Honda CB125
Encyclopedia
The CB125 was a 122 cc motorcycle
made by Honda
from 1971-1975 (1973-1985 in the US). It had an overhead camshaft
(OHC) engine with a 9500 rpm redline. It could comfortably maintain speeds of 55 mph (24.6 m/s) and had a top speed of around 65 mph (29.1 m/s). 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 "S" model was produced from 1971 to 1975 and was replaced in 1976 by the "J" model (the US bikes retained the S designation). The newer model sported a two piece head, 124 cc displacement, and a larger carburettor, but it did not perform as well as the earlier models.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
from 1971-1975 (1973-1985 in the US). It had an overhead camshaft
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
(OHC) engine with a 9500 rpm redline. It could comfortably maintain speeds of 55 mph (24.6 m/s) and had a top speed of around 65 mph (29.1 m/s). 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
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
bearings. The "S" model was produced from 1971 to 1975 and was replaced in 1976 by the "J" model (the US bikes retained the S designation). The newer model sported a two piece head, 124 cc displacement, and a larger carburettor, but it did not perform as well as the earlier models.
Major changes
Aside from different color schemes and minor lettering differences, these are some of the major design changes:- 1973 - First year the bike was released in the US as CB125S0.
- 1974 - Front drum brake changed to disk, tachometer was added.
- 1976 - Engine displacement increased from 122 cc, tachometer was eliminated.
- 1979 - Front disk brake was changed back to drum.
- 1980 - Point ignitionContact breakerA contact breaker is a type of electrical switch, and the term typically refers to the switching device found in the distributor of the ignition systems of spark-ignition internal combustion engines.-Purpose:...
was changed to capacitive dischargeCapacitor discharge ignitionCapacitor discharge ignition or thyristor ignition is a type of automotive electronic ignition system which is widely used in outboard motors, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, small engines, turbine-powered aircraft, and some cars...
. - 1983 - The bike was not produced this year.
- 1984 - The electrical system was changed from 6 to 12 volts.
- 1985 - The last year the bike was released in the US, headlight shape was changed from round to rectangular.