compression with the added oil to help seal the rings .... sorry for nitpicking in the end it means nothing as the result was a "winner winner chicken dinner " great video cheers... keep em coming i enjoy your efforts with the older bikes ever thought about doing a road bike ??? cheers james D

Don't you have A heatgun in your shop? That's how you fix the issues with the air cleaner rubber boot problem. It will slide on to it then you just hold it on tightly to tighten down the clamp around the carburerator intake inlet on the back of the carburerator it's simple bro.

Nice Joe !! I think that was the fastest first start to date. My granddaughter had a 2019 KX 125 but it sat much taller. Hope u guys can make it to the show Saturday starts at 6 pm. I like Country myself but good music is good music lol. That KX sounds very strong !!

I got a hook for a 2000s model 300ex. Only prob is it was flooded out in hurricane Sandy and has been sitting since. Is it worth a shot? It's basically been flooded by salt water .

All you half to do it to fit on that carburerator is use A heatgun on that breather tube to soften it up to make it more plyable to slide over the carb to tgighten it back down again.

Its a 1986. Definatly worth 650. Down here in nova scotia theyd want 1500. I used to be able to get bikes like this to work on they want far more than there worth now

Joe, that's an old answer racing roost box. Not sure what it does exactly but it's an ignition upgrade.

I’m thinking more 1987ish. Doesn’t have the old DogBone suspension. Think 86 was the last year of that and 87 was a traditional lower link style.

I've just picked up a KMX125 (not sure they released them in Canada and the US) I'm going to sound dumb here but is the oil auto-mixing with the fuel do you think or do I have to manually add 2t to my fuel? Thanks for content/bike University

Just wanted to mention that i used a stuff called spirit wipe in the paintshop it almost like wd40 but it smells allot like tinner a light tinner you might say stuff is real good to clean of plastic and to wipe surface’s clean befor painting

JC! I never got a full season out of my motocross bikes without breaking a frame or busting the wheels etc. How does an '82 model last this long? Btw that's an '86 KX 125 works replica saddle.

You got that for a steal, around my neck of the woods they want $1200 for one that doesn't run or start

I know of A old timer old school trick for resealing the pistion rings to. Add some clear permatex silacone& ground carbon dust powder. Into your oil stabilizer. mixed together in with bars stop leak into it. As your double action sealer component for pistion oil ring repair in A bottle. Just saying I've saved many of engines just by doing that myself. Straight out of the road side trash piles.& for free ones to.

Punch hole cutter sets.& use the ball pin for the putter edges of the gasket layout perimitter.,or area.

I'm not trying to be rude to you about it either. I'm just stating facts about it is all. Yes that wiring is for lights to be to put lights on that dirt bike to. It's A after market generator for lifting system that runs off of the stator.

That pink electronic is called roost boost. Have one on a kx125 87 that I picked up.

not sure if you did or not havnt watched full video yet ... but id love to see you try the Blow torch method to bring colour back into the fenders

That bike looks to be, at the very least, an 86 model. Has an 86 seat on it and I’m pretty sure the 82 KX125 had gold rims and didn’t come equipped with the KIPS valve.

@2vintage i think its got a later model engine seat and rear guard as 82 was not watercooled had black seat and had that strange rrar guard that had a number plate moulded into rear guard i think its a mix up of a fee models

That bike runs hard and hauls butt for something that looked like a moldy old clapped-out and abused dirtbike! Good job, Joe, for resurrecting this rig and making it right again.

I paid 300 for a 2002 kx60 that needed a crank and top end and after a grand and a lot of elbow greese it's in mint shape now. Me and my 9 year old rebuilt it

Had a 87 back in the day what a rip Looks 85-87’? Nice work mate

I like to see you make a complete restoration of a bike. Just something to consider in the future

Not an 82..that box is an answer roost boost. Bike sounded crisp from 1st start..wouldnt b surprised if its rebuilt! 😃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

If interested I’d be interested in the airbox and boot of this bike I have a 1984 kx125 and cannot find a reasonable price for one.

What do you think about fixing some scooters the prices on kijiji in my area are going nuts with the gas prices rising

Doen a great job mate. Keep the vids coming. Maybe do a quick vid and show us all your rides in one video. I loved to see all the bikes.

Had one just like this in my teens, absolutely loved it, very quick bike.

Cracking bike,plastics and all spark was ace!Love the vlogs,u really find some real gems!👍👊💪💪🌶🌶

hi joe how's Charlie doin that bike is probably times up,ha look for suzuki's rms if can find a rm500 it is a beast,the torque is crazy,I can't even find one,later joe

Great stuff man, That’s definitely an 86 tho. You can put that boot in boiling water if the rubber isn’t brittle and get it to stretch fit that carb very easily. .

have you considered buying sheets of gasket material and just making your own?

Nice bike! Runs great! I wouldn't use the clutch while running through the gears myself, but if you trying to free it up it makes sense. Good video!

At about 22 minutes into this video when you removed the water pump, it appears to me that the case looks cracked and broken. Is there supposed to be a dowel pin in that hole and is this not terribly critical?

It’s a 86 first year for front and rear disc brakes and 86 was a one year deal for the side number plates like this one,I had one I restored last year

Hey Joe I literally watch like every video for I don’t even know how long now but I’ve been slacking and stopped for a minute I stopped halfway through the blaster looks like I got some catching up to do

Do another compression test after the oils burnt away as it will give a false higher reading. Keep it up mate good videos 👍

Those old kawasakis always had a great sound. Nice job

That is an excellent find for that price, very easy to work on. Enjoy!👍🏻

Thats a nice bike,clean it real good ,put a generic 30.00 graphics sticker kit on it and keep it.replace the front fender,black griper seat cover.

I've noticed you've done that in the past Joe, not checking the oil before the initial start-up, you should make that one of the first things to check before start-up

What are you gonna do with this bike..im very interested in it for my son.he needs a bike and been wanting for ever..askn santa and us every year etc..

I'm talking about the intake air cleaner rubber boot part on it to.

Give us some trail riding or mx track video! Use these bikes as thet were intended. Lawnmowers are for riding circles around the yard.

I believe that is a answer roost boost. It's supposed to amplify the spark power

that is a roost boost it delivers more voltage to the spark plug for a hotter spark. that is a keihin airstike knock off carb but it is still a upgrade to the factory original. and please do not run 40 to 1 in it you will blow it up it was made to run on 32to1. and for a tip all bikes should run on 32to1 your piston and rings and cylinder will thank you. I know people run 40to1 now days but believe me that is not enough oil. racers run 40to1 just to squeeze every last ounce of power out of their bikes but they also rebuild them every 1to2 races they care not about the damage it dose

Shame a good bike like that got left to almost rote away.....good on ya man for bringing her back. Strong runner man

Ya that looks like a 86 i had a 82 it had a black seat,rear drum brakes and the side number plate was way back like on the rear fender.

Hi, you suggest a cheap Amazon kit for compression 30 bucks?

Oldie but goodie rt there.i remember when they 1st came out.oboy what a ripper .b safe.peace..

Love your videos, but you not cleaning that air filter cage and mating surface in the air boot is going to give me nightmares. LOL

Sold as single replacement carbs to mount on the twin plate setup.

It amazes me that you work on so many bikes and still neglect to check the oil before starting them up

Did you ever attach the air filter to the carb before riding it?

Use nail varnish remover and the plastics will come up brand new, ish.

I still have port specs for an 86 and can make those things scream, front wheel off the ground in 3 gears. They are fast. Why don't you ever seem to get 250 2 stroke bikes? Too expensive?

Get it running and cleaned up it'll sell fast. Good find.

I would have thought that it was a basket case when you first showed it. Nice little bike though, all-in-all.

Chinese aftermarket P.O.S. carb. How bad Is the OEM original? 😊

Did I miss hear him say it was a 82 at the start? Surely it would have drum brakes and be air-cooled if it was that old.

Hi joe.have you ever had a live critter jump out of your airbox teardowns?cheers.

Xylol workes good for cleaning plastics you can use gas too just be careful

1986 or 1987. 1982 had different style Uni Trak, linkage style didn't come out until 1986 or later.