Great video! I just bought a 1974 RD 200 all original and actually still runs. This video put a major smile on my face. Mine should be shipped down here by next weekend and can't wait to start riding it!
That's very cool ! I really love 2 stroke motorcycle because here in my town from the Philippines 2 stroked RS 100 Motorcycle is one of the most used in our town. and I have a Yamaha YA6 125 1964 Model here and its still alive and very fast 😄
I have a 1974 Yamaha Enduro DT125. The DT and RD are really run around town bikes, I would never attempt taking it on the highway but they sure are fun.
RD125 made between 12 and 21 hp depending on restriction. They could go around 75 mph or slightly higher depending on what is done to it. I have heard of some getting closer to 85 -90 after mods and with a light/small rider. The bike is very light, weighing around 200 lbs. It holds 2.86 gallons of gas and gets 50-65 mpg.
Yup, Bill managed the 1st 100mph lap on a 125 then Phil did it 2nd which helped make these team mates mortal enemies. The bike was an 1968 RA31 2-stroke Vee-4 that made about 44hp and weighed only 230lbs. There are some videos of that bike here. Cheers
I road raced one in 1978-80. Put piston port barrels on it and won a lot of 125 production races. It would do @86 mph and was a blast to ride. I still have it but it hasn't run for a long time.
I own a yammy rxs115, single 2 stroke from 1983.Even that dont run this well but its made on a much lower budget restoration...the twins do a better job!
tight smoke pollution controls killed these bikes...nowadays I use the lube premixed with petrol to escape smoke harrasment by the authorities ..I threw away the segregated lube pump system from my bike
Hey, I know those roads! Starts out on 690, exit at Jones Rd, Light at Van Buren, Jones turns into Brickyard, and the video ends just before you get to the Thruway rest area in Warners!
Thats me on it here-This bike did 72mph with my chin on the speedo and you'll def have to get smaller main jets for it at your altitude... I believe 1 place on the continent stocks the jets.. Look up "Teikei yamaha jets"..Good luck
Here is my advice: 1. Get a manual!! 2. Pull and clean the carbs(or has a professional do it) 3. DO THE CAM CHAIN ADJUSTMENT!! 4. DO THE POINTS ADJUSTMENT!! ...AND SET THE TIMING!! 5. Do a valve adjustment You will get the most noticeable performance upgrade with the points and the carb cleaning(if you need it) Keep up on your cam chain adjustment at least until you know it's working and confident it's done properly. I believe Honda wants you to adjust the cam chain every 3000 miles
Heh. I had no idea you were talking about a newer model. Your Kawasaki has an automatic tensioner that does not need adjusting, you just replace them when they fail, which is rarely and an electronic ignition(no points). I imagine if there is power loss on a bike that new with that low of miles on it its nothing I mentioned above. check your air filter for debrit, spark plugs. maybe the valves a need to be serviced, but probably not. could be the carbs or something electrical.
Damn I didn't know they needed it that often. I only have 5500 km on it though and it's a kawasaki eliminator BN125. I quite wonder where the cam shaft is though on the bike. Been looking at some diagrams of the engine and I didn't see any yet. The manual doesn't specify any maintenance for the cam chain or anything within the block. They just say the basic stuff like change oil and tighten and lubricate the drivechain every 600km. I'll get working on that. Thanks
Aww...I wish I could buy a current era motorcycle of the same size; but no one but scooter makers wants to anymore! There's a similar machine in my local area, but if only it weren't nearly 40 years old....
Funny you should pick the CB400f as it is just about the only four stroke vintage I like. Still a Suzi T350 smoker that I have soundly trounces the 400 every time.
read my above comment. it says all the things that need to be done to have a great running bike. I imagine you might need some carb work but you probably need a points adjustment more than anything. You should also perform the cam chain adjustment 3 TIMES A YEAR!! My opinion. I don't want my adjuster to seize up so I perform that maintenance A LOT!! Plus it keeps a healthier engine. Valve adjustment is a good thing to keep up on as well but not at crucial as those other two.
@Scootertuner1000 i flogged my dr200 like this for over 8000km. same with my honda 80cc 4 stroke. i used both those bikes for gravel road travel. full throttle for miles at a time. no problems with either of them.
I am from those dinosaur days and the Yamaha 125RS (which I owned) was capable, with proper attention and fettling, of reaching a tad over 100MPH... you wouldn't want to stay there for long due to the roads being not long enough (you could only use A roads and dual carriageways). Modern bikes are held back government nannying.. thus todays 125 "anything" cannot compare..... shame in many respects but if it saves lives.....
@supermotomadness If you would have read the comment I was responding to you would have realized I was talking about the Honda which IS a 4-stroke and DOES HAVE valves and a cam chain. What are YOU on?
strangely my rxs 115single is giving me about 60mph max but about 35-40km per litre ..but she doesnt run as quick..shes using a gs125 carb with premixed 2 cycle oil without any lube pump system ..(removed).the carb intake has no air box to it and runs open..
MrRickyc4 you mean grind the cylinder head so that compression ratio is higher? ok noted..but I probably need to fix a kettle on top with water to cool the head too hehe
@itsWOAR What you on about,valves and cam chains it's a two stroke they don't even have those!! This RD looks and soun ds great for it's age! Stick to your cb100 they were a kack bike anyway.
I realy like thoses 125cc form 70s. I use a 1979 Honda 125 every days. She's very reliable but not very powerfull. Does anyone knows if that Yamaha can get an average speed of 70 mph (french motorway) on a long distance without risk of breaking down? The Honda can do that but she only goes to 60 mph...
@the314116 Hey, it sounds like your 125 needs a tune up! Points/Timing, Valve, Cam Chain Adjustments need to be performed on a more regular basis. Hows your tire pressure and do you lubricate/clean your chain? Clutch good? Carbs clean and tuned? I'd imagine that bike should run 70+mph. I'll upload a video of my CB100 running 65-70ish.
7 years later, your comment is found useful. Could you describe the sounds that prompt your inputs? I'm new and getting a bike like this one! Thank you.
@itsWOAR because its like they think its economical transport by saying 50mpg. if I can do that in a cage, it means the bike is very wasteful, in fact my fathers car; 140bhp, 6 gears, weighs over 1400kg, will do about 150mph and can do 60mpg! I know bikes are fun but they are so wasteful.
Hey I've been having some power loss on a 4 stroke 125. I noticed the valves were alot louder than they used to be, or the engine itself is less loud and it won't hold a cold start without pumping some gas even at a relatively high idle setting. There's also a rly big difference between the idle of the cold start and the idle of the engine once it was heated. I also live in a rly humid place and temperature never drops below 25°C. Any ideas?
