ok, i'm working on a project bike (like i don't have enough projects already) and it's a KTM 125. it's from the late 80's i believe. it has a blue and white zebra stripped seat cover, stock i think. is there a way to tell the year model from the serial number? there's no indication on it anywhere as to the year.
Serial Number: 8511 34011
the kick starter is on the left and sproket/chain on the right. disc brakes front and back and a monoshok. liquid cooled as well.
take it to your local ktm shop and have the numbers looked up. the way it sounds it could be anywhere from an 85 like patman said to a 97. i have a 94 and it fits that description (except for the seat, ours was purple!). any way you go, good luck finding parts for them. the parts i just ordered are coming from stephans-garage in germany!
It sounds like a 1987 model. I have a 87 350 that came with all of the original paperwork including a specification sheet with photos of all of the 1987 model year bikes and what your describing fits the photo on the specification sheet for the 1987 125.
DST KTM should be able to tell you the year and other info about the bike. When it was imported, who the selling dealer was, etc. Then again, their database may not go back that far. I called KTM in OH with the VIN on my '95 and got all kinds of good info about the bike.