Well, I didn't think I was going to finish it on time, but I did. In fact, I finished a day early with the help of some good friends. I've been working on this bike for 2 years trying to get it restored so I could give it to my dad on Father's day. A recent shoulder surgery really slowed it down, but I pulled it off!
So, I got it running at 10:30am today and gave him a call. I told him I'm coming over to pick you up, I have a surprise for you.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/Gbody/berkleft.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/Gbody/berkleftp.jpg)
That plate on the back is the original plate that was issued to my father when he bought this motorcycle back in '73.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/Gbody/berkright.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/Gbody/dad.jpg)
I think he was happy. After this picture was taken, he took it for a spin in the yard. I had to stop him eventually because I had only put a couple ounces of gas in it to start it. I think it brought back a bunch of good memories for him. Being that he's the original owner, and I learned to ride on this bike, I think it brought back memories for both of us!!
The only problem now it he's afraid to ride it becase he think's it's too nice looking. [:p]
So, to all the dads out there (and especially mine) I wanted to say Happy Father's Day. It's you guys who made us the men we are today. Thank you for everything.
-Kurt
'73 Berkshire under construction
Kurt, You did a wonderful job. This day will be a lifetime memory for both of you. Happy Fathers Day !! Nelson McCullough
Great job and great story! Just tell him anything that a human made once can be made again, and anything you have restored once can be restored again. Go ahead and ride it, enjoy it the way John Penton meant it to be used, you can make it like that again.
Brian
Wow really great job and a perfect tribute.
Wow! Great job, and I am sure he is beaming with pride. What more could a Father ask for that his son appreciates him enough to do such a spectacular job making this happen? Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR250 & OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R
Kurt,
Great restoration, and an even greater story. Thanks for sharing it.
If you attend any vintage events that have vintage bike displays, I am sure that folks would enjoy seeing the Berkie and reading the story behind it. Local print shops can make up nice display signage for not a whole lot of expense. Who knows, you might even give others an idea.
Paul
Thanks a lot guys. Dad got to have all the fun with the bike today. I have to wait until the 27th of june :(
Paul, I've been thinking about making up a storyboard with some of the old pictures of my dad and mom riding (mom had a Yamaha 90 that I'm thinking about re-doing), me riding the bike, (as a kid and as a teenager), and then the resto pictures. Something that I could capture all the history on. Either that or a scrapbook that could stay with the bike. I'm sure one of those is in the future!
Hopefully I'll not get snowed in this year for the AMA POG meeting and I'll bring it down. Either that or VMD at mid ohio. I'm not sure if I have that weekend free or not.
Thanks again for the kind words about the restoration. I'm sure glad I have the friends I do or I wouldn't have been able to pull it off!!
-Kurt
'73 Berkshire 100
Great job, on both counts... nice to see a young man with that kind of heart.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki