An introduction and a questions about the CB125 (Twin)

[Beetwaaf]

Hi BCF.
I'm a 15 (soon to start test driving) year old from Sweden and have recently started looking into getting the A1 licence, therefore I have also started to look into bikes of different kinds.

The sort of bikes I was first looking into was supermotos but that was quickly thrown aside since the prices was clearly driven up by manufacturers that are aware of the teen market.
(MPG doesn't seem too great either.)

Sport bikes: Same reason as above.

I then realized that veterans are something very cool looking, often cheap to purchase, often times good MPG, no taxes and in a lot of cases the insurance is also fairly good.

Looking around for a bit I found the Honda CB125 ( The twin model),
the bike fits all my criteria and now I just have a couple of question surrounding the bike:

As it stand now this is THE bike I'm thinking about getting, what should the price range be at? I've found bikes around 200£-800£, is this reasonable and what condition should these bikes be in?

What are the differences between the super dreams and the T/T2s?

I'd prefer to get the model with 80 mph max speed, which year would this be and what should I look out for to make sure I in fact get one?

Also what year and model are these CB125s?

https://imgur.com/a/4zGQ5

All of these are ASFAIK out for sale here in Sweden,

The first black one is out for 550£ / No year posted in ad
The candy red one is out for 350£ / Seller says its a 1983
The blue one is out for 250£ / Seller says its a 1981
The second black one is out for 600£ / Seller says its a 1981

I'm also open for mechanical work and will try to do it properly and learn as I go.

I was also thinking if possible to replace the lamp with a proper xenon with low and high beam modes, also if a hydraulic front brake I was thinking to replace with something aftermarket due to all the issues I've heard about.

Anything else I've not thought about would also be appreciated.

Also if I've done something to break the rules I'm sorry but I've read through them and think I should be fine.

[Teflon-Mike]

https://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/teflons-torque/000_A_Misc/Honda20CB125T2081.jpg
That is a CB125 T/T2. It has the later Benly twin engine, with 180 degree crank, twin carbs and a 'hot' cam, to endow it with a whopping 16-17bhp or so, which also unfortunately means it falls just outside A1 complience and you cant legally ride one on an A1 catagory licence; though being a four-stroke, possible the most powerful standard production 4-stroke ever, any-one would even question it, I don't know.
Kick-Start only, Points Ignition and 6v electrics; Twin-Shock rear suspension, wire-spoke wheels on release year models, first generation 'com-stars' (Allow Rim & pressed steel spoke plates, I think) in later model shown; and one of the most cantankerouse cable operated front disc brakes ever created by man.
Great Classic, but NOT one that would make a great every-day practical rider.
https://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/teflons-torque/000_A_Misc/histoTD.jpg
This is the CB125 TD-C 'Super-Dream'.
Designed specifically for the UK Market, to be complient with the 1982 125 Learner-Laws we had here at the time, the engine was de-tuned to 13bhp with different, and smaller choke sized carbs and softer cam-shaft; but retaining the 180 degree crank. Still revs to silly RPM in the 13,000rpm region, and can propel the thing to a genuine 70mph ish in neutral conditions. (I've had one up to GPS checked 70 bolt upright, two-up!) Note; the engines are pretty much the same, but there's practically little way to 'de-restrict' one to get the power the earlier bikes had from the later ones. They did make a 'full-power' version with the hotter cam and a very rare derivative of the super-dream carbs in the larger size, for one or two market regions or to special order; but they are rare as a very rare thing.
Other differences?
Electronic CDi Ignition & 12v electrics; Electric only start; multi-link rising rate 'mono-shock' rear suspension, twin-piston hydraulic front disc brake; 'contemporary' euro-styling, all aluminium Third Generation Comstar wheels; slightly larger tyre sizes.
As an every-day classic, the 'Super-Dream' is the better bike and a LOT easier to live with. The electrics are just so much more reliable; brakes better, and the handling superb. Its a full featured 'big-bike' in miniature; and was incredibly advanced for its day. The Suspension & Brakes for example are as or more sophisticated than any 125 of the bikes day, and are as good or better than many 'premier' class bikes of modern times, that are so often built down to a price, rather than up to a spec as the Super-Dream was.

