King of the Hill: 1974 Honda CR125M Elsinore

By Margie Siegal
Published on October 8, 2012
1 / 10
In 1973, there wasn’t much to be excited about in the 125cc class — except for the newest offroader from Honda.
In 1973, there wasn’t much to be excited about in the 125cc class — except for the newest offroader from Honda.
2 / 10
Period testers were happy with the 125’s easy starting, light clutch, excellent acceleration and nimble handling.
Period testers were happy with the 125’s easy starting, light clutch, excellent acceleration and nimble handling.
3 / 10
Period dyno tests confirmed what riders soon learned: This 125 made a lot of power for its size, and it was all at the high end of the rpm range.
Period dyno tests confirmed what riders soon learned: This 125 made a lot of power for its size, and it was all at the high end of the rpm range.
4 / 10
The Elsinore had a good run, but times changed. The race through Lake Elsinore was stopped, and the name was no longer synonymous with motocross; the Elsinore name was dropped after 1982.
The Elsinore had a good run, but times changed. The race through Lake Elsinore was stopped, and the name was no longer synonymous with motocross; the Elsinore name was dropped after 1982.
5 / 10
Showa shocks have 4 inches of travel.
Showa shocks have 4 inches of travel.
6 / 10
The OEM expansion chamber was an impossible find.
The OEM expansion chamber was an impossible find.
7 / 10
The frame was manufactured from high-strength chrome-moly tubing, with a large backbone tied to the steering head and the front downtube with carefully engineered gussets.
The frame was manufactured from high-strength chrome-moly tubing, with a large backbone tied to the steering head and the front downtube with carefully engineered gussets.
8 / 10
At just 190 pounds wet, the Honda was light and fast.
At just 190 pounds wet, the Honda was light and fast.
9 / 10
Owner Peter Palko found that, while it at first seemed that there wasn’t much to the little single-cylinder motocrosser, there were nuances and challenges to restoring the CR125M.
Owner Peter Palko found that, while it at first seemed that there wasn’t much to the little single-cylinder motocrosser, there were nuances and challenges to restoring the CR125M.
10 / 10
Plastic fenders kept some of the mud off the rider.
Plastic fenders kept some of the mud off the rider.

1974 Honda CR125M Elsinore
Claimed power: 21.7hp @ 9,500rpm (claimed)
Top speed: 60mph
Engine: 123cc air-cooled 2-stroke single, 56mm x 50mm bore and stroke, 7.6:1 compression ratio
Weight (dry): 179lb (81.4kg)
Fuel capacity: 1.6gal (6ltr)
Price then/now: $740/$2,000-$4,000

In 1973, motocross was hot. Motorcycling as leisure was big business, and lots of kids lived within easy reach of places to go offroad riding, with lots of opportunity to explore almost in their own backyards.

With aspiring dirt riders pouring onto the trails, motocross and enduro organizers found little difficulty attracting competitors to their events. One of the most famous offroad races, immortalized in the movie On Any Sunday, was held every year through the Sixties and early Seventies in the Southern California desert town of Lake Elsinore, with part of the route going through the downtown streets. More than 1,500 riders regularly turned up.

But while it was easy to find a place to ride, it wasn’t so easy to find a really effective small-bore motocross bike in the 125cc range that would appeal to younger riders. Dirt Bike ticked off the choices in its September 1973 issue, starting with the Bultaco 125, which was screamingly fast, but frighteningly unreliable. “Learn to live with its mechanical suicide tendencies,” Dirt Bike editors said. “If it runs, nothing can keep up with it.” Dirt Bike‘s editors were pretty much down on the category: They thought the Sachs- and Zundapp-engined specials on the market were heavy, had bad shocks and unreliable gearboxes; most of the Japanese 125cc bikes didn’t handle well; CZs were heavy; Husqvarnas couldn’t keep up with Bultacos and had unreliable gearboxes; and Hodakas were fun but didn’t win a lot of races. According to them, there wasn’t much to be excited about in the 125cc class — except for the newest offroader from Honda.

Honda makes a 2-stroke

Honda had built its brand and reputation on 4-stroke engines. But Honda wanted to be the pre-eminent motorcycle company in all types of motorcycling, and by the mid-Sixties, the only competitive offroad bikes were 2-strokes.

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