In 2014 I decided to get a motorcycle and start riding again. I wanted my dream bike that was unobtainable when I was 20. I searched for three months and found a 1989 Yamaha FZR1000. Still on the stock tires and last registered in 1991. It had been sitting in a garage for 23 years. Only had 4002 miles on it. New tires, hoses, fluids and off I went. I still have it and about to do a refresh on it. Love watching old vehicles being brought back to life. Keep up the good work.
I bought one of these in 2009 when I was 19, I was the nuts, £400, straight away bought the gianelli carbon tipped pipe and off for a blast I went, hit 90 on the dual carriage away before the back wheel locked up with a bang! Grabbed clutch and it rolled to a stop, with steam pouring out. My local shop had a set of harada panels and a polini 154cc kit in stock so then that happened, awww memories, got pics somewhere, was lovely
You need to nurse these engines. I don't know what happened to you, but if you had no oil pump and it was running on mix, not everybody knows that after 2 or 3 months of being unused you need to change the mix. Mix goes off after a few months and the oil loses its lubricating effect. Treat them like you treat a lady you love and they'll never fail you. Learn how to properly break in the engine, hoe to properly rebuild one every 20.000km (or 12.000 miles), warm it up, do not mess up with squish gap and compression ratio, don't rev it too high (11.500 max), blip when you downshift and everything that is needed.
Had the rs50 rs 125 and then cagiva mito 125.. 15 years ago lol I'm similar age to you 😅 Think I was around 20, had 2 top end rebuilds on the rs125 and the others were fine not alot of problems. Good to see the old barn finds,same with old cars aswell love a good barn find 👌
I thought your RSV series was my dream but this has already trumped it, This was my first bike. I had a yellow one and my Brother had a red one. It was like old school moto GP when we started up in the mornings and at the lights. Great times. Wish i had kept it. Really special.
Thanks for the kind words Andy, let’s hope I can pull it off 😎 Like you and your brother I have some great memories of these and had to have one in the collection
The GP1 is the most beautiful of them all and probably the rarest. The Arrow exhaust enables another 1-2 hp with a nice new foam air filter mat and sounds perfect.
Gotta love the nostalgia:) back then you had a RS or a cagiva Mito. I had a kmx125 :) my mate had a mito. the fun we had, we still reminisce about today :)
You've found a little treasure. In Italy this bike would be worth a lot. If I were you I would install the PHBH 28. The VHSB 34 is too big for the original porting, it might give you slightly better torque, but it'd be a hassle to carb. Plus if you want to install the oil pump, do not use the VHSB 34, that pump is set up for the 28, cable and everything. If it had the VHSB 34 and the oil pump, it was running thin on oil. I've had two of these bikes. With original exhaust opened, definitely the 34 is not worth the candle. The main jet for the 28 is 126 in summer, 128 in winter (depends on the sprayer/pulveriser), if that 28 is the original of that model, with the rave kit, original air filter, rev limiter unlocked and compression ratio restored to the Rotax 123 specs. Later models had a 28 with a different sprayer, which limited the amount of fuel to pass the emission and was impossible to carb, people went up to 200 as main jet, and it was always lean. I do not remember the code of the sprayer. With that set up, if you weigh between 70 and 80 kg, and you don't need to go uphill every day, the best final gear ration is 17/39, even though you might want to keep 17/40 (I guess you have 40 as rear sprocket). If you have a different exhaust, you might want to go change your main jet, some exhausts run better leaner, some richer. Hope you find this info useful. You can ask more questions. I'd love to see the final result. I had that model as well (actually I uploaded a video shot over 10 years ago a few days ago, it was an old on board). That was the set up with the original exhaust.
Interesting regarding the comments surrounding the 34mm carb (the oil pump makes sense) but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of anyone saying it doesn’t improve top end (in fact read multiple comments that it really wakes them up in the upper rpm) Thankfully I’ll be running premix so hopefully no oil starvations issues 👍
I can remember buying one from Motorcycle City when they were just released. It was one if the very first registered in the UK. Still have pics of it had it for 4 yrs it was awesome. My best mate had a brand new caviga mito at the same time we had them both derestricted but Rs had the legs on the cagiva no probs!! Used to wind my buddy right up when i would go past him down the local bypass both pinned behind the screens 😂. Great bike great times it was my first ever Motorcycle and I miss it dearly. I traded in for an Rs250 in the end and that thing was incredible.
I bought a 2000 model recently. I highly recommend replacing the rubber gasket under the fuel filler. Mine was perished from age and didn't seal. Fuel pools around that area while riding and then when you stop it pours out on a nice hot engine and exhaust
gasoline/petrol is a superb solvent, if used with caution and logic, it is IMO the best solvent you can buy and use on your motorcycle when necessary 1. Gasoline/Petrol is chemically listed as a solvent 2. is great at breaking down alot of grease and grime without damaging factory paint or plastics (as most are gasoline resistant from factory) 3. Gasoline is probably gallon for gallon the cheapest, the most effective, and the most readily available solvent out there IMO
I got all of my engine stuff from PJME when I had my RS years ago. Nice to see they're still going strong! That larger carb made so much difference on mine too, along with the PV and deresricted ECU that bike was an absolute rocket!
Great video! I used to love mine, I had a 1994 RS 125 extrema, the only downside was at the time when I had it the parts for it were hard to get from local bike shops. Wish I still had it now as I would have gotten everything online.
I had a facelift Spain's no.1 at 18 after some knocked me off my Honda NSR and cracked the alcast frame 😢 then got the RS125 it was awesome and quick I loved it was so light could pick it up myself, I'd have another in heart beat
Ouch! Never ridden an NSR125, had an NSR150 (Asian market) which was awesome! Single sided swing arm etc, very trick compared to what the UK we’re given
I know how to rebuild them!! My friend and I have had to rebuild my old one! I bought it with bad big ends! Had to replace them and put engine back together, bike came with a 28mm TPS sensor carb, it was derestricted so the bike wouldn’t make a mile before it blew up, I found a kx250 carb on a destroyed Aprilia, had to down jet it but the bike was killer! 100mph, wish I never sold it to get a family car
Hey man,after seeing your comment sounds like you have some experience with these bikes,i have a problem with mine. It cuts off power and temp shoots up when i hit high rpms,and it idles too high,it was ok before a cylinder change.plus it blows up my bulbs
Is the thermostat opening? It sounds like you have an electrical problem! My advice is to find a manual for it, then go through all the earthing points for frame and engine first, ie make sure all earth wires are clean metal, no corrosion. Timing pick up points are clean too, then go through every individual part of the loom with a volt meter to check for any problems and fix them, sorry I am a visual person, I need to (see) hear) it to help properly, maybe video on RUclips?
