1979 YAMAHA YZ125 MX

Investment-Grade Frame-Off Restoration of an Iconic Classic

If you're looking for one of the finest 1979 Yamaha YZ125s available anywhere, you've found it.

Kaplan Cycles is proud to offer this spectacular 1979 Yamaha YZ125. This machine represents a rare opportunity to own a professionally restored example of Yamaha's iconic Bob Hannah-era motocross weapon, rebuilt from the Frame up.

• Full crankshaft-up rebuild

• New Piston & Rings

• New Base & Head Gaskets

• New reeds

• New spark plug

• New hand made Red 64 Racing cone pipe with matching aluminum silencer

• Carburetor professionally rebuilt and restored

• New jets / New fuel line / New fuel filter / New carburetor drain lines

• New fuel petcock

• Engine cases and covers refinished during restoration

• Detailed rotisserie cosmetic restoration

• Runs on VP 94 ethanol-free fuel mixed at 32:1

• Extremely strong-running engine with exceptional power

• Full Circle Racing gold anodized front rim

• New spokes

• New wheel bearings

• New tire / New tube / New rim strip / New rim lock

• Refinished front hub

• Forks professionally rebuilt

• New fork seals

• New fork oil

• New fork springs

• New rubber fork sliders

• Beautiful polished aluminum fork lowers

• Excellent chrome fork tubes

• Vapor-honed and refinished triple clamps

• New Renthal aluminum handlebars

• Period-correct Yamaha racing crossbar pad

• New clutch perch / New clutch lever

• New ODI grips

• New kill switch

• New throttle housing

• New throttle cable

• New front number plate

• Complete Staiger Designs Bob Hannah Replica graphics package

• New side number plates

• New rear fender

• Replacement fuel tank with new graphics

• New seat foam / New seat cover

• Restored airbox

• Fast House Speed graphics

• Professionally polished aluminum swingarm

• New gold drive chain

• New JT Racing 47-tooth rear sprocket

• New Gold Rear Rim and New Spokes

• Refinished rear hub

• New wheel bearings

• New rear brake components

• New Dunlop Geomax MX52 rear tire /New tube / New rim strip

• New chain slider / New chain guide / New chain rollers

• New hardware throughout

• kickstand installed

• Original footpegs in excellent condition

• Countershaft sprocket protector installed

• Original frame rails remain exceptionally clean and straight

• New hardware throughout the motorcycle

This YZ125 received:

• 50 Hours Professional Shop Labor @ $150ph = $7,500

• Plus $3,000 in New Parts = Total Restoration Investment: Over $10,500

• Plus acquisition, transportation from Texas, storage, and restoration costs

This is not a cosmetic freshening or auction-house "lipstick restoration." This is a true frame-off restoration completed to the standards that have made Kaplan Cycles one of the most respected names in vintage motorcycle restoration.

Race It or Display It

Whether you're looking for:

• A showpiece for a serious collection

• A centerpiece for your museum

• A Bob Hannah-era Yamaha investment motorcycle

• A competitive MX Rewind racer

• A vintage motocross event weapon

This YZ125 is ready.

The engine is fresh, the chassis is restored, and every major system has been serviced.

This is what we call a "No Excuses Motorcycle."

Why Buy From Kaplan Cycles?

Kaplan Cycles has sold over 10,000 motorcycles worldwide and maintains 100% positive eBay feedback. We stand behind what we sell and represent our motorcycles honestly and accurately.

Unlike many auction-house offerings, this motorcycle has been thoroughly inspected, serviced, restored, and documented by a family-owned dealership and restoration facility with decades of experience.

Our reputation has been built on delivering motorcycles that are exactly what we claim them to be.

Contact Information

For additional information, financing, shipping quotes, or to purchase this motorcycle:

Ken Kaplan Jr.
Kaplan Cycles
Phone: 860-454-7024
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

A complete professional high-resolution photo gallery accompanies this motorcycle.

Don't Miss This Opportunity

Finding a genuine 1979 Yamaha YZ125 is difficult.

Finding one restored to this level is nearly impossible.

Whether you're a collector, investor, racer, or Yamaha enthusiast, this is a museum-quality machine that captures one of the greatest eras in motocross history.

Bid with confidence.

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.