I've been asked by some non-POG members, that have checked out our website, as to why we don't have a history of John and the Penton motorcycle included on our site. Thats a good question that I didn't have the answer to. Help!
Hi Bob, The story of John Penton is best told by Ed Youngblood, and it's also more enjoyable reading in the form of a paper back book. Guess you'll just have to get a few and pass them around. I can't wait for the sequel.
Bob
Hi Bob W, Yes your right about the book, I have two of them and just loaned one of them to the guy that asked me the question. Makes me wonder how many others have asked the same question. Bob G
I don't know if this is difficult to achieve on the website, but why not just refer to the book by Ed Youngblood and include a handful of selected quotes.
David
I think David's Idea is excellent. I know that a lot of other brand of motorcycle groups or organizations that have admired the work and attention that was put forward by Ed Youngblood. We already have a supplier selling the book and with the quotes it should be a must read for anyone truely interested in John Penton and the people that surrounded him to achieved what we see today.
One other note is that I answer so many questions (and I don't mind) about Pentons that are truly in the BOOK. I feel that some people would truly enjoy and possibly be inspired to be more involved in the Penton Owners Group if they took the time to read the book.
Ron Carbaugh
No doubt that Ed Youngblood's book is great...!
For a short summary about Mr. Penton, follow the link below.
http://www.vintagejerry.com/ThePentonMotorcycle.htm
First of all – the book is incredible. It is interesting (even if you aren't a fan) and Ed does a great job of flowing the story and building suspense between chapters. The photos are super!!!! In Ed's Forward, he credits contributions to the book from members of the POG (Paul Danik, Al Bruehner, etc.) As you read the book you will grow to understand why the loyalty and fascination for John and the Penton motorcycles is so strong today.
Go get it: http://www.motohistory.net/books.htm and while you are at it... Ed always has interesting articles in his "News and Views" section.
Secondly... I think the old members (hmm, I mean members for a long time) may not realize that many people don't know about the book. Or,if we know --we haven't read it (that was me). I wonder if the POG website has not done an aggressive job of pointing people to the book because it would be perceived as "commercialism" or favoritism. But if we had a Penton bio page and links to Ed's book, Dottie Wood's page on vintagejerry.com and any other links we could find relating to his life and times.... That would be politically correct – Yes???
OF COURSE – I SAY THE HELL WITH DIPLOMACY AND DAMN THE PERCEPTION OF COMMERCIALISM and let's get Ed to write a page with a condensed Penton bio and a link to purchase Ed's book. (p.s.The text of the bio should include other Key Search Engine Buzzwords so that people searching on ISDT or Triumph or etc..... would be driven to the POG site.)
Maybe, when Ed gets our non-profit status changed to where we can sell stuff to fund the "Penton Future Project", we can put in a page that includes a Penton bio and a link to buy Ed's book and get a little piece of the profits for the POG coffers. It is a win/win.... The more people that read the book, the more people are inspired to have a love and loyalty for Penton and loyalty to Penton ensures the success of the "Penton Future Project".
From Lynn on her soapbox[:p]
I just read the article by dottie woods. Very nice. Thanks dottie It helpe to fill in some of the blanks.
Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.