I have had that bike as a teenager. It was a brilliant bike. And somehow everyone said it would also be not only more expensive and also faster than another RS125. But mine was restricted down to about only 7hp, but it still reached 120 kilometers per hour. (It was allowed to only go to 80 kmh). But we did not manage to get it there with more Horsepower. The guys from the bike shop said they can not do more. I loved that rainbow painting.
@flippy5118 Yes. But an RS 125 or a Mito of this age will go about 190. ruclips.net/video/Pdg6aOaj-aw/видео.html ruclips.net/video/UukEjPmcQKw/видео.html (The Mito in the second Video is actually shifting up at 180...). I have had the exact same RS 125 and mine went 120 still with being restricted to under 10 HP.... I also have had a Mito 525 which I had completely opened with an old Engine and this one also went about close to 200. The old 2 Strokes are not comparable to the ones today. How did he have 3 Engine rebuilds with 25k ? Mine has had over 30.000 km on it with the first engine, when I sold it.
@@stoneautomotive I never had opened the RS 125, but the Mito was completely opened. These really are totally nice bikes. It is not a big bike, but it does make a lot of fun to drive within the legal options. If you do that on a 1000ccm you can right in time say "bye bye" to your license. I somehow miss those little bikes.
in 1998 i had the 46 Valentino rossi rep RS125 (silver, orange & purple) from brand new with 'the doctor' either side of the fly screen, full power mine topped out at about 115mph.
i was 20 years old at the time (working security), now i'm over twice that age and weight 🤣 (soon as i hit 21 i did a DAS and traded it in for a Bandit 600n)
Great video, really enjoy them. My lad had a 2003 RS125 years ago - rebuilt it a couple of times. Had a Jim Lomas pipe, and always used to cut out in the wet! Could never find the cause!
Thanks Alex and glad to hear your enjoying the series 😎👍 2 stroke life regarding the rebuilds.. cutting out in the wet is just part of the Italian wiring charm, happens on the 4 strokes too 😅
I have messaged you on FB with some info. Hopefully useful. Early rs125 had the 34mm carb as standard (Rotax 123 engine). Yours with the 122 engine had the 28.
great video yet again late watching this one as was having a weekend in prague with my mates for our 40th comming up along with plenty drink and amazing food and miles of walking but would highly recamend it 😃
Yea car stuff has really dropped off so fear not the bike content will be taking priority although you will have to prepare for the old 4 wheeled video 😅
I know I'm coming in 8 months late, but seriously, how the hell has RUclips not shown me your content sooner? Especially since I have an RS125 too! I just wanted to say I've been binge-watching ALL your RS125 videos, and I love every single one of them. I finally found the motivation to comment while watching this video after a long day of work and training. P.S.: That OBVIOUSLY unbalanced rear wheel spinning back to the same spot every time while you were washing it had me biting my nails haha xD
Welcome to the channel & glad to hear you’ve enjoyed the series 😎👍 I can’t work RUclips’s search features out 😅 had a few comments like yours stating if they had known they would have watched sooner!
Looking forward to this! As a man of a similar vintage and a similar biking history, I missed the 2 Stroke at 17 part. My mates were all on RS125s and NSR125s, but my parents in their wisdom thought I'd be better off on an XR125 instead. Pity. These bikes are becoming hens teeth, given that you can barely find an intact Cagiva Mito Evo. Also, get those D207s replaced because they were mega wank back in the day!
Well I’m sure you had the last laugh with the XR125 starting everyday 😅 Yep certainly becoming very rare things these days, always had a soft spot for the Mito (tried to buy one as the next project but my friend won’t sell it 😅) Those tyres will certainly be going in the bin 👍😅
I used to live around the corner from Rex Judd's in Edgware, and the umpteen RS125 and NSRs in that showroom was just bliss! They even had a OWO2 R7 and RSV Mille SP. However, all of those bikes were gone when the showroom burnt down under suspicious circumstances for the second time in 5 years. This build and your RSV build takes me back to my teens again! Looking forward to your next episode with the engine. @@stoneautomotive
Just subbed you… my mates son has an RS 125, lovely bike to work on…another amusing fact, I noticed you live opposite my old girlfriend’s house…I miss Staines… We used to live down Penton ave… have a good weekend mate.
Thanks for the channel support 😎👌 Small world! It’s certainly getting very built up around Staines now with all the high rise apartments going in.. traffic can be awful at the weekends now 😫
My aprillia rs 50/70 is still going had to replace clutch and bottom end bearing few times but that's what it's about thrashing and having fun it's a 2003
If you find a Gilera DNA 125 hit me up. Loved that thing to death when i was younger would love another one. Always wanted an Aprilia but my mate had one and spent more time fixing it than riding it so i never bothered!
Forgot to say that unfortunately these bikes fall into the hands of teenagers, and in most countries it was their first bike (here in Italy you are allowed 50cc bikes at the age of 14, then at 16 and only after you have passed your driving test you can (actually could) get one of these. That would teach most teens to care about the bike and learn a few two stroke necessary evils, like warming it up properly, be careful with the oil you use, learn to do the maintenance and so one. But some teens were impatient and wanted more power, and the restricted version doesn't have an official guide to derestrict it, there are a few known things but some just added stuff which messed up the engine and make it even worse. The full power kit is not clear, so everyone improvises. There aren't a lot of mechanics who know how to do it properly either. I was a moped/small motorcycles/kart mechanic myself (and still am in my free time), and the main secret to derestrict this model was to take the specs from the 123 (I mean compression ratio, squish gap) and transfer them to the 122, the ports are almost identical but there are a few differences. Then you tune everything else accordingly to your exhaust. I'm not good at making videos unfortunately, but from next week I will have one of these (the 2008 model, slightly different but basically the same) to diagnose. If I find a friend who has the patience to film I could explain a few things or two that not everyone knows, or that only old mechanics do.
