1975 Honda CR125M Elsinore – Classic Project –

AS-IS Survivor

Up for auction is a highly collectible 1975 Honda CR125M Elsinore, one of the most iconic motocross machines of the 1970s. This is #2 of a pair of Elsinores recently acquired from a Canadian collector who entrusted us with selling five classic Hondas from his collection.

This bike is being offered 100% AS-IS as a restoration project or parts donor, with solid bones and a ton of value-packed components.

Overview

• Year: 1975

• Model: CR125M Elsinore

• Condition: AS-IS / Project

• VIN (Frame): CR125M2017055

• Engine #: CR125ME201002

• Matching year engine and frame

The Good – Strong Foundation + Valuable Upgrades

This is a great core bike with many desirable original and upgraded components:

• Engine: We Never Started It, SOLD AS IS

• Kicks over with strong compression (not started, but promising)

• Original Components:

• Frame (appears straight and solid)

• Triple clamps

• Front wheel & fork lowers

• Engine cases, cylinder, and head

• Foot pegs, brake lever, kickstand

• Recent Upgrades / New Parts:

• Brand new Bridgestone Battlecross X30 tires & tubes

• New VMX plastics kit (fenders + side panels, $240+ value)

• New seat cover

• New ProTaper SE handlebars with pad

• New grips, kill switch, perch mount

• New fork boots

• New fuel petcock, fuel lines, filter, carb drain lines

• Chassis:

• Swingarm is tight with no play

• Rear wheel bearings feel solid

• Extras:

• Intake boot present

• Appears to have original carb (missing idle screw)

• Previous owner says he installed a new piston (unconfirmed)

There is easily $500–$1,000+ in newer parts installed, not including the value of original vintage components.

The Bad – What It Needs

This is a true restoration candidate, and priced accordingly:

• Transmission issue: Does NOT currently go into gear (likely internal work needed)

• Exhaust pipe: Heavily dented (common on vintage MX bikes)

• Fuel tank: Dings + amateur repaint (visible run)

• Front brake:

• Missing cable

• Bent lever

• Brake backing plate mount appears broken

• Carburetor: Missing idle screw

• Airbox: Missing

• Chain cover: Modified

• Rear shocks: Non-original (from CR250 “Red Rocket,” longer than stock)

• Front engine mounts: Custom fabricated (not OEM)

• Engine cosmetics: Rough repaint on cases, cylinder, and head

Why This Bike Makes Sense

If you know vintage motocross, you already understand:

Restoring a CR125M to concours level often requires 2–3 donor bikes.

This machine is:

• A fantastic restoration base

• A high-value parts bike (if you’re building a showpiece)

• Or a complete project to bring back to life

We DO NOT part bikes out — we believe in preserving these machines for the next generation.

Market Insight

Vintage Elsinores are:

• Rapidly appreciating

• Highly collectible in the VMX scene

• Increasingly hard to find with good engines and usable cores

Even in parts alone, this bike represents serious value.

Sale Details

• Sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS

• No warranty expressed or implied

• Auction format with reasonable reserve

• Clean import from Canada (bill of sale provided)

Questions?

We’re happy to help serious buyers. Call us anytime to discuss the bike, restoration potential, or shipping options.

Final Word

Whether you're building a 100-point concourse CR125M, looking for hard-to-find OEM parts, or want a killer vintage MX project, this Elsinore checks the boxes.

Bid with confidence – opportunities like this are getting harder to find.

God bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.