1986 Suzuki RM125 Restoration Complete

This is a walk around the completed 1986 RM125 with a brief overview of parts I used and what I did to restore.

[@808Sometimes]

Had one of these new in 1986 at 15 years old. This is the best restoration I have seen. Kept waiting for George Holland or Erik Kehoe to come out of that garage and braaaap it!

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! It's definitely a special build to me.

[@markfreckmann2366]

Very beautiful job on the bike. I had a 88 RM 125, my friend has a 86. Wonderful memories.

[@jkiseracing]

Yes, I was in love with these blue frame / motor Suzuki's as a kid!

[@walterdemo2895]

Love when these old bikes get brought back to life. An absolute beauty great job on it!!!!

[@jkiseracing]

Thank you!

[@wesleysept6536]

Had to check out your video. I had a brand new 1985 Suzuki RM 125 back in the day! I was quite the rider too, one time I hit a hill as a jump, and when I landed the frame dug into the ground, and snapped out the drain plug to the tranny, and crankcase! That's wicked air, and we saw " freestyle motocross" as a separate sport way back then. If you are reading this " you" have a great day/ night! Wes Sept

[@darkenedskiesahead3670]

That was my dream bike when I was 14 but parents couldn't afford... always loved the blue motor / frame combo. Great job!

[@jkiseracing]

Mine too! I wanted one so bad but was never able to have it....till 35 years later! There are not too many of the old blue framed / blue motor Suzuki's left.

[@Phil-dg1yg]

same!

[@peterb121]

Nice bike , my mate bought the 86 model new . I think he paid $2450.00 Australian. I had the 85 model new , as teenagers were just blown away with these bikes , with their performance and advanced tech .

[@vice86]

Getting a DRZ400S delivered tomorrow but was just googling the 86 RM125 I used to have and found this video....wow, looking all new like that brought back a flood of memories of owning one back in '86. I'm sure our neighbors hated hearing the RM warming up when it was cold out lol.

[@jkiseracing]

This was my dream bike as a kid. Which is why I decided to restore one to this level. It's a keeper for sure!

[@vice86]

@@jkiseracing Definitely. It's a beauty just to look at! The '85 was OK but didn't care for the huge RM125 on the seat and the plain radiator shroud graphic and I hated what they did with the graphics on the '87. The '86 was just perfect. I can't remember what we ever did with the RM though...we grew out of them, got cars and going to the mall was the fun thing to do. We had an '85 DR125 too and me and my bro would have to alternate who rode what each time cuz no one wanted to be stuck with the DR all the time lol.

[@powerwagon7811]

Looks better than a showroom new bike! Beautiful restoration!

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! This one was definitely one of my keepers.

[@tygreenwood472]

Wow great job great restoration the RMs with the blue frames and motors were the absolute coolest looking bikes of that era!

[@jkiseracing]

For sure. Only a 3 year run 86-88 withbthe blue frame and motor. Best 3 years!!

[@michaeljeffers9635]

Love the bike you did an awesome job.

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! I love the old blue motor and framed Suzuki's

[@markjarman7819]

I salute you and applaud you in that work. Bike looks awesome. I had a 81-84 and raced them all for a season here in the uk. Wish I had them now. The 83 was my favourite. Thanks for sharing

[@jkiseracing]

Thank you!! I'm a big 80s Suzuki fan. Always have been. This was a very special build for me personally

[@chrisgilliland66]

Let's hear it running guy, i just got an 89 rm 125 that I will be completely restoring. Hope it turns out as nice as yours, great job man

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! Runs fantastic! I'll post a video of it running soon.

[@xipingpooh5783]

Beautiful job!! I finished a frame of restoration on a 1991 RM125 that was a basket case. Like yours it looks and is brand new.

[@WILDGEESE399]

She,s a beauty, im rebuilding the 84 rm250 im about half way through 😎👍

[@scottfairbrother]

That is a very Beautiful bike. Your passion shows clearly in your builds.

[@jkiseracing]

Thank you!! Appreciate it!

