[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by Burjis Zaveri

Since the thread seems to have gone dormant, attaching a post that would be relevant here.

I happened to have been going through older Bombay VCCCI rally images and spotted a Yamaha RD 125. Attaching the same here.

That’s a nice looking 125. Sadly bikes that arrive in such shows don’t see too much of running time on the streets.

Originally Posted by thebikemaster

Wish there was a barn like this for me also to jump in and go through this fantastic time period.
I can clearly understand how painful it is to see some bikes degrade like this in abandoned stage. Clearly requires the courage to take them and blow life back into it.
I have gone this similar path in restoring my 83 Yezdi and 89 Rx100 and my beloved RD350.
Restoring is a never-ending process I feel, the itch to make it perfect step by step will be there throughout our ownership period.

Loved reading through the thread and those old memory photos from the mobile phone cameras.

Thank you Sir. These RD’s came in my life at a time when I was not financially in the pink of health but still did my best that was possible at the time and eventually as things improved the bikes got a better second shot at life.

The thread has been dormant as the 200 was not being used as the 2T oil leak from the manifold made its appearance again and then one thing led to another and I just parked it away. Last month i had to get paperwork sorted where the RX and RD were due for renewal and the 848 had to be transferred to my name. So, once the paper work was completed I decided to get the RD 200 and my friends RD 350 (this one has been lying unused for over 8 years) sent in a tow truck to my friends place to get them running again.

Both the bikes were loaded on the towing truck this Monday and for the RD 350 I had kept my fingers crossed hoping that the engine at least won’t need any major work and a basic service should get it running. On the 200 the oil leak source had to be identified and also the front suspension tubes had to be replaced along with the front brake master cylinder and both the tyres, which are over 15 years old now and were never changed because of the limited riding.

Some pictures…

Like all my big bikes the RD 350 was parked under two covers to protect it from the elements.



Cats in the building had turned it into a resting place for pigeons they feasted on



There she is covered in the infamous Mumbai dust even though I used to occasionally clean it.





The RD 200 looked much cleaner in comparison as it’s down time was much less.



Both tyres on both bikes had gone flat. Filled it up to make moving them around much easier.



Most of the metal parts have multiple rust spots considering its been over 10 years when the bike was worked upon and the paint work would have been done around 15+ years ago



Two set of keys with a different key for the tank lock



The LC style exhausts which my friend had crafted along with a local metal worker in Ahmedabad back in his college days.



Both bikes are set to go now. Building folks had an interesting view out of their windows on a Monday morning. Even the building watchman was like Sir, where are your bikes going



Rust off to get the fuel cap opened



Had a full tank of cheap fuel (filled it when a litre costed around 50) all evaporated. The 200 on the other hand still had fuel though considering its age can be best used for cleaning.



Just needed basic maintenance and it now starts on the first kick. Mechanically it works like a charm. Mr RX is giving it company as had taken to get the rear shock absorbers changed along with the old Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.



The RD 200 post a wash looks just like new.



The problem seems to be in the left manifold which has developed a leak. Hopefully changing it should fix it.



The tank which has a few battle scares from over the years still looks good with that paint job from Mkraft.



My RX is the only bike which has no dedicated thread on Team BHP and being my first bike gets its thread space mostly here. The old shocks are off.





Old and new shock. The new red one is from the Karizma ZMR and works like a charm. Going for a longer ride with a pillion tomorrow and will see how its performs then.



Posing next to the RD with its new shocks and now awaiting the tyre change



New rubber Michelin Pot Street for the front















The final look and the bike is now sorted for another decade. Fun Fact it is now 25 years younger this year and will complete 20 years with me on 14-11-24.

Now, waiting for the RD 200 and RD 350 to join it and its other garage mates.

[Livnletcarsliv]

As far as I remember, India market only had RX100 and RX135 5-speed as offerings from Yamaha. Did we really have RX125 at all?

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

As far as I remember, India market only had RX100 and RX135 5-speed as offerings from Yamaha. Did we really have RX125 at all?

Yes. Yamaha was about to launch the RX125. I have seen the printed brochure somewhere in Team Bhp.Maybe a lucky few go hands on these beautiful bikes

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Livnletcarsliv

Did we really have RX125 at all?

Originally Posted by justin.das

Yes. Yamaha was about to launch the RX125.

Yamaha never launched a 125 in India, only the RX100 and later the 135. Never even heard of any plans by Yamaha regarding a 125 for India.

Cheers

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Yamaha never launched a 125 in India, only the RX100 and later the 135. Never even heard of any plans by Yamaha regarding a 125 for India.

Cheers

It was new to me when I read for the first time as well .iIf you want to know more about the RX 125 go throught the Team-Bhp thread named
"Difference between the various Yamaha RX series bikes?"

[SnS_12]

My RX is a 135 and not a 125. In India we only had the 100 and 135 (RXG, RXZ, RX 135). The emblem I had ordered from Malaysia to match the gold wheels when I had restored the bike grounds up almost over a decade back.

The RD 200 and RD 350 are back home with the 350 just requiring a basic service and new battery and on the RD 200 the left manifold had gone hard and developed cracks which is the reason for the 2T oil leak and replacing that fixed it. Further the front suspension inner tubes were changed as the left oil seal would leak after every replacement along with new air filter set, battery and new tyres. The bike now rides like a dream.

Some pictures…

Shining and running like new again



Both bikes back home now.





Tight fit as I have limited access to my parking temporarily



Repair work has blocked access for my big bikes for a while now..

