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Mark Holloway's "Lost 125s"

It was 1974, a Sunday afternoon, and off in the distance I hear this sound, unlike I'd ever heard before. Taking off on a dead run, I navigate through military housing, run across the street, and eventually stop in a backyard overlooking a maintenance road, just in time to see a brand new Honda Elsinore 125 go screaming by. I'd never seen one before! The rider was Robert Ripley, a transplanted Southern California motocross racer in Kansas compliments the US Army.

Thus began my love affair with motocross and in particular the 125s. I can recall many a warm summer evening at a race track in Manhattan, Kansas, watching with excitement, line after line of 125 take off in all in a hail of dust, rocks and noise. What a beautiful noise it was!

In the mid 90s I decided to try to recapture some of that excitement and began this collection of 125s from roughly the 1973-1974 period. It is interesting to note that more 125s were produced by manufacturers during 1973 and 1974 than any time before or since.

Each bike I've collected below represents the work and craftmanship of teams of men who came together to create a winning bike. Most were not successful, but that's besides the point. What's important to me that in their desire to create a "winner", they provided me and probably you, a hobby that includes racing, riding and being around truly great people with a common interest. To that end, they were fabulously successful and thus this collection is a tribute to them.

Mark Holloway

"The bike lofts very well, lets you pull a "DeCoster" if you're quick enough and lands softly with the shock units absorbing most of the impact. It should be the least tiring motocrosser to ride and that means the difference by the time the checkered flag drops."

Motorcyclist, July, 1974

"The power is there. We never used all of it, but we could feel it lurking there, waiting to be let loose.

Villa thinks the bike is ready to take on the Honda 125 Elsinore. Unfortunately, we couldn't find an Elsinore to run against the Villa"

MiniCycle, May 1974

"On the straight it is quick enough to be in the fame with the best. Like any 125 with horsepower it happens up high. Just get out there and scream with them. Whoops and ruts will not get the rear end out of line. Just keep it open."

Dirt Rider, January 1974

The 125 Phantom motocrossor is a de-bored and de-stroked 250 Phantom motocrosser. The engine has a narrow, high rpm powerband, and produces barely enough power to be competitive.

Cycle Guide, April 1975

"Stability is a major feature of the Carabela. The machine goes where you aim it and doesn't require as much steering correction as the Japanese 125s."

Dirt Cycle, March 1974

"Riding the Penton is a pleasure, it's balanced very well and starts beautifully."

Modern Cycle, February 1972

"No text at this time"

Magazine, Date

"No text as this time."

Magazine, Date

"A custom built frame out of Reynolds 531 Chrome-Moly tubing enhances the 55 inch wheelbase for Lynx's high speed stability. Weighing in at a lean 198 lbs the motorcycle is as trim and fit for racing as it comes. "

Motorcyle Buyers Guide, 1973

"Like the Rickman chassis, the Zundapp powerplant is lightweight, efficient and effective. Together they make an ideal racing bike, one that has few peers. We'll let the machine stand on its own impressive record of wins."

Modern Cycle, March 1972

"No text at this time"

Magazine, Date

"No text as this time."

Magazine, Date

"On short, tight courses a completely stock Super Combat might be the most potent weapon you could buy. It handles exceptionally well in every circumstance until you go too fast. Oh yeah, it's fast too. Very fast."

Dirt Rider, December 1974

"No text as this time."

Magazine, Date

"The CR125 is as fast (if not faster) than anything in its class and handles as good (if not better) than any bike ever built."

Dirt Bike, September 1973

"At $639 a shot, the TM125 is a motocross bargain of the century."

Dirt Bike, August 1973

"The 125 CR Husqvarna has virtually all the trick mechanical stuff that has appeared on the factory racers during the last few seasons. Everything, that is, but the reed valves that appear on the 250s and larger Huskies for 1974."

Cycle Illustrated, September, 1974

"We have to sum up our one-day session with the Tryan by saying we couldn't find any reason to buy one. Not now; not with all the other bikes available. Even the motor doesn't compensate for all the other defects. And that is that."

Dirt Bike, January 1975

"No text as this time."

Magazine, Date

"No text at this time"

Magazine, Date

"It's AS least as fast as anything in the 125 class and has the best usable spread of power."

Modern Cycle, April 1975

"The Yamaha YZ 125 is very light, comfortable motorcycle which is at least as fast as any other 125 and handles very well despite so-so suspension. The bike is really good, and borders on being an excellent purchase."

Popular Cycling, Oct. 1973

"No text as this time."

Magazine, Date

"As a motocross weapon, it's a tad on the pokey side; on the other hand it's (after suspension changes) perfect for the young lad who wants a good start."

Dirt Rider, April 1974

"The GS seemed to be skating on the surface of the course, never falling into any of the potholes."

Dirt Bike, May 1974

"The Zundapps are known as being as fast as anything and tougher than any of the others."

Cycle Illustrated, May 1975

"It is not often that we wax as enthusiastic about a test machine or find one that is as much fund to ride as the Cappra 125 MX."

Mini Cycle, June 1972

LOST 125s

English made, basically the same as a Sprite. Zundapp engine.

Strange bike. Had a 125cc rope start engine. Never a motocross competitor. More like a farm machine.

This bike featured a Boyd & Stellings frame, CZ engine and wheels - made by Action Motorcycle Products out of Texas.

Reportedly only two ever made. Bikes were said to have been destroyed in 1974. Looks to share many components with the Cota.

I've only seen these in a magazine ad. Any information is appreciated.

Yamaha engine with a hop up kit. Would like more info on this bike.

English made bike with a Moto Minarelli engine, Metal Profile forks, Girling shocks and disc brakes! Never even heard of this bike, have you?

125/250/360 MX bikes made in Rhode Island with copies of Yamaha engines & Champion frames. I'd love to get a photo of one.

Nothing spectacular or weird about this one. Just don't have one.

English made, similiar to American Eagle

Basically a hand made by built for Edison Dye. Campaigned in 1973 by Luc Basone. Reportedly only 12 ever built.

Italian made 125 with Sach engine.

125 Grapvine "Maverick" designed and built by Bill Grapevine in Wichita, Kansas.

Another English made bike with Sachs motor. Imported into U.S. by Mitsubishi under the name "Tyran".

Another bike campaigned in 1973. Only a few made, or so I'm told. Featured an Italian engine.

Another English made bike with Sachs motor. Imported into U.S. by Mitsubishi under the name "Tyran".