Several new owner questions.

[Jim A]

I have a new to me 72 Berkshire, my first Penton. Bear with me, I have several newbie questions. The bolt behind the kickstarter, is that an oil level hole? I don't want to remove it if it holds something in place. If it is could oil be drained that way instead of removing the side cover every time?
The swingarm has 3 different mounting holes for the rear shocks, was this stock on a 72 or do I have a later model swingarm?
The bike has a sidestand, it is not bent and the mount is not bent
either but it is about 5 inches too short. Not a big problem but any suggestions?
Thanks in advance, yes I do have a manual on the way.
            Jim

Jim A

[Ron]

Hi Jim,
I can't recall off the top of my head, I'll look at a side cover tonight and get back to you about what the screw is for.
You can take out one of the side case screws (lowest one it should have a brass sealing washer), it lets you drain the oil through the screw hole.
If you look at the side cover next time its off, you'll see the notch that lets the oil out. BTW, you'll likely have an oil leak without the brass washer in place.
I think the swingarm is stock same as mine, 72/73 cmf frame.
Kick stand mount is bent. Sitting on the bike with the kick stand down to many times. Mine broke off.
Jim, is your Berkshire a 100cc? Where you located?
We have a group of guys getting 100cc bikes ready for the Elsinore Gran Prix coming up in November. The more the merrier.
I'll be riding a 100cc Sachs.
RonW

[Jim A]

Ron,
 Thanks for the info. Yes, mine is 100cc Berkshire. I'm in Georgia so I don't think I'll be doing the Elsinore Gran Prix. I did the oil drain trick with that bottom bolt but wasn't sure if that drained it all out or not. Will pull the cover soon, my parts came today.
I guess I'll just deal with the kickstand, I don't want to break the mount off. Most of my experience is with TM100 & 125 Suzukis so there
isn't much in common, I have a lot to learn. This Berkshire has a Mikuni carb which I am very familiar with, the Suzukis use them.
Regards,
        Jim

Jim A

[Ron]

Hi Jim,
Sorry you won't make Elsinore, could be a great rode trip. Going to be a blast racing 100's, just like the old days.
I look at some cases tonight when I get home, but I think you still have to pull the center drain plug to drain the engine completely. Don't pull the wrong bolt or you'll lose the re-wind on your kick starter return spring. Its an odd looking bolt head and the drain is a standard 13mm or 15mm hex.
What parts did you just get?
RonW

[slvrbrdfxr]

Jim,
The swingarm you are describing is the stock one for the 100 Berkshire and has 3 lower mounting positions. The large headed screw just below the kickstarter/shifter shaft is used to check the oil level. To drain the oil DO NOT REMOVE the drain plug on the bottom of the engine. The reason for this is because the age of the aluminum on the cases makes it very likely to strip out. The very best and safest way to drain the engine oil is to remove the clutch cover. It might cost you a gasket but believe me it's much easier and less costly than having to helicoil the drain plug hole if it should get stripped out. Good luck with your new bike !!
Dave McCullough

[Lew Mayer]

Just to add to what Dave said, pull the cover to drain the oil then you can drain it completely. It also allows you to see sediment and pieces in the cases and you can clean them out better.

Lew Mayer

[Jim A]

Thanks everyone for the help. I knew about the brittle oil drain plug
while brushing up on the Berkshire with the search function. I put a socket on the drain plug (the correct one) and it's not coming out so I'm going to leave it alone. As far as parts go, just the usual, manual, gasket set, fork rubbers, felt for the tank, pipe rubber bracket, just replacing 30 year old rubber and bolts here and there. After I change tires, sprockets and chain I'll give it a good test ride.
Regards,
         Jim

Jim A

[Ron]

Jim,
I have no intention of challenging the others, but I just looked at a set of cases and a side cover. The case screw in the side cover doesn't drain the center cases and the center case drain plug doesn't drain the side cover.
I'd try putting a little heat on the drain plug, it should come out.
You got me curious about your Mikuni. How does it attach to the barrel.
I have a spigot Mikuni on my Penton 125, it has a flange welded to the barrel and then uses a Mikuni rubber flange.
How does your air filter boot attach?
RonW

[Jim A]

Ron,
 The Mikuni is attached the old school way, a properly sized piece of radiator hose slips over the spigot on the cylinder and the carb
spigot slips in the other end and a hose clamp on each. The airbox boot was clamped to the back of the carb but since the opening on the airboot is a little large I cut a rubber ring from an old TM125
airbox boot to slip over the back of the carb, it now fits perfect.
A ring cut from radiator hose would also work, I just had an extra old part that happened to work.
I'm going to leave the bottom drain bolt alone for the time being,
if it were to break off or strip it would happen to me, I have that kind of luck.
Regards,
        Jim

[Ron]

Thanks Jim,
I have a 30mm on mine and it slips into the rubber manifold but it crowds the boot.
I cut a ring off the large-end of the boot and heated it with a hair dryer to stretch and clamp it back on. So far so good.
You want to hear bad luck?
I had my 125 up and running about 6 weeks ago.
I took it to the track a couple times and discovered the gearing wasn't working, 1st to low 2nd to high.
I switched to a 13t x 60t combo and while fitting the chain I got ahead of myself.
When I adjusted the chain I forgot to put the clip back on the masterlink (I wasn't sure about the chain length yet).
Without thinking I took off for a test ride up the street.
The motor was cold and I was not reving it at all.
I thought I had missed a shift, when I looked down to see my chain falling on the ground.
I pushed the bike back into the garage, not 50ft away and put in back on the stand then walked back out in the street to get my chain.
When I sat down to re-route the chain I had a nickel size hole in the center case.
Maybe not bad luck, maybe just an overly-anxious 54 yr old kid. LOL
I'm hoping to try that test ride again this weeked. Wish me luck!
RonW