Hello all,
I've been lurking for a while now mining the archives for racing tips and Penton basics. Name's Chad and I live in Durham, NC (transplanted from Zanesville, OH) I've been racing AHRMA for nearly 7 years now 4 on road and the last 3 in the dirt. You may have passed me before on one of my BSA 441's in the woods or VMX track.
I've always had soft spot for Pentons ever since I was a kid seeing them out on the trails around Muskingum County. They're quite rare in Carolina so when I stumbled across one right down the street I thought it was destiny. So now I'm the proud owner of this beauty below. From what I've read it's a 73 125. Here's all the numbers:
Frame: 30362986
Engine: 7333265-97 TYP SACHS 1001/6B
It's fitted with a Mikuni carb and appears stock.
The plan is to race a full season of cross country and a little bit of VMX next year. My first race on it will hopefully be next weekend at Barber.
Please be patient with me over the coming months as I know nothing about these bikes and even less about 2-strokes but I'm a good listener and a patient study.
From what's I've picked up in the archives I may be happier with a 35mm front end and improved rear suspension. A set of alloy rims may nice too but not necessary. A set of bark busters too.
Any other suggestions?
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/mike8335/photo2.jpg)
Hi Chad,
Welcome to the POG website. I'm from Zanesville, also. Small world, huh? Your bike is definately a 73. Very nice, but the Mikuni carb is not original. Should have came with a Bing carb. Again, welcome.
Thanks Randy! I meant to say It has a Mikuni and [the rest] appears stock.
I'm back in Z-Vegas all the time. Would love to get together and ride.
OK Chad. Got ya on the carb. The bike does look very nice & original. I don't ride off road much any more but give me a call when you get to town & maybe we can bench race in the garage.
Glad to see you made it over. Can't wait to check that out at Barber. If you can get some practice in. That Penton will feel nothing like that 441!
74 250 Hare scramble
68 Six Day
Thanks Guth'
I plan on wringing it neck this weekend in the red clay. If it stays together I'll bring it to Barber.
What night are coming in? Looks like it will be tight in the pits again.
Speaking of Zanesville, anyone remember Doug Kane? 1972-74, Doug used to haul the mail in the 125 class at Mid-Ohio!!
Jeff
Spent many hours in Doug Kane motorsports shop growing up.
Chad, hi and welcome to the POG,
good looking bike to start with !!
it might not be a bad idea to pop the head off and measure the bore, the #'s you gave indicate it to be a 100cc bike, most likly a replacement cover at some point in time,
these heads come off without having to remove the pipe, remove the 4 bolts and slide it out the right side,
48mm = 100cc
54mm = 125cc
good luck with your new Penton and again Welcome :-)))
regards,
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
Mike
Thanks for the info.
Question to all: Would I have to replace the head gasket or re anneal after checking?
Thanks
Chad
Chad,
if there are no burned spots or cracks go ahead and re anneal it, i like to shoot mine with Permatex copper coat spray if i reuse them,
just a little added protection !!
regards,
Quotequote:Originally posted by tonupchad
Mike
Thanks for the info.
Question to all: Would I have to replace the head gasket or re anneal after checking?
Thanks
Chad
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
The engine tag is on the mag cover, its rarely the same one as came on the engine because of chains breaking it.
Brian
Chad,
here is a photo of my 74 125 with the fenders and side panel from KTM World { the old H&H }
(http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/checkcrew/74Penton125005_zps4e33a7ba.jpg)
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
Thanks Mike. Those look great. Perfect for racing!
I prefer an oval plate on the right side, those full panels stick out too far and you can barely get your boot on the peg.
Brian
Quotequote:Originally posted by brian kirby
I prefer an oval plate on the right side, those full panels stick out too far and you can barely get your boot on the peg.
Brian
Ive wondered about that hump. Anybody else have the same problem?
The hump never bothered me..... but..... my feet were rarely on the pegs anyway.[xx(]
Brian,
you have to be able to reach the pegs first :-)))
jus-kiddin Bro - LOL -
i have no problem and it saves the inside of a $100 pair of riding gear from getting burned "IMO"
Quotequote:Originally posted by brian kirby
I prefer an oval plate on the right side, those full panels stick out too far and you can barely get your boot on the peg.
Brian
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
I have risers blocks on my pegs so I can reach them smart guy. :D
My gear never touches the pipe, the inside of the boot does so I never get burned and it never damages the boot.
Brian
My gear never touches the pipe, the inside of the boot does so I never get burned and it never damages the boot.
Brian
[/quote]
Brian,
it must have something to do with that Superman cape you put on ;)
you be the Man !!
hope to see you sometime soon, it's been a couple of years :-((
regards,
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
I run that same setup and am very use to it. I put some heat tape inside of the bump on my number plate to give some extra protection from the pipe.
74 250 Hare scramble
2 68 Six Day (projects)
If I had to do it all over again and I were going to race a Sachs engined Penton and do AHRMA seriously (and I did 2007-2009) I would do the following:
1. Make sure engine is solid. Can you take the sellers word on it or find out when you break in the woods? This is old stuff and it will break. Doug Wilford engine rebuild $350 + parts. Be sure and get him to install a JP Morgan selector key.
2. PVL (or MZB) ignition $450. Motoplat will fail – not a matter of if but only when. Cost too much to travel these days to get DNFs
3. New chain and sprockets $120 (I run all season on the same o-ring chain) use 175 chain guide
4. New tires $120
5. New cables $90
6. New or modified foot pegs $30
7. New shocks $250 - $800. I think Works ($450) are best because Sandy will tune to your skill.
8. Caswell tank $35 DIY.
9. New seat foam $80.
You don't need 35mm forks. Benolkin and Kirby and kid Christopher hammer it and the 32mm work just fine. I'm still running a steel rim on my favorite Six Day. Get comfortable on the bike, takes a while to learn how to shift. The stock Sachs motor makes good power. Resist the temptation to fiddle with the porting or pipe. I have run higher compression on occasion without problem. I'm in the minority but I prefer the 30mm Bing on the 125s. Mikuni is OK too, will still run when jetting is way off and does not load up in a tip over near as bad as a Bing. But, a German carb on a German engine ... that's the way it's supposed to be!
The best for last: If you take your racing seriously and you want to win, get in SHAPE and remember, "You don't breed race horse at the race track." R. Carbaugh circ 2007.
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
The only thing I would disagree with the above advice Ernie gave is I will never Caswell another tank. All of the ones I have with Caswell in them the coating is peeling off. At New Blaine the pieces plugged both the petcocks and the inline filter. Since I dont use ethanol fuel I dont need it anyway. Everything else Ernie is right about.
Brian