WILL IT RUN - 1976 Honda Elsinore CR125 - Sitting 20 Years! - VINTAGE Motocross Bike

This is my 1976 Honda Elsinore CR125M. It's been sitting in my barn for over 20 years. A friend of mine gave me this bike right after high school. I've always had intentions of building it into a vintage motocross bike, but have just never gotten around to it. This is the year I'm going to get around to it. In this video, I clean the carburetor, check for spark, check for compression, and get this 46 year old motorcycle back running again.

[@brentftaylor]

I had a couple of early elsinores. I’ll never forget the smell :-)

[@renemaz]

It's a Honda....it will run. Definitely a sweet bike!

[@projectclark123]

I have got a Honda shi 125cc

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Those were a blast to ride! Very narrow powerband meant they were not for everybody. Would love to find one in that shape.

[@pursang101]

I was always a 250 guy,a buddy lent me his 76 cr125 for a whole summer and told me to ride it like it was mine. I loved that bike.I broke the frame by the swing arm axle but other than that never had a problem with it.

[@michaelheiss8022]

That’s why we upgraded to a Redline swingarm !

[@earlwright8147]

That is a bad ass bike. Many people would kill to have that just for sentiment alone, not to mention the cool factor. Hope you give it the attention it deserves!

[@franciscolopez3229]

Nice seeing old dusty bikes in a barn then make it run, and yup, I agree with Paul and Kevin, restore it and you'll never regret it.

[@dashriprock2916]

He says "I'm not a good mechanic" and proceeds to his badass toolbox full of well organized tools.

[@4WardGarage]

Any idiot (me) can buy tools, haha. Doesn't mean you know what you're doing!

[@FAA-DPE]

I still have the original exhaust for that bike. Raced it way back growing up in late 70's-80's Has a wicked power band and loves being wound up tight. That bike is worth $$$ on the vintage racing circuit.

[@mikerafonemusic6177]

i dont think you know you have a gold nugget that bike is clean for its age..sick!

[@stevenjones6364]

That's amazing the cables was not clogged up well done 👍

[@neilkratzer3182]

Sounds like it's going to need a top end soon but it runs and it moves. You have a winner.

[@warrenfox5458]

What's up bring that old baby back to life redo the whole thing let it live for another 50 years nice job.

[@kellyballard1773]

I had a 1974 like that. It was silver with a green stripe. Yes it liked high ram's. I remember that mine would load up, carburetor, if you didn't run it hard to keep the carb cleaned out. If it did " load up " I would have to turn the fuel off, start it holding it wide open and start it. It wouldn't run good until it started burning excess fuel off. Like being flooded. When it cleared out, it was ready to ripp again. It only did that when trail riding. Never when in the power band. It would bring the front end up in all 6 gears. No lie. I wish I still had it. Your bike could easily bring $5000. I currently have a 1974 Honda xl 125 with the title. It only has 1500 actual miles and original tires. $300 bucks. I think that I can get $2500 for it but I will probably keep it. Thanks for the video. I love that kind of stuff.

[@4WardGarage]

I hope to do more. Thank you for the kind words!

[@grandcrappy]

My first was the venerable x74 CR-125 Elsie. Honda made every other make up their game, quick & in a hurry.

[@jodopeg]

I had that exact same bike when I was 16 y.o., got it used for $600, put another $700 into it and had a whole lot of fun..! The tech at a Yamaha dealer near me got it running like new. Great Bike... ! Don't paint it, just clean it up good. I would put a new pipe (or an after mkt if you can find one) otherwise it's a custom job.

[@tweed252]

I had a 75 Elsinore brand new at 14 years old . coming from riding a 73 Yamaha MX 100cc with the silver tank green stripe . Talk about a major transition ... !!! 6 speed Tranny , handling, power suspension .... I still think the 75 Elsinore is the most gorgeous looking motocross bike then and even now ....

[@jameschatson7112]

I had one of these, quick little 125cc. Very collectable now,and hard to find.

[@johnpuff4400]

I had one yrs ago. That has the bigger 34mm mikuni carb and kit like I had. Big difference and narrowed the power band but screams. Nice bike

[@wesboos9174]

The compression was good I would say about 145 150. The only reason it read 100 was because of a weak kick. You want strong good kicks as if you were trying to start it. Also you want to hold the throttle wide open. Just small tips for a more accurate compression test reading

[@restorethat4569]

And it does not have any oil from the fuel on the cilinder walls that would give the rings a better seal

[@rapidfire-0680]

That's an old Honda for ya, those old bikes are bullet proof, second kick too, I wish I had one of those old bikes, if you take care of them they will run forever !

