For those that are interested, a friend of mine has written a blog about his old CB100N, it is an interesting read! :-) bikemeet.net/forums/topic/blasts-from-my-past-hooning-on-a-little-honda/?fbclid=IwAR0m8Tfd74OXSqLsvalmS11KoIkP3_ILLCyPpKT-q7bA_lfe9PX5rXwXlSs
I also have a 1980 125 N. I much prefer to ride my 125 rather than other much bigger bikes. I love my 125 N, it's so cute with shiny chrome and spotless shiny engine and paintwork. . I've made a custom shorter seat, because I found the original seat to be too long and overwhelming on a cute little bike ! Shorter seat exposes more of the rear chrome mudguard complimenting the rest of the beautiful simple bike. Liked your commentary and video. With thanks.
I had one of these in 1980, bought it brand new, it was on a W plate, great little bike, but as you say very small, it was the ideal stepping stone to getting my 250 superdream the following year.
My first bike silver CB 100N. I did a lot of touring round the UK on it. Going to summer festivals and the like with my mates..Ahhhh the sound of the engine takes me back.
Had 2 of these the front brake was really good but needed constant maintenance as they are prone to contamination so the disc and pads needed cleaning and degreasing (like my mountain bike ) The first one I over-revved and destroyed the engine.nice bike I wish I had kept the second one.
This was my first bike, mine was same colour. It was a 1979 model that I bought used in about 1986 for £325.00 with only 1700 miles on it. It was a smooth ride and fairly quiet. Unusually for 100cc it was a 4 stroke so no hassle with 2 stroke oil.
I started riding in 1986. My friend had your bike while I had its 2 stroke brother, the H100A, and it was a revelation in comparison. It'd maintain 50mph pretty well and had decent zip from the lights. More torque, acceleration and fun. Ive stuck with strokes ever since. Your bike had nicer styling IMO and a high beam warning light which my bike lacked. But these and the CG were crap compared to the 2 strokes. Even the sporty looking GS125 was slow AF. Sorry! You have check the oil every 200 miles too, that's essential. Thanks for the vid.
I had an AR125 and then an RD125LC after my first CB100... love 2 strokes, and soooo much faster and more fun. Around 10 years ago I got hold of a Yamaha RXS100 which had been tuned, that was huge fun... very impractical though. The first video on my channel is from me taking part in a MotoGymkhana event on that bike, out of our group it was the fastest around the course by a huge gap too! 😀
I bought an H100 as a project this year, planned to fix and sell.. instead I'm going to sell my Dominator as I absolutely love the H100. Such simple fun.
Snap it was my first real bike,love it to bits,and had to have an 125 bore kit put on, didn't check the oil.i fact I loved it so much I bought it twice.😀😀
@@therealunclevanya :D hahaha that was how I used to ride my 50cc bike down Bury Hill... had to hold the clutch in to freewheel as the engine restriction wouldn't allow it over 35mph :D
Brilliant video mate! Had one in blue like yours in 81, good fun but endless problems getting the cable operated front brake to work properly. My mate bought a brand new one for £649 in silver, much better than my old hack. Lots of happy memories. Still riding after all these years and can relate to how useful these were for the time. Cheers James.
Fond memories of this bike. My wife's first bike. She rode it from Aylesbury to Liverpool and back. It was passed on to my Dad and was his last bike. A great machine for what it was.
That was a proper trip down memory lane, I had one of these (in silver) as my first "proper" bike back in 1982. Mine was a 1980 bike so pretty much exactly the same spec as yours. I ragged it to within an inch of it's life all the time and a few times beyond which resulted in me having to replace piston, barrel, head, cam and valves. I learned a lot from that little bike including the fact that 1980's Chinese tyres provided zero grip on wet British roads.
Am glad you enjoyed the memory lane... and am very glad tyres have improved some since then! 🤣 I really should see if a hydraulic front brake conversion is possible on it, as it is quite scary lol
@@HippoDrones I don't remember the front brake being that terrible but I'm at an age where I can't remember what I got out of the chair for lol. I wonder if the brake setup from the cb125t super dream would work for you.
I had this bike at 17 , mine was brown.i remember one night riding home from a girlfriends and all the lights went suddenly bright and all the bulbs blew. Yes, it was the dreaded rectifier pack which I believe was a common problem on these machines.
I had the CB125N in the same colour and was my first bike also about 37years ago!. I used to ride it up creeks and off road. A really tough little bike!
Can have a lot of fun on a little honda . Your bike is a year older than mine it's great that they are still about just shows the build quality was very good . Cheers
My first bike that I learnt to ride on in the early 80's as an appy. Thrashed the nuts off it and got 90mpg! My mates had 100cc 2 strokes that went faster, but I didn't care! Only got rid of it when I passed my car test and added more wheels to my transportation.
I had one of these, a 1978 in brown, my first bike. As I understood it, 100cc bikes existed because of the way insurance worked, there were bands based on cc, up to 100, up to 225 (hence things like the Suzuki X5 and the RD200), up to 400cc etc. A friend of mine had a GP100 that I had a go on, fun little thing.
Mine would do 60mph @ 9,000 rpm... i used to make gear changes at the peak of each gear rpm to obtain speed as quickly as possible. My freind killed his off by riding it in the red line too much . I think it has 11hp. Mudguards rot out - front at bottom brace and at top where mudguard is attached to bracket... rear rots out under seat. Seat bases rot on sides and then the base can collapse as it splits across the base. Front calliper works fine if regularly serviced and back in the day EBC used to do pads that improved the braking better that other brands of brake pads... The braking on the front on mine was , with EBC alot better than the rear. The Calliper thrust bearings drop to bits and water ingress via end cover and cable can rot out actuator and cause the 'auto adjust' tangs to rot off. Indicators you could improve them by perhaps replacing the 18/21 watt bulbs and relay with lower wattage eg 10watts which can help. Sidestand you can use a CG125 side stand and pegs . camchain adjust is semi auto and is adjusted as per manual instructions- the 10mm(m6) bolt on top , you might need to remove to check that the rod isnt stuck ( when engine is off). I used to have the lights on all the time, you need to have a good battery and that all the connections are clean so there isnt resistance.
