Hi,

I've just introduced myself in the new member's section and I hope I don't offend anyone by asking for advice so soon after joining. Apologies in advance if I do.

I've just bought a 1998 SR 125 for my son. Its in really great condition, 8,300 miles, no smoke, no leaks and rides really well. I have 2 requests for advice:

• The first is on the choke (or "starter set" as Yamaha seems to call it). Simply put, the choke won't stay out. You pull it out and it just pops back in again. Now, there's an old post on here going back to 2008 that suggests a new "starter set" would cure the problem. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has had the same problem since 2008 and if so, how they fixed it. The dealer wants £34 for a new one and I'd be keen to know if it would make any difference before laying out the cash.

• The second question is about the speedo. The bike was originally bought in the UK but the people who owned it lived in France for 3 years. While there, they had to have a KM speedo fitted and its still on there. I got the original MPH speedo with the bike and I'm wondering if anyone can describe how to remove the one and fit t'other. (I'm no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination).

Any and all advice greatly appreciated.

Regards

Stu

Speed us just a straight one-for one swap its the ratios in the clock that change it from km to mph, held on by two nuts underneath

The choke in my SR used to spring back in aswell, no idea why and it worked so left it as it was

Thanks for that. I'll have a go at the speedo this coming weekend.

The funny thing with the choke is that the bike starts from cold with the choke in. If I pull the choke out, it stops. Weird.

I bought some carbs of eBay for £25

The choke on those wouldn't stay out either so I used the one on the bike which did

From what I could figure out if you take them off under the rubber grommet there looks to be a circlip it's probably that been worn that causes the issue

i had a brief look at mine when i had it, i think theres supposed to be a spring clip which goes into the top of the retaining nut that holds the choke assembly in, i just put an o-ring inbetween the nut and the spring on mine and it did the trick

i had a brief look at mine when i had it, i think theres supposed to be a spring clip which goes into the top of the retaining nut that holds the choke assembly in, i just put an o-ring inbetween the nut and the spring on mine and it did the trick

The funny thing is that the bike starts from cold with the choke in. In fact, if I pull the choke out and hold it, the bike won't start. Weird.

Strange, my SR used to need choke to start until it was nice and hot but then again there's a reason why i called it project mong.

Ah well, the new owner is happy with it and thats all that matters tbh,

Well, I ordered the required "starter set" from Moore's in Hemel Hempstead on Monday and it arrived on Tuesday. Amazing service. I fitted it and all is well. The choke now has the 2 required positions, namely "start" (fully out) and "warm up" (half way out). The bike starts, warms up and goes. Just as it should.

On the speedo side, thanks to Wild Foamy. I found the 2 nuts and got the KM one off easily. However, one of the studs on the miles one was stripped by the previous owner, so I've ordered a die set and will attempt to cut a new thread. Should be easy after that.

I'm no mechanic and with the more recent bikes I've owned, I've found the need to use dealers because there is so much specialised stuff on them - electronics, etc. This little SR is great and it looks like I'll be able to do lots of the maintenance myself with my very limited skills and the advice of guys on this forum.

Thanks for your help thus far!

Yep they are a dream to work on

So easy lol