This is an important time in our Project Lowbucks 1982 Yamaha YZ125.
In the very next part, were going to start assembling everything from the engine to all the plastic. This means we have to get everything ready to go, and we want to make sure that we have everything we need.
In the last part we painted almost everything in sight, using Krylon Sun Yellow as the closest color we could get to Yamaha parts. Even though things went well paint-wise, we had a terrible time getting the triple clamps loose from the steering head. Just loosening the various nuts didn’t allow us to free things up. It took almost an hour of pounding with a heavy hammer to get the rusted parts free. Apparently, the previous owner of the YZ had left the frame set outside in the rain and the steering head had parts that became a ball of rust. Luckily we had some YZ125 parts around, so we didn’t have to buy new steering head mechanicals.
As you can see, there was a bunch of rust inside the steering head, as well as on the stem itself. The steering head parts were from a 1979 YZ125. While we were at it, we used those forks as well. Both forks are 38mm, and the travel is about the same.
A visit to eBay yielded a new saddle cover for under 20 bucks. If you saw the photos of the old saddle cover in our original Project Lowbucks, 1982 Yamaha YZ125, Part 1, you clearly understand why we didn’t try to save that particular unit.
The top end was in good shape and could be bolted in place. With a coat of black paint, the motor will be ready drop into the frame. Next, we’ll pop the swingarm and links in place.
The rear wheel is next, and refurbishing the front wheel and brakes will bring us to a rolling chassis. Since we already painted the plastic, it is ready for installation.
Stay tuned, as our Project Lowbucks 1982 Yamaha YZ125 is on its way back to being a useful recreational mount.
Project Lowbucks 1982 Yamaha YZ125, Part 1
Project Lowbucks 1982 Yamaha YZ125, Part 2
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