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    • #8607
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Better late than … ever?  (Old farts can also have fun on 2 “small” wheels)

      I’m Arne, born in the mid 60’s, learned about motorbikes 14-15 years old, “restored” some 50’s old wrecked bikes, before getting my licence, and buying a used 77-78′ Kawa KH-100ES.  And at 17, I got a 69/70′ Kawa 500-H1/Mach III in boxes… No problem, I had seen it run, and ALL bits was included. I restored it well, got it complete to my 18 y birthday, but had (over-)spent the budget for upgrading my licence, a car licence had priority. And sold the 500 for getting 4 wheels. If I only knew the price-increase for triples…

      Anyway, had fun with Escort, Capri, Cortina/Taunus, Granada, more Capri, a Mustang, and more…but never got around to upgrade to “full” MC-licence. And never really cared about it until a few years ago. But now, it has become ridiculous priced. So, for my very limited use of 2 wheels, (just to cheat toll-roads), I can cope with the 125cc.

      But, maybe it has something with weight, or, 4-stroke horsepower must be overrated. In 1980-83, my 100cc 2-stroke (un-restricted) could do 125km/h on flat ground. Any day of the week.  And, If I ever came behind a car doing less than 90km/h, I overtook it, also uphill, with passenger. Easy. Try that with a modern 4-stroke “lawnmower” engine…

      Before the Hyosung found me, I had a 2014′ Honda Varadero 125, -also large & heavy, but too expensive to modify, down-traded for a 2010’ish Honda Rebel 125, with a 250 engine… utterly useless for any ride longer than 15-20 minutes (for me. Too low seat + seat-shape + would scrape footpegs before the fun started..). I also have a 79/80′ Honda CB125T (twin), undergoing a little resto-mod. (on 4 wheels: 03′ Focus 1,8TDCi Ghia & 89′ MB – 300CE /W124)

      The GTR is an “overlayer” – had been standing in a shop, not beeing sold, as a 2017 model. The deal on a “new” bike was too sweet to pass, so it became mine last year, in 2021.

       

       

    • #8619
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      I really hope you keep that bike, it looks really sweet and being the 1st owner of it , i think you would be silly to divorce it 😉

      Any plans for the hyosung ? Considering you have had enough experience on 2 and 4 wheels to probably modify anything at this point lol.

    • #8621
      Cobra2
      Participant

      2-stroke have haunted my thoughts… as Cagiva Mito, Aprilia RS, and Honda NSR is getting cheaper – but also harder to find good parts for. A Yamaha TZR125, or Suzuki RG125 is high up there…but rare here, and also overpriced.

      So, the Hyo stays.  Need another 3-4 ponies and some torque…for going against wind & uphill… -so the hunt for 50-125cc more volume will be the next plan.  I have anti-rust-oiled most of the frame-internals, and rear-swing, and most other modifications are for convenience and reliability reasons.

      If I were rich…I would have used way too much on titanium parts, to save weight, maybe also lighter rims.

      Single cylinder 4-strokes…I usually describe as lawnmowers…  – not interesting.

    • #8635
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Me too , i don’t like like the sound of single thumpers whatever the size it is lol.    2T will be an exception.

      You can always buy 2x RS125 bikes and one is a future spares donor, buy another engine too.  Then you should be okay.

      As for the hyosung,  hills & winds = 520 kit and improved clutch will help you for sure.

    • #8640
      dufferdave
      Participant

      Hi Arne, Like you i’m also an ” old fart”with a 2019 model GTR125. I’ve fitted the 520 kit and also the uprated coil packs and bigger fuel filter kit. My bike will cruise at 60 mph and will easily top 75 mph and i’m not a lightweight ( 15.5 st). I would also recommend changing the tyres to some decent rubber ones! I’m really pleased with my bike and 3yrs on still enjoy her and hope you have the same experience with yours.