UK Prices? Volatile. I have seen good road-worthy bikes with tax and test sell for under £400 while spares & repairs specials have gone for close on £500.

A 'Good' Super-Dream ought to fetch about £800, ready to ride; more scruffy but roadable examples down from that to about £500, something 'special' concourse restored or a mint original example with providence, possibly £1300-1400. But as said, people get what they can, and its not a well loved model.

Earlier T & T2's are even more volatile. Because they are old and because they are more powerful, people think they should be worth more money, and some-times they get it. But the hotter cam engine was rather prone to siezing and wrecking its cam, and most that have survived this long have been fixed up with more common Super-Dream engines...

What are these?
https://i.imgur.com/IpiDXsr.jpg
Launch Year 76/77 CB125T wire wheel model.

https://i.imgur.com/PDer1ch.jpg
Re-Painted CB125TD-? 'Super-Dream'. Probably a 1981-1985 CB125TD-C, cant see the rear tail light/reflector arrangement to tell if its the slightly later 84-87 CB125TD-E model.. that was about the only difference, though, apart from not being badged a 'Super-Dream' but a CB125T 'Deluxe'

https://i.imgur.com/Q4UnVod.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8Z6vcme.jpg

Both 78-80 Model CB125T2's with Com-Star wheels.

As for mods? The Super-Dream front brake is great. Apart from adding a braided line and new fluid; dont worry about it.

T2 Front brake? Yeah... if you have to have a T/T2 leave it stock. Its the classic features that make it interesting; you want a more modern bike, buy the Super-Dream. Aparently CG125 front ends slot straight in, but really you don't buy a classic like that to kill the 'originality'.

Headlamps? T2 is six volt. Forget upgrades, unless upgrading the entire electrical systen to later Super-Dream 12volt.

Super-Dream? Being 12v is compatible with many modern upgrades. Original lamps pretty good though. Have tried all perms; but the original Stanley headlamp lense is about the best you can do with the standard headlamp shell. There is/was a halogen bulb conversion, but crap lenses wasted any extra light. TD-E however has Standard H4 bulb fitting, and will take an H4 bulb in place of OE fit tungsten. after that, to fit a better light, you have to fit a new, bugger headlamp shell and re-bracket the unconventional equipment 'basket' to accomodate it; but then anything is possible, right up to HID's which I have to say work rather well; low power draw, means they give extra light without over-loading the generator.

See Snowie's Pupo-Project Post in Show & Tell (there's a link in my profile) For more 'useful' mods to a Super-Dream... she's just about done the lot!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Beetwaaf]

Thanks for the lengthy response, I have looked into a couple of different sources as well as your wiki site, that as well as your post has convinced me to go with a Super-Dream.

I'll look into your other threads.

As it stands I think I'm gonna see if there's any major faults with the Red bike I posted (contacting the current owner and getting a look at it in person together with a more knowing bud than myself), if there aren't any major ones, that's probably the one I'm going to get.

Again thanks for the post, much appreciated.

[Pete.]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I've got an '87 one off Mike. It goes well for an old 125. I've put about 4k on it in the last year nearly. Afaict, these are its strengths and weaknesses (some of which may actually be reversible depending on your own requirements and wants):

Strengths:

Handles extremely well - feels light, nimble and accurate
Low seat but comfy for an hour (I'm 5' 11")
Red lines at 11 thou iirc
Very confidence inspiring
Good range (tank capacity is decent)


Weaknesses:

Lethargic starter - needs running regularly (daily, preferably)
Knacker the carb boot and it's curtains
Will need regular doses of ye fabled mechanical sympathy
Non-fettlers or the penniless need not apply
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125