[@nicks2wheelchannel920]

Nice bike I would restore it and try to keep it close to original. I can't believe how quick she fired up too!

[@vonscharf]

Had a 75 CR 125 Awesome machine. Wish I still had it . They had a sound all their own .

[@qtrmirob]

I would love to own that bike!!

[@markcole6475]

I use to have a mid 70s Elsinore 250(can’t remember the exact year) The bike absolutely flew for what it was! 70 mph with me on it ( probably weighed 140 lbs then) Wish I still had the bike but sold it to buy a car when I was 16…

[@martymahoney8233]

Loved the way those Elsinores sounded back in the day, music to my ears.

[@waynegouin939]

I owned the exact same bike in 1977.

[@johndrover6005]

Remember when these came onto the scene in the U.K. could spot them easily amongst the sea of yellow RMs and YZs. Great video, lovely old bike 😊

[@5thgearedlined]

Nice fix. Your bike starts up faster then my 01 cr125 😂

[@tonyrollman3991]

Hondas were and are still the best looking bikes ever made..the championship company !!!

[@flipfix]

The muffler on the end of the expansion chamber is from a Honda MR250 if you didn't already know that. Sweet bike, worth a small fortune. So, I am wrong about the muffler, still doesn't change the fact that it's ugly and a power leach. 😠

[@4WardGarage]

I had no idea honestly. Thank you!

[@flipfix]

@@4WardGarage I guess Honda put them on the CR250 as well. The muffler is quite heavy and is ugly in my humble opinion.

[@robgrossen3905]

They had the same spark arrestor on the 125s so it is peroid correct!

[@robgrossen3905]

But it looks like it is mounted upside down or something is funky

[@robgrossen3905]

I would take it off you will unleash the bikes potential but don't throw it away just in case you restore the bike

[@cheesecake9336]

That’s looks very nice wish I had one

[@TopRevs]

Nice bike, make a longer video of you riding it

[@4WardGarage]

Will do!

[@user-MotoZhelezki]

@@4WardGarage i`m interesting too

[@harbordavidson5262]

Damn what a jewel to find, I'd luv to find one in that shape. I'd carefully washed cleaned maintenance and fix any mechanical issues and leave it as is to admire, sure wldnt be beating on it. Nice bike cherish it.

[@stanprunty4141]

Had one of the first ones of these broke swingarm first week used to tear off exhaust every week and would seize engine every couple weeks had everything fmf by the end about a year later loved that bike

[@user-MotoZhelezki]

nice bike! Honda it`s cool! good luck!

[@mikewerner3797]

Sweet bike

[@coreyfuchs730]

Sweet bike... big power..

[@TheJurgen1973]

for sure worth a restoration, it is the most fun part.....

[@gardeningplus7271]

Those days i had one like it with glass carb you could see inside the carb.1978

[@everettdean1215]

Had a ‘75 and a ‘76 CR125. Bought both new. The 75 was lighter and faster but the ‘76 looked like Marty’s bike. Personally, I’d restore it to showroom condition because it is very, very original and complete. In fact it looks like the only change made to it is the rear sprocket and the modified ignition cover.

[@blackcatpgh13]

Looks like it would be easy to get into nice rideable condition, but that stock coffee can silencer is pretty rare, most of those were ditched as soon as they left the dealership. Look into that, could fund some parts for it, but you could probably get a hefty price on the collector market. I'd sell the silencer, fund the rest, get it mechanically sound, and take care of it but still have fun on it.

[@stephenbates8370]

Way ahead of it's time variable geometry exaust system genius 😂

[@robertmagnusjamieson1759]

i had one of these back in the day, the 125 was nicknamed the red bullet, while its bigger 250 version was the red rocket..and both lived up to those names! they were the last of the air cooled motocross bikes made by Honda, so they marked the end of an era. i regreted selling the 125, a second after the deal was done, and have regretted selling it ever since!🙁 😮

[@mikedaugharty5544]

Bought one brand new just like that exactly like that very good start on a motorcycle they do have a high RPM ban and they don't like low RPM's real nice looking bike there have fun with it I wouldn't mind finding one just like it myself but they are so hard to find they're either total junk or expensive as heck enjoy

[@1joe22]

I had one of these in the early 80s went like stink when it hit the power band, scared me to death, so loud with out the silencer but ran better then piston went bang. still got the manual lol, wish i still had the bike.

