Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1524446
36 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Although the Sachs engine was complete, we swapped it out with a totally rebuilt Sachs 125 6B built by Penton Owners Group President and Sachs expert Rick Benne . Having logged over 20,000 miles aboard Sachs-powered Pentons on TransAmerica Trail adventures, Benne knows and understands what it takes to keep the Sachs two- stroke alive. Those familiar with Sachs of this era are all too familiar with the extra neutrals that can occur when the gearbox is either worn or out of adjustment. Benne has also developed a process of re-machining the gear keyways and that has proven to reduce the amount of missed shi s in these engines. What we do find interes ng is the fact that despite shi ing issues, the basic design is solid, and the steel used was the highest of quality. Most o en, all that's required to freshen a Sachs motor is just the consumables. Benne replaces all bearings and connec ng rod. He also inspects the bore and either will hone or rebore if required, along with a fresh piston kit. This par cular engine was built from a hodge podge of Sachs parts we had on hand and Benne made short work of it. While Benne was building us an engine, the chas- sis was stripped for cleaning but not repainted as we were going for the "Rat Rod" look. The original pipe was a mess and beaten badly by New England rocks. Found amongst our stash was an a ermarket pipe that resembled a Bassani. Thanks to my talented welder friend Jeff Mondville, Jeff was able to build a nice pipe out of the original and this a ermarket pipe that fits so well I'm sure John Penton would have approved it. The rolling stock was a mess with badly rusted and dented rims along with a few missing spokes. Thank- fully being a hoarder some mes pays off as we had a Penton wheelset lurking in the corner just wai ng for the right project. The icing on the cake here was this set of wheels had belonged to Penton Team Manager Doug Wilford and was part of his collec on of parts sold shortly a er he passed. Straight and true with bright chrome and just the right amount of pa na, we were proud to have added Mr. Wilford's wheels to this project, and the bonus was even though the res were decades old, they were s ll pliable with no sign of dry rot. In the end, we replaced the rear with a new 3.50x18 Kenda Klassic. The hubs received new wheel bearings and brake shoes thanks to Alan Bueh- ner of Penton Parts USA. As a woods rider to the core, I like bikes with lights and I'm a s ckler for original ligh ng. The reality is the vast majority of old dirt bikes either had the lights removed right out of the showroom or were soon destroyed beyond recogni on.