hey guys, a newbie here but an excited one. i recently ran upon a 76 penton 125cc trials bike for sale. i hope to go see it tomorrow. the owner says it has a crankshaft problem and may need a bearing. any info would be greatly appreciated. any opinions re: the worth of the bike appreciated also. post direct, if you wish @
[email protected] TIA
Go for it Bert. These bikes are very rare and a lot of fun to ride. As far as value, the more complete the better. A very incomplete one brought over $400 recently on ebay. A cherry one might bring $2000. If you get it I might be able to answer a few questions, I have 5 of them.
Dennis Jones
One sold out here in California for over $3,000.00. I think it went for $3,380.00.
I saw one go in Texas back in October for $2,850.00. However, both looked brand new!
Donny
If you get it and it has motor troubles I have over a ton of NOS Sachs parts.
i appreciate the info and will certainly hang onto it. i didn't get to see it this weekend as the owner was working overtime. 'll pick it up unless it's un-reasonably priced. i don't know where i'll put it or what i'll tell the wife. i wonder if she'd give up her sewing room? LOL
I've been in that wife telling position a few times myself. I have found that the absolute truth is the best policy. You are buying it so as it increases in value your net worth is increasing allowing you to take better care of her! So if buying one is good buying many is great. Please don't spread this sure money making concept around as everyone else will be wanting to get into it.
thanks for the guidance Paul, that's just the impetus i need. maybe i'll be able to talk him out of the Hodaka too, i must keep the welfare of my family in mind.
Larry, Dennis, Bob, OUCWBOY, Paul, i do appreciate the replys from all you guys. a few decades back, in my hay-days i always rode Huskys. i always wanted and liked the Pentons. it's never too late i suppose
hey Dennis, is 5 gonna be enough ;)
Bert,
I don't think 5 is nearly enough. I have 12 and am still searching for more. You gotta improve your self worth as much as you can.
Donny
1976 Mudlark now a Bantam?? i bought it yesterday, haven't found a serial # on the frame as yet ( might be that i don't know where to look). i have the flu and it's cold as he//, didn't spend much time looking. the engine #'s are 5497088, type 1001/6b, 97cc. it needs some help, i would term it "incomplete". the rookie appreciates any info TIA
Bert,
Before Ted Wassell settled in on Sachs engines to make a compete bike, he made a trials rolling chassis to except the Bantom engine that was readily available in England. Try looking on the steering head for a serial number. Congratulations on your find.
Dennis Jones
That is a 100cc 6 speed B engine if it has the correct ignition sidecase on it.
thanks Larry and Dennis
the frame appears to have been painted, i may have to do some scraping on the steering head. the engine is definitely a Sachs, so this would not be a bantom? is Bantom a model name or the name of an English engine. i'll take some pics asap and post them. how do i identify the correct ignition side case/ i hate being so ignorant, appreciate your patience
bert
Bert,
You can tell Larry was more awake than I this morning, after I read Bantam I didn't pick up on the Sachs numbers. Lets try to identify the frame. Does the swingarm fit inside of the frame or stradle the outside?
Dennis Jones
i'm thinking the swing arm fits inside the frame, will look and confirm. i was able to find the # W 386 ST on the left side of the steering head. i was thinking the Wassel #'s i had seen somewhere on the list were 4 digit but i sure can't detect a 4th on this bike. i'm also going to take some pics, is there anywhere i could post them?
Bert,
That serial number fits right in with the rest of the Wassells that we have seen. We have assumed that the W is for Wassell, and the ST for Sachs Trials. All of the serial numbers that have been posted are three digit and yours falls right into the range we have seen. When the Penton Registry comes on line there is a place for the Wassells to be registered and it will be interesting to see just how many show up.
Paul
Paul
thanks for the info, i'm learning. Larry alluded to a certian ignition side case, could you explain what i should look for there.
wta
bert
Bert,
You gave the engine number in an earlier post, it ended in "type 1001/6b, 97cc". Larry explained that those numbers indicate that your engine is a B engine, 97cc 6 speed. Thoses engine covers are sometimes ruined if a chain brakes and are replaced with one that is in better condition. If that cover indeed does belong with that engine then the above information should be correct. If however, someone replaced that sidecover over the last 25 years for some reason, your engine may actually be different from what the metal tag says. I am sure that it is a Sachs either way. Look to see if a 6 is stamped on the flat portion of the top left engine case, just beside the top left rear engine bolt hole. Note that the number is stamped on the engine case, not the removable clutch cover. If you find the 6 then you have a 6 speed engine. Most all, iff not all, 6 speed engines have a lighter crank and are called B engines. The earlier engines with the heavier crank are the A engines. To solve the final mystery all you have to do is remove the cylinder head and see what size the piston is. That is not hard to do and we can get into that a bit later.
Paul
appreciate it Paul, realizing the tag is on the cover it makes sense now. i'll check out the stamping and swing arm, also think i'd better stop by the AMA museum and buy some Penton books
If you are located near the museum you might want to come to the Feb. 2 POG meeting we are having there. The meeting starts at 11am and Ed Youngblood is going to give us a tour of the gallery after the meeting. POG members and non members are invited to attend. We are going to have a POG display the next day at the Mansfield Swapmeet. We will have more details posted soon. Paul
i can do that, i'm less than 2 miles from the museum, pass it every day
Bert
As Larry said the #'s you posted would indicate a Sachs 100cc. Unfortunatly the ID # is located on an easily and often damaged side cover. Since many of these get replaced the numbers may be wrong. My 1256B has a 1255A cover on it. All the Wassells I have saw have been 125s. Short of pulling the head I don't know how to tell the difference
Dennis Jones
thanks Dennis, i'll pull the head and find out. i looked for a 6 stamped on the case as Paul suggested and could not find one. i need to get a couple other projects done before i can start another. i had been looking for a trials bike for a couple years and settled for a Reflex, bought it and 2 weeks later my nephew tells me about this Penton.
ps.are shop manuals still available?