More Stock Than Not...?

[iyaoyas]

Perhaps...my 2-cents on what I think regarding my "new" '71 Berkshire #V4325.  I'm not getting spark but haven't spent too much time troubleshooting.  Previous owner said it ran well...hahaha!  Maybe a wire vibrated loose during transit.  Of course, the spark plug which was only threaded halfway into the head, doesn't help either. Otherwise the engine has what feels like is good compression...to be measured.

Stock:
- Frame & swingarm
- Forks (35mm) & triple clamps (Arces)
- Wheels (w/Metzler tires)
- Hand controls
- Control cables
- Bing carb (stamped: 1/26/127)
- Exhaust
- Headlight bucket brackets (Accessory or OEM fitment from factory)
- Air box assy. (w/plastic cover?)
- Ignition coil
- Fork boot covers & clamps
- Wire harness terminal block

Not Stock:
- Seat and/or cover
- Ignition cover
- Handlebar
- Plastic fenders
- Rear shocks
- Fuel tank
- Duct tape on cracked air cleaner cover
- Right side steering stop

Also missing the center stand, among other things...

Here are some pictures for your reference...please add to my lists if anything I missed jumps out at you.  Thanks-

[OUCWBOY]

Just wondering WHY you say the tank, and the ignition cover and seat are not stock??

Donny Smith
Paragould, AR

[gooddirt]

The font style on the tank logo / 125cc mag cover.

[iyaoyas]

+1 Gooddirt...

A couple of things are throwing me off as to whether or not this actually is a Berkshire 100cc.

- My title, yes you read correctly, I have the original title from when the 1st owner took delivery of the bike on 7/13/71.  It's listed as a 1971 KTM 100 MX on the title.  The dealer was Letko Competition Cycles in Kansas City, Kansas.

- The ignition/mag covers were commonly replaced 'back in the day' when the chain was 'thrown'.  Note the in fine print where it's stamped "Type SACHS 1251/5A"  This mag cover belongs to a 125cc Six Day.

- The tank should read "Penton Berkshire 100cc"...mine just reads "Penton"...maybe repainted at some point in time?

- Without removing the head and measuring the piston dia., I believe the only other definitive way to know which engine I have is by identifying the carburetor.  The stamping on my carb. reads "1/26/127" whereby the '127' is stamped within a circular depression within the carb. body casting. I think I can also measure the cylinder intake ID. where: 27mm = 125cc & 24mm = 100cc.  Is this correct...? Mine measures 27mm.

[firstturn]

If you don't want to pull the head just pull the pipe and look up the exhaust and you can measure to see if it close to 48mm (100cc) or close to 54mm (which would be a 125).

Ron Carbaugh

[brian kirby]

Just pop the head off, with the steel tank side pipe it shouldnt take more than 5 min to take it off, measure, and put it back on.

Brian

[iyaoyas]

Woohoo... I think I do have a 100cc engine after all! I finally got around to removing the head and confirmed the cylinder bore measures close to 48.5mm.  In fact, 48.5 is stamped on the crown of the piston.

I also measured the compression to be 165psi...not bad:D  

I'm curious to know what the acceptable compression range is for both this and the Sachs 125cc engine...any thoughts?

Thanks folks!

[firstturn]

You are great with 165 psi.

Ron Carbaugh

[Daniel P. McEntee]

Go  to the home page of the POG site and check out "The Steel Tank Project" and fill out the questioneer. Allong with the questions is a photo ID page to help ID your bike, and there is a photo of a tank just like yours. It is very helpfull in figuring out what your bike is or isn't missing also. I just got my younger brother's '71 Berkshire running and although thetank is OK I wish it were as nice as yours! Wish I had the pipe and mounting bracket also! You got an example of a bike that should be presreved as much as possible in original condition, just fix up what is necessary.
   Good luck and have fun,
   Dan McEntee

[iyaoyas]

Hi Dan...thanks for the advice.  I do plan on keeping it 'original' to the extent that I can.  I may replace the rear fender, seat & handlebar but that's about it.  By the way...what's your frame s/n?  Mine is V4325.

[Daniel P. McEntee]

My brother's bike is V-4746, a fair bit later than yours, and we have a title for it also. Not the original title, I think my brother had it titled in Georgia because it's so easy for them down there to do down there, but at least it's titled!
   It's a shame that the seat on yours got so much abuse. Sometime I wonder how some things on these vintage bikes can be in such good shape and then certain selected parts be in such bad shape. My brother's bike has the original seat cover with a few tears in it. I'm just going to Frankenstein stitch them ans neatly as I can and let it go at that.
   Have fun with the project.
   Dan McEntee