1979 HONDA ELSINORE CR125 SHOW PIECE

[@yamahaexpert]

A delight watching an Elsinore in that condition!

[@majorlee1]

So badass! My uncle had the first year Elsinore 125 silver. I used to look at it all day when I was a kid. Would love one in my collection someday.

[@MalcolmDesigns]

I was 16yo when this bike came out and DREAMED about owning it! What a beautiful bike.

[@markvisconti4507]

Nicely done. Looks like it has a 21" front with corrected head angle/trail. I raced 80s, but my brother raced a 79 CR125...it was fantastic power (especially for a 100lb kid), but start getting up in the gears on a straight, that original 23" wheel and lack of trail was an absolute tank slapping nightmare. We did a 21" swap and had a shop in Cali do the head angle. Much better bike after that, and he started adding up the trophies. DG heads make everything great!! I have them on 3 bikes with RKTek remachined chamber(s). This and proper timing makes a huge difference in response.

[@robtroman7917]

Never forget arriving at Brook Farm Heightington in the UK for a meeting. I was with my dad in our Morris Marina towing my RM125B. A brand new Honda Elsinore was leaning against a fence surrounded by a drooling crowd for whom it was the first of its kind they had ever seen. Racing motocross in the late seventies has given me a lifetime of fantastic memories and friendships.

[@microsoft790]

The 79 Elsinore is my favorite year because of the long travel suspension and the old-school bodywork and metal tank. Those bikes tore it up in the vintage races I used to flag at.

[@hardwaylearner]

I got to see this when i stopped by this week. Even more incredible in person

[@johnstephens3829]

I had a shop fire 10 years ago, lost a 77 Yamaha Rd-400 all DG heads ,coils Rearsets,Dg cylinder, pipes,& a stock 71 R-5 in Tangerine. My 76 cr 125 had alot of Dg parts

[@clarkpitts5393]

Those Red engines are the ones we learned on in Vo-Tech. 1983-1984. A+

[@tomr9661]

The sound of it brings back great memories, one of those bikes you wish you never got rid of.

[@andyhorenziak7025]

❤ you guys just took me back to being 15 yes old in the 80s sounds beautiful !!

[@yinyangyin]

yep, those red elsinores (125 & 250) had me drooling as a teenager. still do. that one is drop dead. 🏴‍☠️

[@brianaughe9378]

Watching this again... because that sound brings me back nearly 40 years. I miss mine.

[@jimbobyooper]

Bought one brand new a year after i graduated from highschool. Loved it. Mine had the original 23" front wheel .Always got the hole shot.

[@adamgriffith6750]

i'd say that sounds a lot better than newer125's. looks good too honda was one ahead of its' time.

[@tappedout300xc]

Sweet piece. The gold DG head looks wicked on it. The red if I remember right is Tahiti red. Yeah, those CR's were always cool lookin bikes.

[@donbrashsux]

That’s got a very cool ring to it 👍

[@Mike-01234]

Amazing how your able to find all these parts for these bikes that have been long out of production.

[@doobyboy21]

The red rooster on the back is actually the THRUSH exhaust logo. I have the THRUSH welded exhausts on my Mustang GT.

[@williamamacker3119]

You guys are so blessed you have all the cool bikes and That one is awesome one of the best.☘️🤘🇺🇸⚡️⚡️

[@bobg1219]

Red jug with gold head is killer looking!

[@mikeschlup5279]

That cylinder whirring means it is tight...

[@paulshamblin6260]

I had one new in 81 and it would run with anything around. A beast. I came here to see Pops wring this thing out. I knew I'd get what I came for if he had one. Every highschool boy needs one of these.

[@davejohnson607]

That bike is sweet.just needs some fox air shox.i remember racing mx back in that era.there were alot of those on the starting gate.👍

[@SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

I had the 78 CR250. It had Fox air shocks and a few other nice enhancements. One of the most beautiful and killer bikes ever made.

