TL 125

[jdhargrave]

Just picked up a 1974 TL125 Honda, and have a few questions for anyone with knowledge re: these bikes. The gas tank is slightly leaking, very slight oil leak, broken off but serviceable brake lever, 21" front wheel and 18" rear shod with moto cross tires. Frame#1101280 and eng# 1101972. brakes are both working, starts on first kick every time and runs pretty damn good. what is original wheel and tire sizes? are these eng & frm #s close enough that they left the factory together? Since I can have the tank renued for about the same price as new Sammy Miller fiberglass replica, is this model worth the extra time and effort to bring back to original or just make it run and look good and play with it, sinking as little as possible into the hole.

Could be a great little bike for my 5'4" wife since all the new off road bikes are too tall for her to feel comfortable on. To spend or not to spend, that is always the question!!

[maxxtraxxer]

IMHO, the TL125 is well worth the money it cost to restore the bike. I have owned 4 of them on seperate occasions, and after I sold one, another one seemed to find it's way back to my garage. I would invest the money to have the original tank repaired by a professional welder. the sammy miller exhasut is a nice addition to the bike, and makes a nice sound/power improvment. I have never restored one, since the ones i always found were in decent condition, and i didnt have alot of money to spend on em. The one I have now will be getting a full resto w/ a 150cc big bore kit in about 8 months. In the end it is your decision, but research the bike alittle, and look in to the cost to restor it, they are beautiful looking/riding bikes, and are more fun than most new bikes.

[Jeephoto]

Howdy,

I am in the same boat as yourself; fix the bike and ride it or do a complete restore? Right now, I decided to just put money into my '75 TL125 to keep it running and just ride it. I will probably do a complete restore when I buy another bike to ride around on.

I am scouring the internet and ebay buying up photos, brochures, manuals and magazines about the TL in hopes of doing a complete restoration later on. I have a few rare OEM parts in storage like side covers and sprocket cover. As money allows, I will add fenders, and maybe a fiberglass tank.

I have found alot of info about TL125's here:

http://www.kaila.net/tl125/

The Clymer manual for the small Honda singles is a great resource, too.

Here's my bike:

[Wayward Son]

are these eng & frm #s close enough that they left the factory together?

yes,honda numbers do not match. ?

[philb]

? My 1st bike was a 1974 TL 125. My dad brought it home in 1976 for my 10th birthday. I loved that bike. All my buddies were riding YZ and KX bikes. Power freaks. But my TL taught me alot.

It had a blue and silver tank, not red.

[jdhargrave]

I can already attest to the fact that these little babies are a hoot to ride. Had it down by the river yesterday after a big flood, slick as a soap makers ass but with the mx knobs and a little brute force it managed to handle it all right.

Ordered a sammy miller tank, decals , lever assemblies, kill button, front fender and front fender bracket, brake shoes and a set of IRC R011 trials tires. total $600.00 Most of the stuff I'm replacing is servicable as is but it will look pretty snappy when I get it cleaned up

Need a pair of side panels for 1974 TL125, the sammy miller replicas are made to fit the '76 and you would have to make a bracket to make them work. sure looks little sitting net to my DRZ!!

[Jeephoto]

That' s great. Post photos of your TL when you get your parts put on.

And, let us know how you like your new gas tank and fenders. I plan to order some of those for mine later on.

[jdhargrave]

Check out this site jeep www.bjracing.com

[Kev_XR]

I've been looking around for a TL125 or TLR200. There have been some excellent ones for a good price on Ebay, but I've missed them. If you hear of one in reasonable shape selling for a good price, send me a PM.

Thanks!

[elsinore]

if you want to bump it up past the 150 mark you can drop a xr200 sleeve into your cylinder use a 66 mm piston and still retain the outside markings of a 125, huge difference in power ,the cases do have to be bored to accept bigger sleeve but the work involved and extra power you will get is well worth it.it also works on cb,xl engines

[maxxtraxxer]

nah, 150cc will be enough. I want it to stay close to stock, and 150cc uses stock cylinder, just bores it out.

[jdhargrave]

B&J Racing does the 150cc upgrade for $350.00 installed.

[KG993]

I just got a TL 125. It's kinda rough, needs bars, fenders, side covers, seat cover, and some tank repair and paint. The motor seems to be fine, I was suprised to find a good clean Twin Air filter in the stock air box.

I've been searching for information and parts,and trying to figure out what year it is. There is no sign of it ever having a year tag on the neck, and I can't figure out the # code. The closest I can get is 73 thru 75 because of the one piece head.