[@Eric--zs6um]

Love the Suzuki and Yamaha bikes of the 70- 80's. Has to be the Yellow. Great work on the build.

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! The 3 year run of the blue motor was my favorite.

[@Eric--zs6um]

@@jkiseracing I agree

[@bobbymckinney1264]

Beautiful dirt bike

[@MichaelHayward-ym8ht]

Nice bike great job Jimmy i have a 1985 and a 1987 im a Suzuki RM fan love the old school bikes

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks. Nothing like the old blue framed (blue motor) Suzuki's

[@lonniewelter312]

Nice job Sir.. had an 88' RM 125 back in the day. loved it/

[@jkiseracing]

Yes I loved the "blue engine" era

[@andrea4809]

It is absolutely beautiful!

[@albertcorreia3866]

Very cool. I’m doing an 89 CR 250.

[@jkiseracing]

Check out my restoration video on my 89 CR125.

[@TheeGymWarrior]

Oh Damn !!! That was my 1st motocross bike. Bought it 2 years used..... Good Memories 😀

[@jkiseracing]

It was the one I wanted but was never able to have.

[@retromountainbikeactionsal6366]

Restoring one now 1985 thank you for the video.

[@jkiseracing]

Awesome. Keep me posted!

[@GreatWhiteRodeo]

that is absolutely stunning! Well done!

[@jkiseracing]

Thank you!

[@jspreparednessandself-reli4856]

👏👏 awesome job my friend she looks wonderful!!’

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks. This is one of the bikes that I kept. It's one of my favorites.

[@jspreparednessandself-reli4856]

I remember seeing them on the show room floor !

[@duffman1241]

Man I wish my 86 looked like yours👍🏻

[@andrea4809]

I am so glad you used black coolant hoses, now change the fuel line from the tank to clear blue and paint the pipe flat black. That gold chain looks perfect on your bike! Maybe add some cool gold anodized valve stem caps to the front forks and the remote shock reservoir.

[@jkiseracing]

Thanks! All very good suggestions. I've got a lot of that black fuel line so I use it on most builds. But I think you're right the clear would probably looked more period correct. Believe it or not the exhaust is painted with a very low gloss heat resistant finish. For some reason in the video it looks like it's been shined up with clear coat! It's not nearly as shiny in real life as it appears in this video

[@andrea4809]

Those blue motors and the blue frames just looked great!

[@23MikeJ22]

Very nice build for sure!!

[@davisexe6090]

my friend gave me the same bike for me to rebuild and restore as my first bike hopefully it’ll turn out like this !

[@switch625.]

Beautiful bike!

[@zacharywatters1843]

I've got an 86 Suzuki SP125 I got for free from a job site I was working at. The bike had been sitting for many years under an old carport due to the original owner passing away, it was then inherited by his brother who didn't have the heart to get rid of it or the health to take it out and enjoy it; so it was parked. I began talking to the brother about it as I worked there and add the end of the week, once we had finished the kitchen remodel, he pulled me aside and told me he wanted to make a deal with me on the old girl. Long story short, I got it home and got it to fire up second kick off some carb cleaner. An all original and very low hour bike, I am going to try getting the title for it once again and put it back on the road where it belongs.

[@johnnycash578]

SWEEET THAT THING IS A HANDLING MACHINE

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

I noticed that you went for a set of wide pegs. Good move because those stock pegs were like trying to stand on credit cards.

[@jkiseracing]

I sure did. They look better too.

[@forrestbaker6418]

Couldn't bring yourself to fire it up, thanks a lot, I had 1 power band was crazy.

[@andonwalls513]

I just bought a mostly original running 85 with tons of spare parts even have a 80s date coded set of tires I'll have to check the exact year date again

[@michelerinaldi1477]

GRAN BEL LAVORO,BRAVO...BELLISSIMA COMPLIMENTI

[@connorgaylord772]

I am currently doing a 1987 RM125. I put RM250 pegs on it, drilled out the pinhole, etc. The current problem is the OEM springs from that year of RM250. The straight part of the spring is too short to reach the frame. Wondered what peg springs you used that fit the bigger pins and reached the frame. Thank you

[@jkiseracing]

@connorgaylord772 dang, I don't remember but quite possibly 89. Let me see if I can look at it and figure out what I used.

