Old bike - What to do

Guy · 22 May 2015 at 11:38

So, I've had a Honda CG125 (X reg, drum brakes) sitting in the back garden for a number of years, just sitting there doing nothing. I'm now trying to clear out stuff that I don't need or never use, remembered about the bike but I'm not sure what to do with it.

As it was never covered or prepared for storage, I'm guessing it's going to need a fair amount of work to get it back on the road.

Is it worth the effort or trying to "restore it" on my own (bear in mind that I've not really done any work on a bike, other than service and maintain a bike) or scrap/sell as spare/repairs.

tom_e · 22 May 2015 at 11:41

If you just fancy a little hobby to do as and when and you've got the space to keep it I'd give doing it up a go, bikes are pretty simple to work on to be honest as long as you've got a semi decent amount of tools lying around.

VoG · 22 May 2015 at 12:13

One thing ide not do is scrap it as the CG is pretty damn straight forward so it shouldn't have suffered too much, ide either get it running again or Ebay it as a non runner/project, and personally ide get it running as it'll fetch more money that way.

4T5 · 22 May 2015 at 12:32

I need to see it before I could judge but at the very least the engine & box will still be sound & would fit lovely in one of those Chinese bikes with a blown engine. I'd be surprised if you couldn't sort the CG out easily though as they are one of the best if not the best ever 125 for reliability & there ability to take untold abuse.
Take a few pics & post them, need pics of the frame/forks/engine/rear swinging arm/sprockets & any rubber pipes.
One thing you will need to do first is take the tank off & empty whatever fuel is in the tank out then check the inside of the tank for rust.

Guy · 22 May 2015 at 14:57

Cheers guys.

I'll get some picks up next week when I've got some time to have a proper look at it. I guess until that point it's going to be hard to make the right call.

Sagalout · 22 May 2015 at 15:09

This sounds like a perfect little project! They make great Cafe Racers

http://www.caferacer.net/forum/project-builds/19405-honda-cg125-budget-project.html

http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cg125

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2012/02/readers-rides-honda-cg125-resurrection.html

stuie · 22 May 2015 at 15:11

new battery, drain the fuel and do an oil change I bet it will start

danny77 · 22 May 2015 at 16:10

stuie said:
new battery, drain the fuel and do an oil change I bet it will start

Tyres, chain , pitting on forks, fork seals etc the amount of money it could possibly need spending to get it through an mot could be more then the bike is worth , probably better breaking it and selling the parts

4T5 · 22 May 2015 at 17:32

That's why I mentioned the Chinese option, I've seen a few advertised recently with No engine or blown engine etc but there only a few years old. Stick an original CG engine & box into it & you'd have a great little 1T for prob less than 200 quid all in.
I still reckon there is a good chance the CG will be Ok & fairly easy to get back on the road as they were so over engineered when built.

ConTRo13R · 22 May 2015 at 21:00

stuie said:
new battery, drain the fuel and do an oil change I bet it will start

Do all the above but also clean the carb, it will be gummed up so much i doubt itd allow sufficient fuel through for it to start. Id also check the spark plug still has spark.

VoG · 22 May 2015 at 21:49

ConTRo13R said:
Do all the above but also clean the carb, it will be gummed up so much i doubt itd allow sufficient fuel through for it to start. Id also check the spark plug still has spark.

Ide also look down the bore whilst you've got the spark plug out, check for any surface rust on the bore if it's been stood for a really long time, perhaps squirt a little bit of oil into the bore just to lube the rings & gently move the piston up & down a few times before attempting to start it, as I bet that bore will be as dry as a bone by now.