my friend has a 86 rm 125 that isnt running but did and i rode it before and his dad will sell it to me for $100.
the problem is
it has sat outside withOUT a sparkplug in it(water could have gotten into the motor)
water from radiator gos into the cylinder some how
it needs new front and rear fenders and tires and a clutch perch(i have one) and new bars would be nice
1. what do you think would cause water to get into the cylinder?
2. would the piston be rusted due to water being in the cylinder?
3. how much do you think it would cost to get running
4.should i buy it for $100.00
Bought my 82' for 100 bucks put 700 into her and ta da! The crank and piston was totally seized. Poured gear lube into her, got it unstuck, cleaned it out, new bore and piston and that was it for the engine. Everything else was little stuff. Its a fun bike but hard to ride because of the suspension is like a trampoline on wheels. Wicked powerband.
The water in the cylinder is likely due to a bad head or base gasket. If there is water in there and it's been sitting you are going to have more to worry about than just the piston being rusted. I would venture a guess somewhere between $700 and $1200 depending on what all it needs. As far as the previous poster mentioning suspension the 86 RM125 and it's full floater suspension had likely the best suspension of the era.
I went the same route as you when I returned to the sport and bought a 86 RM125 but mine was mint. I still spent close to $500 going over it and I've regretted that I didn't just use that money to buy a newer technology bike at the time.