YZ125A Suspension Upgrades

[r4brightred]

After six years of procrastinating I'm finally going to upgrade my suspension. I bought a set of forks off of a YZ250A. They were in rough shape. I have the tubes back after getting them straightened and re-chromed. I've sanded the lowers and have them just about ready for clearcoat. I ordered new Race Tech springs that should arrive this week. I picked up a set of 1975 triples. They will work better for mounting my radiator versus using parts from a 1974. I'm currently coming up with a plan for a front wheel. I'll share some pictures as I make progress. Happy New Year!

[80-85 husky]

can I ask the obvious? why not respring and gold valve the std forks?

[Slakewell]

I disliked my forks on my YZ 250 so much I fitted a set of Ceriani's. I can still remember trying to turn that bike with the bars hard on my leg and the bike still going straight ahead. 

[r4brightred]

The stock forks are 30mm. In my opinion they are a poor excuse for motocross forks and are not worth any attempt at an enhancement. I think these forks that I'm building will be a major improvement. Time will tell.

[r4brightred]

I'm making progress. I picked up a rim off ebay. I've taken apart a complete mudcatcher wheel, and am going to use the spokes and hub. Today I sandblasted and painted the triples and the hub. I'm halfway done polishing the spokes. The rim had a lot of imperfections but no cracks or flat spots. I sanded it starting with 220 grit and finishing with 800. Then I polished it with mag wheel polish. It came out pretty good. Not show quality, but it doesn't need to be for a race bike.

[Rossvickicampbell]

a YZ 125A - "mounting a radiator" - please explain

[David Lahey]

a YZ 125A - "mounting a radiator" - please explain

You just beat me to that question

[r4brightred]

I'm running a Shinobi water cooled head on my bike.

[Rossvickicampbell]

oooh - nice

[80-85 husky]

even I knew it was a shinobi....

[William Doe]

Looks great 

[r4brightred]

It's taken me until today to get the new forks and wheel completed and installed. I hope the expense and bullshit I've had to deal with will have been worth it. I think I'm going to find some foam and zip tie it on the lowers to add some level of protection. The lowers are awfully thin.
Next year I think I'll upgrade the shocks.

[Richo52]

That's a fantastic little YZ !

[DCPlasticsguy]

What length shocks are you running? I switched to 345mm shocks with 34mm front forks and it made a huge difference on mine.

[r4brightred]

I'm running 13" shocks. Next year I'm going to switch to 13.5". I raced at Unadilla a few weeks ago and it was nice not bottoming out the front end over every jump.