Finally Starting Tim Ferry Noleen 125 Practice Bike Restore - Done

Tbteam
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2/16/2017 12:44pm Edited Date/Time 3/26/2017 11:31am
Maybe I shouldn't call it a "restore", simply because I'm doing this to create a bike that I will race, not show. In that regard, I am not spending days/months scotchbrighting every piece and part. instead, I bought a donor bike and I'm stealing the fairly nice parts that need to be replaced on Ferry's bike.

Frankly, the original Noleen bike looked like it had been left in (or next to) a shed for twenty years. Tons of rust and oxidation. Some really wasted components. On the bright side, the suspension and engine are all Noleen and very usable. Here's what has been done so far:

1. Sent tha suspension to Noleen for a complete service, all new everything. They were able to verify that "All of our stuff is in these suspension components".

2. Sent the engine to Millennium Technologies (thanks Joe Newmann) and had it completely rebuilt. The most important component that I wanted to save was the cylinder, since it too has a Noleen port job, It is inscribed with initials of the tech that did it. So, a bunch of money later, I have a new (?) motor.

Ordered all kinds of new parts for the bike. Plastics (obviously), radiators, cooling lines and new cables, brakes, levers, grips, handlebars, chain, sprockets, bolt kit, bearings, chain guides, etc. the list is Loooooong!

3. This is the controversial part... I had the frame powder coated blue, but not the exact Yamaha blue. It looks awesome, but it's slightly lighter in shade. As I said the first paragraph, I don't care. it will look great, just not perfect. Let the next guy that restores it do that!

i was able to have Throttle Jockey pull up the old computer files and reprint the entire Noleen team graphics kit. It's AWESOME!

If there is one thing that I could use some help on, it's this... The original bike had red side plates and rear fender. there is no place on the planet that has them that I've found. I'm open to any and all suggestions. I've looked into a Maico rear fender that people have told me fits perfectly, but I can't seem to identify the exact one I would need to order. Can anyone help?

Anyway, here is the very beginning. i was able to spend few hours this morning with my buddy getting it started. The front tire is just mocked up to make the bike rest on a stand.

Forks should work well:



Wrong factory frame color, but good enough for me!



There is going to be crap laying all over the place till this is done. This table is the graveyard for parts that we may or may not use.



See how I left the boot marks on the engine? I'm fine with that. In a few laps, it will look the same anyway.



New V-Force reeds for the Noleen cylinder.



Forks on, engine dropped in. Donor bike in upper left of photo. I paid $500 for the donor, and so far I'm going to use the complete linkage, lower triple, front wheel, kick start lever, both brake systems, and a ton of minor things that would have nickel and dimed me to death.






Radiators on. New radiators make a bike look cool!


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sandman768
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2/16/2017 1:50pm
Looking good! Keep searching eBay, Craigslist ect for the red plastic, someone has it somewhere....I found a spare cylinder loaded with all the power valve parts for my 89 kx 250 restore by searching C.list under motorcycle parts & typing in what model I was looking for, found it, seller was willing to accept PayPal & shipped it to me. Good logic with not taking cosmetics to the extreme for a rider, bike can always be cosmetically redone after riding it. I try the same approach on my last few restores but my OCD kicks in sometimes....
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chuckie108
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2/16/2017 4:32pm Edited Date/Time 2/16/2017 4:32pm
Awesome build! You could of paint the plastics- you just use flattening agent to get the right gloss. Might get a little beet over time, at which point you can repaint them. Plus you can cover as much as possible with clear vinyl. Not the most durable solution, but if you have no other choice.
MaxPower
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2/16/2017 4:42pm
What year is that yz Mark? 98?
CrGuy2T
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2/16/2017 6:06pm
chuckie108 wrote:
Awesome build! You could of paint the plastics- you just use flattening agent to get the right gloss. Might get a little beet over time, at...
Awesome build! You could of paint the plastics- you just use flattening agent to get the right gloss. Might get a little beet over time, at which point you can repaint them. Plus you can cover as much as possible with clear vinyl. Not the most durable solution, but if you have no other choice.
I was gonna suggest this. You would be surprised at how many teams actually painted and still paint their plastics. I had a few sets of 99 pc side panels all were white but painted black. If prepared correctly and washed gently I think it would be ok. Good thing is you can always get graphics once the paint start to come off to much.

The Shop

Tbteam
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2/16/2017 8:00pm
MaxPower wrote:
What year is that yz Mark? 98?
It's a 97, Kev.
Tbteam
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2/16/2017 8:03pm
chuckie108 wrote:
Awesome build! You could of paint the plastics- you just use flattening agent to get the right gloss. Might get a little beet over time, at...
Awesome build! You could of paint the plastics- you just use flattening agent to get the right gloss. Might get a little beet over time, at which point you can repaint them. Plus you can cover as much as possible with clear vinyl. Not the most durable solution, but if you have no other choice.
CrGuy2T wrote:
I was gonna suggest this. You would be surprised at how many teams actually painted and still paint their plastics. I had a few sets of...
I was gonna suggest this. You would be surprised at how many teams actually painted and still paint their plastics. I had a few sets of 99 pc side panels all were white but painted black. If prepared correctly and washed gently I think it would be ok. Good thing is you can always get graphics once the paint start to come off to much.
Thanks. Guys. Paint is still an option. I'm just not as excited about it because I've been there and the durability is not so good. I appreciate the feedback!
2/17/2017 7:37am
Make sure your radiator hoses work with those radiators and don't get pinched off. When I mounted similar radiators the attachment for the bottom hose was angled wrong and I couldn't even get a hose on there without massively pinching it off so I returned them.

