1972 Penton Wassell Mudlark 125

Concours-Level, Museum-Quality

No-Expense-Spared Restoration

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO

This 1972 Penton Wassell Mudlark 125 is, in our opinion, one of the finest examples of a classic Penton/Wassell trials bike on planet Earth – a true motorcycle-as-art piece that would be at home on the podium at any world-class show or in a top-tier museum collection.

Commissioned by enthusiast/collector Roy Thacker and restored by master craftsman Bill “The Professor” Bucholz, this build was a no-budget-cap, no-shortcuts, labor-of-love project that took roughly a year of evenings and weekends – Over 200 hours of shop labor hand work. Every nut, bolt, bearing, seal, and surface has been addressed to a standard better than new. Bill only Charged Roy $12,882 for this Restoration, At Normal $150 Shop rates This Would have been An Over $30,000 Restoration, Plus Parts.

This model is closely linked to Penton’s world championship and ISDT heritage, including the U.S. Penton Trophy Team gold medal winner of the 46th International Six Days Trial. This is the kind of bike that represents the very best of period competition machinery – restored today with obsessive detail and respect for originality.

• Original Reynolds 531 tubing frame and swingarm – lightweight and stronger than mild steel

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• Frame stripped, meticulously prepped, and refinished in show-quality paint, far superior to the original factory finish
  
  

• Correct Wassell frame decal sourced from the U.K. and applied as original
  
  

Original plate was gone; a new one was fabricated to factory spec by a skilled metalworker

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• Custom spacer engineered so the plate bolts up flat and solid without bowing, improving both function and aesthetics
  
  

• Mounted carefully with correct hardware for a factory-plus look
  

• Extremely rare NOS chain guard – not a reproduction
  
  

• Sourced after a long search; most originals were bent, discarded, or destroyed in use
  
  

• Polished to a mirror finish; fits and presents like jewelry over the chain
  

• Hubs and fork sliders are polished aluminum, not chrome – wet-sanded up to 3000 grit and then buffed to a near-chrome luster
  
  

• Fork tubes hard-chromed by a specialist: old chrome stripped, tubes re-hard-chromed for long life and a flawless finish
  
  

• Alloy fenders straightened and polished with hours of hand work
  
  

• Rear shocks fully disassembled, refinished (including chrome work), and rebuilt – they look better than new
  
  

• Many hardware pieces, including footpegs, rear brake arm, axle tips and adjusters, were re-chromed for a lasting, show-quality finish
  
  

• Correct slotted screws sourced from Europe to maintain the authentic period look (no modern Phillips heads where they don’t belong)
  
  

• Every bearing, seal and gasket in the wheels and chassis replaced
  
  

• Engine completely disassembled down to the crankshaft
  
  

• All bearings, seals, and gaskets replaced
  
  

• Internal cases media-cleaned and de-blasted for clean surfaces and optimal oil flow
  
  

• Internal components meticulously cleaned and polished so the engine not only performs perfectly but looks pristine if ever opened again
  
  

• Carburetor fully rebuilt and tuned – this is the best-running Penton 125 we’ve ever ridden
  
  

• Original exhaust system retained and re-chromed to a deep, show-quality finish
  
  

• Correct chain oiler system fully functional:
  
  

• Frame doubles as an oil tank
  
  

• Filler on top of the frame in front of the fuel tank
  
  

• Adjustable metering nozzle above the chain lets you fine-tune lubrication on the fly
  
  

the engine revs cleanly with minimal vibration, excellent throttle response, and a crisp, classic trials soundtrack.

Polished Alloy Tank

• many Hours invested to achieve a flawless, mirror-polished alloy finish
  
  

• Correct Penton/Wassell tank decal inset into the formed recess on the right side as per original design
  
  

Side number plates were pitted; new metal plates were professionally fabricated, then polished to match the rest of the alloy work

• Unique front number plate sourced from England to maintain the authentic British trials look, then polished to a jewel-like gloss

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• Original fork boots and wipers were restored and used as masters to create new molds
  
  

• New boots cast in correct rubber, then finished with a satin clear to mimic fresh OEM rubber with the proper embossed part numbers
  
  

Handlebars, levers, cables, grips, and control hardware either new or restored to as-new condition

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• Every visible piece has been evaluated for both appearance and function – nothing was left “good enough”
  
  

Although this bike is museum-quality, it’s not just a showpiece:

• Starts easily and idles cleanly
  
  

• Clutch and gearbox operate smoothly with a light, precise feel
  
  

• Engine revs crisp with very little mechanical noise or vibration
  
  

• Handling is light, accurate, and exactly what you’d expect from a properly set-up period trials machine
  
  

the level of finish here is far beyond what you’d normally See

• it is a A centerpiece for a high-end collection or museum, or
  
  

• A show bike for vintage events, marque displays, and concours competitions
  
  

• From the Roy Thacker collection, with extensive history of investment-grade builds

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• Currently displayed at the New England Motorcycle Museum in Rockville, CT
  
  

• This bike is being sold to help support the continuation fund for the New England Motorcycle Museum, preserving motorcycle history for future generations.

Sold on Bill of Sale

• You’re not just buying a motorcycle; you’re acquiring a rare hand-built work of art

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AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

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We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

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Warranty:

All Motorycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.