I was looking at some pictures of 76 and 77 MC5's and noticed that some had kickstands and some didn't. Then, I was looking at my parts book and noticed that there was no mention of any kickstands whatsoever. Why is that, was it an option?
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
Kickstands have been on the swingarm on all of my 76 and 77 MC5's even though they are not shown on both the 76 & 77 chassis manuals. All of the previous years are pictured on the same page of the chassis manuals with the swingarms. I wonder if they were dealer added or left off due to customer requests, since the rave in MX was to not use a bike mounted kickstand. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
I don't understand people not wanting them on there-at least for a woods/enduro/play bike-the kickstand is the greatest invention of man..
Except for the 77 GS6...too short! I have to put a wood block under mine to keep the bike from tipping over.
Steve Minor
Wilmington, NC
MC5's were initially developed for motocross, but with the Enduro kit are viable for a number of different events. A lot of motocross racers cut the kickstands off of their bike for MX so that it wouldn't fall down and cause problems over jumps and whoops. I had to weld a bracket for a kickstand back on a 78.5 RM250C2 I have. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
Bob, yea if the bulk your riding is Trail riding. but for many guys, me included there just is not that much good trail riding left anymore so having a kickstand actually gets in the way. I have actually thought of cutting off the mount, because it is so lethal looking... but I have never done it... mostly because I want to preserve the bike, there are just not that many of these bikes left anymore and I have had this bike 33 years....
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
Man there is something so right about pulling up somewhere and just kicking the kickstand down and walking away. I road raced for years and you are required to remove kickstands(because it could fall off on the track-yeah right-when was the last time one fell off a street bike??)and it is a PAIN n the ass to pull up off the track to your pit and try to hold the bike up and find the stand and hold the bike up and put it on a rear stand. Same goes for dirt bikes(well I guess when you have the quantity I do), trying to find somewhere to lean them up against. Or you pull them somewhere to wash them, work on them or just move it to get to something else, and forget to take a stand with you-and don't even get me started on trying to carry the bike stand and push the bike at the same time...
As near as I can tell, my 76 never had one. I may add one at some point as swingarms are plentiful.
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
Kick stands must be removed for AHRMA MX depending on what tech inspector you have. I remove mine, if I need to stop I lean the bike against a tree.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
Quotequote:Originally posted by brian kirby
Kick stands must be removed for AHRMA MX depending on what tech inspector you have. I remove mine, if I need to stop I lean the bike against a tree.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
Can't you just zip-ty it up in place or maybe safety wire?
Britt Boyette
1976 125 MC5
1975 250 HS
I cut a section of old tube and make a big rubber band. Then strap the kickstand to the swing arm....easy on easy off and it doesn't flop around on the track or trail. Those old tubes come in very handy.
Steve Minor
Wilmington, NC
Britt,
It depends on the tech inspector. I've had some that let you secure it too the swing arm, and I've had some that absolutely will not allow you to have a kick stand no matter how secure.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
I am with Steve, I took the back wheel off and took a section of inner tube and slipped it over the left side of the swing arm. When I need to use the kickstand I simply pull the tube off the kickstand kick it into place. But the only bike that works that way for me is the MC5
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
Oh I forgot, that is true about the Tech guys.. It seems to be up to the individual. The last time I rode "The Farm" I rode my 74.5 maico. I put only 3 spacers on the shocks but I talked with a guy who rode the same bike and they made him put 6 spacers, which by the way is 2 more than what is recommended by the specs... what is up with that. And the tech guy was nasty about the whole thing....AS far as the kickstand thing goes, I thought it was legal to have one as long as it was secured to the bike... On some bikes that is not possible but on Pentons or at least most of them it is possible.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
Section 11.2 F)
Side stands and protruding lugs must be removed or rubber-covered. At the discretion of the Tech Inspector, certain side stands which are completely tucked away may be left in place but must be safety wired or strapped in the folded position.
It all depends on the tech inspector. Most dont even look to see if you have a side stand, but some are sticklers about it.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
Quotequote:Originally posted by Steve Minor
Except for the 77 GS6...too short! I have to put a wood block under mine to keep the bike from tipping over.
Steve Minor
Wilmington, NC
Same problem with mine Steve. The only reason I have kick stands on my bikes is I dont have enough wall space in the garage to lean 8 Pentons on [^]
Raymond
Down East Pentons
I use some zip ties on the kickstand when I ride/race that can be "unlocked"
Thom "The Farm" as in New Hampshire? Beside the convenience factor of the sidestand it saves your grips from tearing. My Jackpiner is currently at the mercy of one of the Yamahas side stands until I can replace the 'Piner's stand with a newly acquired eBay stand (lightly used).
1973 Penton Jackpiner
1982 Yamaha XT200
1982 Yamaha XJ650J Maxim
1987 Yamaha YZ490
2005 Honda CRF450R
I have had three MC 5's, one of which I bought new in 76. It seems each of them have the kickstand mounted at a different angle. My original 76 stands up the tallest, and my 77 has the lays on the most...go figure! Happy new year everyone!!!! James
Hi David, No Chehalis Wa. It is a huge Mx event. normally over 500 riders each year. an all natural track. It a all Vintage, so there are no Post vintage bikes and riders come from all over to ride this weekend. On Sat. there is a Trials event and as ususal, walking through the pits is a treat, Lots to see and lots of parts and bikes to buy. There is one other Vintage Dirt bike group that holds races up here too but for the month of August, the only thing that happens is The Farm. Check out the AHRMA site for the actual dates and I think they have a web site too... I love to Go just to watch the Triumph's, BSA's, etc. roar around the grass track...
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)