I love it. I have a soft spot for simple small bikes. I love the fact that you can easily do road side repairs. It obviously has its limitations but it's fun.
Thank you, loved the review. Had one of these from new in 1978 when I was a student. Kept it for a few years afterwards & thoroughly enjoyed running about with it, a great little fun bike. Used it to travel to work on the Heads of The Valley road from Aberdare to Tredegar for a year or so. On reflection this was not a great idea as the three lane carriageway (now being replaced with a dual carriageway) was a dangerous road at the best of times & the CB100N didn’t have the power to keep you out of trouble. Happy days though 😊😊
Amazing video. A lot of history in your speech and also in this video as a whole. This was a dream of a lot of kids all over the world. This is a classy bike and will remain as such. Center stand was a must in its times. :) I like the overall look of this bike. Don't know about you, but I would keep it forever. Thanks for sharing this and drop by when have time.
Nostalgia Central. My first bike and a great bike it was. I put a shit ton of miles on it. Engine never batted an eye lid but I wore out the swing arm bearings badly. The center stand was also clapped out. Dad gave it me when I got my first job, have him an excuse to get a super dream. It should have lasted longer but I flogged it. Ah well....
Passed my test on one of these back in 1991😂,started on an RXS100.? - which proceeded to blow it's front brake drum in 1st 100 yards on the playground routine, didn't take it on my own Gp100U as felt examiner would have barred me.!, cracking little bike.!!!!.
@@MarkTrentham-t4h ahh cool, you had yours around the same time I had my first one. I also had a Yamaha RXS100 too... but many years later as a bit of fun, we did a mini race series with them... I blew a hole in the piston lol
Nice ! Funny how motorcycles can bring back so many memories. I inherited the family DT50 from my older brother and then bought a second hand CB125T off an older guy as soon as I hit 17 to take my test on. It was a black one and a cracking bike. I rode all over the country on A and B roads with that 125. It was a 125 twin and the fastest four stroke road going 125 ever made. I regularly hit over 85mph on that baby. When I upgraded to a 250 after passing my test, it really didn’t feel all that much quicker ! Fortunately, the day I passed my test, my brother let me have a go on his GPZ900R, so I knew there was plenty of naughtiness ahead of me ! Writing this has made me all nostalgic for my CB125T. I wonder if it still exists ? Thanks for sharing and reminding me of my yoof ! Lovely bike 👍 Enjoy H-D 🥃 ER.
@@HippoDrones Yes. I think the 125 twin revved to 11000 rpm or something crazy, hence the decent top speed. I didn’t know what I was buying at the time, just saw a Honda 125 in the paper at the right price. The previous owner used to ride it to work but had „upgraded“ to a car. It was definitely a bargain and blew me away in my time with it. I would imagine that they are worth a fair bit these days. It performed like a 250 but felt about half the weight. Being a twin it was also surprisingly smooth at high speeds. Definitely a bike I would still enjoy today if I could find one 🤔 Cheers H-D 🥃 ER.
@@HippoDrones hi not sure is 2t the engine designation?ive had a gp125 parts bike for years so going to make one good one.also just got a 98rg150 super rare bike only 100 brought over from Thailand 38bhp full fairing factory spanie close ratio 6 speed lotsa fun
My first motorbike in 1980. Brilliant little thing. I took it to university. And I did use it on the dual carriageway going up and down to London with trips up to 80 miles or more. Came off twice, first time due to idiots overtaking towards me in a car who forced me off the road and resulted in broken bones. Second time due to ice. Years later got the CB125. Years later did my test and got a Kawasaki. Now looking for a step thru (whatever that means).
Awesome stuff Bill, I fondly remember my first, although mine would have been in around 1991. I'd quite like to get a C90 and customise it, but they are stupid money for what they are nowadays.
What a little Gem! The old, little bikes are awesome in their simplicity. I still miss the feeling of ur first bike, a little Kymco 125 - it's brakes were so bad it was impossible to pass the quick braking component of the Skills test on it and that was how Wifey got her VTR 250, haha! Nice one Pete, enjoyed that mate.
Hahaha... I remember practicing my emergency stops with my instructor 30yrs back and however hard I pulled on the front brake lever, nothing happened and I'd sail past him every time 🤣
Just watched you video honda CB 100N review brings back memorys specially when you said honda MT5 offload motorbike it was only 50cc that's what I learnt on and I got the honda CB 100N in 1982 and it was only 1-2 year old for £150 and it was same colour and same style in everyway just looks the same as mine even the front mud guard well top speed I had out of it was 65-66 mph before the red line and had it for more than 5 years and it was still as good when I sold it on and thanks for the memorys
Fantastic! I had one of these in 1986. Mine was also very smart in bronze. I used to ride it two-up around the Derbyshire hills which was a bit unkind. I loved the way that when loaded like that, twisting the throttle fully open did not achieve any extra forward motion - just a lot more induction noise 😂 "Whaaa-AHHHHHH-AHHHHH" Great to see one in good nick. I'd quite like one again for my 2 mile commute (without pillion!).
Little bikes are so much fun. I'm still using a CB 125f that's been lent to me for commuting on. Try before you buy. I love it & want one now for myself. I've said before my Dad had one of those cb100n in red when I was a teenager. Great little bikes Yours is mint Pete. Back in the day (late 80's) when I was 17/18 years old & commuting in Luton I had 3 different 100's. A Yamaha YB100. Honda HD100 & then a bit later in my 20's a Yamaha rxs100. I remember how when I'd stop at lights with the indicators on they would stop & the lights & dash would dim 🤣 Yes who would've thought 6v batteries would've been a good idea 😄 Another great video mate 👍
Hahaha... yeah 6v electrics, crazy! :D hahaha I had a few years back, an RXS100, got it for a race series me and some mates came up with called the 125hundreds, weren't allowed to spend more than £500 on a bike with max 125cc, we got up to all sorts of shenanigans on them, that bike features in the first video I posted on this channel doing some motogymkhana!: D
Despite having a "big bike", I still love the little bikes. They're SO much fun and I'm fortunate that I have access to a bunch of 125's that I can take out for a spin. I had a Honda MT5 that I took all the lights etc off and used as a field bike when I wasn't old enough to ride on the road.
