Hi All:

New member here. Currently in the market for a '72-'75 125 Enduro for the wife as a vinduro dual sport tiddler. IF we do this, we may have it for the long term and put a few thousand miles on it. For reference, last ride season (roughly late Sept to early May), she road her XT225 3000+ miles. We won't be putting those kinds of miles on a 125 Enduro, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets right at 1,000 miles per season.

A few 125 Enduro questions:

E-Start:

How finicky is the starter system? What's the common failure point and how difficult is it to repair?


Reeds:

What's the service life on the reeds? Are they available?


Pistons/Rings:

Are NOS type pistons/rings still available?


Sprockets:

Front and rears available?


All input on the above, as well as any advice concerning our idea, would be most welcomed.

Thanks.

Vinduroman aka Andre

Here’s my knowledge so far. I restored a 74 Dt125a to new with a few twists. But every seal, bearing etc, was replaced. I’ve put. Close to 3000 miles on it in three years. On a bore second over, I still have the same 130 ft/lbs that I started with. I’m running the same reeds that it came with.
Probably the weak point of the starting system is the brushes. They have to be in spec. length-wise. Do the maintenance on the armature and other components and get the timing set well and you should be good to go. Mine struggles to start on a cold motor about half the time. Once warm, no problem. I think if the spark plug is new,clean, and gapped right and the battery is charged well there’s no problem. Much of the time my 3 year old battery reads 12.35 or so and struggles. 12.55, and she fires right away. The regulator/rectifier is robust and adjustable. The shop manual covers the maintenance and troubleshooting on this model very well.
Rings and pistons seem to be available more than the bigger bores and for a good price. Probably the easiest way would be to get with Enduronut. Then you will be sure to have the matching parts with no headache. I believe the sprockets are readily available, as are many of the expendable parts. The oil injection system is bulletproof, but if it hasn’t been rebuilt by DEET, I’d get it done. That and a fresh wiring harness is a worthwhile investment and headache saver. He’ll take care of you.
The 125s seem to be more available and in better shape than the 6v bikes. I think the fact that they couldn’t be stripped and simplified saved them from getting thrashed in many cases. Very few parts are made from unobtainium and many rubber parts are repopped. In addition, there are some top notch small bore specialists here willing to help. Can’t wait to see your project start! Good luck!