1975 Sukuzi RM125M Restoration

Early in the Spring of 2004 I got an itch to start a new project. I needed one that could be done in the garage of my new house. Something that was small and manageable. So I dug up a dirtbike that had been sitting at my parent's house for about 10yrs. It was still in good condition, but the cylinder needed an overbore and a new piston/ring set. The previous owner was my uncle who had the bike in his backyard for awhile. It had been wrecked and needed a new front rim. I replaced it shortly after I brought it home. I rode it for about a day (when I first got it) before the rings blew. Someone had put the piston in backwards. So bike sat under a covered shed exposed to the elements while the engine was wrapped up in a box inside.
To start, I did a frame off restoration. Taking everything apart, cleaning it, painting it, and then putting it back together. It took me about 2 months to finish the bike (minus the engine.) It took another 2 months after searching the web to find someone with a .060 overbore (the maximum size) piston for this paticular model. The 1975 RM125M was a mid-year and transition model from the TM's to RM's. So the engine is basically a TM125 with a slightly different head. The following RM model was RM125A which had a different engine and head.

Basically, this is a RARE bike making it all the more worth while to restore now.

Once the cylinder, head, and rings were installed, I thought I was done. Well, it took about 3 weeks of troubleshooting and conversing to find out that the internal bearing covers were gone causing air (and fuel) to leak into the transmission case. (At first inspection, I had decided not to pull the case apart; but after this incident I had to.) So, while the case was split, I replace both main bearings. Another 2-3 weeks past and finally to bike was ready.
It runs! As good as it can for a 30 year old bike! All that is left are a few asthetic touch ups like the plastic sides plates, and gas tank logo.

Grinder Stand

Here's a picture of the grinder stand I made. (Got tired of rattling the parts off my workbench.) Just used 4 inch drilling pipe and two disk brake rotors for the base. A little paint job and ta-da!