This week’s 2-Stroke Tuesday, sponsored by Decal Works, takes us back to a Honda CR125 build from 2016 that may have inspired a project bike trend. We set a $3,000 budget for this CR125 build, including the cost of the bike itself. Back then, prices were much lower than they are now!

Despite the limited budget, we were able to complete this build with some hard work and creativity.

One of the replacements we made was for the OEM Mikuni carburetor, which we damaged while adjusting the jetting. Fortunately, Mikuni offers a replacement that comes pre-jetted and ready to use. It’s a bit more expensive than an option on eBay, but it comes with guaranteed performance and support from the Mikuni team.

The exhaust pipe was damaged, but we were able to get it fixed by Pacific Crest Pipe Repair at a fraction of the cost of a new one. We also cleaned up and repacked the silencer packing, making it good as new. Mylers provided us with replacement radiators, and many OEM parts were restored and reused in the build.

We entrusted LA Sleeve with the complete rebuild of the engine, including repairs to the cylinder. Rebuilding a 2-stroke engine is much more affordable than a 4-stroke engine. We also added Samco silicone radiator hoses for a touch of bling and replaced the worn-out original hoses.

MSR Hardparts offers affordable bolt-on items for older 2-strokes, which we used in this build. The OEM wheel sets were restored by Faster USA for about $200, and they now look amazing.

All the powder coating for this build was done by Chris Johnson and the team at San Diego Powder and Protective Coating. They have experience with both two and four-wheeled vehicles, provide quick turnaround times, and produce outstanding results.

Price: Contact for pricing.

Contact: www.sandiegopowdercoating.com or (619) 956-0987

YES, we did go slightly over budget by about $600, and the bike isn’t perfect. However, it performs excellently at our local track and constantly brings smiles to our faces. We consider that a great success!