    • #8641
      Cobra2
      Participant

      🙂 – new tyres fitted last winter, F: Bridgestone T32, R: Michelin Road 5. Total: close to £300 (winter-price).
      BIG upgrade from the “bakelite-rings” the bike was born with…
      And compared with previous small bikes, the Hyo is so stable & “planted” on the road, it’s almost boring 😉

      The positioning, however, is for the younger, so I drilled the triple-top and mounted steering-bar insted of the clip-ons.

    • #10432
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Washed, ready to go…

    • #10434
      Cobra2
      Participant

      When clip-ons gets too <<R>>, put on a “normal” handlebar. Was/is really looking for a even lower/flatter bar, but this works.

      With “naked” GT clutch-wire, & extended brake-hose.

      @ MARCEL: You will need to get “naked” GT throttle-wire in the shop…

    • #10435
      Jim
      Participant

      That is a great looking bike!

    • #10443
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Thanks. Largest annoyance with the dressed bikes, is to undress for simplest tasks & service.

      Undresses, but not shy:

    • #10446
      Cobra2
      Participant

      These TITANIUM-bolts fits really good here..: (one original left for reference)

      Also notice the O2/Lambda-boss, – for wide-band lambda, almost a “must” for checking/adjusting jets.

    • #10465
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Great updates!

      Haha, i will also tell my Titanium Guy you loved the bolts and used them on the rearsets, that is new to us! – I like it 🙂

      I thought you would keep a spare copy of bolts, if you wanted to add extra brake disc to front wheel.

      Do you want Naked Throttle wire ? I can get it anytime but i will add it to shop as this week i’ve started to add catalogue items for GV125/GV650 , so i will do GT naked too.

      Remember , GT Naked uses a SQUARE shape switch right , and throttle cable is more flat, so it may feel awkward using Naked cable on  GTR curvy/smooth switch right.
      Annoyingly , we can’t use GT Naked right switch on GT125 RC harness,  pins change , unless you want to be an electric wizard 😉 !

    • #10466
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Thanks. Largest annoyance with the dressed bikes, is to undress for simplest tasks & service. Undresses, but not shy:

      It is still very clean and pretty!

    • #10468
      Cobra2
      Participant

      No problem keeping it clean, when only used under a blue sky…

    • #11493
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Ooooops, I did it again….  🙂

      my 125 found a new owner, and I found a 250… ~ 2012 – GT250R – efi.

      Or maybe it is a 2011? Seems odd with the later tail, and older front.  Only 7700km, but a bit more “everyday”-used.

      And, ofcourse a money-drain… well, that is what winter is for.

    • #11494
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Will you marry her and stay with her ?  She is also stunning! 👍

      Did you find any abuse ?   It looks like last owner was looking after it!  ( i hope i am right )

    • #11495
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Not bad, some minor scratches, some marks of improper tools…(like: vise-grip marks on axle-nut), been used in all-weather, never really cleaned under the plastic…

      Marry her? – no, just another mistress, I guess. But with just enough GO to make longer trips tempting.

    • #11496
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      I hope the mistress , has enough “zip” to make you keep her for a little longer this time and you have the best figure  (slim tail RC and old gen brawny face ).  Looks like an old ducati now 😉

      With tools, nothing can stop you but dont get frozen hands cleaning her , as it is winter in UK already lol.  (At least in North UK with crazy winds and storms)

    • #13682
      Cobra2
      Participant

      We had winter…

      January - snow

      -most of the white stuff were gone by february, with another large surprice-attack in early april.

      May have however been beautiful….summer-like….and I’m still waiting for parts…(my fault).

    • #13685
      Cobra2
      Participant

      BlackWidow-headers on,

      BlackWidow

    • #13687
      Cobra2
      Participant

      All other service-points checked, new DID Vx3-chain & JT sprockets, new Metzler tyres, valve-clearance, compression, oilchange on engine & forks, EBC brakes all-over, new plug-caps & plugs, K&N filter, added a headlight relay just behind the lamp (less current/volt-loss thru switch-gear), +added a light on dash for sidestand-warning.

