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I made sure all the gas was out of the carb and tank so I don't discover bubbled paint in the spring.  

I also found a picture I took of mine a while ago.


Now I need to find a 125 and a 175 to do.  Winter is a little boring not having a bike to work on!

'73 Berkshire 100

Peter,

I sent you and E-mail asking some questions, but I see you are on the POG site.  After reading your posts and your intent with the bike (selling after complete) I'd say go 125.  More interest in those it seems.  Then, do the 100 and keep it.  Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Around here (MI) we are dominated by 175s and 125s.  I don't see a lot of 100s and they don't generate as much interest as the other two.

If I had a 175 I could probably sell it right now.  Maybe because Michigan is the home to the Jackpine??  []


'73 Berkshire 100

Michael,

It's a great feeling seeing all your hard work come together at the end isn't it!?  Bike looks spectacular.  Great job!

'73 Berkshire 100

Thanks a lot guys.  Dad got to have all the fun with the bike today.  I have to wait until the 27th of june  

Paul, I've been thinking about making up a storyboard with some of the old pictures of my dad and mom riding (mom had a Yamaha 90 that I'm thinking about re-doing), me riding the bike, (as a kid and as a teenager), and then the resto pictures.  Something that I could capture all the history on.  Either that or a scrapbook that could stay with the bike.  I'm sure one of those is in the future!

Hopefully I'll not get snowed in this year for the AMA POG meeting and I'll bring it down.  Either that or VMD at mid ohio.  I'm not sure if I have that weekend free or not.

Thanks again for the kind words about the restoration.  I'm sure glad I have the friends I do or I wouldn't have been able to pull it off!!

-Kurt



'73 Berkshire 100

Thanks Brian!

'73 Berkshire under construction

Thanks for all the info guys.  I'll do some more research for sure before I buy them.  I've got plenty of time to do it!!!

'73 Berkshire

Ron,

You know the saying "if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have none at all"??  That's me.  The good deals, and great opportunities always come to me at the worst times.  A month ago, I would have probably bought that bike from you.  Not now.  I have to pay off Dr. Bills from my shoulder surgery. [}:)]

'73 Berkshire

Thanks for all the info guys.  I'll do some more research for sure before I buy them.  I've got plenty of time to do it!!!

'73 Berkshire

Ron,

You know the saying "if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have none at all"??  That's me.  The good deals, and great opportunities always come to me at the worst times.  A month ago, I would have probably bought that bike from you.  Not now.  I have to pay off Dr. Bills from my shoulder surgery. [}:)]

'73 Berkshire

Randy,

what "series" progressives are those?  Also do you know the part number?

Ron - If I ever do a 100/125/175 MXer I'm using your picture as inspiration for my build.  (hope you don't mind) Nice bike!!

'73 Berkshire

Ok, thanks!  Wasn't sure if it was a big deal or not.  Guess I'm overly cautious![)]

'73 Berkshire

Thanks for the info on the Rickman parts.  I'll forward it to my friend.

Frame paint was Bengal Silver powder coat.

'73 Berkshire

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies.  It's rewarding sharing the progress since I can't show my dad! I'll tell you I can't wait for the first start up with this bike.  It's going to bring a lot of memories back to me.  I might even try riding on the tank again with dad driving!!  Just kidding.[]

Oh - I forgot to say.  The bike is going to be registerd with the original 1973 MI motorcycle plate that dad got for it when he bought the bike.  It's been hanging in the garage at his house since I can remember and one day soon, it's going to disappear!

Keith - Custom Concepts in Detroit, MI did them.  Truth be told it will be cheaper to get the new Radaellis from Walnecks.  If you are determined to keep the original wheels like I was, it can get expensive.  It was $225 a wheel because they were in such bad shape.  They almost passed on re-doing them because they were so bad.  I'll tell you though, they did an excellent job with them.  You would never know how bad they were to start with.

Donny from Paragould - Do you work for the Tenneco plant down there?  If so, we work for the same company.  

Doug - Where did you get your parts for the Rickman Zundapp?  My friend is re-doing one and he's having a hard time locating a few things.  Any leads would be appreciated!


I'll be back to update as I get the bodywork finished.

-Kurt

'73 Berkshire

Well, this is more to share info than to solve an issue.  That way if someone has the same problem it might come up on the search.

Since I can't ride yet, I had my friend take my berkshire up and down his driveway (1/2 mile long) a couple of times to see if he noticed anything strange with the bike.  First trip went good.  Second trip the bike started to surge slightly then loose power until it quit.  Then he tried to start it up and it would run as long as you did not put a load on it.  This then progressed to running as long as you didn't twist the throttle.  It would idle fine, just don't ask it to do anything else.  

Spark check = good.
fuel check = fresh premix and fuel was getting to the carb.
plug condition = wet.

After digging into the carb, I found the main jet had come out of the carb and was causing the issue.  Once I screwed it back in and tightened it, all was well again.  Guess it was only finger tight when I put it all back together.  [:I]

So, if you ever do a compelte rebuild and your bike goes south in a similar fashion - check the main jet!!

'73 Berkshire 100

Well, I didn't think I was going to finish it on time, but I did.  In fact, I finished a day early with the help of some good friends.  I've been working on this bike for 2 years trying to get it restored so I could give it to my dad on Father's day.  A recent shoulder surgery really slowed it down, but I pulled it off!

So, I got it running at 10:30am today and gave him a call.  I told him I'm coming over to pick you up, I have a surprise for you.  





That plate on the back is the original plate that was issued to my father when he bought this motorcycle back in '73.







I think he was happy.  After this picture was taken, he took it for a spin in the yard.  I had to stop him eventually because I had only put a couple ounces of gas in it to start it.  I think it brought back a bunch of good memories for him.  Being that he's the original owner, and I learned to ride on this bike, I think it brought back memories for both of us!!

The only problem now it he's afraid to ride it becase he think's it's too nice looking. []

So, to all the dads out there (and especially mine) I wanted to say Happy Father's Day.  It's you guys who made us the men we are today.  Thank you for everything.

-Kurt

'73 Berkshire under construction