TDR 125 2001
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So a year and a half later and I am SO happy to say that the bike is running! Just running it in at the moment but the torque is unreal compared to the DT 125 X I had last year. (Although that DT was running a piston that probably had quite a few thousand miles on it but still.) I genuinely think the flat top piston makes a hell of a difference.
I only managed to get around to putting it all back together because it was taking up so much room! But now after taking it for a quick spin up the driveway, I am really having a tough time deciding whether or not to just keep it. It's bad I know, but I really rushed getting it all running... As such, the bike still looks like a right shit heap.
http://i.imgur.com/DDh6bJs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VqUISaz.jpg
Unfortunately the years of sitting meant that the rust eat right through the silencer so I had to perform the ultimate redneck bodge which included duct taping an exhaust I had lying round onto it so it wasn't stupid loud when I started it up.
http://i.imgur.com/lxYZGjO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Dlk3oXZ.jpg
Surprised the expansion chamber stayed intact looking at it.
http://i.imgur.com/MTzAw74.jpg
But hearing the engine run was the motivation I really needed to continue the build.
Just about started here with jump leads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udsjn8v7rtoThen a few hours later it was running a lot better!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k40mesERbEThose videos were taken before I put my silencer on.
So now I either have to try and source a stock silencer for very cheap, OR just go all out and purchase a full system for it. I'm thinking of choosing the latter at the moment because a full Giannelli system for it is only £135 brand new posted! Not choosing Giannelli out of preference, It's just the cheapest reasonable-performance one I can find.
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Now some of the ins and outs behind getting it running.
I had to make a few purchases along the way, firstly being a new 4FU head which are very hard to come by, but thankfully DeeTeemx came through again last year and I snagged his last one.
http://i.imgur.com/EtoI9NA.jpg
This is what happened to mine.
http://i.imgur.com/QBxKjhz.jpgThen I ended up needing another temp gauge...
http://i.imgur.com/mSYBH8F.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/skrOh9B.jpg
And then another neutral switch...
http://i.imgur.com/SAMEZNw.jpgAlso stupidly purchased new push rods and the ball bearing that sits inbetween them.
And somewhere in-between all this I ended up realising why the TDRs with the newer frame never had kick starts...
http://i.imgur.com/IQcubYU.jpg--
From rebuilding this bike, I still don't really know why it was left to sit for so long as the engine wasn't seized, the only things wrong with it when I got it were the clutch adjustment was way out, and the start motor wasn't working. I have also found a couple of what I feel are useless bits, carb warmer hoses?! A coolant overflow tank?! A couple of YEIS bottles which I'm not convinced do much...
Any reason to not run the carb warmer hoses?
And this coolant bottle just seems pointless. The overflow pipe from the top of the radiator goes to it, and then it appears to just fill up and spurt out from the overflow on the bottle itself?!
http://i.imgur.com/LxUF8tT.jpg -
Coolant expansion bottle is a must. If you are finding that the bottle is filling up and overflowing then sorry to be the one to tell you this but that's the symptoms of a head gasket failure. And if you used that one supplied to you in that cheap gasket set then that will be why. Athena or Genuine are the only gaskets that cna be usrd on these cylinder heads.
Engine was lookong good apart from that. I always skim the head and barrels on a rebuild.
Those 4FU heads have a combustion ring that adversely affects performance. A 3MB would see noticeable gains on that.
Hey you have done a good job breathing life into it. Its a good project don't be ashamed to move on.
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So it's a coolant expansion bottle... I can't quite work out it's purpose... On mx bikes the coolant will only drip out of the overflow if you put too much in. I'm sure it doesn't expand? Don't worry Callum I remember you mentioning it to me more than once. I used the Athena one and haven't had any coolant overflow so can't see how the bottle is used. Yeah I would like to find a new project but ill need to do a little bit more to this at least so it can pass an MOT.
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@MIGHTYMAN Yes the water expands as it warms up. It moves from the radiator to the overflow. It should not spill out. Not even drip. Shouldn't lose a drop.
I have had this happen to me on my motors, both car and bikes. It's either the thermostat not opening. Causing the water to just overheat. Or the head gasket is blowing, causing undue pressure inside the engine.
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I'm not losing a drop and never have in the past. I'm just saying I thought it was just an overflow. So, if the coolant expands and falls into the coolant expansion bottle, how does it end up back in the radiator loop as there is only one pipe going to it?!
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Okay now that makes sense. But why don't mx bikes have them? I just filled my TDR radiator loop up with the same Putoline stuff I used to chuck into my KTM and it doesn't seem to have expanded so far. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being a bit thick but I like to know all the info before I can fully understand something.
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Got a pretty good video of it nearly fully back together and running nicely earlier.
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I was going to post in the wanted section but I highly doubt anyone will have what I'm after. So I'de like to know if anyone has any info on whether or not there is any other front brake callipers that are the same as the one on this bike? My one is totally seized so had to remove it ages ago. I think it'll be costly to rebuild it so might as well buy a second hand one.
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I might dismantle it tomorrow so I'll jot down some measurements. Found out I'm going to have to do something about my rear brake on my WR so I might as well rebuild them both I'm thinking. Took the WR one apart today and it wasn't too difficult really. £15 for the rebuild kit so I'll see how it goes.
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Small update,
A used stock TDR 125 exhaust popped up on eBay the other day so I grabbed it for £60 delivered. I quite like the original look of the bike, even if the performance won't quite be all there. I think it's a good selling point. If I do decide to keep the bike I might pay out for an aftermarket one though. Not bad condition I thought, should clean up nicely.
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found this on fleebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-TDR-125-1997-front-brake-calliper-master-cylinder-mirror-/231502918329?hash=item35e6a632b9:g:l6cAAOSwPYZVAGwi
its nothing like a fzr calliper -
Plastics definitely need some work, but overall they are in a lot better condition than I remember. Left to do is fit new indicators, fit new exhaust and rebuild front calliper. Then I'm pretty sure it'll be okay to get through an MOT!
Totted up all the receipts I have for the bike and it came to just over £1200 including original cost of the bike... Wasn't surprised, but if I had of known it was going to need that much spending on it, I would have considered just selling it for parts tbh!
http://i.imgur.com/Gfa8tuU.jpg
Another video of it running with the full stock exhaust system on it now.
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Has been years since it was ridden on the road but I took it on it's first outing today! Didn't go too well as I completely forgot that it doesn't have a low fuel light, and left it on reserve!
https://youtu.be/JG8DehEB0Oc