There were a *lot* of things-that-looked-like-bikes-but-were-in-fact-mopeds-so-could-be-ridden-at-16, notably the MB5/MT5, AR50, DT50MX, Suzuki X1-50, ZR50SL, all carefully limited to 30mph. My cousin had an FS1E, much faster, but actually had functioning pedals :-D
I was 14 when I bought this back in '95. £125. It was amazing. Had to wait 3 years to ride it legally, but almost everyday I rode it on the racecourse! Sadly I haven't seen it for years, a friend took it to his shed for Chain and sprockets, then moved in with my Mum!! Even today, I still have the Log book, in my name. Do you think I have a chance of reclaiming the bike?
Nice video. Lovely to see an older bike again. I used to have a 50cc Zundapp GT50 for many years, and converted it fromt 3-speed to 4 speed and later 5 speed with water cooled cylinder. Great fun, but I sold it when I got my Guzzi V7. Ahh those memories. Makes me want to buy a classic bike again to ride now and then. Would look good next to my V7 as well, haha!
Oh wow, so some serious modifications over the time you had it! :-) It is really fun to have a small cc bike, and it being older makes it far more fun I think knowing I used to own one when I started out! :-)
The main obvious difference was CB100N was the early type with a rectifier and a resistor on the lower yoke, the CB100NA has a reg/rect under the tank..
@@HippoDrones ended up putting a sidecar on it when they changed learners to 125cc. You could have any bike with a sidecar as a learner. The cb200 was like a tank just kept going no matter what. I’d have another tomorrow.
Cool bike! I got mine a 1985 Honda GL 100, which is the equivalent of CB100N, here in Indonesia. It has pretty similar appearance, except for the all-around rectangular lamps and boxier body. Other than that; the engine displacement, the frame layout is pretty similar. It has the same mechanical cable-operated front brake too, and works no better than drum brakes 😂 I think I’m going to switch it to hydraulic brakes but I decide to keep it as it was back in the day it came out of the factory.
Hiya, thanks :-) ahh brill, it is great that these bikes have survived the passing of time... and often done so far better than some of the more modern motorcycles... they made them better and stronger back in the day. Hahaha.... the front brake is quite scary :-D but I think you are right to keep it as the factory made it now it is a classic motorcycle!
my dad had one of these back in the 80s when he was in high school, idk how he got it but cb100N is very rare here in Indonesia, he bought one just like this now and restored it for me, i use it to go to college everyday 😂
I think every motorcyclist should have a small capacity motorcycle. My CB125e is alot of fun in an urban setting. It is the bike i will take to the city due to its compact size.
Absobloominlutely 100% 🙂 I love this bike, but would love a 125, if Honda officially import the CT125X to the UK I'll probs sell this to get that, but I don't think they have any plans to do so sadly.
Great review! Those mechanical front discs are lethal, the amount of slides I had with mine back in the day usually in the wet. The ribbed tyres probably didn't help :/
@@HippoDrones I have a 1980 variant in the shed I may dig out, I bet the k1 CG125 front end was a straight swap over if a drum was preferable. IIRC the one I have has a early 6v electronic ignition upgrade, if I get it out I'll do a video
@@themotorcyclehistorian8099 It probably would just be a straight swap, I had an RXS 100 with drum brakes, they worked great, even did motogymkhana on that bike! 😀 ruclips.net/video/FBG6W7ifCDA/видео.html
my first bike. Cable operated front disc that only worked once and then back brake would lock up everytime after that because no front brake. Deathtrap!! Got rid of it and bought a Suzuki A100
Sounds like your front brake needed a service... they were a terrible brake setup, but they did work if looked after... saying that, my original CB100 the front had seized up too like yours, so had to stop using the rear mostly
That thing's going to look great loaded up for touring. I think bigger small bikes (for me at least) give me confidence and it'll be easier to handle a "big" bike after passing my test.
I had one of those. I HATED it! Mainly because all my friends were on bigger machines. It was my cousin Sandrah's bike, in a rather fetching shade of diarrea brown. MMmmm nice! Hearing it's incessant moaning is bringing back memories of whizzing......er, sorry crawling round Haslemere on it in the mid 80's. Oh and it always loved ingesting parts of it's own carb for some reason (????). My next bike, CB250RS was better but I still wasn't happy until I got to my Kawa GT550. Aaaah the memories!
Absolutely mate I went everywhere on that bike even did my first tour of Wales on it .those where the days not a worry in the world enjoying the open road .I use my bike I have know for the same thing to get away from everyday crap.
@HippoDrones Yes but that ended in disaster too, but my first bike was a cg125 in 1979 with a whole host of others in between. I've not ridden a bike since 1993, but even today I still love 70s Honda, How about you ?
Check the idle mixture screw. Normally 1 3/4 out from closed. Aaaaaargh! Cable operated disc! A nightmare to set up. I wasted days of my life setting one up on a Honda CB200 that I rebuilt from a trashed field bike to fully Road legal.
What a lovely little bike. I love this sort of motorcycles. But this front brake is ridiculous indeed. Plenty of bikes of that era switched from drum brakes to some sort of abomination of a disc brake :D The worst one I rode was Norton Commando with Lockheed Martin brake :( I mean in terms of brakes of course, otherwise it was rather really good bike ;)
Hey Don, I've looked in the spam folder, but it isn't showing anywhere. I'll share the link on here for you as YT won't flag/hide my comments with links.
My first road bike in the late 80's! Ah the memories. I rode it for around three years - mainly coummuting. I seized the engine doing about 65 with a tail wind. I took it to the mechanic and it had no oil! Silly me. Anyway I had it bored out to fix the seizing isssue and as a consequence it had a bit more power :-)
For those that are interested, a friend of mine has written a blog about his old CB100N, it is an interesting read! :-)
bikemeet.net/forums/topic/blasts-from-my-past-hooning-on-a-little-honda/?fbclid=IwAR0m8Tfd74OXSqLsvalmS11KoIkP3_ILLCyPpKT-q7bA_lfe9PX5rXwXlSs
I also have a 1980 125 N. I much prefer to ride my 125 rather than other much bigger bikes. I love my 125 N, it's so cute with shiny chrome and spotless shiny engine and paintwork. . I've made a custom shorter seat, because I found the original seat to be too long and overwhelming on a cute little bike ! Shorter seat exposes more of the rear chrome mudguard complimenting the rest of the beautiful simple bike.
