KTM should buy it! That's a top quality restoration of a top quality bike, wow some of them details that stand the swing arm an forks an hubs, fancy! First MX bike I rode was a Armstrong 125 it had fins air cooled but was also liquid cooled, I got invited to ride it up a farm track, got it in to the power an went through the gears, it was for sale, I said to the owner the front end feels a bit unusua, he said that's because the front wheel was just a few inches off the ground in every gear, I'd stepped of overgeared DT 1 so wasn't use to the ballistic acceleration of 125,s MX,s does anyone ever see them Armstrongs? Cheers for the video great stuff, Ken.

That is one gorgeous 2 stroke vintage mx bike. Nobody would know that Christie didn't have a stencil to work with, to do her job, unless you tell them, like you did. That's how truly talented Christie is. This is the first dirtbike that I have ever seen a centerstand on. Stunning piece of MX History right there.

The ktms of this vintage inspired me to buy one in ‘85. A 250 GSXC as it was known, which was the road legal enduro weapon of the day. It cost about 60% more than the equivalent IT 250 Yamaha which my mate bought the same week, but what a fantastic bike it was. Went like stink, and turned heads everywhere I rode it. Great times😎

I was lucky to have a 1980 175 EXC and it was a surgical tool in these tight New England woods. Almost the best bike I ever owned.

Chief that bike is extremely sweet on the high end of sweetness. Anybody who knows anything about motorcycles wouldn't say anything negative about this trusty steed! 3rd gear pinned forever...✊

Man yall living the good life getting to see and ride all those awesome motorcycles

KTM and the Can-Ams of the early to mid '80s were my favorite. Especially the big bores that were hard to get even then. They ride and control a lot better than the Japanese bikes. They came stock with racing forks and suspension.

What a beautiful and I mean beautiful 1981 ktm 125 2-stroke what an amazing machine! I love it Motocross 🏆💪 finest❤ absolutely! Gem kaplan's cycles number one New England motorcycle museum number one 💯🤘

Love your passion for classic 2 strokes. From Australia 🇦🇺

I started riding KTMS in 1974 when I bought a new Penton 175 Jackpiner. I have ridden and raced them ever since. Had a new 79 400, 81 390, 81 250 MX, 83 420, 84-88 250s. In 1990 I bought the first 300 and have had 300s ever since. The only exception was a new 1994 440, which was an awesome bike.

This guy's upbeat personality Patriotism & enthusiasm for All Motorcycles along with his Vast experience and knowledge really Always makes for interesting videos even if someone like me that's not involved in the culture.... Then seeing his riding abilities on an array of different motorcycles and types makes this channel very unique!!! God bless Kaplan America!!!

Love the way this bike looks, white plastics offset against the orange frame and fork with the blue highlights! Sounds deep for a 125 I would love a bike like this one day. Great job!

They were a beautiful machine that were set up with good parts and accessories! Back in 81 you had to travel to Lorain Ohio to buy one living in the tri state area

That 1981 KTM 125 Is Insane The Power This 125 Puts Out & The Sound Is Crazy Cool,, & Ken As Always Your Team Is The Best Of The Best U & Jr. Wouldn't settle 4"Any Thing Less ML&R Brother's💚🇺🇲✌🏼

You guys are all business all the time I love it ,I would love to ride bikes like that all the time ,its must be the best feeling to be around badass bikes all the time!!

Im in the uk and when we were kids and into our air cooled yz"s my pal bought that exact bike but the bolts that hold the clutch together came loose and drilled through the side casing and in them days there was no internet or even decent bike shops to get spares so it went to heaven

How perfect is that KTOOOOOM !! You guys are just so good at what you do. Everything leaves the shop better than new. Keep up the amazing work and your enthusiasm.

Never ever have i understood the numberplate on the rear fender others than that its a beauty!

All KTMs just sound ballsy 👍

Gorgeous bike. You can’t ask for a better color combination. That back fender was not the greatest of designs. Still, it’s a gem.

Those Fox shocks are mint!

Nice vintage KTM. Without front suspension invested. With 2 stroke. No disk rear, no disk front. No liquid refrigeration and with good acceleration and eternal motor😀

I'm loving the number plate built into the rear fender! Looks amazing!!

Ripper . 💯

Yeah that was worthy of a quick inside ride thru. Nice rare bike. Keep them coming love it

Badass little twin shocker!

Very cool bike

Had there not been an RM 125 Suzuki in 1981, this would have been the bike to have.

Amazing bikes from an amazing time.

Cartman Says ? Damn Hippie’s on their dirt bikes

Yeah Baby 😻

Snappycappy crackalac that pinger!!!sound fukkn knarlly!! Throaty as hell!! Rock on Ken sr🇺🇲🇬🇧💪❤️

Beautifull ❤

You put a 135 pounder on that little bugger and the kid will be in FLAMES and in love. :)

This is a really rare bike. I usually love retro bikes but idk why Hahns and Fritz decided to incorporate the number plate into the bubble butt rear fender, rather then using is to cover the exhaust. You can understand why this design didnt stick around.

Ah yes. 1981 pre Chyna. Not like today

Hell yeah! 👍🏁

What happened to the airbox???

Is it there possible to drive a bike with no plate??

I love ktm but number plate/rear fender I dont like. lol

Hey kaplan does this have the same speed and pull as a modern day 125 im intuiged

it is killing him to not rip it down the grass lol

In 81 if you weren’t on an RM or YZ 125 you were getting smoked