This is going to be a challenge and can't wait to see the end result...really looking forward to watching this...what brushes are you using to clean your bikes..my triumph gt pro is possibly the most difficult bike to keep clean. Looking for a decent set of brushes to get to the difficult places...
Yep I have my work cut out that’s for sure 😅 can’t wait too see the finished bike either, going to be awesome if I can pull it off! There detailing brushes, places like Auto finesse sell good ones 👍 www.autofinesse.com/products/hog-hair-brushes?_pos=6&_sid=a6ecabff6&_ss=r
@stoneautomotive excellent thanks for the link...your attention to detail and patience will deffently work for you...looking forward to watching this and the finished bike..👍
Bilberry wheel cleaner really isnt that strong matey, get some no nonsense degreaser from screwfix on there or some bilt hamber surfex all purpose cleaner, itll get that chain grease/oil off really well! Looking forward to following the build, had an extrema at 17, miss it constantly!
Yea I think I underestimated how tough that grease was going to be to remove 😅 Good news is the Auto Glym worked well! I’ve been advised a few times to try over degreaser so let’s see what happens there lol.. Hopefully the series brings back some fun memories 😎
Haha it was baked on for years so no shame in it! Yes saw the Autoglym did a decent job, happy days! Yes it is so far thanks, I subbed so looking forward ot the next episode. Would love to build one now but don't currently have a garage, one day I will relive my youth!@@stoneautomotive
if you find yourself needing any engine parts when stripping bottom end ive got 5 or 6 complete engines at the workshop that are doing nothing i'm only round 15minutes on m25 from staines
Looking forward to seeing the build I own exactly same bike with the GP1 scheme and also 2004. What are you planning to do with the colour scheme are you leaving it as a GP1 or changing to different farings
I have heard of people using this before, any issues with it turning the paint work “flat”? Swing arm is still caked in stubborn grease so certainly be worth a shot 👍
Not exactly, the first generation RS125 came with the 34mm carb = claimed 33bhp but the (from memory 1999 onwards model had the 28mm carb which was good for 26-28bhp. All restricted models regardless of 34mm or 28mm carb were 12bhp without the power valve system active
everything nice ! restored a yamaha and a aprilia myself.... but the costs oh lord .. tbh its getting to the point where its not worth it anymore especially with italian bikes.
@@stoneautomotive yeah im talking just the parts ... tbh i enjoy the hours working on my bikes and scooters as long as if they are mine .... i tried working for customers occasionally but its just not as fun . anyways wish u the best with your bikes. good luck mate
Hey man,i enjoy your aprillia refurbishment vids,i like these bikes. I have an RS50 but problem with it is when i hit high revs say 8 000rpm it cust power and temperature shoots up suddenly and its also has high revs while idling,this happens since i had a cylinder change it came back doing that,they checked eletronics starter coil change but its still doing that. Do you have an idea what it could be
I’ve always wanted a 2 stroke but I don’t have a lot of motorcycle knowledge, I’ve been on a 125cc for six years and at the tender age of 38 I’d love to own my first 2 stroke…. I currently have a 2007 Honda varadero 125cc. Is a 2 stroke something I should stay away from due to my lack of knowledge and funds (wedding happening April 27th 2024) or should I brave it and take the plunge? (If I can get one under £1300)
Hi, There certainly awesome things for fun but as there so highly strung they can be very expensive to run & maintain especially compared to the 4 stroke, instead of 120mpg you’ll be getting 30mpg plus a £15 bottle of 2 stroke oil every 3 fuel tanks. Without mechanical knowledge you would want a fully rebuilt one recently so budget could easily be £2-£3,500 at that level
Rs125 teen dream: "It didn't happen for reasons l'm not going to go into..." Mmmm. Looking forward to the Pjme engine analysis myth busting. Maybe lay off the fast food crap for the best power to weight ratio?😁
I didn’t want the video to be a sad story but my biological father was a gambling addict and asked to borrow the money.. even to this day never got it back but that’s why he’s not been in my life since I was teenager.. Haha 100% agree, 94kg’s currently so I must weigh the same as the bike 🤣 need to be 75-80kg tops for these
@@stoneautomotive Oh shit, l didn't know it was for personal reasons, you could've said that or told me where to go! However your mature candidacy might help someone and allows viewers to empathise with your passion for the build.👍👍
@@bananabrooks3836 no worries at all mate 👍 I just didn’t want that to be the focus of the video that was all (it’s a situation I’m sure many have been in sadly)
I blew my aprillia RS 125 up when I was 18. It's the 2002 red and black race replica one....I passed my CBT on Saturday, really want to restore it but it's been in storage for 16 years...was thinking about throwing £1k at it to get it mechanically sound...I'm a paint sprayer so can do all the bodywork, wondering what your thoughts are?
It's quite similar. It had done 3500 miles when it blew up....I could do some of the work myself..I've had the engine rebuilt too but that's been sat. Quick vid on my channel 👍🏼
As your probably seeing from my build series this one is taking some time to get finished 😅 Depending on how badly you blew yours up £1,000 might still be a tight budget for the engine especially if it’s done damage to the crank, these little things are awesome but certainly not cheap/ reliable to run and fix 😅 If your rebuilding it yourself get PJME to to sort the crank etc, Paul’s a top bloke 👌
@@stoneautomotive I know yeah my mate keeps steering me away from doing it 😅 I'll probably keep it another 10 years and keep refusing to let it go and coming up with the same excuses lol. There's an absolute dog rough spares and repairs bike listed on eBay for £1200 though, I have no idea how much mine would fetch.. My mate said around £1500 ish to get it sorted but said get something else more reliable and better. It is something I'd like to do at some point it's just getting round to it.
@@Mcfc2Rich if you have the space and don’t need the cash keep it tucked away! Whilst parts will become harder to find the values will continue to rise on these little 125 rockets 😎
@@stoneautomotive yeah man 🙂 I do miss it. I can't wait to see yours all done. Please finish this project, so many people have done these videos and never finished them lol it's always great to see 👍🏼
The temp sensor was not connected, I simply left the circuit open and then touched the connect to the frame allowing it to cycle from cold to max hot 👍
As detailed in this video the frame on the other is a no go as it’s been involved as an insurance write off so the engine will be going in this frame 😬
The first bike was purchased for the engine, came with a spare frame which turned out to be scrap.. so bought a new rolling frame to house the shiny engine 😅👍
I’ve got a Honda Grom/MSX 125 with a KTM exc300 motor dropped in on the channel, I don’t need another engine swap as it was far from simple the first time round 😅
Back before a rainbow design was used to indicate you liked fiddling with other men's dangly bits eh? Imagine turning up to meet your mates on a bike with that colour scheme nowadays eh? 😂😂😂
Too much talking and cinematic shots for my taste. Had to ff through the first 3/4 of the video before he started working on the bike and he just kept talking. I just want to see good shots of mechanical work and less story telling.
