Reed Assembly 86 RM125

Well the family is out at the cabin while I work a set of night shifts so I thought this would be the perfect few days to do some work on my bike that I never seem to find time for when my son is around and wanting to ride 24/7 :) First task I removed the chain and gave it a good cleaning, then I moved onto the carb removed it and cleaned it all up, got some cables lubed etc etc then I moved onto the thing I really wanted to check my reeds. While I'm not the most mechanically adept (see some of my previous posts for evidence :think: ) I knew that all I had to do is remove the boot between the carb and cylinder and it would be right there to remove the reed assembly. So off comes the boot and I sit there staring at the hole where I thought I would find my reed assembly, after a few perplexing moments I do what the wife always advises and get the manual. Much to my chegrin I learn that on my bike the reed assembly is UNDER the cylinder and if I want to check my reeds I need to take the top end off :( It still scares me the thought of tearing into the engine and I'd rather not take the cyliner off until the end of the season when I plan to TRY my hand at learning how to rebuild this thing and I have the time cushion of winter to learn how to fix all my screw ups :) I guess the reeds will have to wait to be checked until I get the nerve to rebuild it unless someone has some amazing confidence inspiring trick to tell me how to get a peek at em?

The fellow that I purchased the bike from seemed to be a stickler for maintenance, he raced this bike for a few years and then retired from racing and kept it just to have something to ride. While he didn't have any receipts for the work he alleged to have done to the bike it starts first or second kick everytime, runs like a top and throttle response is crisp throughout the rpm range. About the only complaint I would have is the bike has absolutely no bottom end at all but that is to be expected when you have a 17 year old 125 trying to haul around my 225 lb. oversized frame. Basically I will do the top end at seasons end so I can expand my wrenching skills because if my son continues on with racing I will need to do alot more of my own wrenching due to economics. I feel this bike is running A-one but it's been 20+ years since I've been on a MX bike and wondered if it could still run even better so that was my curiousity with the reeds. Since the bike is running so well I will leave it until fall and then tear into it and rebuild it for the next lucky guy who get's to own it as I hope to upgrade next spring!