[@growitplantit4390]

Leave it the way it is but tidy up the working components 💃

[@PeterC-up9ue]

My first motorbike was a 70s CR 125', perhaps an Elsinore. not sure. Anyways it had the same power-pipe but with a home made baffle at end of exhaust. It soon fell off completely, so I was given a power-pipe from a Suzuki RM 125. I rode my CR 125 with a broken exhaust to a backyard welder, who rolled a big Dooby then got to work cutting the RM pipe in three places to curve around the engine. This resulted in a stylized power pipe that would hit powerband much better. It also had part of the pipe curve up close to the tank and my right knee. I noticed that your back muffler moved under revs, perhaps you should remove altogether for better power band.

[@dand3975]

Never saw one with the huge stock silencer,. Those must have been Removed so fast when new.

[@randallburgess46]

I would restore it to like new. But some might sneer at the idea. I guarantee since it runs that good before putting new carburetor parts and such on it, it would turn a lot of heads at bike shows!

[@Ridefastorgetpassed]

Resto for sure

[@DJMIGHTYZION]

That’s a beaut I’d definitely restore it worth a fortune as well 👍

[@MitzvosGolem1]

12,000 rpm to go on these Top end sounds a little loose check piston and wrist pin etc . Suppose to change them after Every few races . We raced these in 70s when I was 14yo . Before Rm Suzuki came out .

[@johnrobinson8712]

Good sprockets chain and tires it can't be that worn out it sure doesn't look it .previous even left the spark arrestor on it

[@herbertsmith6416]

That's cool.

[@kg-hk5zu]

Had a Elsinore cr250r forever ago

[@nathanwebb5927]

What about Kaplan's surely they would love it in they're museum

[@saschakorner9317]

What in the world is that for an exhaust 😁 it looks strange but also really cool...😆

[@bourdon845]

Cool !!

[@susanriley6414]

restore it.nice old bike.

[@fullmetaljacket7]

Sounds like it needs a top end.

[@stevenevans5106]

It should have a Kehin carb OEM.

[@saschakorner9317]

Today i wanted to replace my head gasked on my yamaha aerox....and as i was in the Garage....the landlord has shut off the electric....no light...no heater....no work....thx landlord....by the way, everything is payd😉🤣

[@damhall9300]

The good old days ) raced a 76 cr 125 . Was bored 60 over with a 250 carb . Very fast and fun machine. TRADED it in on a 77 YZ 250. The first monoshock bike. That was a leg breaker once the power band kicked in. Things got blurry in a hurry . Still love the smell of KLOTZ in the am. Only an old 2 stroke rider will know what KLOTZ is ; ))

[@4WardGarage]

Is klotz smell better than maxima 927? It’s a toss up for me but I think klotz might take it.

[@alexanderthegreat5276]

Now this is Honda reliability at its finest😮‍💨

[@bryanandrew7729]

Restore it I had the same bike years ago I traded it and a 1980 xl 250s for a part payment on a 1981 xr500r I got ripped off mine was a barn find the tank was like new the motor had blown piston I put new piston rebored to 155 it went good it's funny my rear shocks were stuffed too

[@paulbudford]

Well worth spending some money on. Too good to just for away.

[@Drivehead103]

Original rear tire with the variable pitch knobbies

[@raydodson2514]

I had one and it was a fun bike. it was stolen February 1977.

[@brianjoy3407]

Crazy. I was born February of 77. Lol

[@herbertsmith6416]

I think they. All had that silencer on the end of the expansion chamber.

[@francisconavarro956Tx]

Can you do a video you riding it that would be awesome bro!!!

[@jeffreyness9741]

I'm 8 minutes in and I'm thinking 100 PSI is fine cuz there is might be stuck or just needs to run and go through a couple heat cycles then check it

[@Chipsster]

Don't paint it. Clean it up and leave the orig. If it were in bad shape i'd say paint it but it's not, so orig only adds to the nostalgia which is irreplaceable in character. The way it looks rn gives of such nostalgic vibes that to ruin would be a shame. If there was a way to put a layer or two of matte or medium clear coat over it without ruining the current look i would look into that as opposed to repainting if you plan on using it. To protect from the elements, and the orig.

[@PiotrTester]

Honda from Terminator 2?

[@rossscoggins4695]

Anything that is worth doing is worth doing right the first time so if ur going to put money in might as well fully restore it

[@m.o.f9802]

Nice bike, but you have defenitely a bottom end damage maybe the crankshaft bearings.

[@DH-mf2lv]

What did you do to the carb? How about the tank? Thanks for sharing!

[@4WardGarage]

I did absolutely nothing to the tank, but I did clean the carburetor. I still need to get a proper carburetor rebuild kit.

