Messages

Gary...keep me at the top of that bearings list!  Spring will soon be here.  But fact is, the wait buys me time to get the rest of the work on the bike done.

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Forrest

thanks for the info.  I am eager to hear how your long term results of the line Coke bottle come out!

The tank I am (was?) planning on sealing is one I recently bought.  I took a closer look at it and it appears it has already been sealed.  Based on the descriptions here of the amber color of the POR 15 "clear" - am now thinking it may have already been done with POR 15.  There are absolutely no signs of the tank having leaked anywhere (it had been repainted at some time and based on the wear on the paint clearly saw lots of use - but no sign of leaks).  The liner that is in it appears intact - no signs of it peeling away that I can see.  

So...now I am thinking I just may give it a shot as is.  I plan to repaint the exterior (nothing fancy - cheapo rattle can job) and will try to get ethanol free gas whenever I can, and will drain it after use.

Mike

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

I ended up asking a follow up question - referencing the discussions online about using it on fiberglass - his reply was:

We never recommended it for fiberglass tanks. Steel tanks only. I tested it on a fiberglass tank and it worked fine for 3 months but I can't tell you how long it will last. We are only recommending it for steel tanks. Thanks, Mike

That pretty much seems to rule it out!

My original tank has a repaired spot that leaks  - perhaps made worse by the fact that at one point I did not drain the tank.  I recently bought a different tank (needs paint but otherwise no damage etc).  In looking it over, I can see a couple of spots where the frame rubbing on it has brought it down to a translucent, presumably thin spot (easy to see if you peer inside with the outside well lit).  Any suggestions as to how to address these spots?  i will of course make sure i put some sort of pad on the frame to protect these areas.

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Has anyone tried this as an alternative to POR15:  KBS Coatings tank sealer

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Thom - thanks.  That's what I was hoping to hear!  While I am sure that Glyptal is a great product, fact is my project's budget has been severely limited by the budget and finance committee (the dear wifey)!

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Is this the Glyptal you are referring to (their website list a number of different products).

  http://www.eastwood.com/glyptal-red-brush-on-1-qt.html

Pricey stuff...and i need about 1/100th of a quart!



Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Rod - yes - I do have a manual and just read through that section.  I think I will have someone else mess with that!

Jerry, thanks for the email exchange, more questions to come I am sure.

I will end up going with either Jerry Birky or Gary Ellis.  Gary evidently saw this thread and emailed me. I haven't gotten back to him yet  It sure is great having all the real experts around and willing to help out!





Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Thanks for the replys.  Rod - I've seen other mentions of shimming the crank - what exactly is this?  I am assuming it is related to Kip's comment about measuring the width of the crank webs.

I had been planning on sending it to a local guy that has done crank work for me in the past.  But as he hasnt replied to my email, looks like I will be contacting Chicago Jerry or the others suggested.



Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

I made a quick phone call to Young Ted and got my answer - I was reluctant to risk anything breaking without some other input!  A bit of heat, nut on crank end, and a few hammer whacks and it came out of the left side case easily.  Removing the bearing from right end of crank was even easier - a bit of prying with a screwdriver tip popped the bearing off the crank end no problem.  

Seems odd, but I find myself way more comfortable wrenching on my modern bike - if I mess something up, I know for certain I can buy the parts I need (ignoring cost of course!)...but with this Penton, I guess I worry to much!

Now to track down the shop to do the press work on the crank!



Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Thanks Rod - looking forward to the parts soon!

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

I should point out that DW managed to spank a bunch of modern bikes in the last AA/A/B section of the Jackpine - from what I was told, dropped 8 or 9 points in a rather tight (but fun!) section.  I am sure he added some "character" marks to that beauty of a bike.  I dropped 11 points in there.  I guess that is why he is a AA rider, and I am a B rider that should be in C!

Rain Man - yeah, Davie does get around doesnt he!  Maybe it has to do with Young Ted?  hmmm.  Ted rode 650 miles of the MCCCT with me and my sons on Davie this spring - that bike is not a  garage queen!

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Yeah, I heard about two yahoos on Pentons doing a ride somewhere in Michigan last weekend to....

a quick look here:

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=164892

 might identify those culprits  





Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Here is a link to that other thread I mentioned. that thread has links to the Pinecone Flyer, the FES schedule etc.

http://pentonusa.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8988

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Paul

I assume you meant Pinecone, when you commented "Pinconning ride"?

Here is a link to the flyer for the Pine Cone:  Unfortunately I just realized it is the same weekend as AMA Vintage Days - but if you or others are not planning on Vintage Days, or looking for a ride, this would be perfect!

http://d14enduro.org/flyers/2008/2008_pine_cone_flyer.pdf

The Pinecone will start near Moorestown, MI - which is located between Lake City and Houghton Lake Michigan.

And here is a link to the series schedule.  Periodically it is updated as flyers are posted on line, so check back.

http://d14enduro.org/fes_raceinfo.shtml

Here is the schedule remaining:

06/14/08 UP Sandstormers Mini Moose Marquette, MI
06/28/08 Buzzards M/C Baby Buzzard Harrison, MI
07/12/08 Muddobbers M/C Family Enduro Matthews, IN
07/26/08 Lansing Motorcycle Club Pine Cone Moorestown, MI
10/11/08 Grand Kankakee Trail Riders Family Enduro Roselawn, IN 11/01/08 Riders M/C Turkey Gobbler New Paris, IN

I am going to do a separate post on this next topic - but the promoter of the FES series, and Lansing Motorcycle Club member Mike Mauer Jr.  (some of you guys might remember Mike Sr. from his days of enduro racing back in the day), really is liking the idea of doing something "Special" Penton oriented at the Pine Cone IF we can get enough interest generated, and have a reasonable sense if there will be a sufficient number of Pentons on hand.  So - let all your riding buddies know! And, If anyone wants to ride the Jackpine (the day after the Pinecone) on their Penton instead of or in addition to the Pine Cone - please feel free!  I think there are a couple of other Michigan Penton owners planning on the Jackpine actually.  I would myself, except this years Jackpine will be my 17 year old son's first "big" enduro (He was a FES series class champion last year), and I promised to ride with him to help him out and provide support - dont think I can keep up with him if I am on the Penton!

Mike




Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!

Tony

Thanks for the follow up on that.  I would love to see MANY Pentons at the Pinecone. In fact, it has recently been suggested by a Lansing Motorcycle Club member, that maybe we could do a special Penton display, maybe something of a Penton celebration of sorts. Maybe get John himself there!  Now that would be a scene - a bunch of Pentons, all riding underneath the big start line banner for the Jackpine (same start as the Pinecone).

Mike

Mike Stephenson
Atlanta, Michigan
Penton Newbie - thanks to Young Ted!