It’s all chaptered so easy to skip to the relevant sections 👍 Done your preferred choice in my early days and the videos never really took off sadly so this is the format for the masses that appear to get the views RRC restorations would be more for you 👍
@stoneautomotive used to be a lad in nottingham with a pink one it would beat anything off the line and 100 top end only problem was you could end up blowing the engine up. Happened to my mate who upgraded everything he went out on it one day and the piston went straight through the engine.
In 2014 I decided to get a motorcycle and start riding again. I wanted my dream bike that was unobtainable when I was 20. I searched for three months and found a 1989 Yamaha FZR1000. Still on the stock tires and last registered in 1991. It had been sitting in a garage for 23 years. Only had 4002 miles on it. New tires, hoses, fluids and off I went. I still have it and about to do a refresh on it. Love watching old vehicles being brought back to life. Keep up the good work.
I think we all long for those younger dreams, hence the price hike in all these classics 😅
Thanks, plenty more to come 😬
I bought one of these in 2009 when I was 19, I was the nuts, £400, straight away bought the gianelli carbon tipped pipe and off for a blast I went, hit 90 on the dual carriage away before the back wheel locked up with a bang! Grabbed clutch and it rolled to a stop, with steam pouring out. My local shop had a set of harada panels and a polini 154cc kit in stock so then that happened, awww memories, got pics somewhere, was lovely
You need to nurse these engines. I don't know what happened to you, but if you had no oil pump and it was running on mix, not everybody knows that after 2 or 3 months of being unused you need to change the mix. Mix goes off after a few months and the oil loses its lubricating effect. Treat them like you treat a lady you love and they'll never fail you. Learn how to properly break in the engine, hoe to properly rebuild one every 20.000km (or 12.000 miles), warm it up, do not mess up with squish gap and compression ratio, don't rev it too high (11.500 max), blip when you downshift and everything that is needed.
Had the rs50 rs 125 and then cagiva mito 125.. 15 years ago lol I'm similar age to you 😅
Think I was around 20, had 2 top end rebuilds on the rs125 and the others were fine not alot of problems. Good to see the old barn finds,same with old cars aswell love a good barn find 👌
Did you prefer the Mito or the RS125 👀
I really need to try a Mito and get one on the channel 😎
What a bike! Brings back so many memories of being back in my teens and riding in large groups with mates. Great upload lad
So many of us loved this during our teen years, good to see so many are enjoying the series 😎👍
Of course it can be saved 🙌 ive just revived a 30 year old yamaha dt125r from the dead!!
The DT125R is a rare sight nowadays! Well done on your project in saving it 😎👍
Awsome channel! Grate content! Looking forward to seeing the finished project
Thank you 😎👍
Glad your enjoying the build, plenty more episodes to go 😅
Nice video pal. I remember these back in the day, legit rockets when fully tuned.
Thanks Scott 👌😎
Look forward to seeing what can be achieved on these build, should certainly be a spicy little 125 once finished 😬
I thought your RSV series was my dream but this has already trumped it, This was my first bike. I had a yellow one and my Brother had a red one. It was like old school moto GP when we started up in the mornings and at the lights. Great times. Wish i had kept it. Really special.
Thanks for the kind words Andy, let’s hope I can pull it off 😎
Like you and your brother I have some great memories of these and had to have one in the collection
Some of the best memories I have are on a 125 i understand faster bikes are better but sometimes this is all the fun you need 👌
Exactly the same as me, the older I got the more I enjoy the character of the ride than all out pace
I had one at 17. Im now 34 it was so much fun, mine was the chesterfield livery. I broke 3rd gear as their plastic cogs lol. I got 110mph out of mine.
The GP1 is the most beautiful of them all and probably the rarest. The Arrow exhaust enables another 1-2 hp with a nice new foam air filter mat and sounds perfect.
Hopefully have something spicy in the pipe line for the exhaust 😬
Glad to see you found something suitable, looks a good one
Gotta love the nostalgia:) back then you had a RS or a cagiva Mito. I had a kmx125 :) my mate had a mito. the fun we had, we still reminisce about today :)
The memories of your first proper bike are always fantastic 😎 guess that’s why we always lust after them later on haha
You've found a little treasure. In Italy this bike would be worth a lot. If I were you I would install the PHBH 28. The VHSB 34 is too big for the original porting, it might give you slightly better torque, but it'd be a hassle to carb. Plus if you want to install the oil pump, do not use the VHSB 34, that pump is set up for the 28, cable and everything. If it had the VHSB 34 and the oil pump, it was running thin on oil. I've had two of these bikes. With original exhaust opened, definitely the 34 is not worth the candle. The main jet for the 28 is 126 in summer, 128 in winter (depends on the sprayer/pulveriser), if that 28 is the original of that model, with the rave kit, original air filter, rev limiter unlocked and compression ratio restored to the Rotax 123 specs. Later models had a 28 with a different sprayer, which limited the amount of fuel to pass the emission and was impossible to carb, people went up to 200 as main jet, and it was always lean. I do not remember the code of the sprayer. With that set up, if you weigh between 70 and 80 kg, and you don't need to go uphill every day, the best final gear ration is 17/39, even though you might want to keep 17/40 (I guess you have 40 as rear sprocket). If you have a different exhaust, you might want to go change your main jet, some exhausts run better leaner, some richer. Hope you find this info useful. You can ask more questions. I'd love to see the final result. I had that model as well (actually I uploaded a video shot over 10 years ago a few days ago, it was an old on board). That was the set up with the original exhaust.
