Greetings,
I just wanted to pass along a little tidbit about something that happened yesterday... Like many of you I wear my POG Penton shirts when traveling, I sometimes refer to it as fishing, the shirt is that bait, and hopefully every once in awhile someone will look at the shirt and declare, " Penton, I used to ride one of those". Well yesterday I had a hit, it occurred at a campground near the Allegheny National Forest. It turns out the owner/operator of the campground rode an early 250 Hare Scrambler "back in the day".
He said he bought the bike at Dirty Harry's in Verona,Pa., he raced Blackwater as well as local events, and he even remembered Mike Murphy when I mentioned his name. The gentleman is Mark Wineman and the campground is Kalyumet, located in the Cook Forest area. I know a few of you ride the Marienville trails and if your looking for a place to camp you might want to check the place out. http://www.kalyumet.com/
How about you guys, ever had someone see your POG/Penton shirt or hat and start up a conversation?
Paul
I always, without fail, get at least one person say something like that when I stop to get gas with one of my bikes visible in the bed of the truck or on the rack.
Brian
I was once traveling with President Danik who was wearing a Penton shirt (as always). We stopped at a crowded diner walked in, there were no seats available, and a waiting list. Two guys at the counter said to Paul..."we rode Pentons". Paul said "I have two in the truck, wanna see them?". The two guys got up and went out with Paul to look at the bikes. While Paul was implementing the Penton diversionary tactic, I stole the two guy's seats and ordered for Paul. He came back in a few minutes, food on the counter and no wait.
See a Penton shirt can even move you to the front of the line!! You just have to ride around with a bike in your truck all of the time.
Conrad Pfeifer
1972 Penton Six Days
The response I usually get is: "I didn't even know Penton made a Trials bike". But, I get the same response at events too.
My 74 H1 gets a few curious looks and responses too. "Wow, that thing was scary fast 'back in the day". Today is the day. She's still just as fast and scary!!
Do fights count as "starting a converstaion"? [B)]
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
In my travels moving bikes around, I've bumped into people at gas stations, rest areas, restaraunts, and the usual question is "where did you find that?" and we progress from there.
I was in D.C. this 4th of July and was over by the Wall. One of the tour groups goes by trying to get in line and one fellow points at me and says, I like your shirt! [Penton] Then he sees that its an autographed shirt and as the line is moving away yells out , How do you know John?, meaning Mr Penton. I was able to yell back that I belonged to the POG. We smiled and waved. I have no clue who he was.
Hank Rinehart
Quotequote:Originally posted by wfopete
Do fights count as "starting a converstaion"? [B)]
Absolutely, They're the most fun!!
Note:
If you have a POG shirt on or even worse having your Penton on a open trailer can really slow you down. Seems like every time I stop at a gas station (usually when I'm running late) I hear those words that could cause me to hour out. You have to be on your game, I often say something like: "I don't know anything about them, it's my brothers shirt, bike, etc.
I had to use this ploy one time when I walked out of a restaurant and three guys were checking out my bike in the parking lot. My wife rolled her eyes, looked at me & said "Oh, no we'll be here for another hour talking about bikes". I said; "So? Nothing like a little conversation after a meal."
That's when the fight started.
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Paul,
Great topic, I try to get my Jack Piner out for a least a short ride a few times a month and generally stop at a local watering hole / pizza joint for a quick one on the way home. At this particular place there are usually a fair amount of bikers that stop in, some young, and some old. Invariably, I'll get either a young guy who has no idea what a Penton is and thinks it's a new bike built to look old or someone who is closer to my age who knows exactly what it is and either knew someone who had one back in the day or had one himself. Always a great conversation starter, its especially nice when a bike run comes through and the parking lot is chock full of expensive Harleys and such, but I end up with a group people checking out and snapping pictures of my ride. Like moths to a flame! Great way to meet nice folks who appreciate nice bikes.
Kevin J. Donovan
Foster, Rhode Island
72 Jack Piner (My Ride)
72 Six Day (Wifes Ride)
71 Yamaha AT1 (Project)
73 Yamaha AT3 (Project)
After I restored my first Harescrambler, I rode it to the local DMV office to get it titled, registered and plated. Figured while I was there I should get legal by applying for my MC endorsement and take the biker skill test out in the parking lot.
When I wheeled up for my turn, the DMV Tester's eyes got big. "Penton?? I used to race a Six Day almost 40 years ago down in Salem...haven't seen one of those in ages." He seemed happy. I passed the test pretty easily :)
Jon McLean
Lake Grove, OR