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Yamaha never launched a 125 in India, only the RX100 and later the 135. Never even heard of any plans by Yamaha regarding a 125 for India.
Cheers

Originally Posted by SnS_12

My RX is a 135 and not a 125. In India we only had the 100 and 135 (RXG, RXZ, RX 135). The emblem I had ordered from Malaysia to match the gold wheels when I had restored the bike grounds up almost over a decade back.

I learned about the Indian RX 125 from Team-bhp Years back. Initially, I also thought it was a myth but it turned out to be real. The details can be found on Team-Bhp, I am attaching some of the Indian Magazine reports of the same. They planned to launch the RX 125 and later decided against it. It is rumoured that around 100 were sold.

[RD410]

Originally Posted by justin.das

IThey planned to launch the RX 125 and later decided against it. It is rumoured that around 100 were sold.

Yes. RX125 in India is not a myth. It was supposed to be launched in 1993 as the successor to RX100, before Yamaha dropped the plan and went ahead with the RXG. It was a 15 hp - 5 speed mean machine, with rectangular headlamp, indicators and a headlamp cowl. It had the split speedo and tachometer type instrument cluster, which was later introduced in RXZ. Very, very few were actually sold. Infact, a Bhpian had managed to acquire it's engine. It's cylinder block had 'Y1' series marking, same as initial Japan made RX100's.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by RD410

Yes. RX125 in India is not a myth. It was supposed to be launched in 1993 as the successor to RX100, before Yamaha dropped the plan and went ahead with the RXG. It was a 15 hp - 5 speed mean machine, with rectangular headlamp, indicators and a headlamp cowl. It had the split speedo and tachometer type instrument cluster, which was later introduced in RXZ. Very, very few were actually sold.

Yes as seen in the article posted above .

Originally Posted by RD410

Infact, a Bhpian had managed to acquire it's engine. It's cylinder block had 'Y1' series marking, same as initial Japan made RX100's.

I have shared the Teambhp thread name in previous post which have the engine photographs and other details about the 125 .Credit goes to Bhpian Alok who shared these informations on Team Bhp Years back .

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by justin.das

I learned about the Indian RX 125 from Team-bhp Years back. Initially, I also thought it was a myth but it turned out to be real. The details can be found on Team-Bhp, I am attaching some of the Indian Magazine reports of the same. They planned to launch the RX 125 and later decided against it. It is rumoured that around 100 were sold.

Brilliant archive, this and the TVS-Suzuki Shadow were the unsung remnants of an era that, if launched offciially would have given us bikes that would have opened the doors to new performance era, sadly the BULL-S (BS) emission norms took over to kill these beauties even before they saw their decorated limelight.

Two-strokes are simply like no other. One can ride a literclass SBK with all the bells and whistles, but the thrum, beat and scream of a two-stroke incites the soul unlike no other. Keeping the blue smoke alive..

Cheers!
VJ

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by VijayAnand1

Brilliant archive, this and the TVS-Suzuki Shadow were the unsung remnants of an era that, if launched offciially would have given us bikes that would have opened the doors to new performance era, sadly the BULL-S (BS) emission norms took over to kill these beauties even before they saw their decorated limelight.

Two strokes are simply like no other. One can ride a literclass SBK with all the bells and whistles, but the thrum, beat and scream of a two-stroke incites the soul unlike no other. Keeping the blue smoke alive..

Cheers!
VJ

Yes the pleasure, the feeling of riding a two-stroke is unique and addictive, that's why two-stroke bikes are gaining value like no other. Even though not a match for modern bikes, Two Stroke Screamers are a class apart.

[SnS_12]

Trying to squeeze in one last ride on all my bikes before they go into their annual monsoon hibernation. Repair works around my parking is still ongoing but at least I can take the bikes out now.

Thanks to all the dust with the repair work not only I had to clean the bikes but even the covers and moving so many bikes around in a tight space is one hell of a task especially in this warm weather which is nothing short of a proper cardio session. Spent almost 3+ hours and managed to ride the 200 within the complex and also warm up the 350. Will be taking out the Italian out on the street first after almost two months and all the two strokes will follow next..

Some pictures…

[Black_Star]

It is truly commendable how you have brought these bikes back to life, and continued to maintain them in the last 20 years. While they have been restomodified, you have amazing pieces of Indian automotive pieces in your collection. I am sure many people have been inspired by your efforts and will continue to do so in the coming years too.

I sincerely applaud you for your efforts over the years.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by Black_Star

It is truly commendable how you have brought these bikes back to life, and continued to maintain them in the last 20 years. While they have been restomodified, you have amazing pieces of Indian automotive pieces in your collection. I am sure many people have been inspired by your efforts and will continue to do so in the coming years too.

I sincerely applaud you for your efforts over the years.

Thank you Sir for your kind words. Maintaining and riding my bikes is like therapy and providing these amazing pieces of motorcycle history a home they deserve is the reason why I really don’t know when I would stop adding to the collection.

Two strokes are my poison and I really feel alive riding them and when I am in the mood and I want to feel closer to death I swing my legs on the bigger four strokes in the collection.

Speaking of restomods each bike has been fitted with parts which serve a purpose and helps in improving the handling or engine performance. But, none of my bikes are stock anymore and that is about to change as the next addition is so SPECIAL and such an important part of Indian motorcycle history that it is going to be preserved the way it came from the factory and the way it still is after so many decades..

Stay tuned…

[SnS_12]

A motorcycle so rare that even google struggles to provide any history on it…