YZ125 L 1984 Basket Case Restore

[Ji Gantor]

With the shock off the bike we can start to break it down for servicing.
The first thing to do is degrease and clean it.
Then if you have the tools remove the spring.

Ji

[Marc.com]

yep they are the rough sand paper hone to get the seized piston to move up and down again.

[Ji Gantor]

The shock looks like a Ohlins copy.
This small hole is how the end cap is removed on an Ohlins shock.
You place a brass drift into the hole and tap the end cap off.

We have a long way to go before that happens, of course.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

The castle nuts or pre-load nuts have been adjusted using a screw driver.
This has left them chopped out and hard to rotate.
A pin spanner is a better choice and does not damage the castle nuts.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

This shock has no oil or gas left in them so they will need to be serviced.
Depress the valve to release any residual.
This will prevent things fly about when we pull the shock apart.
When I depressed the valve nothing came out.
Unless you know what you are doing do not pull a gas filled shock apart. The gas is pressurised at about 250psi.
Yamaha will service these shocks for $250.00 plus parts, it is not worth the risk.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Thank you Walter.
There you go $120 plus parts.
It is not worth loosing an eye or even buying a tool. The gas to charge a shock will cost you $25 and the oil is around $10.

Ji

[yzhilly]

Nice work Ji i'm just starting on a YZ125K for my kids ,I better hurry and try to keep up it will be good inspiriation to get it done .I picked up a New Works Cylinder and pistons for it and a Rebuilt seat off Powerhouse Motorcycles so i need to keep going now .Thanks for the push.
Hilly.

[Ji Gantor]

Hi YZhilly,
You don't want to restore that old thing. Sell it to me.
Seriously, Stop working on your bike I need all the parts.

I hope this thread will help you and a few others that are thinking about some aspect of their bikes.
If we all share our knowledge we make life better for ourselves.

Please post some images of your bike here so we can all see what you are up to.

Ji

[Tex]

Good reading thanks Ji.

It's got me excited about my own RM125 project!

Believe me, I'm not going near any rear shocks...

Tex

[Ji Gantor]

Hi Tex,
The springs on these shocks are like those on a bear trap.
It took 15 minutes to get it off. Normally I have the spring off before the pot is whistling.

Go luck with your RM.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

This is going to be such a cool rebuild I wonder if VMX magazine would like to run it.
I guess 090 Brad's Twin Pipe CZ would be more rare.


Ji

[yzhilly]

Yeah have contemplated selling it but i want to finish it for next Viper season so that my kids can ride it .It's not pretty and i dont think it's gonna get real pretty either . It will all be done in my shed with what i've got at hand ,i have been stockpiling bits for it over the last couple of years and should be able to get it up and running quickly . I will get some pics up soon.

[Ji Gantor]

So you are not going to buy any parts.
Welcome brother how can we help.

Ji

[yzhilly]

Nah Ji i'm off work still after a minor jump mishap at Barrabool in August and probably another 2 months ,so this will be as budget a rebuild as i can do with what i have .

[Ji Gantor]

Sorry to hear that you need a rebuild mate.
Hope you get well soon.
If you need any help let me know.

Ji