Liked your commentary and video. With thanks.
Ahh awesome, is nice to make a bike your own with modifications 🙂👍
My first bike was exactly the same as this one! Had so much fun on that little thing!
IT is so cool hearing others had as much fun as I did 30 odd years ago 😀
I had one of these in 1980, bought it brand new, it was on a W plate, great little bike, but as you say very small, it was the ideal stepping stone to getting my 250 superdream the following year.
Ahh brill, my dad had a 250 Superdream when I had my first CB100N
I don't refer to it as a stepping stone to bigger bikes. I've gone to 125 cc from 1500cc and loving the little nimble bike, so cute. .
@@SebSar-ef4zj awesome, I guess I did similar buying this bike as have had many large cc bikes too, although I didn't get rid of them to get this! 🙂
My first bike silver CB 100N. I did a lot of touring round the UK on it. Going to summer festivals and the like with my mates..Ahhhh the sound of the engine takes me back.
Ahh fantastic... using it as it should be used, brilliant stuff 🙂
I had one of these about 1983, a good little commuter bike, Honda always makes great bulletproof engines/bikes.
Ahh wow, you had a brand new one back in the day... the one I had in my yoof was around 6 yrs old and a bit tired
Nice overview of the little beastie mate 👌 6V and cable brake haha gotta love the olden days 😁
Aye... the cable brake is even more fun with a seized caliper too! 🤣
@@HippoDrones 🤦♂️😬
@@MVDBR 🤪
Had 2 of these the front brake was really good but needed constant maintenance as they are prone to contamination so the disc and pads needed cleaning and degreasing (like my mountain bike ) The first one I over-revved and destroyed the engine.nice bike I wish I had kept the second one.
Am putting it up for sale very soon! 🙂
This was my first bike, mine was same colour. It was a 1979 model that I bought used in about 1986 for £325.00 with only 1700 miles on it.
It was a smooth ride and fairly quiet. Unusually for 100cc it was a 4 stroke so no hassle with 2 stroke oil.
My first one was silver, got it in around 1991/1992 and passed my test on it 🙂
I started riding in 1986. My friend had your bike while I had its 2 stroke brother, the H100A, and it was a revelation in comparison. It'd maintain 50mph pretty well and had decent zip from the lights. More torque, acceleration and fun. Ive stuck with strokes ever since. Your bike had nicer styling IMO and a high beam warning light which my bike lacked. But these and the CG were crap compared to the 2 strokes. Even the sporty looking GS125 was slow AF. Sorry! You have check the oil every 200 miles too, that's essential. Thanks for the vid.
I had an AR125 and then an RD125LC after my first CB100... love 2 strokes, and soooo much faster and more fun. Around 10 years ago I got hold of a Yamaha RXS100 which had been tuned, that was huge fun... very impractical though. The first video on my channel is from me taking part in a MotoGymkhana event on that bike, out of our group it was the fastest around the course by a huge gap too! 😀
I bought an H100 as a project this year, planned to fix and sell.. instead I'm going to sell my Dominator as I absolutely love the H100. Such simple fun.
@@JB-yn4cs ahh fantastic stuff, gotta love a 2T 🙂👍
Snap it was my first real bike,love it to bits,and had to have an 125 bore kit put on, didn't check the oil.i fact I loved it so much I bought it twice.😀😀
Haha.. did you just swap in the top end off the CB125?
What a miniature gem!
Isn't it just 😍
My second bike was one of these. 10000 revs was an indicated 60mph. Despite the revs it was very reliable. Thanks for the memories
I've not managed 60mph on this one yet, but my first spent most of its time aiming for 10000rpm 😁
@@HippoDrones i doubtvmine actually did 60 either
@@therealunclevanya :D had plenty of fun trying though hey! :D
@@HippoDrones flat on the tank, feet on the rear pegs down the steepest hill i could find 😄
@@therealunclevanya :D hahaha that was how I used to ride my 50cc bike down Bury Hill... had to hold the clutch in to freewheel as the engine restriction wouldn't allow it over 35mph :D
That’s bang tidy! I can picture it with a white Craven Top Box for the ultimate 1980’s commuter
hahaha... although I am not looking for a topbox, I would like to put a rack on it to be able to go camping with the bike! :D
Brilliant video mate! Had one in blue like yours in 81, good fun but endless problems getting the cable operated front brake to work properly. My mate bought a brand new one for £649 in silver, much better than my old hack. Lots of happy memories. Still riding after all these years and can relate to how useful these were for the time. Cheers James.
Awesome stuff James, yeah the front brake was terrible verging on dangerous! 😀
Fond memories of this bike. My wife's first bike. She rode it from Aylesbury to Liverpool and back. It was passed on to my Dad and was his last bike. A great machine for what it was.
That sounds like some epic memories were formed on your mighty CB100N :-)
@@HippoDrones Isn't that why we ride them . . . . .?
@@stephencartwright5046 absobloominlutely! :D
Wow , absolutely great to see , my first bike was a Suzuki GP125 , same era , memory lane , enjoy the bike !!
Ahh brill, another awesome little bike! 🙂
That was a proper trip down memory lane, I had one of these (in silver) as my first "proper" bike back in 1982. Mine was a 1980 bike so pretty much exactly the same spec as yours. I ragged it to within an inch of it's life all the time and a few times beyond which resulted in me having to replace piston, barrel, head, cam and valves. I learned a lot from that little bike including the fact that 1980's Chinese tyres provided zero grip on wet British roads.
Am glad you enjoyed the memory lane... and am very glad tyres have improved some since then! 🤣
I really should see if a hydraulic front brake conversion is possible on it, as it is quite scary lol
@@HippoDrones I don't remember the front brake being that terrible but I'm at an age where I can't remember what I got out of the chair for lol. I wonder if the brake setup from the cb125t super dream would work for you.