[@connorgaylord772]

@ greatly appreciated

[@prestonnale8774]

Awesome restoration, I also have a 1986 rm125 that I bought in boxes off marketplace, I got it all together and running great but I was wondering how you got your plastics to shine that bright, I wet sanded mine from 300 to 2000 but they don’t look half as good as yours.

[@jkiseracing]

I was able to find replacement fenders. Sanding process on the tank and side number plates. I used a full decal on the side plates though

[@Theignorantoutdoorsman]

What is the color called on the frame and engine,I have a 86 250 to do and that blue looks great

[@jkiseracing]

Honestly I don't remember. I'd have to ask my powdercoating person. I'll ask and let you know

[@right-a-waythornton397]

Could you post the blue powder coat code. I am restoring the exact same bike. Great build. Thanks@@jkiseracing

[@jkiseracing]

@right-a-waythornton397 the color I used was called super mirror blue

[@right-a-waythornton397]

Thank you Sir much appreciated.@@jkiseracing

[@broady42]

Hi mate, please could you post a list of the companies you purchased your parts if you can remember them. Thanks Lee

[@kylelangworthy9641]

excellent job man I recently got a 86 RM250 from a friend I want to restore it runs but it's a mess you got any leads you can give me on like internal engine parts and stuff in case I need a crank or anything cuz I know they're not made anymore I was thinking I'd have to have it rebuilt and balanced at a machine shop I know the real hard to find parts for great job on the 125

[@jkiseracing]

You'll have to just keep a look on ebay and a fb group for parts. Theres a fb group for 1984 -88 RM 125 and 250s also.a good source

[@kylelangworthy9641]

@@jkiseracing awesome thank you I'll keep you updated

[@switch625.]

How did you restore the plastics?

[@jkiseracing]

I was able to buy front and rear fenders from Maier. Then I was able to get reproduction radiator shrouds from vintage Suzuki. Then I did the sanding process on the side number plates because there are none of those available. And then I also did the sanding process on the tank

[@kingkong81icloud]

I had a Suzuki TSX 125 looked like that but was a old shed

[@joshgoodman150]

Have an 86 myself. Just put new stator and cdi in the bike and got it running. Ordered expansion pipe from ebay and matches up close but don’t believe it’s correct. Could you show the head and pipe connection?

[@jkiseracing]

Yes. I may have a pic of that already from when I was building originally. I'll check

[@enzopulvirenti3695]

Fantastic

[@e954rr2]

Omg I love that thing

[@theirshopewithjesuschrist_5867]

I have a 87 rm125 I've gathered parts together but the project is on hold for now. How long did this take you to build all together?

[@jkiseracing]

This one took about 9-10 months for me to complete

[@theirshopewithjesuschrist_5867]

@@jkiseracing oh ok thank you, I have a lot of money into it already lol and my income for now ain't allowing me to progress on it anytime soon. Still saving, but glad to know a good ballpark timeframe that it will take to put it all together and build it. What inspired me to take all this on in the first place my dad is in his mid 50s and as a kid he would tell me story's of him and his best friend riding together growing up. Dad had a 87 rm80 and his best friend had a 125 I think the same year model. He said he could beat the 125, but then again he said his friend was a heck of a rider also. So long story short riding four-wheelers and dirt bikes is in my blood I've rode since I was about 7, I'm 28 now. Dad got me into riding at a young age. But anyhow if I can get it all together I'd like to surprise my dad and maybe bring back some nostalgia lol

[@felixmarien9306]

How did you get the tank so shiny? Very clean build

[@jkiseracing]

Lots of wet sanding and polishing

[@joejohn2892]

need to hear it

[@terrelmchenry9524]

STILL HAVE MINE...

[@こじまみのる]

1985のRM良いカラーリングだよな。ブルーのエンジンとフレーム好き❤ 1989のRMXもこのカラーリングだったよね？

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

Is the high temp paint just a spray on paint?