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

my second bike was a 1979 cr125 with the same DG head.........the kickstarter used to ding the head and loved to eat pistons, what a great bike tho.....i emember the front fender being longer on the motor side, so we drilled holes in it for more airflow...if i was to start a collection, this would be it god bless america AND kaplan cycles

[@tonyversus9787]

Soundin like a turbo charged foundation rippin demon!

[@chrisban6007]

I have one of these. Mostly original. The guy we got it from bought it in the mid 80s, still in the crate. My dad traded 2 gocarts for it in the early 90s. We screwed up, and had the cylinder sleeved.

[@Zhukov-3]

That's better than brand new! Open it up!

[@AudiophileTubes]

I greatly miss that era!

[@ssfury8131]

Sorry I stand corrected I was wrong Ken. I looked it up the 1979 CR125 weighs 188 pounds WOW . I road one before and it was the lightest 125 I have ever ridden. That has to be hands down the best example of a 1979 CR125.I don't know where it gets that trippy sound from with stock exhaust but i like it .

[@craighills2382]

I miss these times ,and that sound seriously What ? cant be beat

[@TT-hi1qv]

Things ridiculously mint thanks for sharing!

[@peterlarner190]

Crispy, love the channel from Australia 🇦🇺

[@mrjinx2024]

The black wheels really look mean on the bike. The King Of Ping does it again

[@nofishtoday]

I had that bike new in 79 when I was 15 years old. Used to ride it in Gerritsen Beach and then we made a track in the dump by Korvettes and Nellie Blye in Brooklyn. Used to ride it on the walkway of the Belt Parkway to get it there.

[@jonmccormick8683]

Honda was decades ahead with the "turbocharging" on this bike. These late 70's air-cooled 2-strokes MX bikes were the best on the trails.

[@Homeland.]

In 1977 Elvis died and Schwinn hat the Schwinn Scrambler in the show rooms for $250.00 . And I was twelve years old,in 1980 I was 15 and my friend had a 1980 KX and I got to ride the modern two stroke then. And I had a cromeoly Mongoose with nylon "tuffies" in 78.

[@jodopeg]

WOW.. ! That is nice,, the CR125Elsinore was the bike to have back in the 1970's. Had myself a 1976 model, with the under pipe, dual rear shocks, ,,, so many fun times on that bike in Miami, FL when I was 15-17 y.o.

[@simplymoto07]

That dodgy noise is micro vibration from the air cooled cylinder and head. My 79yz100 sounded the same . Dodgy frequency revurbing off the fins

[@Evo836]

When I was a kid used to go to the local shop after school and look at a pair of these and dream.

[@White-w8v]

It's amazing the passion you guys put into these bikes

[@robbyyant6213]

This was way before my time but my father and I found one of these in a barn years ago. Probably the loudest motorcycle I've ever heard.

[@daffyduck9901]

That's Mr horsepower smokin the cigar and he's a woodpecker 🤙

[@maximuswedgie5149]

In 1981 my brother and I were racing peewee YZ 60s. My uncle thought it looked easy so he went and bought an Elsenore, I’ll never forget when he tried to start it in the pits during practice, the kick starter went up and slapped him in the shin, and broke his whole leg. He never wanted to ride again. I never understood this, but I guess it was a whopper to start back in the day?

[@DTM45]

I had this bike when I was a kid, raced it and had some decent success.

[@MachTuck]

Beautiful! after my 1980 RM80, I got a 79 CR 125! great memories

[@KaplanCycles]

Right on

[@perryanderson5642]

As Usual Kaplan, A Big Red Diamond 💎. Thanks for Showing us this Beautiful Masterpiece! I have so much Respect for these Simple Motorcycles.

[@KaplanCycles]

You are so welcome

[@gwl78]

Sounds awsome.

[@madplanet3351]

Yes please. Still raining in the uk...since November 2023. But this has brightened my day. ❤

[@wayno23]

Sounds awesome 🎶 not rattling just a magic whirring.