@@Grumpy-Goblin I'll investigate the spacings etc.
My first set of wheels, still remember the reg no after 38 years, GMB55T, I’ve seen some turned into little cafe racers, I’d love another one.
I think we all have a soft spot for bikes like these, they were honest bikes, no BS 🙂
I had this bike at 17 , mine was brown.i remember one night riding home from a girlfriends and all the lights went suddenly bright and all the bulbs blew. Yes, it was the dreaded rectifier pack which I believe was a common problem on these machines.
Ahh brill, is ace to have these memories of our starting out days in biking! :-)
... Honda seemed to have reg/rect issues a lot over the years
I had the CB125N in the same colour and was my first bike also about 37years ago!. I used to ride it up creeks and off road. A really tough little bike!
So many of us learnt to ride on these lovely little bikes 🙂👍
Can have a lot of fun on a little honda . Your bike is a year older than mine it's great that they are still about just shows the build quality was very good . Cheers
Aye, a lot of modern bikes wouldn't look as good after 2 years!
My first bike that I learnt to ride on in the early 80's as an appy. Thrashed the nuts off it and got 90mpg! My mates had 100cc 2 strokes that went faster, but I didn't care! Only got rid of it when I passed my car test and added more wheels to my transportation.
Ahh happy memories 🙂 They are lovely little bikes.
I had one of these, a 1978 in brown, my first bike. As I understood it, 100cc bikes existed because of the way insurance worked, there were bands based on cc, up to 100, up to 225 (hence things like the Suzuki X5 and the RD200), up to 400cc etc. A friend of mine had a GP100 that I had a go on, fun little thing.
That sounds familiar. Gotta love them old 2T bikes.
First bike, brought it off a friend of my mums and had to push it 4 miles home :) went everywhere on it
Awesome stuff, my original was my second bike after a Honda MT5 :-)
Look at you with your fancy disc brake and rev counter!! My 1980 CG125 doesn’t have such luxuries. Does have a side stand though 😝
Haha.... there is never anything fancy about that front brake, just fear that it might not stop in time! 🤣
Had one back in the 80’s - lovely bike and memories!
My first was in the early 90's and I loved it, such a fun bike! 🙂
Mine would do 60mph @ 9,000 rpm... i used to make gear changes at the peak of each gear rpm to obtain speed as quickly as possible. My freind killed his off by riding it in the red line too much . I think it has 11hp. Mudguards rot out - front at bottom brace and at top where mudguard is attached to bracket... rear rots out under seat. Seat bases rot on sides and then the base can collapse as it splits across the base.
Front calliper works fine if regularly serviced and back in the day EBC used to do pads that improved the braking better that other brands of brake pads... The braking on the front on mine was , with EBC alot better than the rear. The Calliper thrust bearings drop to bits and water ingress via end cover and cable can rot out actuator and cause the 'auto adjust' tangs to rot off. Indicators you could improve them by perhaps replacing the 18/21 watt bulbs and relay with lower wattage eg 10watts which can help. Sidestand you can use a CG125 side stand and pegs .
camchain adjust is semi auto and is adjusted as per manual instructions- the 10mm(m6) bolt on top , you might need to remove to check that the rod isnt stuck ( when engine is off).
I used to have the lights on all the time, you need to have a good battery and that all the connections are clean so there isnt resistance.
Thanks for the tips, sounds like you know the bikes inside out! 🙂
I love it. I have a soft spot for simple small bikes. I love the fact that you can easily do road side repairs. It obviously has its limitations but it's fun.
Yup, loads of fun and dead simple... sounds like my ideal date! 🤣
I had one of these many many years ago , great fun ,
Ahh brill, my first was back in 1991/1992
My first bike in 1982 was the CB100N. I did 9600 miles on it in 9 months. Loved that bike.
Ahh brill, is so cool hearing people's early biking experiences on these fun little bikes! 🙂
Thank you, loved the review. Had one of these from new in 1978 when I was a student. Kept it for a few years afterwards & thoroughly enjoyed running about with it, a great little fun bike. Used it to travel to work on the Heads of The Valley road from Aberdare to Tredegar for a year or so. On reflection this was not a great idea as the three lane carriageway (now being replaced with a dual carriageway) was a dangerous road at the best of times & the CB100N didn’t have the power to keep you out of trouble. Happy days though 😊😊
Hi Roger, ahh brill... I think we all have some fun stories to tell of our first CB100, the bikes we cut our biking teeth on! :-)
Amazing video. A lot of history in your speech and also in this video as a whole. This was a dream of a lot of kids all over the world. This is a classy bike and will remain as such. Center stand was a must in its times. :) I like the overall look of this bike. Don't know about you, but I would keep it forever. Thanks for sharing this and drop by when have time.
It is a great looking bike for sure. I'll happily keep it forever unless I can get a CT125X in the UK
@@HippoDrones Great decision mate. :)
@@RRRRefuelRideRace 🙂
Nostalgia Central. My first bike and a great bike it was. I put a shit ton of miles on it. Engine never batted an eye lid but I wore out the swing arm bearings badly. The center stand was also clapped out. Dad gave it me when I got my first job, have him an excuse to get a super dream. It should have lasted longer but I flogged it. Ah well....
Absobloominlutely :D
When I had my first CB100-N my old man also had a 250 Superdream! :D
Hi I just got a gp100 that’s 37 years old
Ahh brill, how are you finding it?
My first bike in 1988 (in this colour) I loved it soooooooo much.
Great video!
Ahh brill, my first was a silver version, which I had in 1992
Great review of a lovely little Honda!!!🙂👍👍
Thanks Gordon 🙂👍
Back in 1979 i had a new one...went Guildford to Norwich and back in a weekend, going through central London...
Epic 🙂👍
Love seeing these old bikes!
Is so cool riding it, feel 17 again! :D
Passed my test on one of these back in 1991😂,started on an RXS100.? - which proceeded to blow it's front brake drum in 1st 100 yards on the playground routine, didn't take it on my own Gp100U as felt examiner would have barred me.!, cracking little bike.!!!!.