      I did f’*ck up storing the tank….and broke the outlet. Not fun…but…new pump-assy’ is on the way. Hope there will be some summer left when all is in place….

      Fuel-pump

    • #13689
      Cobra2
      Participant

      The side-stand warning light:

    • #13691
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Light-relay- easy way…

    • #13693
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Almost……………………

    • #13702
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Great! Great! write ups there, i think you should move these diagrams in to a tutorial section, after everything works well.
      /?
      I can see the car was totally covered in snow,  that’s some serious winter!  – Better enjoy this summer as much as you can.  Is it  hot now ?  20c celsius ? or do you have a heat-wave now ?

      Bike looks good with the Black Widow pipes!

    • #13705
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Thanks, you may use any picture as you please…

      Around 18-20C now… mixed (british-like) weather…

      A side-note…the side-stand-warning gets 12V from the “old” bypass-connection.

      Headlight draws from the battery (via a 30A fuse) to the relay. Wiring-colour is what I had…using a pre-wired relay-holder…

      About exhaust; I was a bit surprised on comparing dimentions on 125 vs 250 pipes. after cleaning up the ugly, restricting weld on the entrance, I measured less than a mm difference, just difference in 7 years production..? So, no clear advantage on swapping a 250 system on a 125. B.W. pipes are superior, (but a bit large for best power on a 125). The welds on any stock system should be grinded/cleaned out for better performance.

    • #13714
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      the main advantage of the black widow headers is that the 304 stainless won’t easily crumble like the OEM pipes because we live in cold climates where stainless or titanium things are a must have 🤐🤯

       

    • #13824
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Trust no one…  the bike had issue with fuel-pump before I got it…and was fixed, they said… (the black one…)  !

       

      Yes, this is how the fuel-inlet was pointing when I pulled the pump!

       

    • #13827
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      They could have twisted the strainer to make it is facing down ,  good job there!

      Keep the old black pump for spares!

    • #13879
      Cobra2
      Participant

      All ready to go..

      -with a more relaxed steering-position…

      (Clip-On Adapter Plate Handlebars Set for Kawasaki Ninja 650R – AliXpress)

      -and flip-up mirrors, easy to flip, keeps the position after flip-down. Smart.

    • #13886
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      using the Kawasaki clipons over the steering yoke is a very smart move , i am usually skeptical about China parts on critical parts of the bike including steering, so let us know how they handle , maybe i might get OEM kawasaki versions.   As you can tell even the Korea clip ons break easy  (which is a good thing sometimes as the fairings or crash bobbins will take most of the damage from the fall)

      Are you going to fit lower fairings back in  and fit  R&G Crash Protectors on her ? – It looks very pretty in white!

    • #13888
      Cobra2
      Participant

      The clip-on-lifter seems more sturdy than the oem…!  (and is lifted by a steering-bar half-cap).

      -and, yes, lower fairing is going back, just needed extra cleaning, also inside…

      I might get a set of R&G Crash Protectors, I have a set lying here, from the old/previous design, I like the new design better, and will probably go for them.

    • #13899
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      On the plus side, with Kawa bars you can fit custom bar ends!

    • #19826
      Cobra2
      Participant

      Ooooops, I did it again…. 2  🙂 !

      A beautyful 2017 GV-125C  at a price I could not resist…

    • #19835
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Keep that red colour! 💝💝💝💝

    • #20650
      seven
      Participant

      Dang that red looks sweet!

    • #20723
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Dang that red looks sweet!

      Indeed it does!

    • #20868
      Cobra2
      Participant

      GV sold… with LeoVince “Silver-tips”, better looking, and much better sounding. And run stronger, after jetting up equal to stock GT-jets.

      GV-125C

      BTW, The GV riding position was not for me…

      Also sold the GT-250R… -and then bought back my “old” RED GT-125R ! (witch need a refresh after 2 years/10 000km…)

    • #20869
      ♠️ M77
      Keymaster

      Twin Pipes are the best look for the GV to be fair 🙂 , i would have thought the GV was more comfy than the sport-bike position ?

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