Hi there glad I found this site.
I have a 85 Honda trx125 that won't fire up... There is spark (used spark tester)
But it only sparks when I pull the starter very sharply and only once if I pull the starter repeatedly and quickly there is no spark at all.
I have the manual and have gapped the plug and pulse generator correctly.
When I spray starter fluid to try and get it to fire it won't fire..
I have turned the kill switch to run and off but the spark is the same either way..
Any ideas? ... Suggestions? Thanks

 

So I traced the wiring checking for continuity as I went. Found a problem with ignition switch.. Bypassed that and found a wire had come away in the kill switch that's all fixed.. Now I have a repeated spark when pulling starter and the green neutral lights up ... I put a little starter fluid in plug hole and it would fire up for short bursts.. Wahoo. Now onto the starter I connected a battery and pressed the starter just a click nothing else..
Starter is off and apart it appears to need new brushes and cleaning up..
I don't know if it's persistence or having nothing better to do but .. I'm getting close.

 

Hello fellow 1985 TRX 125 owner! I just acquired one this weekend that had been sitting for 3 years. I have to replace the brake lines and some other odds and ends, but I am not looking for a show quad, my dad has 40 acres of woods I'd like to beat around in Not to mention this should pull out the deer when we shoot them this year. That being said the quad I got does have some issues..... what can I say, I paid $100 bucks for it.

There was no oil in the machine when I pulled the drain plug, I added oil a new spark plug and some gas and pulled real easy the thing fired right off and purred right along. It clunks and grinds (I think from the clutch side) when I try and shift it into reverse. When I upshift into first, and give a little throttle, it wants to move, with no ill sounds, so I know so far the issue is going in reverse. Problem number two when the atv is idling, and I try and move it backwards by pushing itmanually, it clunks and grinds even more.......

Ay ideas forum members? This is my first adult sized atv, I have a 50cc mini quad for my son, and a 90cc Tao Tao frame with a 1985 125cc ATC motor stuffed in it (goes about 40ish) for when he gets a little bigger. I got the mini for $100 and the 125 for $150.

 

Well I'm no mechanic..but from what you describe it sound like shift forks are worn and may not completely allow engagement .other than that... Usual things to check clutch .. But I'm thinking it might have to come apart