For many of us, the classic, CMF enduro fuel tank typifies the ultimate image of Penton motorcycles.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/CMFfueltank.jpg)
But no matter your Penton fuel reservoir of choice, be it Steel Tanker, MC5, etc, the "toaster tanks" represented a special look, unique to John Penton's creations. Or, were they?
Several years ago at the Wauseon AMCA meet, I spotted a 70's-era Rupp minicycle, produced by Mickey Rupp back then, over in Mansfield, Ohio. Something about that Rupp looked strangely familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I hung around the thing for quite some time before it finally dawned on me - it wore a CMF-shaped fuel tank, except in metal, and in miniature.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/image024.jpg) (http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/Ruppfueltank.png)
I inquired with one of our learned POG associates (I think it was Pres. Danik) about the connection, who suggested the tanks were simply produced by the same supplier. Ok, I can go along with that. After all, both machines were produced about the same time, and if one Ohio motorcycle producer could track down such a source, so could another, right?
Yeah, but check this out.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/fueltank.jpg)
Ok, stop laughing at look more closely at the fuel tank. And, keep in mind this thing is brand new. It's a funky, freaky, modern moped, with some classic styling elements, called the "Derringer Cycle".
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/fueltank1.jpg)
I don't know about you, but I see at least echos of JP's classic CMF tank. How 'bout it?