Sachs 125 Motocross
SACHS 125 MOTOCROSS
CYCLE WORLD IMPRESSION
Specialization — And Its Blessings — Comes To The Ultra-Lightweight Class Dirt Racer
THE SACHS NAME has come to light in the U.S. only in recent years, due to the widely spreading interest in off-road competition. But the manufacturers, Fichtel & Sachs AG of West Germany, are well-known in Europe as one of the world's largest makers of two-stroke engines.
Sachs’ new 125 Motocross is aimed directly at the competition rider. It is not a casual playbike, nor is it a machine for bargain hunters. Based on Sachs’ experience in the International Six Days Trials and similar European cross-country events, the resulting dirt racer is a lightweight, agile small bore. An impressive victory list has already been compiled in the U.S. with the first model, introduced in late 1968. The latest version of the 125 will surely enjoy even greater success than its predecessor.
Components are basically the same as the proven early version, with notable changes to the cylinder head and barrel. The engine unit is a piston port twostroke Single, with a five-speed constant mesh transmission housed in common crankcase castings. A square bore and stroke of 2.12 in. gives a displacement of 123 cc. The claimed horsepower is 17 at 8000 rpm, and this doesn’t seem to be unfounded, as the little Single pulls quite astoundingly.
The new radially finned cylinder head matches the contour of the large iron bore aluminum barrel. The increased fin area will keep the internals cool, and help maintain the horsepower output while doing so. Power from the ball bearing mounted crankshaft is transmitted to the multi-disc clutch via helical cut gears. The entire primary drive runs in an oil bath shared with the transmission. Operation of the clutch and the gear train is faultless, with the ratios well suited to the engine’s characteristics and to motocross terrain.
Carburetion and spark are taken care of by Bing and Bosch respectively. The center-float style carb has a 26-mm venturi diameter and responds well. Fire to the Bosch W26Û T1 spark plug is by flywheel magneto. Starting is easily handled by the folding kick lever, with one or two prods required to bring things to life. However, the lever does hang up on the footpeg retaining nut when at the full extent of its downward arc. The air cleaner is easily accessible by lifting the hinged seat. Everything that requires periodic servicing is easy to reach, and the machine is built with the owner in mind when minor upkeep is necessary.
The frame is a straightforward duplex down tube affair, with a single, large diameter tube connecting the steering head with the swinging arm pivot area. Steel tubing forms a triangular subframe on each side of the fear wheel to support the Boge rear suspension units and seat/fender brackets. The wheel base is 51.5 in., with 9.4 in. of ground clearance. Stable handling is one of the Sachs’ most outstanding features, even though the wheelbase is on the short side. The machine gives the rider a feeling of confidence over the roughest terrain.
The leading-link front forks must be given some of the credit for the solid feel of the 125. The steel fork tubes are amply cross-braced, with a tubular steel loop connecting pivoting ends. This type of front end is probably the strongest design in use today, and will soak up an unbelievable amount of punishment without fail. Boge spring/ dampers with variable rate chrome springs are fitted, and seem to be well suited to the weight of the rider and mount. When the front brake is applied, the front of the machine rises and the front suspension units stiffen. This is common to this type of suspension and doesn’t lessen control of the machine.
The 2.6-gal. gasoline tank is steel, with a chrome and gold painted finish. This ties in handsomely with the alloy wheel hubs and chromed steel rims. The frame is painted a gloss black, and the high mounted exhaust system has a chrome leg shield to further complement the machine’s overall excellent appearance. Motocross knobby tires (2.50-21 and 3.50-18) are fitted. Chrome steel fenders protect the rider from churned up mud. The Sachs gives a businesslike impression while maintaining a high standard of finish and construction.
Our staff was favorably impressed with the Sachs 125 Motocross, and it would certainly be a wise choice for expert and novice alike. The 125 class in motocross is the fastest growing in the country, and this machine has proven to be a yardstick by which the competing brands are measured. The price of $746.70, F.O.B. Los Angeles, is in keeping with the quality of the merchandise. Success, after all, is not something that is given away.