@@MarkTrentham-t4h ahh cool, you had yours around the same time I had my first one.
I also had a Yamaha RXS100 too... but many years later as a bit of fun, we did a mini race series with them... I blew a hole in the piston lol
Great work mate. I really like that bike, I rode one back, late 90s, felt great fun at the time. Nice little bike 👍👏🍻
Thank you 😊
I love it mate, light, fun and cheap to run! 🙂
Nice ! Funny how motorcycles can bring back so many memories.
I inherited the family DT50 from my older brother and then bought a second hand CB125T off an older guy as soon as I hit 17 to take my test on. It was a black one and a cracking bike. I rode all over the country on A and B roads with that 125. It was a 125 twin and the fastest four stroke road going 125 ever made. I regularly hit over 85mph on that baby. When I upgraded to a 250 after passing my test, it really didn’t feel all that much quicker ! Fortunately, the day I passed my test, my brother let me have a go on his GPZ900R, so I knew there was plenty of naughtiness ahead of me !
Writing this has made me all nostalgic for my CB125T. I wonder if it still exists ?
Thanks for sharing and reminding me of my yoof ! Lovely bike 👍
Enjoy H-D 🥃
ER.
Ahh wicked, wow... that is almost 2T territory for top speed from a 125! :O
@@HippoDrones Yes. I think the 125 twin revved to 11000 rpm or something crazy, hence the decent top speed. I didn’t know what I was buying at the time, just saw a Honda 125 in the paper at the right price. The previous owner used to ride it to work but had „upgraded“ to a car. It was definitely a bargain and blew me away in my time with it. I would imagine that they are worth a fair bit these days. It performed like a 250 but felt about half the weight. Being a twin it was also surprisingly smooth at high speeds. Definitely a bike I would still enjoy today if I could find one 🤔
Cheers H-D 🥃
ER.
@@economicalrides :-)
Just brought a gp100 im the third owner 18000km 1984 looking forward to fixing it up not many left only 11 still on rego here in nz🇳🇿
Ahh brill... that is a 2T isn't it? Lots of fun to be had sorting g that one out! 🙂👍
@@HippoDrones hi not sure is 2t the engine designation?ive had a gp125 parts bike for years so going to make one good one.also just got a 98rg150 super rare bike only 100 brought over from Thailand 38bhp full fairing factory spanie close ratio 6 speed lotsa fun
@@SSV-i-c-e some good projects to get into there mate, awesome stuff 👏
My first motorbike in 1980. Brilliant little thing. I took it to university. And I did use it on the dual carriageway
going up and down to London with trips up to 80 miles or more. Came off twice, first time due to idiots overtaking towards me in a car who forced me off the road and resulted in broken bones. Second time due to ice. Years later got the CB125. Years later did my test and got a Kawasaki. Now looking for a step thru (whatever that means).
Awesome stuff Bill, I fondly remember my first, although mine would have been in around 1991. I'd quite like to get a C90 and customise it, but they are stupid money for what they are nowadays.
@@HippoDrones Thank you for the reply. Time flies as they say.
@@bill8784 very much so... and it is so unfair how fast it flies as we get older! 🤣
Nice gentle ride and some great scenery mate like that one good reliable bikes those 😊👍
It is spot on for small country roads and cafe runs 🙂
Such a cool bike! Watching your videos with it, and some of Pez's stuff has me on the lookout for something similar from that era.
They are so fun to ride if you ride the right roads! :-) well worth finding one to relive your yoof! :D
What a little Gem! The old, little bikes are awesome in their simplicity. I still miss the feeling of ur first bike, a little Kymco 125 - it's brakes were so bad it was impossible to pass the quick braking component of the Skills test on it and that was how Wifey got her VTR 250, haha!
Nice one Pete, enjoyed that mate.
Hahaha... I remember practicing my emergency stops with my instructor 30yrs back and however hard I pulled on the front brake lever, nothing happened and I'd sail past him every time 🤣
Just watched you video honda CB 100N review brings back memorys specially when you said honda MT5 offload motorbike it was only 50cc that's what I learnt on and I got the honda CB 100N in 1982 and it was only 1-2 year old for £150 and it was same colour and same style in everyway just looks the same as mine even the front mud guard well top speed I had out of it was 65-66 mph before the red line and had it for more than 5 years and it was still as good when I sold it on and thanks for the memorys
Ahh brilliant stuff, so awesome to hear these stories of getting into biking ❤️
Fantastic! I had one of these in 1986. Mine was also very smart in bronze. I used to ride it two-up around the Derbyshire hills which was a bit unkind. I loved the way that when loaded like that, twisting the throttle fully open did not achieve any extra forward motion - just a lot more induction noise 😂 "Whaaa-AHHHHHH-AHHHHH"
Great to see one in good nick. I'd quite like one again for my 2 mile commute (without pillion!).
Haha... one of the first times I got stopped by the police in my yoof was on my original CB100-N, riding 2up on L plates 🤣
@@HippoDrones I'd passed my test by then, but the lack of L plates didn't diminish police suspicion 🤔🤣
@@PhilipBallGarry 🤣
Little bikes are so much fun. I'm still using a CB 125f that's been lent to me for commuting on. Try before you buy.
I love it & want one now for myself.
I've said before my Dad had one of those cb100n in red when I was a teenager. Great little bikes Yours is mint Pete.
Back in the day (late 80's) when I was 17/18 years old & commuting in Luton I had 3 different 100's.
A Yamaha YB100. Honda HD100 & then a bit later in my 20's a Yamaha rxs100.
I remember how when I'd stop at lights with the indicators on they would stop & the lights & dash would dim 🤣
Yes who would've thought 6v batteries would've been a good idea 😄
Another great video mate 👍
Hahaha... yeah 6v electrics, crazy! :D hahaha
I had a few years back, an RXS100, got it for a race series me and some mates came up with called the 125hundreds, weren't allowed to spend more than £500 on a bike with max 125cc, we got up to all sorts of shenanigans on them, that bike features in the first video I posted on this channel doing some motogymkhana!: D
@@HippoDrones I'll search that video out then. Sounds a laugh
@@deepjoyrides was a fun day 😁
Nice one mate you can't beat the simplicity of a bike from the 70/80s passed my test in 1977 on a Honda CD 175 Loved that bike
Absolutely :-) bikes you can actually work on and fix with basic tools and a Haynes manual! :-)
Ahh brill, how long did you have the 175 for?
