TZR 125 advice

Hi

I was considering adding a two stroke bike to my ever growing collection. I've come across this add in the local gumtree. I phoned the guy about it and he said it's been in the garage since it was mot'd last year. He's spent money on refurbishing the bike and apparently it's in good nick. I was just wondering, what things should I be looking for when considering buying a TZR 125? I haven't found out the mileage as yet, but it's registered in 1988 and he's had the fairings resprayed. He's looking around £750. Is this too dear? What should I be aiming to pay?

My particular preference would probably be for the TZR 250. Apart from the obvious differences (like the engine!), is there much difference between the two models?

Here are two pics from the ad;





Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers

Ian

[squirrel_hunter]

Kickstart leaver is in the wrong position, but that’s not important.

Check behind the clocks as if they go down these will be scratched.

Check the rear shock works, give it a bounce and visually inspect as this is a known week point due to no mudguard.

It looks tidy from the pics and if he’s had it re-sprayed the body work should be good as well (not full of cracks) but its worth taking the seat off and having a little poke around to see if all the lugs are there. If its not been used for a year then test riding might be a little tricky, but make sure it revs out, doesn't stutter, and the brakes work. Also check the radiator cap for white gunk as this will show if any seals in the engine are gone. Check the main wiring loom at the headstock (right hand side) as this often rubs against the fork/ frame and can cause no end of electrical problems.

Ask about the power valve. Ask what position it is in, is it standard, derestricted or power valved. The latter is the best. There is a power valve servo kit you can get for the bike that properly de-restricts it, it’s easy to know if it’s on as when the ignition is live it does a test cycle and you can hear the servo move. If it doesn't have the servo ask when it was last de-coked as if it hasn't been it won't be an issue but it’s a good bargaining point. All you need to do is pop it out and clean it, it improves the performance of the bike no end and a new exhaust wouldn’t go amiss either but this is possible to de-coke also.

Other than that it’s the usual questions and the price sounds about right but its best to have a look in the flesh. Can't help with the TZR250 though.


'88 TZR125L Power Valved.

Why would you want a TZR125 if you're not on L plates?

250's entirely different. (Need twice as many pistons for a start) Grin factor good, Fuel bill poor.

125 will have probably have been "well tested" so worth checking everything points in the right direction.

Edit: Though from the ad pics it looks surprisingly tidy.

Edit2: 800??

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

Kickstart leaver is in the wrong position, but that’s not important.

Check behind the clocks as if they go down these will be scratched.

Check the rear shock works, give it a bounce and visually inspect as this is a known week point due to no mudguard.

It looks tidy from the pics and if he’s had it re-sprayed the body work should be good as well (not full of cracks) but its worth taking the seat off and having a little poke around to see if all the lugs are there. If its not been used for a year then test riding might be a little tricky, but make sure it revs out, doesn't stutter, and the brakes work. Also check the radiator cap for white gunk as this will show if any seals in the engine are gone. Check the main wiring loom at the headstock (right hand side) as this often rubs against the fork/ frame and can cause no end of electrical problems.

Ask about the power valve. Ask what position it is in, is it standard, derestricted or power valved. The latter is the best. There is a power valve servo kit you can get for the bike that properly de-restricts it, it’s easy to know if it’s on as when the ignition is live it does a test cycle and you can hear the servo move. If it doesn't have the servo ask when it was last de-coked as if it hasn't been it won't be an issue but it’s a good bargaining point. All you need to do is pop it out and clean it, it improves the performance of the bike no end and a new exhaust wouldn’t go amiss either but this is possible to de-coke also.

Other than that it’s the usual questions and the price sounds about right but its best to have a look in the flesh. Can't help with the TZR250 though.


'88 TZR125L Power Valved.

Wow - thanks very much. That was a really comprehensive reply! There's plenty of things there for me to consider if I decide to see it in the flesh. So from what you're saying, it doesn't sound too far away on the money if everything else is ok?

Originally Posted by Sosha

Why would you want a TZR125 if you're not on L plates???

Read original post - not my original preference, but still like them as bikes and all the nostalgia that's associated with 2 strokes and such like.

[/quote]125 will have probably have been "well tested" so worth checking everything points in the right direction. ??[/quote]

Good point.

[squirrel_hunter]

Yep looks better than the one I bought for the same money all those years ago...

Originally Posted by Sosha

125 will have probably have been "well tested" so worth checking everything points in the right direction.

True. I would question the owner on what exactly refurbishing the bike entailed. Things to look at from experience would be mainly at the front of the bike. Are the clocks straight, front fairing bracket, handle bars, check the top yoke for splits (no idea how common that one was), all things to look at.