I have a Wassell trials bike ( missing original tank and motor) that I have had for over 30 years. I aguired it here in Western Canada from a friend and I had installed a small Honda 125 engine and a random fuel tank to use it for pleasure riding on the farm. I started to think I should restore it to original as a tribute to the previous owner that had recently passed away.
I originally thought it was just a British trials frame, but after some research I think now it may be a Penton Mudlark that somehow found its way out here to Calgary. I wished I had asked the owner more about it at the time. Does anyone know if these bikes were ever sold in Canada? Would the serial number give me a clue as to what this bike is? W311ST is the only number I see on the frame..
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Articles seem to indicate 250 were sold in GB, 50 to Canada, and 700 came to the US. Early numbers up to 100 had BSA Bantam engines. Last known location of frame W312ST is the UK.
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships - POG Merchandise
Mudlark Registry
Facebook - Penton Owners Group - Administrator
Facebook - Cheney Racing Group - Administrator
If 312 is in the UK I wonder if that might mean that my 311 also came from the UK and may or may not have been in the 50 that were imported to Canada.? Any idea who would have been the distributer in Canada for these bikes? I guess it really doesn't matter where it was first aquired but would it be fair to say that if it was either a British or a Canadian model it would be referred to as a Wassell trials bike as opposed to the USA models that were branded Mudlark by Penton?
Also is there a web page for the MUDLARK Registry that I can access?
I have the registry in .pdf form. In some cases it is difficult to obtain frame numbers so no clear pattern is apparent. Will attach a link to the file in dropbox.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v3jj3aa3zm5j2q9/Mudlark%20Registry.xlsx?dl=0
for best results open with Excel if that option is available.
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships - POG Merchandise
Mudlark Registry
Facebook - Penton Owners Group - Administrator
Facebook - Cheney Racing Group - Administrator
Dale:
I have been lurking around the POG for several years now. I am not actively using my Pentons right now but may someday start up again. I feel that possibly my Mudlark should be listed in the registry just so you all know where another good one resides. How do I add my info to the list?
Thanks,
Mike Hammond
Reno
mhammond
The Wassell's in Canada were imported by Deeley's in Vancouver.
Some came in without engines and were available for installation of the engine of your choice (in particular Yamaha DT175, because Deeley's were the Yamaha importer). I have a Deeley brochure illustrating the this.
Also there were a number with Hodaka 125 engines installed, called "Challengers". I am not sure by who, or where. Steve Tucker in Ormstown, QC has a nice example of a Challenger, which was ridden by Mick Andrews at the Ormstown Vintage Off-Road Festival a couple of years ago.
From your location in Western Canada I strongly suspect that your bike was one of the Deeley lot.
Mike
Additions to the registry can be made/sent to
[email protected] A photo(s) for my collection would also be welcomed ;)
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships - POG Merchandise
Mudlark Registry
Facebook - Penton Owners Group - Administrator
Facebook - Cheney Racing Group - Administrator
Thanks Mike OReilly that information completes the picture for me. I bought the bike ( minus the motor) from Terry Healy at Walt Healy motorcycles in Calgary and they were a Yamaha dealer with ties to Deeleys. I thought that Terry had used a Yamaha motor in the bike when he rode it but the Penton idea seemed to have merit as well. Definitely makes sence that it came from the distributor Deeleys from Vancouver. Would it be possible to get a picture of the brochure that you have from Deeleys? Thanks again...
Online photos are not very descriptive. Was the Hodaka Challenger a Wassell frame or Dalesman?
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships - POG Merchandise
Mudlark Registry
Facebook - Penton Owners Group - Administrator
Facebook - Cheney Racing Group - Administrator
I think the Hodaka motored bikes were made by Sprite. Same hubs and forks as Wassel bikes
The Hodaka Challenger is a Sprite frame and components .... I have one if you want a picture I can post to the Facebook page ... BT
Brian Taylor
The Hodaka Challenger is a Sprite frame and components .... I have one if you want a picture I can post to the Facebook page ... BT
Brian Taylor
With too many projects on the go I'm thinking I might sell off some of them and focus on one at a time. Which brings me to ask! What value do I put on my 1972 Wassell trials bike ( complete frame and wheels but missing a gas tank and engine) if I offer it up for sale? I know a bike is worth what ever a buyer is willing to pay but any ideas on a starting price or just go with open to best offer?
I would be interested. Do you have pics?
Hi,
Is the spreadsheet in this discussion thread still valid? Also, am I correct in understanding that this tracks every Wassell out there, as I picked one up recently in BC, Canada. Thanks