Honda CB125

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Honda CB125
CB125SS
Manufacturer Honda
Fuel consumption 100 MPG
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The Honda CB125 was a 122 cc motorcycle manufactured by Honda from 1971-1985.


The CB125 came in two major versions the '71-75 "S" version and the '76 and later "J" version although the bikes in the US retained the S designation. It features an overhead camshaft (OHC) engine with a 9500 rpm redline and offers 100 mpg. It could comfortably maintain speeds of 55 mph and had a top speed of around 65 mph. The engine could last tens of thousands of miles with only minimal attention; however, the oil had to be changed regularly (700 miles) to prevent premature wear of the camshaft bearings. The newer "J" model sported a two piece head, 124cc displacement, and a larger carburetor, but it did not perform as well as the earlier models.


These are interesting as the side cam drive type engine is a lot lighter then the center cam chain type, the bore and stroke also favors higher revs and more performance. The weakness if this machine, rather like the CB92 before it, was the four speed box compromised its performance, and the lack of a rev counter was also a problem.

These problems were addressed with the very much rarer Honda CB125K2.

Specification of Honda CB125SS model year 1967

  • Engine type: Single overhead cam twin cylinder two valves
  • Bore and stroke: 44mm x 41mm
  • Compression ratio 9:4:1
  • Carburation: twin Keihin 22mm slide type
  • Weight: 110kg
  • Dimensions: 1975mm x 745mm x 990mm
  • Displacement: 124cc
  • Power 15 bhp @ 11,000 rpm
  • Torque 1.05kgm @ 9000 rpm
  • Tyre sizes: Front 2.50 x 18/rear 2.75 x 18


1968-70

Honda CB125
Honda CB125
Honda CB125
Honda CB125


These CB125 Hondas were sold around 1968-70. They look very much like CB175 models of that era.

1973

1973 Honda CB125


The CB125S0 was sold in 1973 and came in two available colors: Candy Topaz Orange or Candy Peacock Green. The gas tank stripe was white and black. The fenders were chrome. The front brake was a drum brake. The instrument was only a speedometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 122cc OHC single cylinder with a one-piece cylinder head. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began CB125S-1021922.

1974

1974 Honda CB125


The CB125S1 was sold in 1974 and came in just one color: Candy Topaz Orange. The gas tank had a black panel with white pinstripes. The diamond-shaped side cover wing emblem was red. The front brake was a mechanical actuated disc. The fenders were chrome. The instruments now had both a speedometer and a tachometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 122cc OHC single cylinder with a one-piece cylinder head. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began CB125S-1021922.

1975

1975 Honda CB125
1975 Honda CB125S2 in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S2 in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S2 in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S in Blue
1975 Honda CB125S in Blue


The CB125S2 was sold in 1975 and came in just one color: Candy Riviera Blue. The "CB125" side cover emblem was white and yellow. The chrome rear shock cover was deleted. The fenders were chrome. The front brake was a mechanical actuated disc. The instruments now had both a speedometer and a tachometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 122cc OHC single cylinder with a one-piece cylinder head. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began CB125S-1021922.

1976

1976 Honda CB125


The CB125S'76 was sold in 1976 and came in just one color: Aquarius Blue. The "HONDA" gas tank decal was red with a white outline. The "125S" side cover decal was white and red. The seat color was dark brown. The instruments had a speedometer but no tachometer. The fenders were chrome. The front brake was a mechanical actuated disc. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 6-speed transmission. The serial number began CB125S-1300009.

1978

1978 Honda CB125


The CB125S'78 was sold in 1978 and came in only one color: Fire Red. The gas tank stripe was orange, yellow, white, and black. The "CB125S" side cover decal was yellow and white. The fenders were chrome. The front brake was a mechanical actuated disc. The instruments had just a speedometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began CB125S-1500003.

1979

1979 Honda CB125


The CB125S'79 was sold in 1979 and came in one color: Light Ruby Red. The gas tank stripe was red and black. The "CB125S" side cover decal was red and black. The front brake had a single leading shoe. The fenders were chrome. The instruments had just a speedometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began CB125S-5000001.


1980

The CB125S'80 was sold in 1980 and came in one color: Light Ruby Red. The "HONDA" decal and stripe were gold with a black outline. The "CB125S" side cover decal was gold and red with a black outline. The fenders were also Red. The turn signal housings were black plastic. The instruments had just a speedometer. The ignition used breaker points. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JC04-5100001.

1981

1981 Honda CB125


The CB125S'81 was sold in 1981 and came in just one color: Black. The gas tank stripes were red and gold. The "HONDA" and "CB125S" decals were solid red. The instruments had just a speedometer. The turn signal housings were black plastic. The electrical system used a CD ignition. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2JC040*BK700005.

1981 Honda Motorcycle Full-Line Brochure

1982

1982 Honda CB125


The CB125S'82 was sold in 1982 and came in just one color: Candy Imperial Blue. The gas tank stripes were light blue and dark blue. The "HONDA" and "CB125S" decals were gold. The instruments had just a speedometer. The turn signal housings were black plastic. The electrical system used a CD ignition. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2JC040*CK800002.

1984

Cb125.jpg

1984 Honda CB125
1984 Honda CB125


The CB125S'84 was sold in 1984 and came in just one color: Turuna Red. The fuel tank pinstripes were white and dark blue. The wing decal was gray and white. The headlight was round. The instruments had just a speedometer. The turn signal housings were black plastic. The electrical system was now a 12 volt.

  • Engine: 123cc single-cylinder, OHC four-stroke
  • Ignition: Solid state CD ignition
  • Transmission: Wide-ratio five-speed
  • Seat: Long plush seat for two-up riding
  • Wheelbase: 1270mm (50 in.)
  • Seat height: 760mm (29.9 in.)
  • Dry weight: 99 kg (218.2 lb)
  • The serial number began 9C2JC1303ER010001.

1985

1985 Honda CB125


The CB125S'85 was sold in 1985 and came in one color: Turuna Red. The tank, side cover, and rear fender stripes were blue and white. The "HONDA" and "CB125S" decals were white. The headlight was rectangular. The instruments had just a speedometer. The turn signal housings were black plastic. The electrical system was now a 12 volt. The high tension electrical system used a CD ignition. The engine was a 124cc OHC single cylinder with a 2-piece cylinder head linked to a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began 9C2JC1308FR110001.