[@jordancox5624]

I was born in 85. I never knew how gnarly these 70s bikes were. Thanks for showin us younger bucks that our dads werent full of shit lol

[@Nudnik1]

1979 Rear number plates were moved back under silencer FIM AMA .. That a 781/2? Straight cut gears like old Husqvarna make that whine . Chrome cylinder also I recall. 23" claw tire 17" rear that year. Awesome bike 👍

[@andybowyer3602]

Red rocket!! My brother raced 1❤

[@y4s563]

Sweet bike ... Every young mans desire ... back in the day

[@paulawestcott7228]

As Always KA and his team putting their craft to create THE MOST AWESOME CR 125 79. THE 21" WHEEL AT FRONT gives great balance to the whole bike.❤ PRISTINE written all over it!❤

[@Homeland.]

DAM. I think it's one of the best looking two stroke dirt bikes. Like the 1978 Maico .

[@bwoogzgaming8054]

I had on of these in the 80`s!!! God Bless You.. Thanks for the vid.

[@cynthia6389]

New bikes are better, but it's the older bikes that I really like.. Something about them.

[@Riptrip_55]

I just picked up a 1979 rm100 and rm125 for $200 I'm gonna do a full rebuild on one and race it next year in vintage.

[@robertrishel3685]

Just…❤😍😍😍❤️❤️ gorgeous!!!!!! OMG! I would have surrendered a kidney for that thing back in ‘79 when I was 13! I was just transitioning to 125’s that year (‘79 RM125)… but all my bikes were stock until I got a little older….

[@rankoutsider1977]

It’s beautiful and tough all at once 💪🏽

[@countermoonman]

Everybody here in So. Cal. wanted a Honda Elsinore when they first came out, with that down swept pipe and that silver tank and green # plates…then when the red ones came out, holy shit, the Honda fans went nuts, great looking bikes with great reliable performance…love that gold sunburst head! 😎🇺🇸✌️

[@angrytater2456]

That's a racer for real.

[@microsoft790]

Such a peppy motor. I would kill to see a high-performance air cooled bike nowadays. Give the people what they want. Cheap bulletproof easy to work on bikes.

[@tomliemohn624]

My buddy in Jr High had one just like that. Zero midrange power, rap it up to 9000+ RPM and drop the clutch and you were good.

[@Brava-x2f]

I watched this 10 mins ago and my ears are still ring dingalinging 🤣

[@IceCreamManFromHell99]

I Remember Tommy Benolkin in 79 Winter Series he totally smoked everyone... even with the 23" Front wheel! Bbrraaapp

[@toddjacobs5660]

Nice bike excellent restoration 👍

[@vinnyvinson]

Old Hondas are beautiful

[@tony4metallicaify]

the new bikes are nice! but these old bikes have style!! beautiful bike!!!

[@grahamchilds821]

Us old fellows should have a special times when it is all 1970s so much fun and this is a nice clean example of a motocross bike the red devil of the 70s cheers

[@jessicaembers924]

The new liquid cooled jobbies just Don't Look Right without those far out chill fins on the motor!

[@thenorthshore6472]

Was on my way to buy one in the summer of 79 but came home with a 79 RM 125 instead. $995.00 OTD had a special deal going. Both beautiful bikes! Still sometimes wonder if I made the right decision.

[@brianaughe9378]

Definitely has a smaller front rim. That DG head was something I lusted after but never got on mine.

[@NoSleepTilGitmo]

Beautiful bike you have there, brings me back to my childhood!

[@123hellqvist]

What a Bike Ken Absolutely amazing time machine.

[@kauai5839]

Bike sounds solid and looks cherry brah!Old school.💯🤙🏼

[@triumphdave2449]

I had a 79 just like that...........aaah the memories.

[@toddgreim9254]

Best sound in America! You could hear it in the woods a mile away! Awesome bike big Ken!

[@KaplanCycles]

You got that right!

[@brianforson2630]

J'adore either 450 Elsinore or 480 I do believe it was a 480 and a kick-start was on the left hand side

[@johnstephens3829]

I raced a class Hare Scramples on a 1978 250. 4 races i sold it to a collector in1985

[@cr250rrcflyby3]

Now , that’s a REAL MAMMA JAMMA 👈🏼‼️👀

[@davidskeen4000]

I'm not a fan of 125s , but that is one of the most beautiful bikes i have ever seen.

