I'm looking for all the Florida Penton/KTM owners. I'd like to get a Florida Penton Rally going sometime later this year, perhaps in a central location such as the Ocala National Forest. And perhaps put on something for Bike Week 2005....(Can't do it this year, I'm already putting on the Bike Week Dual Sport and am tied up with other stuff as well that week...)
So if you're a Florida Pogger, chime in on the post!
Thanks...
Swampy
Swampy,
You wouldn't happen to know Harris Turner by chance? Harris started a gathering spot for BSA riders during Bike Week a number of years back and it sure has grown. This year Harris is one of the movers and shakers behind the big BSA doings during Bike Week. The reason I bring this up is that Harris is a Florida member of the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club and had just the same thought as you have, but with BSA's, and it sure worked well.
You know with all of the POGGERS who are getting their Penton's street legal I wonder how a Vintage Dualsport ride might work out. Wouldn't a group of street legal Pentons crusing the back roads of the area be neat, aw what the heck, let's do mainstreet!!!!!
Keep us posted.
Thanks
Paul
I just wanted to mention that the Penton motorcycle made it's first national showings at the Stone Mountain enduro and the Alligator enduro in 1968, if my math is right that was 36 years ago!!! The first Penton team consisted of John Penton, Tom Penton, Al Born, Larry Maiers, Leroy Winters and Dave Mungenast. So the Penton does have some very important historic ties to Bike Week, sounds like a good enough reason to party to me!
im down in naples,does anyone know about the dealership that was here years ago
Hey Swampy, Do you mind if a couple of us southern boys come down to ride with you from S.C. ! I too would like to get something going here in S.C. All I could do is tie it to bike week in Myrtle Beach. Oh Yeah I can't do dual sport LEGALLY !![8D]
Thomas Carmichael
Jack,
Keith Larson here. I live in Naples, FL also. We met at the SW Florida Motorcycle Expo a few weeks ago. As for the Penton Dealership in Naples. It was my dad's shop, and was called "Dirt Rider of Naples", The dealership included, Penton, Monark, Can-Am's, and was open 1973 to 1977. I've been reading posts on this site for some time and just sent in my membership fee. I would love to be involved in putting together something for Penton here in Florida. So, let's work together, and see just what we can do! Jack, I'll call you later.
Thanks,
Keith
Keith R. Larson
Keith,
I would like to visit you the next time I go come back to Florida(I'm in Orland today). I normally stay in Bonita Bay area so please e-mail me with how you can be reached.
[email protected]Thanks,
Ron Carbaugh
us Georgia boys would like to get in on this. I live in central Ga. and have a beautiful farm to use as a gathering place and already have a 100 mile Dual Sport marked and a route sheet for the same. We use it for GATRA and the Atlanta Motorcycle Club. The AMC is about 99% vintage riders.Keep us informed.
The Dual Sport Route is about 90% dirt roads, some in the national forest and Piedmont National Wildlife Reservation.
Terry Dishsroon ( The Dish)
w. terry dishroon
Swampy,
there are at least 3 POG members in Fla. My self , my son Peter and Rick G.
We live in the north end of the state. Welcome to the POG group and I hope we can ride together sometime soon. I'm a little dinged up just now but should be able to ride late spring or early summer.
John D.
Terry Dishroon I know you! And your farm. Why'd you kick Kavula up to Ohio? It was because of the dancing girls, wasn't it!
The dual sport idea you guys have mentioned is...well...at least here in Florida, virtually undoable. How do I know. I already promote three dual sports here in state and two out of state. Terry you know our group, WDSRC/DixieDualSport. Visit our website at //www.dixiedualsport.com We've only grown to 1600 members in the southeast. I'm also in the middle of completeing a coast to coast (florida) dual sport route and a coast to coast road route for Bike Week next year.
Anyway, back on task. Reason being is all the hoops that we must jump through with forest service here to get it done. It'll be easier just formulateing a get together and trail ride, under the radar, but legal within forestry guidelines, which is doable. I just need to make time to get it done.
I also know a couple of guys that have Pentons and race hare scrambles with them. I don't wanna race. I just wanna ride through the woods at a liesuely pace without getting run over...
We'll get a get-together happening, count on it, and if it's successful, watchout, we may have a regional Southeastern POG-athon!
Swampy
Tampa Bay Area
President/Founder WDSRC/DixieDualSport
I live just north of Jacksonville and would be into getting toether.
Swampy,
You need to give Rick Grant a call. We still have use of a large section of Nationl Forest in the Tallahasse area.
Back when we had the old shop, we had a 180 mile loop we use for practice. In the 180 mile loop we only crossed our trail once. Man i miss those days.
Now i think Rick has about 80 miles left that we can use. We go over 3 or 4 times a year and meet. usually do about 40 miles of trails.
