No photo of this model in the library yet.

Have this bike? Send a photo or the manual's service chart

Honda · Honda two-stroke (Elsinore CR / MT / MR 1973-1984)

CR 125

Library entry covers 1983-2025

32 factory 57 guideline

Published source

Honda 2005 CR125R Owner's Manual & Competition Handbook, Maintenance Schedule p.21

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 2005 CR125R owner's manual; chart columns are races, with the hours printed in the column headers.

89 items for a 1997 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Two-stroke
Engine lubrication: Two-stroke premix (oil in fuel)
Oil filtration: None (no filter)
Valve gear: None (two-stroke porting)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Liquid cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, single shock / cantilever
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1997 Honda CR 125

On the road: every 200 km

1 item

Check two-stroke oil tank / carry premix oil

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Running a two-stroke out of oil seizes it. Injection bikes: check the tank. Premix: carry oil and a measure.

On the road: every 500 km

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 800 km

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 km

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,600 km or 6 months

2 items

Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)

Engine

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

12 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Decarbonize exhaust ports, pipes and baffles

Engine

Guideline

Two-strokes coke up the exhaust port and muffler baffles; power falls off gradually.

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

3 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

7 items

Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Guideline
Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 9,500 km or 2 years

1 item

Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 13,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 19,500 km or 2 years

3 items

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean and grease rear suspension linkage

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 24,000 km

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 29,000 km

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 32,000 km or 4 years

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 48,500 km or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 2.5 h

20 items

Cooling System (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Drive Sprocket (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Driven Sprocket (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Expansion Chamber/Muffler (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Radiator Coolant (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours). Note 2: Replace every 2 years. Replacement requires mechanical skill.
Spark Plug (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Suspension (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Throttle Operation (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Air Cleaner (clean)

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: C each race (about 2.5 hours). Note 1: Clean after every moto for dusty riding conditions.
Exhaust Valve Decarbonizing (clean)

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: C each race (about 2.5 hours).
Clutch System (inspect)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Drive Chain (inspect, lubricate)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: I, L each race (about 2.5 hours).
Drive Chain Rollers (inspect)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Drive Chain Sliders (inspect)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Brake Fluid (inspect)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours). Note 2: Replace every 2 years. Replacement requires mechanical skill.
Brake Pad Wear (inspect)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Brake System (inspect)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Wheels/Tires (inspect)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: I each race (about 2.5 hours).
Control Cables (inspect, lubricate)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: I, L each race (about 2.5 hours).

Every 7.5 h

8 items

Piston and Piston Ring (replace)

Engine

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).
Reed Valve (replace)

Engine

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours). Printed row name: Reed Valve Only.
Spark Plug (replace)

Engine

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).
Cylinder Head Decarbonizing (clean)

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: C every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).
Transmission Oil (replace)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).
Drive Chain (replace)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).
Fork Oil (replace)

Front end

Factory

Factory: R every 3 races (about 7.5 hours). Note 3: Replace after the first break-in ride.
Swingarm/Shock Linkage (lubricate)

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: L every 3 races (about 7.5 hours).

Every 22.5 h

2 items

Piston Pin and Connecting Rod Small End Bearing (replace)

Engine

Factory

Factory: R every 9 races (about 22.5 hours).
Steering Head Bearing (inspect)

Front end

Factory

Factory: I every 9 races (about 22.5 hours).

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

6 items

Radiator Coolant (replace)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Note 2: Replace every 2 years. Replacement requires mechanical skill.
Replace coolant

Engine

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Brake Fluid (replace)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Note 2: Replace every 2 years. Replacement requires mechanical skill.
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.