In a recent video by Cars and Cameras, they showcased what two hundred dollars can get you. They managed to get their hands on a 1974 Honda CL125 that had not been ridden or registered since 1982. Despite sitting for decades and accumulating rust and dust, the bike is surprisingly in good condition. The engine, however, is stuck and needs some attention.
While the bike doesn’t require a full restoration, certain parts like the engine and drivetrain need some love. The oil has become a gunky mess after years of sitting, and the chain and sprockets are rusted and won’t last much longer. Fortunately, the engine still has some compression and managed to expel a significant amount of gunk from the spark plug hole.
The gas tank is another issue as it’s rusted through and needs a thorough cleaning. Overall, the bike requires various tasks such as opening up the engine, changing the spark plug, de-rusting the fuel tank, cleaning and refurbishing the carburetor, replacing the chain and sprockets, changing the oil, and addressing other small jobs. The suspension and brakes also need attention.
The video runs for more than 30 minutes, but if you’re curious to know if the bike starts, skip ahead to the nine-minute mark. The rest of the video focuses on making the bike rideable. To find out if it ultimately rides, check out the full video!