Interesting regarding the comments surrounding the 34mm carb (the oil pump makes sense) but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of anyone saying it doesn’t improve top end (in fact read multiple comments that it really wakes them up in the upper rpm)
Thankfully I’ll be running premix so hopefully no oil starvations issues 👍
I am 19, and this just gives me so much hope for my future- cannot wait to rebuild classic bikes when the real adult money starts pulling in
Wow I didn’t think there were any youngsters into 2 strokes these days! Good to hear though and hope you manage to find a suitable project 😎👍
@@stoneautomotive trust me, here in scandinavia we love 2 strokes more than anything, such amazing machines
@@stoneautomotivehell yeah we are im 19 aswell love em I’d be out riding now on my 2 stroke if I hadn’t have broke my leg when I binned it in November
I can remember buying one from Motorcycle City when they were just released. It was one if the very first registered in the UK. Still have pics of it had it for 4 yrs it was awesome. My best mate had a brand new caviga mito at the same time we had them both derestricted but Rs had the legs on the cagiva no probs!! Used to wind my buddy right up when i would go past him down the local bypass both pinned behind the screens 😂. Great bike great times it was my first ever Motorcycle and I miss it dearly. I traded in for an Rs250 in the end and that thing was incredible.
The debate between the RS125 and Mito is huge! Must get a Mito on the channel to review 👍
Also owned an RS250, lovely things 😎
Loved this. Your reason for building a bike from your youth is exactly the reason I wanted to rebuild a cr125 at 40yrs old. 🔥
Glad to hear 😎👍
Funny isn’t it, when your younger you want more power/ speed but when you get there and reflect on your first proper bike 😅
I bought a 2000 model recently. I highly recommend replacing the rubber gasket under the fuel filler. Mine was perished from age and didn't seal. Fuel pools around that area while riding and then when you stop it pours out on a nice hot engine and exhaust
Yea I get the feeling most of the rubber on the bike is going to be like this 😫
Last thing you want is fuel leaking too!
gasoline/petrol is a superb solvent, if used with caution and logic, it is IMO the best solvent you can buy and use on your motorcycle when necessary
1. Gasoline/Petrol is chemically listed as a solvent
2. is great at breaking down alot of grease and grime without damaging factory paint or plastics (as most are gasoline resistant from factory)
3. Gasoline is probably gallon for gallon the cheapest, the most effective, and the most readily available solvent out there
IMO
Very good suggestion, has worked in the past 👍
Just very messy and a free high when used in the work shop 😅
I got all of my engine stuff from PJME when I had my RS years ago. Nice to see they're still going strong!
That larger carb made so much difference on mine too, along with the PV and deresricted ECU that bike was an absolute rocket!
Awesome to hear, can’t wait too see how she goes with the 34mm carb 😎
From what I can see the ecu has already had the emissions bridge broken 👌
Great video! I used to love mine, I had a 1994 RS 125 extrema, the only downside was at the time when I had it the parts for it were hard to get from local bike shops. Wish I still had it now as I would have gotten everything online.
Thanks 😎👍
Yea the world has changed for the better in that regard for parts 👍
I had a facelift Spain's no.1 at 18 after some knocked me off my Honda NSR and cracked the alcast frame 😢 then got the RS125 it was awesome and quick I loved it was so light could pick it up myself, I'd have another in heart beat
Ouch!
Never ridden an NSR125, had an NSR150 (Asian market) which was awesome! Single sided swing arm etc, very trick compared to what the UK we’re given
So sick, a true blast from the past. Great track bike. Can't wait for the next episode .
Wow trip down memory lane i had the white one with gold lions first bike loved it that was round 20/21 years ago now great stuff
That colour scheme was lovely, always liked that one too 😎👌
I know how to rebuild them!! My friend and I have had to rebuild my old one! I bought it with bad big ends! Had to replace them and put engine back together, bike came with a 28mm TPS sensor carb, it was derestricted so the bike wouldn’t make a mile before it blew up, I found a kx250 carb on a destroyed Aprilia, had to down jet it but the bike was killer! 100mph, wish I never sold it to get a family car
Hey man,after seeing your comment sounds like you have some experience with these bikes,i have a problem with mine. It cuts off power and temp shoots up when i hit high rpms,and it idles too high,it was ok before a cylinder change.plus it blows up my bulbs
running lean, air leak possibly crank seal.@@TheMenCaveTalk
Big ends? The rs 125 never had a throttle position sensor
@@TheMenCaveTalksounds like the regulator/ rectifier for the bulbs.
Is the thermostat opening? It sounds like you have an electrical problem! My advice is to find a manual for it, then go through all the earthing points for frame and engine first, ie make sure all earth wires are clean metal, no corrosion. Timing pick up points are clean too, then go through every individual part of the loom with a volt meter to check for any problems and fix them, sorry I am a visual person, I need to (see) hear) it to help properly, maybe video on RUclips?
Really love the RS125, maybe next year ill myself look for one for cheap and build it, then keep it forever
That’s my plan, she should be a forever bike 😬
Get a cagiva mito instead if u want 125 rgv if bigger
@@mako4772 Where i live, they are rare, but one half decent could be found for €1k
@@mako4772 your not wrong there 🥴
Nice aprilia i want a 250. So nice on the road aprilia, love um ❤
Thanks 😎👍 the RS250 was fantastic fun, I’m sure I’ll have another again.. until then the RS125 will have to be my 2 stroke super bike fun
I have had that bike as a teenager. It was a brilliant bike. And somehow everyone said it would also be not only more expensive and also faster than another RS125. But mine was restricted down to about only 7hp, but it still reached 120 kilometers per hour. (It was allowed to only go to 80 kmh). But we did not manage to get it there with more Horsepower. The guys from the bike shop said they can not do more. I loved that rainbow painting.
@flippy5118 Yes. But an RS 125 or a Mito of this age will go about 190. ruclips.net/video/Pdg6aOaj-aw/видео.html ruclips.net/video/UukEjPmcQKw/видео.html (The Mito in the second Video is actually shifting up at 180...). I have had the exact same RS 125 and mine went 120 still with being restricted to under 10 HP.... I also have had a Mito 525 which I had completely opened with an old Engine and this one also went about close to 200. The old 2 Strokes are not comparable to the ones today. How did he have 3 Engine rebuilds with 25k ? Mine has had over 30.000 km on it with the first engine, when I sold it.
