The Honda CR125M Elsinore is a

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

designed and manufactured by

Honda is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a product ...

and released in late 1973. Modeled after the first Elsinore, the

Honda CR250M The Honda CR250M is a two-stroke single-cylinder motorcycle manufactured by Honda from March 1973 until 1976, when it was replaced by the Honda CR250R. Background Honda had developed its global motorcycle brand through track racing, with Soichiro ...

, the 124cc version sold for $749 at its debut. A CR125M ridden by

Marty Smith Marty Smith (November 26, 1956 – April 27, 2020) was an American professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1974 to 1981, most prominently as a member of the Honda factory racing team with whom he won t ...

won the 1974 AMA National Motocross championship, spurring the Elsinore's popularity. The September 1973 issue of ''Dirt Bike'' argued that the 125 Honda Elsinore was the only off-road bike on the market at the time that offered both speed and reliability. Other Japanese 125 cc motocross bikes available at the time would have needed major

suspension Suspension or suspended may refer to: Science and engineering * Suspension (topology), in mathematics * Suspension (dynamical systems), in mathematics * Suspension of a ring, in mathematics * Suspension (chemistry), small solid particles suspend ...

, motor, and

chassis A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...

upgrades to be used for

motocross racing Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competiti ...

. The CR125M was built in Japan and was extensively tested on motocross tracks in Japan and California. It had a chrome-moly tube frame, a six-

speed In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude of the change of its position over time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quanti ...

gearbox Propulsion transmission is the mode of transmitting and controlling propulsion power of a machine. The term ''transmission'' properly refers to the whole drivetrain, including clutch, gearbox, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive vehicles), differe ...

, four-point adjustable Showa shocks, plastic fenders and a magnesium alloy engine casing for weight economy. The bike weighed 154 pounds dry. With a full tank, the CR125M weighed 188 pounds. The CR125M’s

single-cylinder A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a piston engine with one cylinder. This engine is often used for motorcycles, motor scooters, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, radio-controlled vehicles, portable tools and garden machinery ( ...

, two-stroke 124cc engine weighed 46 pounds, inclusive of the 28mm Keihin

carburetor A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...

Specifications

* Engine type: 125cc air cooled single-cylinder two-stroke producing 22 hp (claimed) * Weight (dry): 154 lbs * Carburetion: 28mm Keihin * Transmission: close ratio six speed * Bore and Stroke: 56 x 50mm * Brakes: front and rear

drum brake A drum brake is a brake that uses friction caused by a set of shoes or pads that press outward against a rotating cylinder-shaped part called a brake drum. The term ''drum brake'' usually means a brake in which shoes press on the inner surfac ...

References

{{reflist CR125M Motorcycles introduced in 1973