1974 Suzuki TM125 – Concours-Level
No Expense Spared Open-Checkbook Restoration
Simply The Finest TM125 on the Planet
A Museum Investment Quality Display
Feast your eyes, gentlemen—what you are looking at is, without exaggeration, the finest restored Suzuki TM125 we have ever seen, and very likely the finest one in existence. Not just the best we’ve had through the museum—this is a 100-point, concours-level, open-checkbook restoration commissioned by elite collector Roy Thacker and executed by world-class restoration expert Bill Buchholz whose craftsmanship is second to none.
Every detail has been elevated beyond factory perfection. This machine is a true museum-grade historical piece and is currently displayed on the second floor of the New England Motorcycle Museum. As part of Roy Thacker’s donation of twenty motorcycles, this TM125 is being auctioned to continue funding the museum—so bid proudly, knowing you’re supporting motorcycle history.
✅ Restoration Highlights
Frame, Chassis & Cosmetics
Frame professionally sandblasted, primed, and painted to automotive-grade finish
New Takasago Excel rims laced with new spokes
Hubs rebuilt, refinished, and fitted with new bearings & brake shoes
Fork lowers machine-polished, uppers and sliders re-chromed
Handlebars, kickstarter, pegs, brake lever & all chromed hardware is professionally re-chromed
All original zinc hardware re-plated to factory spec
Shocks Look brand new out of the box
New Michelin tires & tubes, new rim locks and rim strips
Triple clamps vapor-honed to as-new condition
New steering head bearings
Proper OEM-style number plate and mounting hardware
✅ Exhaust & Induction
Expansion chamber in pristine un-damaged condition
Original “pickle” silencer—nearly always missing—present and flawless
Exhaust flange re-chromed
Carburetor completely rebuilt
OEM petcock rebuilt with new seals
New fuel lines
Original air box restored with new air filter
✅ Engine & Drivetrain
Full engine rebuild from the crank up:
New crank bearings & seals
Fresh bore with new piston, rings, circlips & wrist pin
New base & head gaskets
New top-end bearing
Vapor-honed and refinished engine cases in factory color
New spark plug
Clutch rebuilt with new fibers & steels & springs
New clutch & throttle cables
New gear lube
New chain & sprockets
Nothing left untouched—zero hours ride time since restoration
✅ Bodywork & Finishing Details
Factory fuel tank re-manufactured, painted to a level better than new
Graphics cleared over for longevity and depth
NOS Suzuki gas cap—bright, crisp, and unfaded
Original seat pan restored with proper logo cover and new foam
Side panels restored with OEM-style chrome Phillips hardware
Correct clamps, cable routing, and period-accurate fasteners throughout
⭐ Provenance
From the legendary 93-bike Roy Thacker Collection
20 of his finest machines, including this TM125, were donated to the museum
Auction proceeds support the continuation of the New England Motorcycle Museum
🏆 Why This TM125 Is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
The cost to restore a TM to this level would far exceed market value
Estimated 100+ hours of expert labor = $15,000.00 in shop labor alone, Plus thousands in parts
Comparable builds have exceeded $18,000 in restoration cost alone
This represents the high watermark for TM-series restorations
A true world-class reference piece for collectors, historians, or vintage MX enthusiasts
🎁 Perfect Gift, Display Piece, or Investment
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, this belongs:
✅ In a museum
✅ In a private collection
✅ In an executive office
✅ Under the Christmas tree
We genuinely hope the buyer chooses to leave it on museum display—but that’s up to you.
🔥 Auction Notes
Bid high and bid early—you will not find another like it
Sold with clear bill of sale
On display and available for inspection at the New England Motorcycle Museum
Worldwide shipping assistance available
❤️ Final Thoughts
This motorcycle ignites nostalgia from the golden era of motocross. For those who grew up reading Super Hunky's Column, dreaming of Suzuki race kits, trick mods, and fair-day bike purchases—this machine brings it all back.
This TM125 is more than a motorcycle—
It is a time capsule.
A masterpiece.
A tribute to motocross heritage.
God Bless America,
and thank you for supporting motorcycle history.
Lowest nationwide pricing and NO FLUFF dealer fees. Call/Text 860-471-0192
AUCTIONS + MORE:
https://linktr.ee/kaplanamericaFilmed + Edit by Tyler Merullo
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Kaplan Cycles LLC
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