Messages

Instead of machining the head (which isn't easy to undo), try having a copper head gasket made with thinner than stock material. I had several mad about 15 years ago by a company called Gasket Works. I got the compression boost I wanted without having to re-do the squish band, and I can go to another thickness or back to stock very easily.

The metering rod has been spoken for - Thanx Y'all!

Free to a good home - NOS Lectron Metering Rod #4-2. Found in my toolbox this week.

From the late 70's, prolly was for a Penton. We used to put a lot of Lectron's on at the dealership to solve jetting problems.

I want to send this to someone who will USE it, not SELL it. Give me an address and I'll mail it.

Thanx Dave - I spoke with Gary about some other things several months ago. I'll check with him. Appreciate your help!

Beautiful bike!

1st off - please don't reply "they're scarcer than hens teeth" - I know!

I'm in the process of restoring V074 and will pay a PREMIUM PRICE for a "tall" 1968 airbox. If you run across or somehow have one please give me the opportunity to reward you for placing it on a bike that deserves it.

ALTERNATIVELY - I recently bought on of the Italian reproduction "short" 68 airboxes - and there is no matching repro airbox "cover" available. I need one of those - or to borrow one so that I can have it reproduced.

LASTLY - I also need to buy or reproduce the "skinny" front fender bracket for a 68. I would really appreciate any help.

I'm not restoring this bike to sell - but to honor Donald "Mike" Burgess, who was Penton dealer #0014 (I believe, but have lost records) in Kenner La (behind the New Orleans Airport).

Mike was my mentor as a racer and mechanic in the 70's, and he was given one of those 1st 10 Pentons in March of 68 -  which he ultimately sold to a friend, thus causing John to send him 2 more, and making him an early Penton dealer.

Any help would be appreciated more than you could know.

Sincerely,

Clark Gristina
Covington, LA
985-630-3333

YES YES YES.

Many thanks for the countless hours Y'all have put into this - not only for the current website changeover - but for the years of service you have put into the old site too.

I truly appreciate Y'all

74 motor may have welded steel shift drum. Early motors had these.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Ron is absolutely right - this IS an exceptional issue.

I just finished reading the tribute to Carl Cranke, and it is utterly fantastic. No writer could have told Carl's story in a better way than his friends and teammates reminiscing and telling stories of his life, his career, and yes - his racing.It made me feel that I was somehow part of his story, almost like I had been there.

What a great idea, and great editing.

Carl was another of my heroes as a young man. One whom I've had the privilege to meet, and actually spend just a little bit of time with - all because of the POG. So special thanx to all who put this group together, and work so tirelessly keeping it going.

SouthRider - aka Clark

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Possibly - YES.

Could be any or all of the above.

Impractical to change tires for each event, and then there will always be a mix of terrain. Trials universal tires work better than knobbies on slippery roots or rocks, but not so well in the mud. Lower tire pressure helps tires to bite, but risks more flats.

If suspension is set up for MX tracks it will be way too stiff in the woods, and vice versa.

Getting up over the bars helps to keep the front wheel weighted on slippery roots, and riding/training often enough to have the stamina to stay there helps.

In the day we attempted to set the bikes up in advance of each race for what the terrain was - all within our budget and mechanical skills.

It's all a trade off - much like most things in life.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Such a shame - vividly remember reading about his epic battles with DeCoster, Adolf Weil, and more.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Gary - texting some pics of what I found.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Hey Gary -

Did you find the fender bracket or center stand that you need to make copies?

I have a horribly mutilated center stand that came on V074, as well as a few other stands in a box I was given (but I'm not sure what is there) and will need to pull them out.

Let me know if I should send some pics to suss things out.

I'm also looking for a skinny front fender bracket.

Clark

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Gary - Have you gotten the bracket and/or center stand?

I have several center stands, but not sure which versions they are (and a horribly mutilated 68 that came on the bike I'm restoring). Let me know if you want me to send pics to see if I have what you need.

I also need a 68 skinny front fender bracket.

Clark

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax

Not yet Paul - just assumed the original silver is there. Saw that bike yesterday and started wondering. Worth asking.....

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."

1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax