MESSAGE BOARD

[dac21121]

I'm restoring an '82 rm125, I've bought a bunch of parts bikes in an effort to build one good bike. Although the years '81-'83 had similarities, Suzuki made alot of minor changes to each model, The rear shocks were all different, '81 Had a 16mm shaft with large spring, '82 was 14mm and much lighter. Does anyone know what the better set up is between the two or is it best to just stay stock? The bike is being built for occasional race/play. 185/190lb. rider. thanks. Dave

[athomerecords25]

I rode and raced a 1982 Suzuki RM125 from 1987 to 1991 and I wish I would of never gotten rid of it. I have been searching for a "quality" one since 1992 at a reasonable price but never can find what I am looking for.

The 1982 Suzuki RM125 had the best Suspension of those 3 years that you listed in my thoughts.

Modifications to my 1982 Suzuki RM125

2mm Cylinder Bore

Krause Kannon Pipe (this pipe works wonders on the 1982 Suzuki RM125)

Answer Silencer

2 Tooth Smaller Sidewinder Rear Sprocket

Ceet Safety Seat Kit (Blue)

Answer CR Hi Bend Bars

Oury Grips

That thing ripped. On Top-End it was gone! Nothing could keep it in sight. Remember Doug Dubach raced one for years. Doug Dubach's was all completely modified by Pro Circuit.

[dac21121]

Thanks for the feedback.... that's some really useful information. Yes I do remember Dubach on the same bike.... Harry Everts made an appearance on some early prototypes as well. I was 15 when a buddy of mine bought one brand new, I thought....man.... that was the bike to have, Now, some 30 years later, I finally own one. Thanks again. Dave.

[athomerecords25]

[athomerecords25]

Sorry to highjack your thread kind sir, but I thought you might like to read this review I did on the bike in 2009.

Posted: Jan 29, 2009 10:27 PM Back to Top


Favorite Motocross Bike of All Time! (Score: +1)


Rider 6' 1" / 165lbs / Intermediate


Power:
There wasn't very much Low-End. And to take away from that further, the guy that had it before me put a Rear Sprocket on it that was two teeth smaller.

The Mid-Range and Top-End were were the bike truly shined. Once I put on a Krause Kannon Pipe and a Krause Kannon Silencer (Which amounted to an Answer Round Silencer) the bike was amazing on the Top-End. The fastest 125cc bike I have ever owned. and I've owned Matt Maximoffs Factory 1993 Suzuki RM125 and David Pingrees Team Splitfire Pro Circuit 1996 Kawasaki KX125. This bike was way faster then both of those bikes.


Ergonomics:
Strange but I actually like the layout of the bike better so then modern day Motocross Bikes. I was 6'0" tall at age 13 so I had to jump from the mini's straight onto a 125 at that age and the bike was tall, but fit me very well.


Suspension, Front:
Front Fork was an Air Fork and I could never ever get it at the right Stiffness for me, but it still wasn't bad at all.




Suspension, Rear:
The rear suspension was amazing. Not until I got David Pingrees Team Splitfire Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX125 with the suspension done by Jim "BONES" Bacon did I ever feel a better rear shock. The shock did everything right.

Handling:
This thing had no head shake or jitters at all. It tracked straight, but would carve the quickest sharpest turns. Great handling bike.


Brakes:
For Drum Brakes they weren't bad. The rear brake was a little touchy and could lock up at times when you weren't trying to use that much force.


Comments:
This was truly the very best Motocross Bike that I have ever owned. This was the very best Motocross Bike that I ever owned or rode in all of my years in the sport. Even though it was old and used when I got it, it treated me like it was brand new right off of the showroom floor.
If I could find another one today. I would never buy another Motocross Bike as long as I live. It was that good of a Bike.


Rating:
100

[ddavidson8]

Let me know what you find out about the shock setup. I have my own rm 125 full floater project and am getting ready to tackle the shock now.
You are very correct that the model years '81-'83 while very very similar have a dozen differences that are just enough to complicate things. Thanks.

[dac21121]

I'm finding out the hard way about all the little differences in each bike. I even drove hundreds of miles to find a straight, unmolested frame.... That particular bike I bought appeared to have an '81 shock and reservoir installed. Currently, I own all three years of rear shock......The question I had was anyone able to install the '83 adjustable reservoir on the '82 spring assembly? Just a thought.

[kevinkazmierski]

Isn't the 81 shock un rebuildable?
I owned both bike back in the day. Can't say one was better than the other .
Can't believe that suspension was so good and only had 4 clickers . And I never touched it.
My friend ran a shock from I think a 85 KX and worked really well.
I can't imagine how a floater would work with a Ohlins

[poin1334]

I imagine that it works very well, Kevin.

[kevinkazmierski]

That is a really nice 500. You need 98a Rm conventionals and you would have the nest suspension of any dirtbike anywhere.
How is that so fresh? Don't you want to ride the wheels off it?

I forgot I signed on here with my name as login name. I saw you addressed me by my first name in your reply and it freaked me out cause I would remember for certain if I knew anyone with a RM500 with Ohlins.

I raced one of those a few times back in the day. That was the only Open bike I was able to ride decent. Other than that 500sI kicked my butt and weren't any fun for me.

[kevinkazmierski]

I just noticed that you are running the 125 tank.Thats a great idea. For some reason other than the 83 CR480 big bikes always came with huge tanks that weren't styled to be sleek.

Or did you run it to allow for the Ohlins rerservior to be mounted cleanly?

A bike that could benefit from a 125 tank is the 85/86 Cr 500

[dac21121]

I'm beginning to wonder if the '82 shock is rebuildable either, I'll know more this week when I drop the shock off. A friend of mine used to work for FC, in NH, he'll know for sure......Interesting to hear that someone used the '85 kx shock....On another note... the connecting rod kits for the '81-'84 rm125....also fits the '84-'86 cr125.... so it's nice to know some of this stuff is interchangeable.

[greglindmatt1]