Tbteam
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2/17/2017 10:12am
Make sure your radiator hoses work with those radiators and don't get pinched off. When I mounted similar radiators the attachment for the bottom hose was...
Make sure your radiator hoses work with those radiators and don't get pinched off. When I mounted similar radiators the attachment for the bottom hose was angled wrong and I couldn't even get a hose on there without massively pinching it off so I returned them.

Yeah, the connection on the left radiator was slightly low. Enough to make me have to remove the radiators and check to see that I could connect the hoses without and crimping of the hose. Mine turned out snug, but OK.
CrGuy2T
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2/17/2017 10:34am Edited Date/Time 2/17/2017 10:35am
Now I'm kicking myself for not buying this bike! How did you get the info that it was an actual Ferry practice bike?
Tbteam
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2/17/2017 7:10pm
CrGuy2T wrote:
Now I'm kicking myself for not buying this bike! How did you get the info that it was an actual Ferry practice bike?
There is some connecting of the dots going on. I'm not 100% sure.

The parts add up, the Noleen stuff is correct, the cylinder looks correct and the stickers on the fork legs from Croom riding area were an indicator. I would say that I'd be around 75% that this is his old practice bike. Still just bolt on stuff here though. No exotic trickness!

As far as I'm concerned, It's legit. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Smile

Plus, when I'm done, I think Tim would be proud to ride it!
Tbteam
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2/25/2017 3:24am
Banana_oil wrote:
Red rear fender

This is the correct rear fender
Thanks. I ordered the fender, and hope that through the translation process it gets here without a problem.
Tbteam
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3/3/2017 6:34am
A few mote pics. It's been "fun" sourcing out parts and getting this thing together. The pics with the Noleen graphics are just mock ups. Graphics are held in place by scotch tape.

Building new wheel with black rims. Not true to the original, but it should look cool.

I'd say I'm a few weeks away from riding this thing.












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Tbteam
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3/26/2017 11:29am
Well, it's as done as I'm going to get it, and I'm pretty happy. There were some true pain in the ass moments. Like, buying parts on eBay that are supposed to be for a 97 YZ and have it turn out to be parts for a 2000 YZ250F (wheels, brakes pieces). I ultimately used the stock wheels and laced up some Tusk rims.

I collected parts from many different places, and I'd like to give a big shout out to the internet for all its help.

Got the red rear fender from Germany thanks to a heads up from a member here. The side panels were painted by a local body shop and matched to the fender.

New motor basically with Noleen cylinder.
Rebuilt Suspension by Noleen.

Anyway, it's s rider, not a showpiece.

Before:



After:









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Banana_oil
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3/26/2017 12:14pm
Very nice! So you found red side panels or are they painted?

How does it run?
Tbteam
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3/26/2017 12:23pm
Painted by a really quality local body shop to match the fender.

Started after about 5 kicks. Seems to run very strong. After break in, I'll have a clearer idea. Sounds awesome! Very crisp.
ledger
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3/26/2017 4:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/26/2017 4:39pm
Good on you ! that is one helluva good look'n (low key) restoration.
yak651
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3/26/2017 4:45pm
That red really pops
cvm
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3/27/2017 2:03am
Beautiful Job. As I'm in beginning track days of my 92 rescue from dead to racer, I see many parts that resemble mine that Yamaha says don't cross over. Perfect that outside rail & go blow the doors offa some rich guy on a $13,000 tricked out 4T for me. Gorgeous...
CrGuy2T
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3/27/2017 8:01am
I sure missed the boat in this one. I wish I woulda snagged it. Good job!! It's a beast for sure. When your done with it look me up I'll def be interested in it.
RyanLester761
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3/29/2017 9:30am
Bad ass bike, man! I found a couple Google pics for comparison.





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Travis_Hudson
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3/29/2017 11:42am
Bad ass bike, man! I found a couple Google pics for comparison. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/29/184418/s1200_tim_ferry_noleen_yz125_1998.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/29/184419/s1200_tim_ferry_noleen_yz125.jpg[/img]
Bad ass bike, man! I found a couple Google pics for comparison.





Boy, that brings back memories! Very cool find Ryan!
MaxPower
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3/29/2017 6:11pm
That came out great. Has Tim seen it yet?
Tbteam
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3/29/2017 6:20pm
Bad ass bike, man! I found a couple Google pics for comparison. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/29/184418/s1200_tim_ferry_noleen_yz125_1998.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/29/184419/s1200_tim_ferry_noleen_yz125.jpg[/img]
Bad ass bike, man! I found a couple Google pics for comparison.





Thanks. Yeah, I've got those saved in my photos. Really the only ones that I've been able to find. Crazy, huh?
Tbteam
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3/29/2017 6:20pm
MaxPower wrote:
That came out great. Has Tim seen it yet?
Nope. I hope at some point he will.

I got a delivery yesterday. Thanks, buddy!
Travis_Hudson
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3/29/2017 6:40pm
Where did you find that top triple clamp? I have been searching for one for my 2000 yz 125. Have not been able to find one on eBay that didn't have the snot beat out of it.
Kidkawie
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3/30/2017 6:25am
Great job on this bike!

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