Messages

Critter, Where did you live in PA.  I have lived in Meadville, Pa for most of my life.

Guys running CZs or Bultacos might be able to help you find one.  I believe those bikes came stock with two plug wires.

Herman, Motoplat Repair - Vintage Dirt Bike - 713-896-9668.  I believe he is located in Houston.  $195.00 usually 4-5 weeks turn around.  He has done 3 for me.  Scott

Ron,  I can't call tonight.  I will try call you this weekend.  Scott

Tacrac,

Keep in mind if the crank seals have dried out, if the motoplat has gone bad (they are 30 years old now) if it needs a new top end you are looking at at approx. $750.00 unless you can do the bottom end yourself.  There is a very nice one on EBAY now at $2,250!

I don't know where Younkins is, however I do remember him.  I raced in N/W PA and N/E Ohio in 1974 and 1975 on a Jackpiner.  I won my share of trophies but Younkins was unbelievably fast.  At a Harescamble in Mesopatamia Ohio in 1975 it was announced at the riders meeting that he would give everybody a head start of one minute (Maybe it was two minutes)  He passed me and 169 other riders on the first lap, came into the barrels in 10th place.  Needless to say he was first after two laps.  With 30 minutes left in the race he was so far ahead he put his 250 harescambler in his truck they gave him the HI Point trophy and he left to go race a motocross race in the afternoon.

I also remember his jersey, on the back side it said "Younkins Just Passed You".  He could "Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk".  I would guess he was two years older than me which would make him around 49 or 50 now.  

Being so close to Cleveland/Lorain I would guesss some of the Penton Boys or some of the other "factory riders" may know of his whereabouts.  

But let me tell you again, that guy could ride!!!!

Try replacing the exhaust springs.  My 380 made pinging type sounds, turns out the springs were fatigued.  Noise went away once I replaced the springs.

I restored a 1974 berkshire.  I polished the tank and I found a very good matching paint for the side covers.  GM 249 Medium Orange made by Dupli Color.

Thanks for the replys everyone.  All things considered I am going to send the motoplat system to Dane for testing tomorrow.

Robert,  Did you ever try the GM paint for a match.  If the gelcoat was the same in 1972 as it was in 1974 it should match well.  I was just curious.  Scott

If you would have purchased the bike new in 1973 and never took it out of the crate, I would not give you anything close to $50,000 for the bike.  Just my opinion.

I have a collection of 12 vintage dirtbikes including 3 Pentons.  Some are restored to the point where I will not ride them in the dirt.  Others are original which I ride a couple of times a year.  I also have modern KTMs which I ride on a regular basis.  I simply enjoy the restoration process, especially the before and after pictures, it is my hobby.  When I resore a bike I don't consider the value before and after the restoration.  I enjoy doing it.  If you monkey with these old bikes to make money or for investment purposes don't, especially if you value your time doing it.

I am a Stockbroker and a CPA.  This morning a ran a "Hypothetical Illustration" just for grins.  I went back to June 30, 1973 and made a one time investment of $1,300 (approx. price of a new dirtbike then) into a decent stock mutual fund (not the best one and not the worst one).  That one time investment grew to over $51,000 as of June 30, 2003.  Not to many vintage dirtbikes will fetch that kind of money now!

The moral of the story: do with the bike what ever makes you happy!

Robert, I found a Very, Very good match for my 1974 Berkshire in a rattle can made by Dupli-Color, GM 249 Medium Orange.  I painted the side cover and the air box.  They match the tank perfectly.  Hope this helps.  Scott

Dane, Why not just continue with the PVL units?  Are these Better?

Ron, Can you tell me any more about these pipes.  I do not have any other pipe for the bike so I will probably be using it.  It seems very nice.