Mudd Larkk !!??

[Mike Bower]

I purchased a 74 Mud lark from a vintage dealer/scam artist out of S.F. Ca. way back in 1995. He  showed me pictures of the Wassel Trials bike, and convinced me that was what I was buying. When it was delivered, it was of course, the infamous (Super Hunky's declared "2nd worst dirt bike ever produced and sold", MUD LARK with blown main bearings and seals). The local vintage dealer here in Az. told everybody that "I had bought total junk". Well, it's sat in pieces in the garage ever since. But, about 6 months ago I decided to turn it back into a "Wassel Trials Bike". Yes ladies and gentleman, I started back with my 2nd mistake (trying to restore a pretty much worthless old motorcycle for the heck of it). I've sand-blasted and shot the frame. Sent the bottom end to Doug Wilford, (Great Guy), and like an idiot, I bought an alloy head and barrel to replace the iron barrel, ( thinking it would be better cooling here in Az.). 3rd mistake. (so far)  At the least, hopefully this post gives some entertainment to you folks out there. At the most, maybe somebody can help me, (and not make TOO much fun of me!) I don't blame anybody but myself...

Mike Bower,
2003 KTM 450 EXC
1992 Aprillia Climber
Rickman MKIII BSA441
and a Muud Larch

[Gordon Brennan]

I've not been able to have anyone explain the difference between a Mud Lark and the Trials bike. I have the #3 on Ricks list too and compete with it regularly. Mine has the 1251/5A iron barrel.
Maybe someone will chime in here and explain it to both of us.
Just out of curiosity, what did you think would be the difference between what you bought and what you were told you were buying?
Mine looks exactly like the one in Ricks list, other than the iron barrel.
Sounds like you're on your way to a fun project. Working with Doug was your first great step.
There are plenty of people thet have them here and will be glad to help.
Good luck, Gordon

[Lew Mayer]

I think the later ones came with the iron barrels. They definitely work better with the iron barrel. Better low end torque, as I'm sure Gordon knows. If I'm not mistaken, you can't put an alloy barrel on tne iron barrel bottom end. I love my Penton trialer. It's light and with the right motor, they work pretty well. Mine is bored out to 152cc with a high compression head. If I would do it over, I would leave it at 125 with the high compression head.

Lew Mayer

[ForrestTonkins]

I have one of these Penton/Wassell or "MudLarks" as they were called. They were all built in England by Wassell over a couple years in the early 70's. From what I have read Wassell built around 2000 of these bikes and around 700 of them were purchased by Penton to get the Sachs 6A & 6B motors out of them. This also gave Penton a place to use the "iron barreled" Sachs 5A motors that he had, which were a better Trials motor anyway. Some of the 5A motors were bored at Penton to 152cc and they put Penton tags on the side covers on these. Mitsubishi also bought around 1000 of the Wassells and sold them as Tyran's.
So the bottom line is you have a rare bike to restore and definitely worth restoring as there were only around 700 Penton/Wassell out there. I have over 30 vintage bikes most of them are 70's vintage motocross bikes and when I show someone my collection the Penton/Wassell always get a comment.

Forrest  

[sixdazed]

So my Tyran is a Mudlark incognito?

Ric Emmal
Pentons Rule!
5 125 steel tankers
10 cmf 100/125
2 Mettco 125
1 Penda
2 jackpiners
2 harescramblers
5 Herc 7 speeds
1 Tyran 125
1 Ktm150xc
1 Honda crf450x
1 Honda sl70
1 Hon cr125 77
1 Yam pw80
2 Yam yz125d
1 Suz pe 175
1 Suz rm85
1 Mz250
3 Sachs/dkw 125
1 Hon cb700sc
1 Aprillia RC50
Most in progress..                      so many projects-so little time...

[OUCWBOY]

AND< Penton turned some of those into the Woodsman. The Woodsman is such a cool looking bike! I had one but sold it and NOW I wish I had it back. [V]

Donny Smith
Paragould, AR

[Lew Mayer]

Donny, I have a Woodsman project sitting in the shed. I gotta get on it this winter. I do need the steering stem spacer, though, or I need to figure how to make one.

Lew Mayer

[Dennis Jones]

Forrest, I'm pretty sure that 2000 production number includes the Tyrans which makes our little bikes even more rare. I have had at least ten trials machines and two Tyrans pass through my garage.

Dennis Jones

[Mike Bower]

Gordon, Lew, Forrest, Dennis, everybody, Thanks, I'm feeling much better! I looked and bought the alloy barrel/head because I figured it would be lighter and better cooling here in Az. When I talked to Doug over the phone while he was doing the bottom end, he questioned why I would use the Iron barrel in Az. because it's hot here. Then he told me a funny story that when he was racing enduros on his home turf (I'm assuming an iron barreled Woodsman) that after a while, it would get hot and to lose power (also assuming after a couple hours WFO). He said he would purposely kinda zigzag through water crossings to get as much water splashed on the barrel to cool it back down, and it worked. Anyway, the alloy barrel fits on the cases, but the studs for the iron barrel are short ( the alloy barrel/head are long). The nuts on the studs hold the head and barrel down on the alloy. Thanks again for all the info. I'll post some photos on the process once I get all the parts sorted out.

P.S. God Bless Dane Leimbach and family

[joe novak]

Those old cast iron barrel cylinders/heads could get as hot as a waffle iron.   joe

[Glenn Berry]

As you can tell some us really enjoy our Mudlarks. One weekend at Lew Mayer's garage we had 4 of them. Lew had alll 4 running great. The iron barrels work well with a 125 piston and a high compression head. When we were putting my motor together I could not find a Sach's high copression head but was told a Puch high compression head would work. I found one and it bolted right on and works fine. I also found out at one time Dennis owned my bike.

Glenn Berry

[Mike Bower]

High compression heads. OK guys, that's what I'm looking for. Literally, I've misplaced my iron head  in my garage somewhere (obviously I have to clean it up-it's been a while).  Funny you should mention Puch. That was my first Motocross bike I actually raced. Any you guys know where I can get one, let me know. (High compression head of any make that will work).
Thanks,
MB

[checkcrew]

Mike,

sent you an email thru the POG system,

Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]

[Mike Bower]

Gordon, Lew, Forrest, Dennis, everybody, Thanks, I'm feeling much better! I looked and bought the alloy barrel/head because I figured it would be lighter and better cooling here in Az. When I talked to Doug over the phone while he was doing the bottom end, he questioned why I would use the Iron barrel in Az. because it's hot here. Then he told me a funny story that when he was racing enduros on his home turf (I'm assuming an iron barreled Woodsman) that after a while, it would get hot and to lose power (also assuming after a couple hours WFO). He said he would purposely kinda zigzag through water crossings to get as much water splashed on the barrel to cool it back down, and it worked. Anyway, the alloy barrel fits on the cases, but the studs for the iron barrel are short ( the alloy barrel/head are long). The nuts on the studs hold the head and barrel down on the alloy. Thanks again for all the info. I'll post some photos on the process once I get all the parts sorted out.

P.S. God Bless Dane Leimbach and family

[joe novak]

Those old cast iron barrel cylinders/heads could get as hot as a waffle iron.   joe