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Bender Constructed’s Polynesian-inspired Play Bike…
There’s little on two wheels as smile-inducing as a two-stroke filth bike. Actually, with the motocross world shifted to four-strokes, increasingly riders are choosing up old-school premix motocrossers and customizing them into play bikes. One such builder is Erik Bender (@bender_built), who spent practically a decade racing motocross and continues so as to add filth bikes to his steady.
Not too long ago, Erik determined to do up an ’02 Honda CR125R for a build-off:
“It was a customized challenge for a motorcycle construct competitors [Broke To Built], and I haven’t owned a 125 since 2003 and needed to make a candy play bike.”
The CR125 makes a fantastic selection for such machine. Whereas it was powerful for any 125 to beat the Y2K-era YZ125 on the monitor, the CR was a rider favourite with a brand new aluminum body (mannequin yr 2000), Kayaba bladder forks, and even an non-compulsory 20″ OEM entrance wheel. Then there was the midrange and high finish energy:
“We are able to assure everybody who rides the 2001 CR125 will come again with a smile on their face, because of the thrilling energy supply.” –MXA
Erik, who grew up in Hawaii, selected a theme that may pay tribute to his late father, paying homage to a cherished childhood reminiscence:
“I went with a Hawaiian theme with a Polynesian-inspired Gecko graphic in honor of my late father who would take me out after darkish in Hawaii to attempt to catch geckos that may be searching bugs round exterior gentle sources.”
Erik designed the graphics himself, and he says this was his first construct the place each final nut, bolt, gasket, and seal was gone by means of. Your complete body was vapor-blasted and the casting marks faraway from all aluminum elements. On the efficiency entrance, the motor has been punched out to 140cc with a high-performance head designed for leaded race gasoline, whereas Darrin Mees of M9 Suspension helped on the suspension entrance.
Erik estimates the bike makes round 38 hp and weighs simply 200 kilos.
“Down low it seems like a 125, however up high it’s depraved and robust.”
We beloved seeing the bike on the 2023 One Moto Present, the place our man Moh Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear) bought some nice images of the bike. Beneath, we discuss to Erik for extra particulars on the construct.
Honda “CR140” Motocrosser: Builder Interview
• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.
Rode my first bike after I was about 8 years previous and been hooked ever since. Raced MX for about 10 years and after I was capable of purchase my first home I made certain it had a store so I might construct rad filth bikes and add to my assortment.
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
2002 Honda CR125R.
• Why was this bike constructed?
It was a customized challenge for a motorcycle construct competitors, and I haven’t owned a 125 since 2003 and needed to make a candy play bike.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
I went with a Hawaiian theme with a Polynesian-inspired Gecko graphic in honor of my late father who would take me out after darkish in Hawaii to attempt to catch geckos that may be searching bugs round exterior gentle sources.
• What customized work was achieved to the bike?
All the pieces inside and outside was cleaned and polished, cylinder was bored to 140cc with a head to work with solely 100+ octane leaded race gasoline. Vapor blasted the body and eliminated all casting marks from the brakes, clamps, and engine.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
The Mai Tai 125.
• Any thought of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
Most likely round 38 Horsepower, 200 lbs.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to trip this bike?
Down low it seems like a 125, however up high it’s depraved and robust.
• Was there something achieved throughout this construct that you’re significantly pleased with?
I realized Illustrator so I might design the graphics myself, and it was first true rebuild the place each inch was taken aside, from the transmission gears to the crank and suspension.
• Is there anybody you’d wish to thank?
Darrin Mees with M9 Suspension, Robert Trono with Metallic Resto, and my spouse Ruby.
Observe the Builder
Instagram: @bender_built
Youtube: @bender_built
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