Penton Owners Group

Hello,  

I am new to this site, and had a few questions.  My dad has given me his Berkshire 100 and I have plans to restore it, but I'm not sure yet.  I was hoping to get some answers to some questions before I made that decision.  

I was wondering who out there has the biggest / best selection of NOS and repo parts for this bike?  Can I still get the correct color frame paint?  

Also, it has Aluminum fenders fron and rear.  The rear one has broken off and I was wondering how hard it is to get ahold of one of these.  Are they pretty rare?  

I also read that the aluminum fendered bikes were 72's not 73's.  Is this true?  My Dad has always said that his bike was a 73, but now after reading the model history, I am thinking it's a 72.  Could someone confirm this?

Is there alot of 100's out there?  It seems that everyone has a 125, 175, or 250, but not alot of people with 100's.  Are they somewhat rare?

I don't have a real good understanding of the bike other than I rode it for about 2 years way back in 90-91.  Are there any issues to look for concerning parts breakage / easilly worn out things?

Any help you could give would be really appreciated!!

Thanks!
-Kurt

Al Buehner and Larry Perkins probably have the best supply of parts, both are listed under parts on this site.

Aluminum fenders are hard to come by, if you find some be ready to pay dearly.  Aluminum fenders were on all of the steel tank bikes, 67-71 and the 72 model fiberglass tank models.  I imagine some of the early 73 had the aluminum fenders also.  What is the frame serial number of your 100?

I don't know if the 100's are rare or just not the preferred size.  I have a 70 100 and a 77.

Probably on the Sachs powered bikes, the transmission is the highest wear area, selector key etc.  I am sure somebody with more Sachs experience can answer this question better and tell you what to look for.
Rocket

Kurt,
Rocket is correct in all areas and you can find the numbers for both of these people listed under suppliers.  Please list your frame # so we can see what you have.  The Sachs engine requires some attention in the transmission area, however if it is shifting OK don't start a problem that does't exist.  E-mail me with anything I can help you with or just post it on the forum and get the correct answer.

[email protected]

Ron Carbaugh

Thanks guys,

I'll get the #'s tonight or tomorrow for you.

-Kurt

Kurt,
Jake Fisher had aluminum fenders at Mid-Ohio last year that were nice and,I thought,reasonably priced. You might check with him on them.

Lewis A Mayer

Rocket,
i had an early 1973 jackpine and it did have the aluminum fenders.

Here are the numbers

Frame  30363855
Engine 7333153 Typ Sachs 1001 / 6B.

Does this help?  Can you guys tell me what this means?

Lew,
Thanks for the heads up on the fenders, I'll have to get in touch with Jake to seeif he still has them.  

Thanks for all the replies so far!!
-Kurt

Bike was made in March of 1973.
Rocket

Kurt,
If you search "berkshire", alot of items will come up about the bike. I've been told that PJ-1 KTM Silver Gray is a match to the frame color. I just haven't gotten a "round tuit" yet. Good luck with your quest, and welcome!

Robert Manucy
72 Berkshire

Hi,
I'm in the process of restoring my 72 100 Berkshire and have it about 70% completed now. I didn't want to break the bank buying aluminum fenders so I went with the Falk plastic fenders. They look real nice on the bike and I'd be glad to send you some pics of what they look like installed on my bike. Just let me know. You can email me at [email protected]  .

Dave McCullough
72 100 Berkshire
72 Wassell trials

Kurt,
Unless you are going with a point on restoration you should consider the route that Dave has taken.  They look good and are very durable.  And the later '73s came with plastic fenders.  Just a thought.

Ron Carbaugh

Thanks guys!

I'm sure I'll be poking my head in from time to time now that I've found this site.  It's full of information! (Not to mention the helpful members!)  

I may just go for the plastic fenders considering I've already broken one of the aluminum ones.[V]

Thanks again!
-Kurt

Kurt
In February of 73 I bought a new Jackpiner and it came with plastic fenders.  The kickstand on my JP was on the side of the swingarm, where is yours located?  The 72 and very early 73 had them located under the swingarm, might be a clue to if it came with aluminum or plastic fenders.
Rocket

Rocket,

Not sure where the kickstand is on the bike offhand, but I know my dad bought it new from Paisekis in Toledo Ohio (1973, don't know the month).  The owners manual has all the pictures showing aluminum fenders, and my dad swears that he never changed anything and that's the way it came.  I've never seen a picture of the bike with him riding it that would contradict this either.

Considering this, and the frame numbers, and all the pictures he has showing the aluminnum fenders, then it should be an early 73 that had aluminum fenders right?  If so, then is there any value in sending pics to the POG so that they have a documented 73 with Aluminum fenders?  Just in case there is someone else out there in the same situation?  Actually, If anyone is interested, I'd be glad to send you soe pictures of it.  It might take a couple of days since I don't have an dig camera, but a buddy of mine does.  Just E-mail me at [email protected].  Tell me what to take the pics of  and I'll send them to you as soon as possible.    

On a side note, after I asked my dad "Are you sure it came with aluminum fenders?" for the 100th time last night, he got kinda red in the face and said "No it came with leather ones."  I must have struck a nerve or something?

The mystery continues............
-Kurt

Kurt
My point on the kickstand location is trying to figure out when they changed to plastic fenders.  The last run of the bikes with the kickstands underneath may have been the last of the aluminum fender style bikes.  I have a dealer brochure from 73 that shows the 250 with aluminum fenders.  I am sure sure your Dad is correct in his thinking.
Rocket
PS
No 2 Penton's were never identical!!

Rocket,

I'll let you know about the kickstand location for sure.  

"PS No 2 Penton's were never identical!!"
Yeah, I've read a little bit about the running changes for these bikes.  Seems Mr. Penton was in a constant search for perfection.  When he found something that didn't work, he changed it.

I'm glad I found this place.  I've already learned alot about the bike just from talking with you guys.  Keep up the good work.

-Kurt