SWAP: My 1981 RM125X for 1981 KX125 A7

[tzeggy14]

Hi guys,

I wasn't sure if this was the place to place a swap ad. My apologies to the moderators if I have broken the rules!

I have a 95% restored RM125X that I'd like to swap for an 80/81 KX125 (I'd prefer an 81) in similar condition.

(Yes, I know the RM was a better bike, but I raced a KX during 1980/1981 and have always wanted another one.)



I was restoring it about 5 years ago and ran out of time/money. It has sat under a sheet in my workshop ever since.
Every nut/bolt/spoke on the bike was re-nickel plated and it has new chain/sprocket/tyres/seat cover/grips/levers/etc./etc.
I went right over it mechanically, pulling it right down to the last nut/bolt/bearing/seal and replacing anything that needed replacing.
It has Boyesen reeds but everything else is stock.

There is just one mechanical issue with it: the left side crankcase half is flogged out where the main bearing sits allowing the crank to move and short out on the magneto. Other than that it is mechanically fine.
I was going to turn the case out to accept a larger OD bearing but never got around to it.

The photo paints a better picture of the bike than it deserves (being honest here). The plastics (apart from the tank) have been painted and the stickers are re-makes.
I can take more detailed shots of it if necessary.

I'm not interested in selling it, so please don't ask me for a price. If I can't swap it for a KX125 in the same condition then I'll complete the restoration of the RM and race it.

Anyway, just putting the "feelers" out to gauge interest.
I'd even be interested in a pair of unrestored KX's if that's all you have to offer to swap.
I'm located just south of Wollongong, NSW.

Greg

[E74]

Fat chance of pulling that one off, you'd be better off buying a kx and then flogging the rm, in saying that the rm was twice the bike the kx was, do you want something that is slower asnd handles really badly?

[tzeggy14]

.

rm was twice the bike the kx was

Your words, not mine!! 

You obviously weren't racing (I mean racing not fanging around a paddock somewhere fantasizing!) in 1980/81.

The RM was the 125 to own in 1981/82. If my memory serves me correctly it won far more shootouts than the KXs! ( I think the KX only won one; the 1981 Dirt Bike shootout from memory, simply due to it's faster motor.)

The (1981 on) Full Floater suspension was the first truly progressive suspension system, unlike the Unitrak which was exactly the opposite!
The RM was fast too!

Suzuki sold sh..loads of them!
Kawasaki struggled with the KX125. The A6 was slow, then the faster air-cooled A7 came out when all the other Jap bikes were watercooled!

I remember lining up with at least half  to 2/3 of the field being yellow, a few less on YZs, and even less on CRs, and maybe me and a few other diehards on KXs or Huskys/KTMs.

The 1980 KX125A6 was slow, a bloody dog of a bike. Kawasaki improved their 125 in 1981 (the A7 model) by raising the exhaust port among other mods to increase top end power. (BTW For the record I owned and raced both.)
Sure, the KX steered well, but so did the RM when set up correctly.

One thing they didn't manage to do much with was the KX's tendency to snap in half. The headstock would break completely away from the rest of the frame. I saw it happen to two KX's myself!
This issue was more predominant with the 250 and 420, but still happened from time to time with the 125.

I know from period experience that the 1981 RM125 was a better bike than the KX. Race results and the way I had to struggle at some tracks (Dargle with it's huge whoops springs straight to mind) to stay on the KXs had me totally convinced back then!
Sure, I won a number of races on those green meanies, both Club and Open, but I lost count of the number of times I wished I'd been less pig-headed and bought a Suzuki!

Greg

[E74]

.

rm was twice the bike the kx was

Your words, not mine!! 

You obviously weren't racing (I mean racing not fanging around a paddock somewhere fantasizing!) in 1980/81.

Actually I was Racing in Hawksbury club in from 1979 (20 years straight membership)with team mates like Robert Scott, Jussi Terpainen, Darrell Kelly etc, I was on a CR125RB in '81 and it didn't even come close to the RM 125X,  I think your'e the one having the fantasies 

[Wombat]

...One thing they didn't manage to do much with was the KX's tendency to snap in half. The headstock would break completely away from the rest of the frame. I saw it happen to two KX's myself!
This issue was more predominant with the 250 and 420, but still happened from time to time with the 125.
I know from period experience that the 1981 RM125 was a better bike than the KX. Race results and the way I

Mate!! You are one hard-arsed bastard!
You know/experienced all that and still you want one. I'll bet you walk with a limp.
Good luck with your mission - and welcome to the forum.

[frostype400]

jeez guys if he wants a kx the for the rm the suzuki boys like me should be happy not trying to stop him if you cant get rid of the rm i will take it away like thats going to happen if its such a good bike someone do the swap except do any suzuki boys own kx's thanks Michael.

[JohnnyO]

So why do you want the KX over the RM?? Like already said the RM was a way better bike bike than the KX. I also owned both in '81 and the air cooled KX was no match for the Suzuki.

[Wombat]

I think everyone is missing the point.
Just above the photo tzeggy says: (Yes, I know the RM was a better bike, but I raced a KX during 1980/1981 and have always wanted another one.)
So there it is - no mystery.

I'd love an RM125 B and a KX250 A4 coz I had 'em back in the day.
I don't think either were cutting edge, but they're a link to the past. Nuf said.

[tzeggy14]

I think everyone is missing the point.
Just above the photo tzeggy says: (Yes, I know the RM was a better bike, but I raced a KX during 1980/1981 and have always wanted another one.)
So there it is - no mystery.

Thanks Wombat!

[tzeggy14]

Actually I was Racing in Hawksbury club in from 1979

and besides that I know you wern't racing there because I was the first rider in 5 years to ride a KX in the club in '82 on a KX125B1, I think your'e the one having the fantasies

Give up mate, you're beginning to make yourself look a bit silly!   
.... and please stop with all the negative stuff and agro, is it really necessary?

Once again: Your words not mine!
Who said anything about Hawksbury Club?
I was a member of the (now defunct) Central MCC !!
We had more club days at Dargle than any other track we hired!!
(eg. Amaroo, Jilliby, etc.)

I was on a CR125RB in '81 and it didn't even come close to the RM 125X

.... so now you think the RM was a good bike? I'm confused!! 



Anyway......Once again:  please stop with all the negative stuff and agro, is it really necessary?

Greg Bennett

[tzeggy14]

.

You obviously weren't racing (I mean racing not fanging around a paddock somewhere fantasizing!) in 1980/81.

BTW, my apologies for that comment, it was badly worded and obviously (understandably) taken out of context.

Greg Bennett

[E74]

Fat chance of pulling that one off, you'd be better off buying a kx and then flogging the rm, in saying that the rm was twice the bike the kx was, do you want something that is slower asnd handles really badly?

Mate...I'm sorta done with this but anyway,.... in my first post I said that "the RM was twice the bike the KX was", Swapping bikes does not usualy happen that much and if you really wanted to do this you would have far more chance selling the RM and the Buying a KX,.. full stop.

Then you insult me by telling me that I was obviously not a racer and was off in a paddock somewhere fantasizing, when you obviously knew nothing about me because you had just turned up here...

[tzeggy14]

.
I think I see where the problem grew from.......

I took: "in saying that the rm was twice the bike the kx was, do you want something that is slower asnd handles really badly?" as meaning that you thought the RM was slower and handled badly, why would someone want one?
... ie. Fat chance of anyone wanting to swap their KX for an RM, the KX is a better bike.

I thought: "This guy hasn't got a clue!"

My sincere apologies! ( I mean that. My bad call.)   

Greg