@@HippoDrones Had it for 6 years built proof engine it was my goto for work
@@zumerzetbiker2442 awesome :-)
Despite having a "big bike", I still love the little bikes. They're SO much fun and I'm fortunate that I have access to a bunch of 125's that I can take out for a spin. I had a Honda MT5 that I took all the lights etc off and used as a field bike when I wasn't old enough to ride on the road.
100% fun in a tiny package :D
Ahh cool, my MT5 was in fantastic condition, but it was very very slow :D
There were a *lot* of things-that-looked-like-bikes-but-were-in-fact-mopeds-so-could-be-ridden-at-16, notably the MB5/MT5, AR50, DT50MX, Suzuki X1-50, ZR50SL, all carefully limited to 30mph. My cousin had an FS1E, much faster, but actually had functioning pedals :-D
yup@@rakido7388
Gorgeous little bike! And great weather for it too! Really enjoyed the review 😁 Brake discs have come a long way from here though 😅
It is in such great condition, a testament to how well the previous owner looked after it! :-)
Brought back memories! Spot on review too!
Awesome to hear mate, it is one of those bikes that gets under your skin isn't it 😍
That looks like a really fun bike for flicking around 😁
It really is mate, big fun in a little package 🙂
Simple machines back then. But no less fun to ride. I started on a Honda CD175. Never let me down.
Aye, modern small cc bikes won't last anywhere near as long sadly.
Looks like a fun little machine. Great to be able to work on a machine easily without all of the modern electronic distractions.
Yup, and to not need specialist tools either, I do wish we could go back to simple motorcycles occasionally
I was 14 when I bought this back in '95. £125. It was amazing. Had to wait 3 years to ride it legally, but almost everyday I rode it on the racecourse! Sadly I haven't seen it for years, a friend took it to his shed for Chain and sprockets, then moved in with my Mum!! Even today, I still have the Log book, in my name. Do you think I have a chance of reclaiming the bike?
Bargain at £125. Have you looked to see if it is still on the road ?
Nice video. Lovely to see an older bike again. I used to have a 50cc Zundapp GT50 for many years, and converted it fromt 3-speed to 4 speed and later 5 speed with water cooled cylinder. Great fun, but I sold it when I got my Guzzi V7. Ahh those memories.
Makes me want to buy a classic bike again to ride now and then. Would look good next to my V7 as well, haha!
Oh wow, so some serious modifications over the time you had it! :-)
It is really fun to have a small cc bike, and it being older makes it far more fun I think knowing I used to own one when I started out! :-)
The main obvious difference was CB100N was the early type with a rectifier and a resistor on the lower yoke, the CB100NA has a reg/rect under the tank..
Ahh interesting, was there an advantage to each?
I own a blue 1981 was the bike I learnt to ride on she’s currently under going a full restoration atm tho
Awesome stuff, I passed my test on a silver one 30 odd years ago 🙂
Great little bikes. I had one when I was 17. Had a CB200 with the padded tank after. I
I think my dad had a CB200 when I was a lad
@@HippoDrones ended up putting a sidecar on it when they changed learners to 125cc. You could have any bike with a sidecar as a learner. The cb200 was like a tank just kept going no matter what. I’d have another tomorrow.
@@crazygrandad5540 Sidewinders weren't they called? I remember seeing loads of them for a while :D
Cool bike! I got mine a 1985 Honda GL 100, which is the equivalent of CB100N, here in Indonesia. It has pretty similar appearance, except for the all-around rectangular lamps and boxier body. Other than that; the engine displacement, the frame layout is pretty similar. It has the same mechanical cable-operated front brake too, and works no better than drum brakes 😂 I think I’m going to switch it to hydraulic brakes but I decide to keep it as it was back in the day it came out of the factory.
Hiya, thanks :-) ahh brill, it is great that these bikes have survived the passing of time... and often done so far better than some of the more modern motorcycles... they made them better and stronger back in the day.
Hahaha.... the front brake is quite scary :-D but I think you are right to keep it as the factory made it now it is a classic motorcycle!
my dad had one of these back in the 80s when he was in high school, idk how he got it but cb100N is very rare here in Indonesia, he bought one just like this now and restored it for me, i use it to go to college everyday 😂
@@irsyadarham5871 ahh that is a good dad to have! 🙂
I think every motorcyclist should have a small capacity motorcycle. My CB125e is alot of fun in an urban setting. It is the bike i will take to the city due to its compact size.
Absobloominlutely 100% 🙂
I love this bike, but would love a 125, if Honda officially import the CT125X to the UK I'll probs sell this to get that, but I don't think they have any plans to do so sadly.
Great review!
Those mechanical front discs are lethal, the amount of slides I had with mine back in the day usually in the wet.
The ribbed tyres probably didn't help :/
Thank you 😊
Hahaha... I could never get mine to lock up on my first CB 30yrs back... was always seized up with corrosion hahaha
@@HippoDrones I have a 1980 variant in the shed I may dig out, I bet the k1 CG125 front end was a straight swap over if a drum was preferable.
IIRC the one I have has a early 6v electronic ignition upgrade, if I get it out I'll do a video
@@themotorcyclehistorian8099 It probably would just be a straight swap, I had an RXS 100 with drum brakes, they worked great, even did motogymkhana on that bike! 😀
ruclips.net/video/FBG6W7ifCDA/видео.html
Great little bike. I started out on Suzuki GP100. Never rode the 100n though.