[@L2fish]

Damn I want that! Change the crank seals or you could blow it up

[@4WardGarage]

That’s a good call!

[@lee4847]

Little end and some other vibration

[@JuckFoeBurden]

Please get rid of the 4-stroke muffler first thing. It moves when you gas it. It's going to come off and go in the spokes!

[@Dammit_Dale]

wasnt the "elsinore" 125 named after the Elsinore Grand Prix in California?

[@zrx4me1]

Yes

[@Yamahayz1]

Had the same bike ... It was loud ....

[@nosmog1026]

Hi Brad, great vid! I'd like to buy it Been looking for a '76/77, I raced one in '76. Let me know, thx!

[@4WardGarage]

Unfortunately, it’s not for sale. I’m keeping this one! Thanks though!

[@acerig4675]

@@4WardGarage brad don’t run it with the cracked intake boot

[@adriankruger3254]

Need to lose the 4 stroke muffler--expansion pipe won't be able to breathe

[@arnenelson4495]

Such a dumb question. Of course it will run IF you do your part.

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

Are you selling it please..?

[@4WardGarage]

Not this one! Sorry!

[@roofertilldeath2071]

Lets rev the piss out of it

[@leeholden8112]

Tear the whole bike down powder coat the frame fresh paint full resto

[@darrennoonan6147]

If it was mine l would restore it

[@batmanlives6456]

It’s a Honda …. Put some fresh two cycle gas in it and it will fire on first or second kick No worries

[@batmanlives6456]

See I told you so… These were unstoppable

[@nigelstevens3627]

its a honda.....of course it runs...

[@jrgunman]

Sell it to me, had one when I was 16 in 1976

[@4WardGarage]

No way! Gotta hang on to this one for sentimental value.

[@artmchugh5644]

That is a MR muffler welded on 😦😦😦😦😦🏍🏍🏍

[@4WardGarage]

Learning as I go. I’ll get a decent exhaust on there as soon as I can financially. I couldn’t tell what it was honestly.

[@artmchugh5644]

@@4WardGarage no worries buddy !! I raced a first year 73? 250 Elsinore 😀😀😀 my last mx was a red engine Elsinore 250 with many Yamaha in between!!!😁😁😁😁🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏁🏁🍺🍺🍺

[@4WardGarage]

@@artmchugh5644 I still try to race when I can. I’d love to do a vintage race on this thing!

[@artmchugh5644]

@@4WardGarage hell yeah!!! Are you vintage also ??😂😂😁😁😁😁🏍🏍🏁

[@4WardGarage]

@@artmchugh5644 Ha! I’m approaching vintage but I don’t think I’m quite there yet!

[@williamhensley7745]

Restore

[@paulvandersluys7412]

Restore it ,elsinores collectable

[@4WardGarage]

Should I ride it after or just keep it nice?

[@paulvandersluys7412]

@@4WardGarage I would restore the bike to the point it can be ridden by you whenever you want,can make it look good and the value will still increase, 100% resto costs heaps and mega labour hours involved.found out on cr450 and xr100

[@myerkord]

That pipe is as Ugly as Sin I'd just replace it with a FMF pipe

[@hawkeye681]

AHHH!!! Should have loosened up that intake boot before ripping out that carb?!?!? Get rid of that air filter before it disintegrates into the cylinder!!! Dont gas it immediately after starting especially after a decades long sit!!??!! Let her warm up a bit before going for infinity RPM's?!?!! Thats a cool machine from my era but i preferred the 79' when they went with the up expansion chamber. Ive got 3 vintage 79' 250'S (RM,CR,KX) I rebuilt from roach status in my hangar. Golden spectro in the morning makes for a great start to a day!!!

[@wonkylommiter6364]

*AHHH!!! Should have loosened up that intake boot before ripping out that carb?!?!? Get rid of that air filter before it disintegrates into the cylinder!!! Dont gas it immediately after starting especially after a decades long sit!!??!! Let her warm up a bit before going for infinity RPM's?!?!! * Exactly my thoughts! made me cringe.

[@bananabrooks3836]

"I'm not a good mechanic" This guy doesn't deserve to even attempt to work on one of Hondas finest, let alone ride the poor thing. Please sell it quickly to an enthusiast.

[@KEVIN-mp4if]

Restore the bike

[@4WardGarage]

I like the idea!

[@user-gf7tf7nn5h]

Супер!👍 А вот Российский ЗиД! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rniaemefqrFjidU

[@patrickrichard1966]

Moteur froid !!!👎👎👎