Shame you never got to experience it at full power, that’s where these 2 strokes come alive when screaming to the redline 😎😎😎
@@stoneautomotive I never had opened the RS 125, but the Mito was completely opened. These really are totally nice bikes. It is not a big bike, but it does make a lot of fun to drive within the legal options. If you do that on a 1000ccm you can right in time say "bye bye" to your license. I somehow miss those little bikes.
one of my dream bikes when i was young....
i love it.
Glad to hear 😎👍
Next episode out at today at 7pm 😬
in 1998 i had the 46 Valentino rossi rep RS125 (silver, orange & purple) from brand new with 'the doctor' either side of the fly screen, full power mine topped out at about 115mph.
Awesome 👌
Mine will never go that fast, I’m too heavy 😅
i was 20 years old at the time (working security), now i'm over twice that age and weight 🤣
(soon as i hit 21 i did a DAS and traded it in for a Bandit 600n)
Great video, really enjoy them. My lad had a 2003 RS125 years ago - rebuilt it a couple of times. Had a Jim Lomas pipe, and always used to cut out in the wet! Could never find the cause!
Thanks Alex and glad to hear your enjoying the series 😎👍
2 stroke life regarding the rebuilds.. cutting out in the wet is just part of the Italian wiring charm, happens on the 4 strokes too 😅
Built for the lovely warm Italian climate! La Bella Italia! 😊
looking forward for the next episode. keep it up . cheers
Glad to hear 😎👌
I'm looking forward to this one.
😎👍
I was the first person in the UK to own one of these badboys 💪
Wow that’s cool! Still got it 👀
I have messaged you on FB with some info. Hopefully useful.
Early rs125 had the 34mm carb as standard (Rotax 123 engine). Yours with the 122 engine had the 28.
Beautiful sound
great video yet again late watching this one as was having a weekend in prague with my mates for our 40th comming up along with plenty drink and amazing food and miles of walking but would highly recamend it 😃
I could be anywhere and it’s would be amazing with beer and food 😅👍👌
watching this make me want to fix my RS50 I have here in the states. Rare bike for the US..I am the original owner. It need an engine rebuild..
Great stuff , something to watch again , wasn't into the car rubbish for some reason .
Yea car stuff has really dropped off so fear not the bike content will be taking priority although you will have to prepare for the old 4 wheeled video 😅
@@stoneautomotive great news, I'll just skip the car rubbish .
Great video bro 😎 keep up the amazing content ❤
Glad you enjoyed and thanks mate 👌
I know I'm coming in 8 months late, but seriously, how the hell has RUclips not shown me your content sooner? Especially since I have an RS125 too! I just wanted to say I've been binge-watching ALL your RS125 videos, and I love every single one of them. I finally found the motivation to comment while watching this video after a long day of work and training. P.S.: That OBVIOUSLY unbalanced rear wheel spinning back to the same spot every time while you were washing it had me biting my nails haha xD
Welcome to the channel & glad to hear you’ve enjoyed the series 😎👍
I can’t work RUclips’s search features out 😅 had a few comments like yours stating if they had known they would have watched sooner!
Looking forward to this! As a man of a similar vintage and a similar biking history, I missed the 2 Stroke at 17 part. My mates were all on RS125s and NSR125s, but my parents in their wisdom thought I'd be better off on an XR125 instead. Pity. These bikes are becoming hens teeth, given that you can barely find an intact Cagiva Mito Evo. Also, get those D207s replaced because they were mega wank back in the day!
Well I’m sure you had the last laugh with the XR125 starting everyday 😅
Yep certainly becoming very rare things these days, always had a soft spot for the Mito (tried to buy one as the next project but my friend won’t sell it 😅)
Those tyres will certainly be going in the bin 👍😅
I used to live around the corner from Rex Judd's in Edgware, and the umpteen RS125 and NSRs in that showroom was just bliss! They even had a OWO2 R7 and RSV Mille SP. However, all of those bikes were gone when the showroom burnt down under suspicious circumstances for the second time in 5 years. This build and your RSV build takes me back to my teens again! Looking forward to your next episode with the engine. @@stoneautomotive
I had one there great bikes mate loved it 0:28
Beautiful project 👏🏻
Thanks 👍😎
These bikes felt like a rocket when i was 17, I had a 93 with the rotax 123 engine but put 2002 fairings on it and wheels, (same frame)
Agree, always thought back then why would you ever need more power.. funny how your concept of speed changes 😅
@@stoneautomotive Just reading i didn’t know the frames are different, you can’t fit a rotax 123 or vice versa, Bottom mount is different
@@riderzinc lucky both bikes are 122 😅
Just subbed you… my mates son has an RS 125, lovely bike to work on…another amusing fact, I noticed you live opposite my old girlfriend’s house…I miss Staines… We used to live down Penton ave… have a good weekend mate.
Thanks for the channel support 😎👌
Small world! It’s certainly getting very built up around Staines now with all the high rise apartments going in.. traffic can be awful at the weekends now 😫
I had a Rs125 extrema 03 but I put gp1 tank on it great bike sold it for a aprilia Mx125
Must try and MX125
That's a shame about the other frame. But the new bike looks good for restoration.
Yep certainly was but things have worked out for the best in a weird way with this new bike 😬👍
😢 Wish I never let mine go back in the day. Same GP1 rep
Think many of us could say that 😫
I bought that exact colour way new. Back in the day.
Be worth a few quid now if it was still in new condition 😬😎
My first bike and the source of a fractured pelvis 🙌
Bitter sweet memories then 🥴
My aprillia rs 50/70 is still going had to replace clutch and bottom end bearing few times but that's what it's about thrashing and having fun it's a 2003
i always fancy the MiTO 125, MBX 125 and RD125 6 speed
still got mine , spains number 1 2007
If you find a Gilera DNA 125 hit me up. Loved that thing to death when i was younger would love another one. Always wanted an Aprilia but my mate had one and spent more time fixing it than riding it so i never bothered!
I was never sold on the DNA.. I did have an Italjet dragster with the 172 kit fitted back in the day 😬
I had the cagiva mito 125 my mate had the rs125 best 125s by a mile at the time.
Bet they sounded fantastic going down the road together 😎
they did and they definitley were not learner legal lol.
