Here's a few pics of my RM125S powered TM125 project. I'll try to post more pics as time goes by. Most parts are now here or on their way so hopefully it can be finished for Coff's dirt track. It's build entirely from bits and pieces with the most complete item obtained being the basic engine.
This is how it started. A rusty frame and left over RM125S tank.
I collected 'mainly used' parts from all over the world mostly through eBay although some were also made available by generous forum members and like minded vmx friends. Bearings, seals and gaskets are being replaced as I go.
The engine came as you see it less the polished cover. Seems like a good motor but I'll hop in and replace rings, top end bearing, gaskets and seals then match ports and gaskets more accurately before I run it. A nos clutch kit is also awaiting fitment.
I like to piece the bike together up to about 90% and then I pull it back down for the tidy up.The front engine mount plates I pondered buying but instead made a pair from 3mm 6061 T6 aluminium plate in about 20 minutes using a stock TM mount as my template.
I thought white guards would look nice. Again used items will simply be cleaned up and sprayed and these will do the job as good as the next. The tank was on to give me an idea of the colours but the RMS tank is in getting a coat of pearl yellow as this is typed.
The forks fitted in this picture are 33mm TS185er units in reamed TM clamps. I could not find era axle under type lowers to suit so the triples have again been reamed this time out to 35mm which allows more options. The frame I'd started to rub back.
Here is the frame ready for the colour. I never undercoat frame since I have learnt it makes very little difference in application and actually looks worse when it gets chipped and scratched due to the undercoat showing. I'm a little picky with shit like this and besides, they aren't primed from the factory
Took about 12 hours to get the frame to this point and yes, sand blasting would have made life so much easier but I tend to do them by hand given a little spare time here and there.
Here she is painted. I didn't want it to look anything like silver frost so I lashed and spent $30 colouring it pearl platinum followed by a few coats of clear. This pic actually has the metalflake reflecting making it appear more silver than it really is. You may notice no coil mounts, I intend to move this to a much lower position tucked in beside the airfilter. The frame/swingarm are '75M model by the way.
Coming together now this is the front end that will remain. Tried and proven '75 35mm XL250 motosport units. Front wheel is also XL250 with a nice sized stopper. Rear wheel is a solid mount TS185 with alloy rim and the rear shocks are 1995 TS185 simply because I like them, they are a little shorter but they work well enough for me. The alloy sprocket makes a big reduction in unsprung weight when compared to steel of equal size. Again ebay supplied this sprocket for about $20 landed.
she won't be a show bike but it will be a little different and it should fairly honk and suit my short arse a little better than the full blown long legged 125S..it's being built to comply with pre78 regs in case you were wondering..updates to follow..