John & Peter
I lived in Naples from '70 through '78 and dealt with a guy in town while I owned my '75 Hare Scrambler. My memory is a little foggy, but I recall it was a little hole in the wall shop where I could get Penton parts. I believe he also sold Husky & Maico stuff. The shop was one block east of 41, close to downtown, about 2-3 blocks north of the where the Yamaha shop was back then, on the same street. The owner once GAVE me new sidepanels (red & green ones) for the 250. I'm going to be in Naples next month. Anything I can help you with? I may still have some contacts in town who we could call on. Is Terry, Cypress Cycle, still in business? He used to be out on Immokolee Road and helped me with a lot of parts & service. I was just a kid then, so memory is hazy. Let me know if I can be of more help, though.
Quotequote:Originally posted by jckwwhite
im down in naples,does anyone know about the dealership that was here years ago
Keith, Your dad was one heck of a nice guy, and treated me like gold, even though I was just an average slob kid. As I mentioned to Jack, he once gave me two new sidepanels for my 250 Hare Scrambler, because I was a good customer, I guess. If it wasn't for him being there with that shop, our little Euro-bike off road group would have been lost. My one old buddy, (name lost to time) owned a 175 Can Am TNT, and while out trailriding with us one day, went wide on a fast sweeper to try to zap me and Tim A., who was riding a 360 Yamaha. The only problem was this little bush in his line, that unfortunately turned out to have a stump growing in it. Mr. Can Am must have flown sixty feet, but fortunately landed unhurt. The bike however, suffered a totally wrecked front end: collapsed wheel, crushed forks, etc. Thing was, this bike was also his transportation to work. Your dad came up with some used or low cost parts and got him back on the road. I remember him running it without a front brake after that though. Good times, good times. Great knowing you guys are still out there. How about my buddy Terry, at Cypress Cycle? Any idea if he is still around? TED
Quotequote:Originally posted by atk114
Jack,
Keith Larson here. I live in Naples, FL also. We met at the SW Florida Motorcycle Expo a few weeks ago. As for the Penton Dealership in Naples. It was my dad's shop, and was called "Dirt Rider of Naples", The dealership included, Penton, Monark, Can-Am's, and was open 1973 to 1977. I've been reading posts on this site for some time and just sent in my membership fee. I would love to be involved in putting together something for Penton here in Florida. So, let's work together, and see just what we can do! Jack, I'll call you later.
Thanks,
Keith
Keith R. Larson
Ted,
I agree, my dad is a great guy. It's wonderful to hear from someone that remember's us. Your memory is pretty good. Our 1st shop was small on Kirkwood Ave. next to my dad's Glass & Screen business. Sometime in 1976 we moved to the larger (5,000 sq/ft) building just off 10th Street.
Also, Terry (at Cypress Cycle) is still in business, and doing great! Next time in Naples be sure to look us up. It would be great to meet you.
Keith R. Larson
Keith, Thank you for the offer to hook up. I am going to be in Naples the week of March 21st, to visit my dad. Will try to get together. I definitely want to go see Terry. Would he happen to still be in the same shop, out on Immokolee Road? Also, am trying to remember: your dad's first shop, on Kirkwood, wasn't that over on the East Trail somewheres? I remember going there, and he actually permitted me to test ride a 125 Can Am TNT - one of the coolest bikes I've ever been on. How would he have known back then what a lasting memory he created? Amazing what impact the bikes have had on us. TED
Paul, I am curious, what route is being taken for the street-legal conversions? Are POG'ers creating systems from various separate components, or buying the ready-make conversion kits? A friend of mine bought one of those big-buck over the counter kits for his XR600 because he wanted to assure he would pass the initial inspection at the DMV. Then, when he gets there, they simply ASKED if he had made the bike street legal. Never even looked at it. Dual-sport conversions would certainly broaden our opportunities to use the bikes for riding activities. However, off-road "poker runs" have become quite popular and require no special equipment. TED
Quotequote:Originally posted by Paul Danik
Swampy,
You wouldn't happen to know Harris Turner by chance? Harris started a gathering spot for BSA riders during Bike Week a number of years back and it sure has grown. This year Harris is one of the movers and shakers behind the big BSA doings during Bike Week. The reason I bring this up is that Harris is a Florida member of the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club and had just the same thought as you have, but with BSA's, and it sure worked well.
You know with all of the POGGERS who are getting their Penton's street legal I wonder how a Vintage Dualsport ride might work out. Wouldn't a group of street legal Pentons crusing the back roads of the area be neat, aw what the heck, let's do mainstreet!!!!!
Keep us posted.