Forgot to say that unfortunately these bikes fall into the hands of teenagers, and in most countries it was their first bike (here in Italy you are allowed 50cc bikes at the age of 14, then at 16 and only after you have passed your driving test you can (actually could) get one of these. That would teach most teens to care about the bike and learn a few two stroke necessary evils, like warming it up properly, be careful with the oil you use, learn to do the maintenance and so one. But some teens were impatient and wanted more power, and the restricted version doesn't have an official guide to derestrict it, there are a few known things but some just added stuff which messed up the engine and make it even worse. The full power kit is not clear, so everyone improvises. There aren't a lot of mechanics who know how to do it properly either. I was a moped/small motorcycles/kart mechanic myself (and still am in my free time), and the main secret to derestrict this model was to take the specs from the 123 (I mean compression ratio, squish gap) and transfer them to the 122, the ports are almost identical but there are a few differences. Then you tune everything else accordingly to your exhaust. I'm not good at making videos unfortunately, but from next week I will have one of these (the 2008 model, slightly different but basically the same) to diagnose. If I find a friend who has the patience to film I could explain a few things or two that not everyone knows, or that only old mechanics do.
Wd40 is great for cleaning wheels. It's all I use.
Does work a treat on my R1M to really make them pop 👌 the RS125 wheels were so bad though 😅
pro tip best thing i found for cleaning wheels is wd40 !
Agree, brings my R1M wheels up a treat 👌
Problem is the grease was so thick on these 🥴
Also the early rs 125s were given the 34mm carb from factory
Yep aware they were blessed with the 34mm as detailed in the earlier episode 😬
This is going to be a challenge and can't wait to see the end result...really looking forward to watching this...what brushes are you using to clean your bikes..my triumph gt pro is possibly the most difficult bike to keep clean. Looking for a decent set of brushes to get to the difficult places...
Yep I have my work cut out that’s for sure 😅 can’t wait too see the finished bike either, going to be awesome if I can pull it off!
There detailing brushes, places like Auto finesse sell good ones 👍
www.autofinesse.com/products/hog-hair-brushes?_pos=6&_sid=a6ecabff6&_ss=r
@stoneautomotive excellent thanks for the link...your attention to detail and patience will deffently work for you...looking forward to watching this and the finished bike..👍
Totally mate i couldnt agree more 🤪🍺😁🎉🍺👍
Bilberry wheel cleaner really isnt that strong matey, get some no nonsense degreaser from screwfix on there or some bilt hamber surfex all purpose cleaner, itll get that chain grease/oil off really well! Looking forward to following the build, had an extrema at 17, miss it constantly!
Yea I think I underestimated how tough that grease was going to be to remove 😅
Good news is the Auto Glym worked well! I’ve been advised a few times to try over degreaser so let’s see what happens there lol..
Hopefully the series brings back some fun memories 😎
Haha it was baked on for years so no shame in it!
Yes saw the Autoglym did a decent job, happy days! Yes it is so far thanks, I subbed so looking forward ot the next episode. Would love to build one now but don't currently have a garage, one day I will relive my youth!@@stoneautomotive
What are your thoughts on Cagiva mitos?
Love them! Tried to get one for the channel but rarer than the RS125 😮
@@stoneautomotive Yeah I’m looking into buying one. Do you think you would ever do a review one on your channel?
@@skilow3590 would love too! Waiting for my friend to finish his but so far it’s about 5+ years into the restoration 😅
if you find yourself needing any engine parts when stripping bottom end ive got 5 or 6 complete engines at the workshop that are doing nothing i'm only round 15minutes on m25 from staines
How have you got so many laying around? 😅
Ping me an email as be good to have your details in case it does go wrong lol - stoneautomotive@yahoo.co.uk
Looking forward to seeing the build I own exactly same bike with the GP1 scheme and also 2004. What are you planning to do with the colour scheme are you leaving it as a GP1 or changing to different farings
All detailed in episode 1, planning to go RSW-2 Harada colour scheme 😬
I use oven cleaner for the first degreasing ,cheaper and goood stuff the astonish degreaser 😎
I have heard of people using this before, any issues with it turning the paint work “flat”?
Swing arm is still caked in stubborn grease so certainly be worth a shot 👍
@@stoneautomotive to be honest I just used it on the engine breaks disc chain hubs ,I use it pretty quickly on good paint tho 😎
The carb sizes was that in relation to the UK version 12HP and the import 33HP?
Not exactly, the first generation RS125 came with the 34mm carb = claimed 33bhp but the (from memory 1999 onwards model had the 28mm carb which was good for 26-28bhp.
All restricted models regardless of 34mm or 28mm carb were 12bhp without the power valve system active
everything nice ! restored a yamaha and a aprilia myself.... but the costs oh lord .. tbh its getting to the point where its not worth it anymore especially with italian bikes.
Sadly your not wrong, the hours alone that go into it 🥵
@@stoneautomotive yeah im talking just the parts ... tbh i enjoy the hours working on my bikes and scooters as long as if they are mine .... i tried working for customers occasionally but its just not as fun . anyways wish u the best with your bikes. good luck mate
Nice.....
Thanks 😎
Great bikes. I had the cagiva mito, aprilia af1 and the rs 125. The rs was a much better bike 👍👍
The debate between the RS125 and cagiva Mito is so big, must ride a Mito again to confirm!
Get sum Ap workshop stickers for it it’s a 5 to 10 bhp in them things ❤ a rs
Hey man,i enjoy your aprillia refurbishment vids,i like these bikes. I have an RS50 but problem with it is when i hit high revs say 8 000rpm it cust power and temperature shoots up suddenly and its also has high revs while idling,this happens since i had a cylinder change it came back doing that,they checked eletronics starter coil change but its still doing that. Do you have an idea what it could be
Sounds like it’s running to lean on the main jet but always difficult to diagnose unless you have the bike in front of you
I’ve always wanted a 2 stroke but I don’t have a lot of motorcycle knowledge, I’ve been on a 125cc for six years and at the tender age of 38 I’d love to own my first 2 stroke…. I currently have a 2007 Honda varadero 125cc. Is a 2 stroke something I should stay away from due to my lack of knowledge and funds (wedding happening April 27th 2024) or should I brave it and take the plunge? (If I can get one under £1300)
Hi,
There certainly awesome things for fun but as there so highly strung they can be very expensive to run & maintain especially compared to the 4 stroke, instead of 120mpg you’ll be getting 30mpg plus a £15 bottle of 2 stroke oil every 3 fuel tanks. Without mechanical knowledge you would want a fully rebuilt one recently so budget could easily be £2-£3,500 at that level
It was this Vs the cagive mito at the time,the cagiva had 7 gears though 😂
Must try and get a Cagiva to do a drag race 😎
Is a Derbi GPR similar?
