CG125 - fired up!

Just a quick post - no photo yet. I tried to start the CG125 today but it didn't seem to want to fire. The bike had a strong spark at the HT lead and seemed to have a good spark at plug. Fuel was also there. The timing seemed to be out though as it backfired once or twice. When I checked the timing I couldn't understand why I wasn't able to get the points anywhere near opening when the timing marks lined up. They would only line up when the rockers were pushing on the valves - i.e no compression. After a bit of head scratching I realised that under the flywheel magneto assembly there is an advance retard system which had been put on the wrong way round, which meant the timing was 180 degrees out. It could never have fired up properly, this was possibly why the engine was not in use when I bought it. I'll post a photo of the advance retard system when I take the flywheel off again to give it a good clean.  After putting the advance retard system in correctly and sticking in a spark plug from the CD90Z (the CG125 one didn't seem to be allowing a strong enough spark to run), the bike fired up and ran. It now needs the proper plug fitting and timing and valves fine tuned.  To get a video of it running it also needs an exhaust! Still lots of bits missing but it is very encouraging to have the engine going.

CG125 - fitting the engine,oilchange

Fitted the engine that looks most likely to run. Changed the oil, jury rigged the ignition and got a spark. I put a bit of fuel in the carb float  - the engine fired but didn't run. A bad misfire as if the timing is way out. Next thing I'll have to do is investigate why. Pleased I've got a good spark though. I took off the valve cover and was impressed at how clean the valve gear looked.

CG125 - Forks. wheels, stand and handlebars

More bits loosely fitted, but at least it looks more like a motorbike. The stand will need a new spring as it doesn't stay up properly and I may need to renew the steering head bearings. The tank I believe is from a CB125 but looks though it may fit. Lots of small bits are missing as I suspected.  I am intending to do an initial fit to see what's missing and to check if I can get the engine to run. I shall probably make a single seat.

CG125 - Assembly begins

A couple of  photos of swinging arm and rear shockers on with air box fitted. Rear mudguard needs work as its a bit rusty underneath and will need de-rusting.

CG125 - Topcoat on and dried

Here's my kit of black painted parts ready to start assembly. Bit of a dry run as I need to get some shiny new bolts.

CG125 - rustproofing and undercoating frame and air filter

After the new Rustblast arrived I finished rustproofing and undercoating the remaining bits. Frame and air filter after Rustblast is applied, left and then washed off. The Rustblast apparently etches the surface too. Looks quite good, especially after the primer is painted on. I applied it with a brush but it still levelled out nicely. I am hoping to spray on the top coats tomorrow, more on the blog if I do. 

CG125 - preparation for printing

Having removed the paint I used KBS Aquaclean and Rustblaster and sandpaper/wire brush to get the bits to a state where they are ready for painting. Ran out of Rustblaster so still got to do the frame once I've bought some more.

First parts prepped, all in pretty good condition. Still got to de-rust the air filter box which is one of the original metal ones.

CG125 - paint removal

It's been a while but I stripped off the paint from the CG125 frame , swinging arm and bits and pieces. I was going to have it blasted but in actual fact the paint came off fairly easily.

The frame seems very solid, welds secure and no sign off any distortion.

CG125 crankcase cover

It's about time I posted again. I bought a crankcase cover off ebay, a bit mucky and scratched but it is around 40 years old. Still after a bit of wet and dry with washing up liquid and lots of water followed by some paint stripper with wire wool it was beginning to look a little better. I then finished up with some aluminium polish which improved the look of the case considerably.

A bit of black paint round the Honda logo should finish off nicely.

The frame is now stripped and rather than strip it with paint stripper etc as I did with the CD90Z I intend to get it blasted. I have had a problem with the stand which is rusted onto the shaft, it will not shift with heat or penetrating oil and unfortunately I'll have to cut it off. I am gradually collecting some of the missing parts but have a long way to go. More on that later...

CG125 - spare engine in bits

Valves out next but here is the head as taken off.

Barrel is probably useable as is with a bit of cleaning up. There doesn't appear to be any scoring or signs of overheating, just some lightish rust which I'm hoping will polish out.

Piston is also not scored. Rings were not broken and again once cleaned up it may well be serviceable. This engine is slightly later than the complete engine.

I have applied for the V5C as the logbook has apparently been lost for years. Hopefully DVLA will be as efficient as they were with the CD90Z.

CG125 - the engines

What I did get with the bike was a reasonable looking engine which has compression but is missing one of the covers and drive sprocket. I haven't attempted to try to starting it - that can come later.

In addition to this engine I also got an appalling looking engine which had water coming out of it from somewhere - not a good sign I thought.

The engine can be turned over by hand and seems to be in better condition than I first thought. I stripped off the head and barrel - nice and easy as it is the pushrod version. It all came apart easily with no seized parts. The nuts, bolts etc were easy to remove.

CG125 the first photos

First photos of the new project - a very sad looking CG125. The bike is missing many parts including the fuel tank and seat but also lots of pieces which could be removed have been removed, which leaves me needing all the controls, headlight,side panels, ignition switch, footrest bar and rubbers etc etc etc. The good thing is that it appears to be easier to get hold of spares for the CG125 than for the CD90Z. 

This is the frame, fork and wheels after a wash down. It was covered in mud before. The bike is an early CG125 - 1977. I cleaned up the chrome a little to try to get an idea how bad it was.The forks aren't too bad, mudguards again may be serviceable and rear shockers appear good! The frame has a some rust but isn't too bad. The wheels are a little rusted but should clean up and with a bit of luck may also be ok to use initially.  

A new project - a new blog

With work stalled on the CD90Z ( see http://cd90z.blogspot.com/ ) while I attempt to get some missing parts, I have invested in a new project...... a Honda CG125. No posts yet but I will put on some photos soon. Bike is in a state with lots missing - why do I do it?