- Joined
- Apr 4, 2020
- Messages
- 40

Well, getting close to the end of a 2+ year restoration I thought Id better sign up and introduce us both. Im based in Warwickshire, UK. Probably similar to most here, wanted a P11 from the first time I saw an article in an old classic bike mag. Finally found an early, matching numbers '67 P11, 1211**. Manufactured March '67 and delivered to Berliner Corp, Seattle, USA. Not all original but pretty complete. Supposedly rebuilt engine and gearbox but turned out to be a collection of parts resembling a P11 really! Its been a right old job and a bit of a money pit but I still feel worth it, particularly when I first heard it bark into life!
So, front to back. Thought we had better check fork internals, one side road, one side scrambler, seriously! Rebuilt clocks, replaced seized bearings, new bars, new brace, new mudguard, new Heidenau tyres.
Engine had new, standard pistons. On closer inspection the bores were marked and too much to hone out, so went up to +20. Head rebuilt with new valves & guides etc. The clutch basket was out of true so that was replaced. Gearbox had new seals but also thought it was worth looking inside. Glad we did, 2nd gear very rusty so that was replaced! Primary cover was de-chromed and polished.
Im lucky enough to have a mate who is into classic car restoration and his guys kindly painted the tanks and side panel to the right lacquer recipe. Ive never seen paint like it, it just glows on the sun!
Rear mudguard replaced. The swingarm had been messed with at some point so we had to make up bespoke spacers to get that right. The rear hub was also wrong so I had to source the right one with the right offset and have that re-laced. The rear drum was out of true so that was replaced!
On first start up it wasnt happy. We found that the stator was skimming the inside of the primary cover. That was fixed. It still wouldnt run and despite now being rebuilt with matching jets and needles both sides we replaced them with new carbs and that fixed it.
On the first run, all went well, right up to the point when an exhaust valve nipped up, so head off and back to the machine shop for new valve guide and valve! Next the clutch started slipping excessively. It turned out that what looked like a good clutch was starting to lose chunks of friction material. Guess what, that was replaced! The timing cover had been welded at some point. That leaked oil quite significantly, so that was also replaced!
Anyway, we are nearly there now (I hope!) Its done less than 200 miles so still running in. Hopefully, the only issue now is a significant oil leak from the disc seal on the primary.
Sorry to start with a question but if anyone has got any top tips, part numbers etc for this area Id really appreciate it. From memory I think mine had been riveted so probably messed with if the rest of the bikes anything to go by!
I think its been worth it! Its definitely a good thing to save another of this rare breed, despite the pain, and cost! Despite being gentle, running in, its a hoot to ride with the wide bars, bags of torque and that noise! The original supermoto! I tried to post a photo but I no longer use Photobucket, might be a job for later. Bear with me...
Cheers.
Paul.
So, front to back. Thought we had better check fork internals, one side road, one side scrambler, seriously! Rebuilt clocks, replaced seized bearings, new bars, new brace, new mudguard, new Heidenau tyres.
Engine had new, standard pistons. On closer inspection the bores were marked and too much to hone out, so went up to +20. Head rebuilt with new valves & guides etc. The clutch basket was out of true so that was replaced. Gearbox had new seals but also thought it was worth looking inside. Glad we did, 2nd gear very rusty so that was replaced! Primary cover was de-chromed and polished.
Im lucky enough to have a mate who is into classic car restoration and his guys kindly painted the tanks and side panel to the right lacquer recipe. Ive never seen paint like it, it just glows on the sun!
Rear mudguard replaced. The swingarm had been messed with at some point so we had to make up bespoke spacers to get that right. The rear hub was also wrong so I had to source the right one with the right offset and have that re-laced. The rear drum was out of true so that was replaced!
On first start up it wasnt happy. We found that the stator was skimming the inside of the primary cover. That was fixed. It still wouldnt run and despite now being rebuilt with matching jets and needles both sides we replaced them with new carbs and that fixed it.
On the first run, all went well, right up to the point when an exhaust valve nipped up, so head off and back to the machine shop for new valve guide and valve! Next the clutch started slipping excessively. It turned out that what looked like a good clutch was starting to lose chunks of friction material. Guess what, that was replaced! The timing cover had been welded at some point. That leaked oil quite significantly, so that was also replaced!
Anyway, we are nearly there now (I hope!) Its done less than 200 miles so still running in. Hopefully, the only issue now is a significant oil leak from the disc seal on the primary.
Sorry to start with a question but if anyone has got any top tips, part numbers etc for this area Id really appreciate it. From memory I think mine had been riveted so probably messed with if the rest of the bikes anything to go by!
I think its been worth it! Its definitely a good thing to save another of this rare breed, despite the pain, and cost! Despite being gentle, running in, its a hoot to ride with the wide bars, bags of torque and that noise! The original supermoto! I tried to post a photo but I no longer use Photobucket, might be a job for later. Bear with me...
Cheers.
Paul.
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