Preferred year for CR 125

[John Bosanek]

Checked out a sprint track that was actually big enough to race on today, and am looking to start collecting parts to make the move from a 100cc Yamaha to a 125 Shifter. Assuming I'm not made of cash and need to hunt to find used parts, what is the preferred year for a CR 125 and why?

Thanks,

John

[John Clasen]

1991 thru 1999
J.R.

[John Denman]

If your looking for a kart on a budget, the lowest cost is in buying a good used package. Motors are the most expensive part, but there are mounts, radiators gears the list goes on. A good package runs around $4500 and usable packages as low as $3000. If you buy the stuff piecemeal it will cost you 30-50% more by the time you get to the track.

[John Bosanek]

How competitive of a kart can you get for $3000 - $4500? Seems like most that I see for sale are in the $6000+ range. I would just assume a whole kart when the time comes as opposed to building one up.......

[Bob Chiras]

JR

What decides the year for a CR125. We see a lot built from 1997 bottoms, the jugs range from 1995 througt 2001 and the heads are varied as well. The ignitions on a lot are from 1995's.

How does the competitor decide what year that the motor is when he lists the motor on the registration form?

[John Clasen]

Bob, as you know the CR125 is a kit motor and has been since 1998. The kit has evolved some but the current one (past three years) is made of the current years cases, '97 trans and clutch parts, '99 cylinder and head, '99 Ignition components. There is widespread parts compatibility through out the years '91 to current with almost all the parts (cases, cylinders, heads, trans, ignition, etc. The '99 kit motor happens to be one of the best combinations right out of the box. For all intent and purpose, all the kit motors are essentially the same, as the porting, heads, and ignitions are the same.
As for the '95 and '97 stuff, the main difference is the match up of the transfers to the cases. Major porting differences do not exist in the cylinders from '94 thru '99.
Of course the '00 & '01 top ends are completely different. There is potential there but only few have found it.
Regarding registration, I think most people just put Honda or Yamaha or what ever, what's the difference?
Hope that helps.
J.R.

[ August 15, 2001: Message edited by: John R. Clasen ]

[Bob Chiras]

JR
The purpose of the question was concerning ignition boxes. I assume that as some organizations declare only stock boxes that we could have to declare the year of the motor in order to be subject to post race inspection. I just wanted to see if there is clarity as to what constitutes a particular year of motor. Is it the ignition box, is it some casting numbers?

We do not want some competitor to be in a position of not understanding how to act when they register.

[Brant Williams]

1995 cylinder...when those ran out....1999 cylinder

[John Clasen]

Bob, on production motors, those that came in crates or on bikes, there is a riveted number plate just under the numbers that are cast into the cases. Without these numbers it is impossible to state precisely what the year of manufacture is, unless you know the visual differences between the various years of mfg. I am still not sure what the purpose of the question is. The cases are essentially the same, and the ignitions can be identified by the number on the CDI box, what is the question. You can use CDI boxes from '91 thru '92 with any rotor and stator units from the same period. After '97 you have to match the connector plugs year to year.
Hope this helps. If you have specific application questions I can tie this down very closley.
Thanx, J.R.

[Dennis Brown]

JR
Isn't it true that beginning in 96, the ignition was digital. Someone told me this. I'm not sure.
Dennis Brown