Awesome bike... my first video on my channel is me racing a Yamaha RXS109 on a motogymkhana event... 100cc but the fastest there by almost 20 seconds
my first bike. Cable operated front disc that only worked once and then back brake would lock up everytime after that because no front brake. Deathtrap!! Got rid of it and bought a Suzuki A100
Sounds like your front brake needed a service... they were a terrible brake setup, but they did work if looked after... saying that, my original CB100 the front had seized up too like yours, so had to stop using the rear mostly
My rd 125 lc is full power, no tuning. I love it. Small light and nimble👍😎
Race your 100n❓️🤔😁
Nah you're alright mate, had enough of getting smoked by my mates on theirs 30 years ago lol 😆
@@HippoDrones 👍😁🤣
@@mellowr1 🤣
That thing's going to look great loaded up for touring. I think bigger small bikes (for me at least) give me confidence and it'll be easier to handle a "big" bike after passing my test.
Haha, it'll be slow loaded up! 🤣
You have an adv bike though, they are supposed to be big 🙂
@@HippoDrones slow just means you get to enjoy the scenery. Fair point 😅
@@CuriousGoose 🙂
I had one of those. I HATED it! Mainly because all my friends were on bigger machines. It was my cousin Sandrah's bike, in a rather fetching shade of diarrea brown. MMmmm nice! Hearing it's incessant moaning is bringing back memories of whizzing......er, sorry crawling round Haslemere on it in the mid 80's. Oh and it always loved ingesting parts of it's own carb for some reason (????). My next bike, CB250RS was better but I still wasn't happy until I got to my Kawa GT550. Aaaah the memories!
Haha, I went on to a Kawasaki AR125 and then a Yamaha RD125LC after my first CB100-N 😅
Lovely little bike! Cruising speed about the same as a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 then😝
It is a lot of fun to ride around on. I've not ridden a RE yet, but this sits happily at around 45mph :-)
That was also my first bike in the early 80s.
Ahh awesome stuff Gordon, did you have as fond memories of it as I do my first CB100N?
Absolutely mate I went everywhere on that bike even did my first tour of Wales on it .those where the days not a worry in the world enjoying the open road .I use my bike I have know for the same thing to get away from everyday crap.
Please you are welcome to checkout my little channel so you know who I am .
I am also part of the motourev gang my nickname is flash.
@@heating4343 bikes are fantastic for getting away from the day to day grind and stresses. 🙂
lovely little bike mate good old school mechanics
Yup, even I can spanner it safely! 🤣
@@HippoDrones 😂
@@RedfordBaron 🤪🤠
@@HippoDrones those cable disc brakes were never much good on Hondas
@@RedfordBaron terrifying I think is the best way of describing them... thankfully the bike is not fast, even if it is too fast for them! 🤣
Nice bike. So the torque is higher up the rev range?
Thanks... ummm it doesn't really have any torque lol, but it has a sweet spot where it runs really nice at around 7k rpm 🙂👍
As uncool as my CG125 was, I actually loved it...I'm sure yours is the same! 👍😍
Yup, so uncool they are now cool! :D
I loved that bike
Cracking motorcycles
There is one of these for sale near me
How would you think it would be for a first motorcycle? I'm 17 btw for extra info
I'd rather have an old Honda CB100N than a new Chinese bike!
@Hippo-Drones fair enough haha
It would also help me stand out from everyone else my age
Thanks alot👍
@@t-poseanteaterthefirst8962 did you get it in the end?
@HippoDrones I didn't in the end
I ended up with a 2022 yamaha xsr 125 which I love to bits
@@t-poseanteaterthefirst8962 ahh fantastic motorcycle
I had one of these in 1992 fantastic little bike, but it got nicked.
Ahh mate, that sucks. Did you continue riding?
@HippoDrones Yes but that ended in disaster too, but my first bike was a cg125 in 1979 with a whole host of others in between. I've not ridden a bike since 1993, but even today I still love 70s Honda, How about you ?
@@WherestheRV still riding, bikes are just a huge part of my life 🙂
The next time Gorillabiker visits, I want a photo of him on this. 😉🏍💨
Hahaha, deal! :D
Check the idle mixture screw. Normally 1 3/4 out from closed. Aaaaaargh! Cable operated disc! A nightmare to set up. I wasted days of my life setting one up on a Honda CB200 that I rebuilt from a trashed field bike to fully Road legal.
I'll have a tinker, need to service the bike anyway
What a lovely little bike. I love this sort of motorcycles. But this front brake is ridiculous indeed. Plenty of bikes of that era switched from drum brakes to some sort of abomination of a disc brake :D The worst one I rode was Norton Commando with Lockheed Martin brake :( I mean in terms of brakes of course, otherwise it was rather really good bike ;)
It is quite a challenge to stop at times 🤣
@@HippoDrones I bet it is ;) At least it's lightweight so your feet can help :D
@@UncleLongbeard 😁
I somehow squeezed 67mph out of mine - obviously I was somewhat more aerodynamic and had a better power to weight ratio in 1982!
That is very good going mate! 👏 😁👍
I toured the UK on mine.
I bet that was quite the adventure Don! 🤩
@@HippoDrones can I link a blog about it here? Not sure what's allowed or deemed good form?
@@anthonydonnelly8419 sure thing, it might not show though as YT blocks links, so if it doesn't, let me know and I'll take it out the spam folder! :-)
Hey Don, I've looked in the spam folder, but it isn't showing anywhere. I'll share the link on here for you as YT won't flag/hide my comments with links.
That’s cute, I love it 🥰
Such a fun bike to own 🙂
Brilliant little bikes! You just need to wring it's neck! If you aren't doing 10000rpm you are pottering.
Absobloominlutely! :D
@@stuwhite2337 Ahh mate, that really sucks, I had an AR125 stolen when I was a lad, and a KTM enduro bike more recently, scum bags.
I bloody loved mine back in 1982. Please do not sell yours without contacting me first
Haha, mine isn't going anywhere unless Honda bring the CT125X to the UK, but if I do decide to sell it on mate, I'll let you know 😉
My first road bike in the late 80's! Ah the memories. I rode it for around three years - mainly coummuting. I seized the engine doing about 65 with a tail wind. I took it to the mechanic and it had no oil! Silly me. Anyway I had it bored out to fix the seizing isssue and as a consequence it had a bit more power :-)
Gotta love them silver linings... haha 😄