ID help?

[rob brown]

Hi Folks. I thought that I could identify all my Pentons, but could use some help here. I recently picked up two, and have a couple of questions. I did refer to the guides here. The first bike is a Berkshire, with a 21159...
Assuming a November 1972 date, is it a 72 or 73?

The other bike is a Jackpiner with pre 76 attributes. The frame number has me questioning my noggin though. It reads 54 60690...

I am thinking 74.5 to 75 model. I am reading it wrong as a June 06 date?  All help is appreciated. I do have pics to send individually, as I can't seem to get the hang of posting them here. I don't know much about their history (estate sale). It does look like JP signed one tank in 2011. Both are runners. I do plan on bringing them to sell on my annual trip to VMD.

Thanks in advance!
Rob Brown
5408158411

[KJDonovan]

Rob,

On the Berkshire, does the side stand mount under the swing arm or on the side of the swingarm?  If its under, I would call it a 72 vs. if its on the side its a 73.

As for your Piner - It's a 76, the 54 is just a prefix to the serial number that is on some frames, but not all.

Thanks,

Kevin

[rob brown]

Hi Kevin. Thanks for the quick response. The JP has a couple of different parts that made me unsure if it was pieced together. May I sent you a couple of pics?

[KJDonovan]

Rob, 

Sure, feel free to send me photos, or post them here.


Thanks

[rob brown]

Thank you. I don't know how to post pics. How about you send a text to my number posted above? I will send pics that way if ok. I really appreciate your advice.

I had forgotten about the sidestand bit. Berkie is a 72.

[rob brown]

Well, it looks like I am able to send a couple of lower data pics. Will keep trying.

[rob brown]

right side

[rob brown]

At least I did a search and figured out how to post a pic:)

[KJDonovan]

Rob,

Thanks for posting the photos.  The Berkshire, looks pretty correct other than the magnesium hubs and Akronts.  These originally had aluminum hubs and steel Radielli rims.  As for the 175, the frame looks more like a 74/75 with the positions for the lay down shocks and the triples and forks are from a later bike.  Take a closer look on at the serial number on that one to see if its actually 506XXXXX.

Thanks,

Kevin

[rob brown]

Thanks Kevin. Whomever had the bikes did some mods to each. I will send a pic of the JP number. That is what confused me. But I'm easily confused these days. haha.

[Doug Knight]

Isn't a 54 a 250 frame?

[Daniel P. McEntee]

Isn't a 54 a 250 frame?

  That was my first thought!!  Maybe check the engine number also. Just because it's blue doesn't mean much.  There are a lot of Franken-Pentons out there!! I have a 400 that is a Heinz57 Variety of parts, such that I think it was built from parts at a dealer.

 Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[rob brown]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your feedback. I will check the engine number when I stop by the warehouse. I've been working on a nice barn/shop. Can't wait to get all my stuff in one place! lol

[KJDonovan]

Rob,

I know for engines 54 designates 250, 55 for 400, 52 for 175, and 51 for 125, but I don't believe that is true for the frames.  If you take a look at the frame list for CMF bikes it lists this prefix as a production code and there are bikes of every displacement with the 54 production code.
Heres the frame list - https://www.pentonusa.org/penton-motorcycles/production-years/frame-number-lists/cmf-frame-numbers/