[@jkiseracing]

On the motor? The cases were powdercoated

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

@@jkiseracingthanks so much for responding, I meant on the radiators

[@jkiseracing]

Oh yes. Hi temp black satin paint for the radiator

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

@@jkiseracing oh sweet, you just have to heat it up to like 100 degrees and then spray it right? Does it come off like crappy spray paint or no?

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

How did you get your pro taper perch and lever so shiny?

[@jkiseracing]

Vapor blasting on all the aluminum and cast parts.

[@jkiseracing]

Sorry, I was answering about the aluminum parts in general. The Pro Taper perch and lever are new.

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

@@jkiseracing no worries hahahah, thank you

[@exoticzandaquaticz5539]

@@jkiseracing I was just confused because I’ve gotten the pro taper levers and perches before and they never are that shiny

[@daleskiog7499CS]

It's missing the original front number plate and fork plastics

[@ridgewade97]

Where did you find replacement parts at?

[@jkiseracing]

I was able to find Is quite a bit of OEM parts. I used RMATVMC.com for as many of those as I could. Ebay was also a great source. Also a couple of places in the UK.

[@newyorkers30]

How much is it worth? Or a 1988

[@jerrymorgan2769]

Am looking to purchase KENTUCKY TOOL BOX

[@bigfatpolarbearbreiner95]

Can you send me the link to where you got your parts cause I have one the exact same year

[@jkiseracing]

I used many sources. Where are you located?

[@Davido50]

Nice bikes! Similar to my pristine collection. Great hobby. 👍 Be sure to ride the machines too. They are made for it. Dont like the non- American truck in driveway tho.-Ohio

[@jkiseracing]

Haha. I hear ya. Yes, I spend more time in the shop than I do riding. A couple of these will make their way out to a couple of vintage races this year.

[@2strokeguru76]

I would of done the brake lever silver I restored my 84 125 and I did it black on that machine I think it would of looked better In silver powder coat tbh just saying the bike looks absolutely fabulous Pal really really overall finish

[@jkiseracing]

Actually I have been back and forth on that same idea. I still may pull it off and go silver.

[@leelee4217]

If you sell this “If it was me I wouldn’t id have that in my house rite next to my bed “

[@jkiseracing]

Haha. I like that idea. This one is currently not for sale. Maybe one day but no time soon.

[@leelee4217]

Jimmy, When you say “This One is not for sale” are you selling others? Just asking My Friend.

[@jkiseracing]

@@leelee4217 I do. I'll soon have a 2000 RM125 for sale along with an 88 CR125 and an 89 KX125. Keep up with the KZbin channel for details soon!

[@leelee4217]

Yes Sir

[@JR-ut1yx]

Sweeeeeeet

[@chopperhehehe]

Be nice to of heard it n8ce build tho 👍👍👍😜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦕🦄😁🤞✌️

[@jkiseracing]

I know! I usually video them running separately. I need to start these bikes during the walk around

[@Cetrifuga1945]

Antico

[@pelleg60]

I also owned a RM 125 -86 an unfortunately it was the worst bike ever. I broke the frame six times and had to weld it so many times specially after big jumps...

[@jkiseracing]

Hate that. They are such cool bikes. I think the 88s were a bit better though.

[@robertnielsenjr6766]

Excellent Works bike GREATER THAN A LOVE FOR MOTORCYCLES V virgin islands are going to be happy a bout this Suzuki's season in Jesus Name Robert Peter Nielsen II 928 factory black hose missing Airbox Part Hong Kong Give Me Mark Laws zsN Diego California 1979 2023 And son of a gun armors

[@jeandavidgimenee988]

Il aurait pu la démarrer 😢

[@free-birdrocker8809]

Argh, key hole camera, dude you must be a voyeur or something. Good bike, filming sucks.

[@jkiseracing]

Good thing my skills are in building the bikes then!🤣🤣

[@free-birdrocker8809]

@@jkiseracing I squinted so much, I thought I was uncle chin. Hahahah!