Bike of the Month - May 2007
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This was my dream bike! I looked for two years to find one this clean and flawless. Funny thing, it was so clean, I could not stand the idea of riding it! So it has sat in my home since with no fluids, under cover. Here is the description from the person that I purchased it from--
"Up for auction is this exceptionally clean and virtually brand new CR125R Elsinore. If you spend the next 3 years searching Ebay you're not going to find a better example than this one. The 1979 CR125R represented a giant step forward in motocross technology for Honda. This bike was the culmination of Honda's lessons learned in racing and incorporated some of the best ideas from the late 1970's. An all-new compact engine design with reed valves, along with vastly improved suspension and light weight set this bike apart from the competition. It was also the first and last year that an aluminum gas tank was offered on the CR125."
I am a very fussy collector and restorer of vintage Japanese motorcycles and I only own the best. I spent about 3 years looking of a suitable example for my personal collection. I came across this one in 1997 in Indiana and purchased it from the original owner on the spot. Since that time it has been a display piece in my office along with several other historically significant vintage bikes as I don't ride or race them anymore.
The story behind this bike is a little tragic. The former owner received this motorcycle as a high school graduation gift in May of 1980. He trail rode it that summer and for a few months early in 1981. Shortly there after, he was involved in a serious car crash that left him unable to ride. The bike sat in his father's basement until I purchased it. At that time the bike was in excellent original condition.
The bike has undergone a thorough detailing which involved disassembly, cleaning and re-zincing of all the original fasteners. Many of the rubber components have been replaced with NOS Honda parts. The bike retains all of its original Honda parts including the seat & plastic. The engine in untouched. It even has the original Bridgestone M22 tires (try to find these today) which is proof of how little use this bike has had. This gem is ready to vintage race or put on display.
It is an incredable machine! I have the feeling that I will regret my decision to divest this CR125R. I truly hate to see this one leave the house. My wife says I have too many toys, so something has to go! Good luck! Local pick up only.
John Hanna |
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