Tuneup 1,452 #1 Posted August 4, 2015 Well, hi all,Wonderful resource here!I'm Marc from Georgia USA. Letting y'all perhaps rejoice in the likelihood that a 1980 black hood will be restored. I've done everything to the house, yard and cars and have time on my hands. An old friend (92) gave me this 125 he had sinking in his yard. Said he rode it there two years ago - not likely. His mind's really clear, otherwise. WWII Lexington - Hellcats. OK, I dragged the poor thing onto a trailer with a come-along. Wanted to get her to run to see if she was worth restoring, although I kinda know this is going to be a labor of love. I grew up with a Simplicity 707 and love the old tractors.So...Pulled the frozen 42" deck which can use a minor weld on top and some bearing refreshing. One of the pulleys ahead of it from the PTO, the return, is frozen...Two rear tubes and she rolls, a coil to solve the open primary, repaired ignition switch, battery, bypassed open ammeter, drained and cleaned tank, repaired fuel pump, pulled a piece of rust from the main jet, filed points - starts! Runs around the yard like a banshee and charges. Starter sounds hellish, though. Sheet metal over the head missing...Front left wheel/tire looks like it's off a Ranger - tall and narrow. Front right looks original.Bad Hi/Lo so pulled the trans and find the Hi/Lo fork separated and rattling. Oil is caramel colored but not so water filled to do damage - good bearings and only some wear on the inner Hi gear. Good news if the parts come in so it's now hurry-up and wait.Had loads of fun pulling those hubs. The first one the puller actually snapped - even with heat - so I'm in the market on that one. Second came off easily enough.I'll put her together and will start on the deck. If I can cut grass, it will be time to tear her apart for a full restoration - something I have never done before - more a mechanic than a restorer.If I do a nice enough job, maybe he'll give me the older one with the 8HP Briggs. There, you have it! I'll be spending plenty of time here gaining knowledge. The youtube vids on trans assembly from Stevesaurus will serve me greatly, thanks! Here's the going-home pic. Right now, she's at the end of the driveway covered and the trans is in pieces on the bench. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse46 519 #2 Posted August 4, 2015 Looks like you have a bit of work ahead of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #3 Posted August 4, 2015 Welcome from NC. The C125 Blackhood is a relly fine smooth machine when its running properly. You have the shaker plate Kohler. Very very smooth at WOT. And like you, I grew up on an old Simplicity 728. I still have it and another one like it. On your C125 I will suggest replacing the plastic rear fender pan with the later 300 400 500 series metal fender pan. The metal pans bolt right on where the old plastic pan came off. The 1984 Blackhoods came that way from the factory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,452 #4 Posted August 4, 2015 Yeah lots of work but I'm a sucker for it. Thanks for the welcome! Great to be here.We gave that 707 with its lovely 32" deck and snow blower to a friend. It's probably still in a garage somewhere in Flanders NJ. I took its 7HP Briggs and mounted it on a minibike. Those were the days. She left us with a Tecumseh mounted.Yeah, the fender pan is trashed as is the seat. More shopping 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #5 Posted August 4, 2015 Ther is a Red Square meet and greet scheduled fopr the first weekend in October in Rutherfordton NC. Put it on your calander. You should have the C125 running good by then 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,828 #6 Posted August 4, 2015 Nice project. Welcome me to the Forum! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #7 Posted August 4, 2015 Great project Horse!Certainly worth the effort restoring the worthy Stallion.Welcome to the forums and do, do keep all up to date. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,452 #8 Posted August 5, 2015 October party and keep all posted - noted. Yes, these tractors need to be maintained and well. Finished by October? Hmmm. May arrive just to get to know y'all - excuse to ride the old Honda. I run to the PC in the evenings in general and will keep y'all posted. Fantastic resource! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,545 #9 Posted August 5, 2015 ... Finished by October? Hmmm. May arrive just to get to know y'all - excuse to ride the old Honda... Okay, now you've got my attention. I'm guessing the "old Honda" is a 2-wheeler, are you willing to share any details?Keep us posted on the C-125, and Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,279 #10 Posted August 5, 2015 Thanks Tuneup and Welcome to Red Square. It is a feel good when some can use my videos to save or fix a horse and it is always nice to get some good feedback. Thank you and good luck with that horse. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,452 #11 Posted August 5, 2015 You bet, steva...no way I could just disassemble that trans without pictures unless I had a step-by-step assembly - and for that Hi Lo!tuneahead - 1978 Honda CB550K - Just turned 10,000 miles and she's mint - found in an air conditioned garage in upstate NJ under a tarp with 2K on the clock and clogged carbs. Took the usual year in NJ to get her titled to ride (took a judge). She's a sweet ride but underpowered. My son got a '80 Kawi 750-4 from craigslist (that's a story) and it would run away if I didn't out ride him. Still, the southeast is a great place to be if you're on two wheels. I'm used to 130HP Bandits and not 50 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,997 #12 Posted August 5, 2015 Sounds like you have the bug, they are addictive you know! Look forward to seeing you at the meet and greet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert 760 #13 Posted August 5, 2015 Ther is a Red Square meet and greet scheduled fopr the first weekend in October in Rutherfordton NC. Put it on your calander. You should have the C125 running good by then Wheel-N-It you beat me to the invite and I gotta say thank you for promoting this eventTuneup we would like if you'd join us glad to hear its noted. Oh btw that black hood has great potential, looking forward to seeing your progress. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,545 #14 Posted August 6, 2015 tuneahead - 1978 Honda CB550K - Just turned 10,000 miles and she's mint - found in an air conditioned garage in upstate NJ under a tarp with 2K on the clock and clogged carbs. Took the usual year in NJ to get her titled to ride (took a judge). She's a sweet ride but underpowered. My son got a '80 Kawi 750-4 from craigslist (that's a story) and it would run away if I didn't out ride him. Still, the southeast is a great place to be if you're on two wheels. I'm used to 130HP Bandits and not 50 For your reading and viewing pleasure, feel free to add your own (don't forget photos )...http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/41089-any-motorcycle-riders-here/One of these days I'll add mine to that thread, an '81 CB750K that I don't ride nearly enough.You're right about riding in the southeast. I grew up in South Carolina, and spent most of the first 26 years of my life in various parts of North Carolina and Florida. I never got a chance to do much on two wheels there, but it's where I picked up my love of driving and learned to appreciate the value of a long drive on back country roads. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
