Honda MT 125 KO 1974

[jimson]

G'day viewers, it looks like I've got myself a ruff looking Honda MT 125 KO.  Are these a good dirt bike and what should I look out for in its clean up and making it serviceable scrambler again ? Thanks jimson

[Natroy]

I had an MT250 as a young bloke. The Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki Two strokes were quicker. They weren't very popular.

[PeterC]

the honda mt series handled much better than the other Japanese 2 strokes and I think you can substitute cr parts

[jimson]

Well that's a mixed bag of results lol is the frame the same as the CR 125 of the time period ? Thanks jimson

[sleepy]

I recall going on an organized trail ride with about 30 riders back in the mid 70's and there was one MT125 in the group. We got to the big hill-climb near the end of the ride and being one of the more experienced riders in the group I went back down to help those having trouble. The MT had only got about 1/4 of the way up so being young and stupid I offered to give it a go so went back to the bottom and got into it but what a hopeless machine. It had zero bottom end like a CR but the topend rush didn't happen so after getting about twice as far as the owner it took 3 of us to get thing to the top with over heating motor/clutch. We almost pushed it back down the hill to be left at the bottom where it belonged.
Not sure but I think the motor cases are the same as CR125 and the barrels will interchange but with smaller ports. Frames probably are similar just with extra brackets for road gear.   

[Tex]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1974-76-honda-mt-125

Tex

[jimson]

Wow, looks like I'm on a winner lol the bike sounds as fast as I am....lol thanks for everyone's input. jimson

[Momus]

The MT's were as mediocre a bike as the CR125M was good.

As a 17 year old I CR125M top ended a registered MT125  including fitting the down pipe.

It didn't work well at all; the 5 speed MT box just couldn't cope with the narrow power spread and the points ignition and heavy flywheel was not up to it.

I suppose with some decent rear shocks and a stock engine you could have some fun at club level Pre 75.

[TT5 Matt]

port the mt barrel so it will work with wide ratio box,i took my ts185a p/port exhaust port up a half mm at a time and got a good result at 1.5mm.anymore and the bottom end power suffers on small capacity motors

[brent j]

My recollections of the MT125 from a long time ago.

Somewhat under powered, good brakes and it handled very well.

Looking at it from now at an older age and less concerned with racing one I think it would make a good vintage trailbike.

Good handling, good brakes and reasonably light. The lack of power probably wouldn't be a problem as you could just hold it open and it's not going to try and kill you or wear you out