Thanks
Paul
Ted,
Your memory is much better than you give yourself credit. You're correct, the 1st shop on Kirkwood was just off the East Trail. There was an empty lot across the street where we could have people test ride some of our bikes. It's good to hear your memories, I will make sure to pass them on to dad, who by the way, turned 70 last Sunday. He's doing great, and will love hearing that we talked.
Terry's (Cypress Cycle) shop is in the same location.
As for a POG event in Florida. We would love to get involved, and help in any way. Being down here in Naples, we're quite a way from the northern part of the state, but will travel wherever to help. Anyone, just let us know now we can help. I look forward to hearing something soon.
Ted, be sure to contact us when you get into town.
Keith R. Larson
Ted,
Most of the guys that I have talked to are putting antique or classic plates on their Pentons. You need to have a good title, Progressive will sell you some insurance. The headlight and tail light/brakelight all can be wired from your motoplat or Bosch ignition. No turn signals are required because of the age of the bike.
I am sure that some of these items vary from state to state but that is the general pattern that I have observed. If any of you guys have any other info please chime in!!
Ted, I have enjoyed following the conversation between you and Keith. It sure would be neat for you guys to write an article for the newsletter about the dealership, maybe have a few pictures of Kieth's dad's shop and tell some of his tales!!! What you guys are discussing is another valuable part of the Penton history that needs to be told. Mr. POG President and newsletter editor, Alan Buehner, is always looking for articles for the newsletter.
Paul,
Keith Larson here. It's cool to read that you've enjoyed the posts between Ted and myself, and it's exciting to think other members of POG would enjoy reading something about "Dirt Rider of Naples" in the newsletter. I'm getting together with my dad tonight, and I'll will see just how much "old stuff" he may still have.
I will put some stories together (along with any pictures, old ad's, etc.) and submit to Alan Buehner. Maybe, if Ted reads this, he can send me some stories as well. I just hope that I'm able to express just what wonderful shop my dad had, and how well the off-road community embraced us. Thank you for the suggestion. It sure will be fun to put my memories down on paper. Hope to talk to you soon.
Thanks!
Keith R. Larson
Paul, Thank you for the reply. It was very gracious of you to suggest putting an article together about Keith's dad's shop. You are right, the Penton dealers were a key element back then and deserve recognition. Keith, my time in Naples will be tight, but maybe we can meet up at Terry's shop? My dad's place is over where new and old 41 split, just south of Bonita Springs. How is your schedule for March 24-27? If that won't work, I am open for suggestions. How about let's work on this, per Paul's offer? Also, Paul, I wanted to make another point about the street legal setups.
I put together a 1970 Honda SL350 a couple years ago, and wanted to license it for putting around on the street. However, right at the same time, I happened to spot an entry in the AMA mag about a new law in Ohio that requires all street-registered motorcycles manufactured from '70 on to be equipped with turn signals, regardless of whether the machine was set up with them from the factory. I've not done anything with the SL yet, so I don't know how much the state is pushing it, and it may not be a factor for the back roads we would be venturing on with the Pentons. However, just for an example, I had not been running a front license plate on my car since I bought it four years ago. The vehicle had no provision for mounting a plate, and since I have observed that about every 4th car in Ohio runs no front plate, I didn't worry about it. Unfortunately, last week a trooper pulls me over and made a big hairy-ass deal over the missing plate. Point is, will this affect plating the Pentons? I understand DMV no longer issues ORV tags either, which is what we always used to mount on the bikes for Enduro competition. What do you think? TED
Keith, I thought of something else I wanted to mention about the significance of your dad's shop. Without his presence, I quite possibly would not have been riding my Hare Scrambler in SW Florida. The only other dealer I knew of at the time was Barry Higgins'. Anyway, I'm sure no super pro, or ever was, but there was a LOT of off-road activity around Naples/Bonita Springs back in the 70's, yet everyone was in awe over me and this one other guy, who had a 250 Mag Husky, 'cause our bikes were so "exotic". It sure was fun having something special, and your dad was definitely a key to making it happen. TED
We could do a Penton Only Hare Scramble at Aonia MX Park.We presently host a GNCC, SE&TRA HS, 3 AHRMA Events there and have about 15 miles of trail that is beautiful. Whatever, I just want to get Penton's together for some events in the Southeast.
Terry Dishroon
Thedish
w. terry dishroon
Ted,
Thanks again for your kind words. I did pass them on to dad, and he is very happy to hear we have been talking. As for the week of 3/24-27, I will make the time to get with you. We can meet at Terry's shop, no problem. You can e-mail me at
[email protected] and I'll give you my numbers so you can call once you get in town. I'll see if dad can make it as well. It will be great to catch up.
About an article for the newsletter, did you want to e-mail me something before you get to Naples, or did you want to wait until you're here?
Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again!
Thanks!
Keith R. Larson