OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bioflex on December 03, 2010, 04:26:13 pm
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I've just bought a 2000 model TM 125, which is about as new as I am prepared to go when you throw cost, reliability, depreciation, fun and other factors into the mix (Here is where VMX shines). They seem to be made up of quality bits and have a good reputation these days, though they are no doubt a hard core no compromise type of bike.
Anyway, after doing a bit of research on the brand, seems they've been around for longer than I thought, starting in the 70's and haviung models every year till now.
Has anyone hear had much to do with them? I see no mention of them in VMX, having an early version would be pretty exotic.
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very hand-made, very trick. A bit poor on parts supply althought the guys at Cross Country Action (importers) do try very hard. So long as you keep it in GOOD mechanical condition and maintain it they are VERY GOOD as is everything else around that time (Euro or Jap). Nice little bike, went like stink, if you are a 125 rider and maintain it correctly you will love it.
I think they started with engines only in go-karting in Europe? Then they supplied a couple mc manufacturers (Gas Gas early on) etc then went to their own full bike.
Kt
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Did you buy the bike from ebay, cause i saw one there the other day and it looked good.
Brett
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I've got two: An 04 125 Enduro, and a 94 125 Enduro.
Love 'em both. The 04 has been a bit 'tricky' with two DNFs from two outings (second one not the bike's fault), but the 94 has treated me very, very well.
It feels very old to ride now, but its still a great bike to ride - there are some aspects that I prefer over the 04 (brake feel in particular).
*touching wood* I've never had a drama with parts availability, even on the 94. Had two minor dramas with CCA - once an order 'got lost' before it was even placed and more recently I was quoted a fair bit less than I got charged.
I'd still rate them in the top 10% of bike shops I've ever dealt with - the two problems were disappointing mostly because they've always been so go and I've learned to expect no hassles...
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I believe they are no relation as one TM is Japanese and the other one more modern from Europe !!
We see more pre75 TM's than modern TM's on the start line,actually I dont think we've even seen one on the start gate..then again we are in West Aust ;) ;D..........Japanese still rule the day!!
cheers
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brake feel in particular
Having owned one that's exactly what I would have criticized. The rear in particular. Clutch feel/action isn't in the same league as a gasser either. Apart from that bloody good bike.
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Just how many bikes have you got Nathan- roughly?!!
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35ish.
My defence is that I'm not as bad as TM Bill.
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TM Racing started in '76
Here is an '80 model
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://tmracingmotorcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tm1980_mandri.jpg&imgrefurl=http://tmracingmotorcycles.com/media/brochures/&h=336&w=448&sz=60&tbnid=OFhBpX3KpGChVM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtm%2B1980%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=tm+1980+pictures&hl=en&usg=__p-AsXKw9cnKw2Bg-e4KrzvjgWNs=&sa=X&ei=K-L4TMGqHYzEvgOUp7D5CA&ved=0CB0Q9QEwAA (http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://tmracingmotorcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tm1980_mandri.jpg&imgrefurl=http://tmracingmotorcycles.com/media/brochures/&h=336&w=448&sz=60&tbnid=OFhBpX3KpGChVM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtm%2B1980%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=tm+1980+pictures&hl=en&usg=__p-AsXKw9cnKw2Bg-e4KrzvjgWNs=&sa=X&ei=K-L4TMGqHYzEvgOUp7D5CA&ved=0CB0Q9QEwAA)
I had a 450 four stroke in '05. I ordered it from the factory so I got them to put an electric start on it. They were pretty good. I would buy a 2 stroke again.
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I'd LOVE a 77 model TM125, but with SFA ever made, I'm not liking my chances...
Having owned one that's exactly what I would have criticized. The rear in particular.
Interesting - I was wondering if it was just my bike.
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i had a 03/04 tm300 the best trail bike i have ever had the pleasure of riding.not to bad on the road if geared right.nathan had a ride on it as well.not a good day that for me(big crash).but made a good freind at the same time.tm125 rider.
they are made with the best parts at the time all good stuff.there are some 450s turn up to our dirt track club days very quick
jim
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Interesting - I was wondering if it was just my bike.
At the time Rob Wicks (yup, he of South African VMX fame) was the importer and he suggested changing the return spring for a lighter, japanese spring.
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Cheers for the responses guys.
Yep, I picked one up on Ebay the other day. $1800 for a 2000 model that looks to be well looked after was too good to refuse. Thanks to the big Maico 500 packing it in a few weeks before a big riding trip (I've been waiting all year for), drastic action needed to be taken, which came in the way of the TM.
What everyone is saying is consistent with what I have read elsewhere, trick bikes, go like stink, look after them and they should be fine.
Having never owned a 2 stroke 125, I have a few questions.
The last owner changed his rings every 20 hours, I believe pistons every second sets of rings?
Does this sound about right?
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AUSTRALIAN SUPERMOTO TITLES recently held on the 4 & 5th .......
Although Gozzini won all the races, he hard pushed by Iddon who did everything in his power to get past the Italain, who only seven days ago was racing for the World Supermoto Championship in Salou.
