1997 Honda CR125R
Remember when Jeremy McGrath and Steve Lamson ruled the world? Though neither of them won the outdoor title in 1997, Lamson piloted his Honda CR125R to two championships in 1995 and 1996.
In 1997 Honda came out with a revolutionary aluminum frame that they built their CR250 on. However, the CR125 had to wait until 1998 to receive the aluminum frame. 1997 CR125s were still built on the steel frame. This didn’t stop the 97 CR125 from becoming one of the most popular, well rounded bikes in the lineage of CR 125s. The 97 Honda CR125 also proved to deliver awesome power from bottom to top, coupled with great handling.
Though I’m not quite considering this a “vintage” ride, (due partially to the fact that I remember 1997 like it was yesterday and it makes me feel old), I love this bike. Late model 125s just beg to be pinned and flicked around the track. These Honda’s ride great and look even better, especially with the factory 1-800-Collect graphics kit! This CR belongs to our buddy Sean Fries from Shasta, California, and he spared nothing with this restoration.
I did a complete frame off restoration on this bike. Rebuilt motor, new seals, bearings, everything. It was an amazing time to build it. I raced it once at ADVRA Danny Magoo Chandler memorial race and won both motos of GP5 class on it. Bike has KLP racing HRC coke bottle swingarm and Mike at MB1 built me a works shock for it as well. The KLP arm is a full 3 pounds lighter than a stock one. I forgot how fun 125’s are.
7 Comments
KLP racing HRC coke bottle swingarm
How do I get in contact with these guys?
Just get ahold of Karl Landrus on facebook. KLP racing has a facebook page as well.
From what I heard on this 97 that I did buy new and race back 20 years ago, is that it had a 3d cdi ignition stock that was illegal in AMA pro racing. It had traction control in the form of timing retard when rpm spiked. I’m trying to find out if there was any truth to this or if it is somehow a figment of my imagination. I currently race a 99 YZ125 and I love it, but I want to find an unridden 97 CR125 sitting and restore it lightly to race for a season of local mx, just like I’m doing with this 99′ yz. Old 2 strokes are reviving the sport. More at the track now than last 10 years.
Hey Brandon, I totally agree! Older two strokes are just plain fun. So much cheaper to work on and maintain, and they also bring back the nostalgia of our younger years! Plus, at the local amateur level, it’s the rider that wins the races, not the bike. Keep having fun and stay safe Brandon!
You can get warp 9 wheels for the 1997 CR125 that’s what’s on this bike.
I have a 97 honda cr125r and I’m trying to rebuild top end with sleeve an piston kit. I can’t seem to find any of the tolerances or clearance specs to finish. Does anybody know what all the sleeve boring measurement are and ring gap measurements I need to finish rebuild? In need of them very bad!!
I have a 97 CR 125 I have almost completely restored. I want to put an aftermarket wheel set on it but I can only find the red hubs I want for a 2002, the rear hub is my problem. What can I do to make a hub for a 2002 work? Or, is there another bike that the rear hub will work for my 97?