I have been going through the 'Keep'em Winning" Penton Dealer newsletters looking to see if there is any mention in the tech sections of a deck height measurement for the Sachs engines, and so far have not found any mention of one, BUT....
In the November of 1972 issue there is an interesting results listing for an 80 mile Cross Country race that took place on October, 22 in Wheatland, Wyoming.
1st. Overall, Richard Jackson, 175 Penton
1st. 175cc Class, Carl Landford, 175 Penton
2nd. 175 Class, Boyd Sundby, 175 Penton
1st. 125cc Class, Harvey Mushman, 125 Penton
I wonder if that is the same Harvey Mushman who went by Steve McQueen in the movies ? If so, that is the first mention that I know of him riding a Penton.
There is also a mention of Mike Burgess getting a first Overall in a trials on a Penton Trails machine in a New Orleans Trials Association trials event.
These results were provided by J.R, Horne in his Penton Central " Out where the west begins" column.
Paul
Paul,
That's very interesting. It would be so cool to know that Steve is that Harvey. Too bad there were no photos.
As far as the deck height issue, I once had, (3 years ago) a NOS Monark GS Pro D cylinder, head and piston kit, still in the box. They actually had different part numbers on them, none of which ever showed up in any of my Sachs parts lists, but they are listed in one of my Monark parts book.
Cylinder pt # 28800
Head pt # 28800-1
Piston pt # for std bore was 0686 207 035-1
The deck surrounding the combustion are was the exact height as the cylinder fin. In other words there was no height to it at all.
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
I don't think Steve ever had a 125 Penton or raced one but who knows? I do know that myself; when I first raced, and later a friend, were not allowed to race by our parents and we would sign up as Harvey Mushman so that when the results were in the newspaper our parents would not see our names. Back then no one made a Minor get a parent's signature where we raced in Texas. Of course we got the idea from Steve's example in "On Any Sunday". It could have been a deal like that.
Larry P
Back in "71", I used to have my older CZ buddy sign me up to race AMA events (he was 21 and I was 13) as my parents didn't like dirt bikes so I had to sneak off to ride/race. Didn't use any other names, just had to lie about my age! Once my dad showed up at the track and I caught it real good!:(
In the late 60, we had a few guys that were racing class "C" in the AMA and were afraid of getting caught riding non AMA events, so they would sign us using fake names like Tommy Tucker, Jack Huff,Ima Rock, Peter Tork and son on. The Big fear was getting caught and loosing their AMA standing. In one listing, a guy named Tommy Tucker was leading the standing in Oklahama...
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Richard Jackson-fast Checkers MC member,many time Baja champion,Still as tough as they come.There was a tv special on the speed channel not long ago featuring him and bike prep for Baja.Still a fast,tough dude.He used to ride with my old boss at Hemet Cycle Dr. John Etchart in the Score races in Baja.
Ric
P>S>_I know Steve McQueen had a bunch of different bikes kept at his Palm Springs house,so i wouldn'y doubt he had a Penton or 2 but can't say for sure.He used to come by the shop there to hang and drink beers.Nice guy.
ric emmal
Here's one I had never seen before today and think everyone will enjoy watching even if it's not a Penton.
Dave McCullough
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Feb/110215whyyouride.htm