125 Montesa Cappra Mx
125 MONTESA CAPPRA MX
CYCLE WORLD IMPRESSION
It Forgives Errors, Is Reasonably Tractable And Fits Like A Glove.
HIGHLY SPECIALIZED. Reliable. Tractable. That's Montesa's 125-cc Cappra MX.
Previous larger displacement Cappras were notable for being competitive, with only minor modifications, in practically all forms of off-road motorcycle sport. Curiously, this is not the case with the 1 25 version. Lack of a fifth gear will handicap this machine on fast TT courses, or in desert events in which a high top speed is necessary.
The 1 25 Cappra, however, was in tended for motocross events, and it should prove to he quite competitive in its field. The weekend racer who de lights in blowing off larger displacement machines on courses of his own design should find some satisfaction in this machine, as well.
Suspension components are definite ly up to the rigors of competition. `I'he Telesco front forks are typically soft and have plenty of travel. Dampening is excellent. The Telesco five-way adjust able rear shocks also perform quite well
Wheelbase is a generous 54 in.. and this undoubtedly contributes to the 125 Cappra's stability. Steering is precise. and wide 35-in. handlebars give the rider the leverage needed to repeatedly nego tiate tight turns with a minimum of effort.
Lofting the front wheel-the fastest way to get over a series of sharp humpsis easily accomplished by jerk ing up on the handlebars with the power on. Weight is 222 lb. with a half-tank of fuel.
A 3.00-21 Pirelli knobby is fitted up front, as is common practice on moto cross mounts. The rear tire, however, a 4.00-18 Pirelli knobby, provides too much traction. And because the tire is heavy, it actually resists accelera tion. The resultant effect is that the I 25 Cappra will hog down on steep hills. rather than spin the tire. Acceleration from a dead stop is also hindered. Both tires are mounted on strong Akront alloy rims.
The frame is similar to those of other Montesa dirt machines. At the forward engine mount, a single downtuhe splits into two smaller diameter tubes which pass under the engine cradle. Behind the engine, this tubing curves up, and is welded to a single toptube just above the carburetor. A tubular crossbrace, just forward of the footpegs. provides added strength.
Steel tabs, welded to the rear of the engine cradle, provide a mounting point for the swinging arm assembly. Addi tional tubing supports the rear fender and seat.
A sturdy 124.98-cc two-stroke Single. which uses the same crank and rod assembly as the 250-cc version, produces a claimed I 9 bhp at 7500 rpm. Bore and stroke is 51 .5 by 60mm and a 27-mm Amal carburetor supplies the fuel.
Ball bearings pressed into the polish ed aluminum cases support the crank shaft assembly. Roller bearings are used at the crankpin while the connecting rod rides on uncaged needle bearings. The aluminum cylinder barrel incorpo rates a heat-treated iron liner.
Surprisingly, the unit doesn't like to be held at near maximum rpms. It does pull strongly and has excellent throttle response in the mid-rpm range, however. Vibration is nil, except at peak rpm.
Starting is incredibly easy for a corn petition machine: it only requires one or two light prods on the kickstarter. Care must he taken, however, to make sure the gas shut-off valve is in the center position when the engine is not running, otherwise, flooding will occur.
A nice toucti is tne cut-away engine case which provides access to the countershaft sprocket for quick gear changes. The expansion chamber, paint ed black for better heat dissipation as are the cylinder barrel and head, is well protected and out of the rider's way.
Power is transmitted to the four speed, close-ratio transmission via a gear driven primary and an all metal plate clutch (also taken directly from the 250). Gear spacing is excellent and the "down br low. U~) bor the rest'' shift pattern is convenient for off-road use. The hrakes are on the large side t or a 125-cc dirt machine. Only light lever pressure is required even in a panic stop situation. (`are must he taken. however, to avoid locking up the rear wheel.
Aetu~tlly. the I 25 (`appra's only seri ous shortcoming is its air cleaner. 11w nylon gauze element, housed in a small aluminum case, is totally ineffective dust, mud, water and small pebbles all pass right through. Needless to say, spark plug whiskering and excessive engine wear result.
I-inish is excellent. In tact, the (`appra 125 MX is Ofle of the most attractive competition machines on the market. The I .8-gal. fiberglass gas tank and removable side panels are grey with yellow number plates. Polished alumi num fenders are wide and keep mud and water from reaching the rider. Lettering on the gas tank is indented, preventing the dark blue paint 1mm being rubbed
With a suggested retail price ot S1OC. the 1 25 (`appra MX is expensive. hut no niore so than other competitive niotocross machinery in its class.