[@markrunyon5524]

Thats a beautiful bike,I"m a car guy.That sure looks like the Trush muffler,glass pack,Woodpecker.Unless Honda had one too.I"m 64,I remember when those "Elsinore"s" were king.

[@hecwashere610]

That honda is badass kap and it sounds super crispy great job God bless America 🇺🇸

[@scrappyhustler7467]

This exact bike 79 cr125 Elsinore was my first big boy bike at 14yo I paid 350 bucks and a carton of smokes at the Englishtown old Bridge raceway swapmeet on a Sunday late afternoon I fixed it up rebuilt the carb new floats etc that bike was a house puller!

[@sydneysheppard4979]

Man my 78 Elsinore 250 was a beast!! Was best 250 ithought that I ever owned!!!keep it snappy kappy!!! Right on sr!! Up all night sleep all day!!🇺🇸🇬🇧💪😎

[@robsonfranciscogalvao5627]

Beautiful design..... super motorcycle... show...🇺🇸🇧🇷😎🏁

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Looks like the 23" wheel has been replaced with a 21" . I had one new back in the day, sort of a crappy bike, later had a '78 YZ, ate that CR alive!

[@tylerhilsenbeck4598]

Dam I am not into older bikes but that got me hooked , I would buy that and not want to take it off road I am in love

[@mikepires2765]

That is beautiful..That u say is a "79"? I had one after Tradeing in my Xr-75.But my CR-125 had to be a 77 or 1978.Because the pipe came down under the frame and continued to go back out like the bottom of the twin shocks.

[@dougney3026]

Hello from Virginia my friend 🇺🇸 Great Days in America 🇺🇸

[@franciscolopez3229]

How is the ride feel with them 21 inch front? Planning of restoring my '79 and 23 inch rims, tubes and tires are hard to find.

[@TrailThug]

Love these clips, thanks.

[@sicks6six]

met a guy one day out on the tracks he had a 250cc Elsinore bored out to 305, and he told me all bout how they got to that size, it wasn't just an overbore, crankcase spigot was opened up and packing plates under the barrel and skimmed head, A bespoke liner made from a blank and he cut the ports at home, the sound of was like a GP 2T race bike, too much for me, he asked if I want a go on it, I was on a TS250 at the time which was fast but declined his offer, the pipe it had on was fatter then me, his was silver with red stripe, street legal with lightsl, must be worth a fortune now if it still alive,

[@offgridliving4128]

I had that bike when I was a kid. Traded a 73 Chevy LUV for it sometime in the 80’s.

[@DavidAlderton-j4k]

Best sounding bike I’ve ever heard. I have one that im about to restore

[@SPENJERE]

Ohhh, Jo Jo Keller ...

[@rickybailey7123]

OMG DO U HEAR HOW CLEAN IT SOUNNDS THATS FUNKING CRAZY THATS GOT TO BE THE BEST SOUNDING 2 STROKE IVE EVER HERD!!! CR500 IS CLOSE BUT 2ND !! JUST ME LOVE IT THANK U FOR SHOWING IT !! WHATS THE PRICE WOW ITS NICE !!

[@jessejarzabski5076]

Yeah I love tht turbine sound on a freshie, tht motor runs tight and crisp ,no way it was tht dialed in when it rolled off the 79 showroom floor....they came rich and in need of personal tweaking us what I heard......funny it always makes me think when u describe the challenge of the builds u guys do and convince us to forego that hellish experience and just buy from kaplan cycles, worry free, ready to race....but I also think the kinds of people watching these vids aren't the type neway to do a complete museum resto neways so u needed convince them of anything because the people like you guys , WHO ACTUALLY BUILD AND RESTORE bikes, don't do it mostly to place 1st in some race........rather , the experience of the slow painful build and the suffering incured only makes it that much more enjoyable when it's finally finished!!!..and. many times becomes a showpiece of nastalgia and a once great time!!!!.......so u needn't convince those guys to forego that either because they are in it for the love of restoring the past, and inspire new generations to inherit our world w pride and hard work......

[@JR113FTW]

That thing is sick!