Had an oportnityyears ago to buy one new, but I thought it was too pricey for a 50cc bike
Well there both 2 strokes but there both very different bikes 😅
Rs125 teen dream: "It didn't happen for reasons l'm not going to go into..." Mmmm.
Looking forward to the Pjme engine analysis myth busting.
Maybe lay off the fast food crap for the best power to weight ratio?😁
I didn’t want the video to be a sad story but my biological father was a gambling addict and asked to borrow the money.. even to this day never got it back but that’s why he’s not been in my life since I was teenager..
Haha 100% agree, 94kg’s currently so I must weigh the same as the bike 🤣 need to be 75-80kg tops for these
@@stoneautomotive Oh shit, l didn't know it was for personal reasons, you could've said that or told me where to go! However your mature candidacy might help someone and allows viewers to empathise with your passion for the build.👍👍
@@bananabrooks3836 no worries at all mate 👍
I just didn’t want that to be the focus of the video that was all (it’s a situation I’m sure many have been in sadly)
This bike 🏍 is better than s*x 👌
Had one at 17 destriced had it 3 weeks before I met the bonnet of a car. The car won
😭😭😭
I blew my aprillia RS 125 up when I was 18. It's the 2002 red and black race replica one....I passed my CBT on Saturday, really want to restore it but it's been in storage for 16 years...was thinking about throwing £1k at it to get it mechanically sound...I'm a paint sprayer so can do all the bodywork, wondering what your thoughts are?
It's quite similar. It had done 3500 miles when it blew up....I could do some of the work myself..I've had the engine rebuilt too but that's been sat. Quick vid on my channel 👍🏼
As your probably seeing from my build series this one is taking some time to get finished 😅
Depending on how badly you blew yours up £1,000 might still be a tight budget for the engine especially if it’s done damage to the crank, these little things are awesome but certainly not cheap/ reliable to run and fix 😅
If your rebuilding it yourself get PJME to to sort the crank etc, Paul’s a top bloke 👌
@@stoneautomotive I know yeah my mate keeps steering me away from doing it 😅
I'll probably keep it another 10 years and keep refusing to let it go and coming up with the same excuses lol. There's an absolute dog rough spares and repairs bike listed on eBay for £1200 though, I have no idea how much mine would fetch..
My mate said around £1500 ish to get it sorted but said get something else more reliable and better. It is something I'd like to do at some point it's just getting round to it.
@@Mcfc2Rich if you have the space and don’t need the cash keep it tucked away! Whilst parts will become harder to find the values will continue to rise on these little 125 rockets 😎
@@stoneautomotive yeah man 🙂 I do miss it. I can't wait to see yours all done. Please finish this project, so many people have done these videos and never finished them lol it's always great to see 👍🏼
Just seen one in garage? Mito ?lol yours is that proper one the 748 ?
Yep 748 SP - Special little bike that and I’m the second owner from new 😬
That temp guage is not working perfectly, temp numbers jumping around means the sensor is deaded
The temp sensor was not connected, I simply left the circuit open and then touched the connect to the frame allowing it to cycle from cold to max hot 👍
Arent you building already another aprilia rs?
As detailed in this video the frame on the other is a no go as it’s been involved as an insurance write off so the engine will be going in this frame 😬
I’m confused… is this a new bike? Cos I’ve been watching the rebuild … or has he gone back ?
The first bike was purchased for the engine, came with a spare frame which turned out to be scrap.. so bought a new rolling frame to house the shiny engine 😅👍
16:40 that oil is new, you can leave it
👀😅
You're going to have to ride a RD250LC, a 1980's 17 year olds wet dream.
It’s on the wish list 😬 don’t find many on the road and an owner willing to pass me the keys 😅
If it were my bike……
I’d swap in a 250cc motocross motor
I’ve got a Honda Grom/MSX 125 with a KTM exc300 motor dropped in on the channel, I don’t need another engine swap as it was far from simple the first time round 😅
Aprilia RS final edition 2003
have one Aprilia RS 125 from 2010 ,or 11 with only 63 KM total , for sale if anybody want, is in Norway , never registered . take contact.
The comments are not really built as a for sale section.. but I’ll let this one remain 👍😅
Proper barn find from 13 years ago. F@@k off I've found cereal bars down the back of the kitchen cupboard older
I’m more concerned that you’ve spent the time to leave this comment than clean your kitchen cupboards if you’ve got food that far gone in there 😂
Paraffin and a stiff brush gets chain lube off.
Haha had me there at the beginning,I thought ,that sounds mint 😒bastardo 😂
😅👍
18:04
Breakfast wrap though… rookie… 😂
Nooooooo it’s the thinking man’s McDonald’s breakfast, holds all the sauce and fatty juices from slipping out 😅👍
I had the Mito yellow v reg loads better
Back before a rainbow design was used to indicate you liked fiddling with other men's dangly bits eh?
Imagine turning up to meet your mates on a bike with that colour scheme nowadays eh?
😂😂😂
Great, now I can’t un-see it 🤣
Too much talking and cinematic shots for my taste. Had to ff through the first 3/4 of the video before he started working on the bike and he just kept talking. I just want to see good shots of mechanical work and less story telling.
It’s all chaptered so easy to skip to the relevant sections 👍
Done your preferred choice in my early days and the videos never really took off sadly so this is the format for the masses that appear to get the views
RRC restorations would be more for you 👍
I have my gsxr600 k5 stored since 2014, had it from new!
In need of a Stone Automotive barn find owner 👀😅
Gilera Runner was the daddyfor me
Cool bikes especially with the 172cc Malossi kit fitted 😬
@stoneautomotive used to be a lad in nottingham with a pink one it would beat anything off the line and 100 top end only problem was you could end up blowing the engine up. Happened to my mate who upgraded everything he went out on it one day and the piston went straight through the engine.
@@top5tings had an Italjet dragster 125 with the 172 kit (same engine) and can completely agree, rapid! Terrifying.. but rapid 😅👍
180 runner or dragster, never getting stopped....back in the day 😂
Regular kerosene in a spray bottle will melt old chain wax, grease and grime.
Thanks for the tip 👍