"It was great racing with Iddon who made it hard for me, but in the end the Franzone TM Racing machine proved to be superior," Gozzini said.
and again quote::
In the S2 class sufficient riders started to ensure it achieved championship status, and WA rider Brett Stewart (TM 660) had a day to remember taking two wins in the first two races and coming home in a strong fourth place to secure his first National title.
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The last owner changed his rings every 20 hours, I believe pistons every second sets of rings?
Does this sound about right?
Yeah, that's on the money. Obviously there's a million variables, but that's a good starting point.
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Just thought I'd update this post as I took delivery of this bike on the weekend.
Took a massive chance picking a bike up I had never seen in person before, and taking it straight on a big weekend of riding.
First thing, it wouldn't start. Ok, in my experience that's kinda normal for two strokes, then I looked down and realised the carby was on a very strange angle (ie not screwed tight to the manifold at all which would have caused a massive air leak) and the drain plug was loose, which meant fuel was pissing straight out the carby!
I don't know what kind of idiot sells a bike in that condition, I suppose if you are silly enough to buy a bike sight unseen then you get what you deserve.....
15 minutes later all was fixed and she fired into life quick smart.
After spending the last few years on big bores (4 strokes and 2 strokes) this thing was an instant revelation. Amazing throttle response, revs to the moon, clutch, gearbox and everything else just feels so slick.
While it's only a 125, the little dinger handled itself very well in the many beach drags we enjoyed that weekend. The much newer 4 stroke 250F was left behind and the 250 2 strokes only beat it by a bee's dick over the strip which was likely about 250 - 300 meters.
The thing was thrashed all weekend and never missed a beat, apart from losing nuts and bolts all over the place!
I should have bought one of these years ago, as I already feel so much faster on it.
Anyway, if anyone out there knows much about the TM's (Nathan maybe?) I'd appreciate a tip.
The rear end has been stuffed with, either the side panels or rear guard have been taken off another bike or model as the clearly don't fit each other. As you can see in the photos, the side panels have a round profile where they should meet the guard, where as the rear guard's edge is flat.
I am quite confident the rear guard has been ripped off something else (perhaps a later model) as the bolt holes don't line up but would like to know for sure before I get another.
Can anyone explain how to attach pics here? (http://)
This forum doesn't seem to have the same options as others I have used.
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You gotta host them on an external site like photobucket or flickr. Not too hard and well worth the effort to set up an account with them.
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Just doing it now.
(http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/Bioflex101/TM1.jpg)
(http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g450/Bioflex101/TM2.jpg)
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Some vague statements now, because I'm not 100% sure on stuff myself (and some extra info so you might be able to help me out if you stumble over something more definite):
1. 99% sure that you rear guard is KX - looks a lot like my '94 KX125's rear guard. May possibly be from a newer KX? The indentation on the top is all Kawi, though. (Best pic I can manage at 11:20pm: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280601803019&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT ).
2. I'm told that my 94 TM uses an early 90s KX rear guard. I've got a 92 KX125 as well as the 94 KX125 - they've both got different rear guards to the 94 TM. Maybe my 94 TM uses a 90/91 KX guard?
3. The 04 TM's rear guard is visually identical to an 00/01 KX, but apparently they are different in the mounting points (the 01 KX guard I've got was hacked to fit an 87 KDX, so I've only got the bit from behidn the seat - it is an identical size & shape to the TM's guard).
Have I confused you yet? I've confused myself!
Edit: I reckon you need an 99ish KX rear guard: http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C10%5C26%5Cbikepics-2086645-800.jpghttp://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C10%5C26%5Cbikepics-2086645-800.jpg
Don't use it 100% because there are some mistakes in the info provided, but this is useful too:
http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29844
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Cheers Nathan, great detective work there.
The 99-02 model rear guard does look like it would match my side covers very well, so perhaps someone has whacked an earlier model one on, them again it could be a later one though as the later one's appear to run a flat profile rather than the curve.
Well, I think I've established the guard is the problem rather than the side covers, best of all Kawasaki guards of those years do come in black which should mean mush easier sourcing.
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your next bike should be 1 of these great bike tm300
(http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp221/jimg1au/tmit012.jpg)
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That was yours eh Jim, i reckon you showed me that before you sold it?
Brett
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yep that was my 1 let nathan have a ride on it at yass one weekend
jim
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I'm considering myself pretty lucky. Today, headed out to the local TM dealer with guards and side panels, the dealer has a squiz and mentions he may have his old guard from his 2001 model out the back!
We head out there, dig up a guard which has "99 kx" on the back and it looks like a perfect fit.
She's about as worn out as my bike, so he gives it to me for nothing!
Once back home, seems to fit very well.
Jimg, a 300 would be nice, but if I was going to shell out for another I'd opt for this one which is still for sale. Holds the record for the fastest bike ever up the mighty pikes peak. http://www.supermotoaus.com/showthread.php?t=9684&page=
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Bit more detective work for you, Bio (I'm lying - I just happened to stumble across it):
The 03+ KXs have a different rear guard to your original one. The edge where the guards meet the side plate is angled the other way (fowards vs backwards).
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Ran a TM125 for my son for 3 years.All the best gear,very trick high horsepower,motors cleaned up go kart racing here,reliable to