Can you guess the rider and the year on the homepage photo?
http://www.pentonusa.org
Hmm...Lets see. And the year?
Ron Carbaugh
My guess would be Mike Kidd.
john hardin
Well it seems that Administration has appointed a new Sheriff. Seems people have been getting off too easy on these questions:D.
Great job John. So just for fun let's see what else we can come up with on this Gunslinger named Kidd.
1. What year was the photo taken?
2. What patriotic ties did he have later on in racing.
3. What state was he from when this picture was taken.
4. He raced a Penton 125 Six Day early in career(Moto X). What physical problem did he have to over come in order to race.
Please have fun and try to be kind to the Sheriff.
Ron Carbaugh
I'm not sure of the year of the photo, but he was sponsored by the US Army. He also founded arenacross in about 1985 or so. He is from Baja Oklahoma. Not sure of the physical problems, but I do know he was prone to many injurys in his career and most of all, he was very fast!
Donny Smith
Still not sure of the year, but I think that he was riding for Kenny R when this photo was taken.
Donny Smith
I think this photo is in the Houston Astrodome, maybe 1980, the year Mike won a podium finish on the Penton KR.
Donny Smith
Great Photo !!
Thomas Carmichael
OK - The New Sheriff is getting nervous(been watching too much Andy Griffin late at night).
1. What brand of bike is this[:p]?
2. What size engine[?]?
3. How many were built?
4. What was the original price?
5. What was the close out price offered to the dealers?
6. What was the original color offered besides the non painted version?
Ron Carbaugh
OK, it is a Penton! Kenny R. model
Must be a 250, unless someone modified it.
Not many
Don't have a clue on the prices
Orange?
Donny Smith
Hey Ron, I don't have the answers to your questions, but if you need someone to get that flat tracker sideways for you, Talk to me, I'll make it go sideways!!
Raymond
You might have to talk with Thomas Carmichael. But I'm open. Seems no one believes I should be racing anymore. Thanks for the offer.
Ron Carbaugh
GREAT JOB to Donny and Rob W on the color. Remember we are talking Penton so anything was and is possible. The color(s) were orange and white(what we called ready for paint).
As people may or may not know when you talk flat tracking(Class C) you are talking about in most cases building your own motorcycle. By this I mean you couldn't just stroll in to your local dealer and point to bike and be racing that night. Probable the real exception to this was the Bultaco Astro.
Rob thanks for the history lesson taught with back up from the Program at the Silver Dome. I think this shows how important the listing of magazine articles(that you have developed with help from others) and other written memorablia is in stating history when it comes to the Penton legacy.
Phillip Darcy was out of Beaumont(TX) and a exceptional racer. I came from in and around Beaumont. The real Power behind engines (both Class C and Daytona) in that area and the Nation was a gentleman by the name of Woody Leone Sr. Funny how icons like Mr. Leone go unnoticed except when the people like Kenny Roberts and our very own Ed Youngblood start talking about the Greats of Motorcycling. Mr. Leone was the recepient of (to me) AMA's most prestigeous award - The Dud Perkins Award. He was also my teacher and close friend.
The Sheriff will try to ad more this weekend.
Ron Carbaugh
GREAT JOB to Donny and Rob W on the color. Remember we are talking Penton so anything was and is possible. The color(s) were orange and white(what we called ready for paint).
As people may or may not know when you talk flat tracking(Class C) you are talking about in most cases building your own motorcycle. By this I mean you couldn't just stroll in to your local dealer and point to bike and be racing that night. Probable the real exception to this was the Bultaco Astro.
Rob thanks for the history lesson taught with back up from the Program at the Silver Dome. I think this shows how important the listing of magazine articles(that you have developed with help from others) and other written memorablia is in stating history when it comes to the Penton legacy.
Phillip Darcy was out of Beaumont(TX) and a exceptional racer. I came from in and around Beaumont. The real Power behind engines (both Class C and Daytona) in that area and the Nation was a gentleman by the name of Woody Leone Sr. Funny how icons like Mr. Leone go unnoticed except when the people like Kenny Roberts and our very own Ed Youngblood start talking about the Greats of Motorcycling. Mr. Leone was the recepient of (to me) AMA's most prestigeous award - The Dud Perkins Award. He was also my teacher and close friend.
The Sheriff will try to ad more this weekend.
Ron Carbaugh
Sheriffs Scoreboard:
1. Rider-Mike Kidd - J Hardin was quick on the draw on this answer.
2. Year of Picture - not answered
3. Pariotic - Kidd was later on sponsered by the U S Army(taxpayers). I for one was happy my money went for this worth while cause. Good job Donny Smith.
4. What state was he from - Answer - Baja Oklahoma -What- you mean TEXAS. I would penalize Donny Smith, but he is bigger than me.
5. Physical problem - not answered
6. Brand - Penton - Frames are stamped KRP - Sold through Hi-point. Well give Donny a by on this.
7. Size/Engine - 250cc - Donny got this, but almost ran into troble with the law. Texans DON"T modify engines. Ours are all stock.
8. How many were built? - not answered
9. Original price - not answered
10. Closr out price - not answered
11. Original color - Donny Smith and Rob Wordlow.
We have some questions not answered. Join in the fun. We don't mind people guessing.
Rob W - Original color of frame was silver.
Ron Carbaugh
I still don't know the total number produced, but it was at least 41.
Donny Smith
Donny,
I heard that there was 45 built, but the highest number I have found is #41. Good answer.
Sheriff
Ron Carbaugh
I found my "confidential" Penton Central price sheet dated Jan 15, 1977 and it shows that the 250 KR projected Dealer cost was $1980 and the sug. retail was $2600. That was $640 higher the retail price of a '77 250 MC-5.
John J Slivka
John,
Amazing! You are so close on the retail that I (the Sheriff) will have to do a "gimme" on this one. The actual suggested price was $2630.00. Your off alot on the dealer cost so I will leave that open. Thanks John for the spirit and for keeping the Sheriff honest.
Ron Carbaugh
Ok the Sheriff needs to clean the slate before I leave Penton Central so here are the answers to the questions ask. But I would hope that other questions or just input would surface on the bikes.
*The year of the picture: I didn't submit the picture so I will have to guess that it is 1977 in the Astro Dome (Houston). If it isn't correct it would be 1978. Mike rode Pentons for two years(that I know of).
*Physical problem: This is just one I had to put in[}:)]. Mike's real problem was he was so small and young that he had to have the bike started and be held up to start the race (MX). No Kidding and he was FAST.
*Dealer net and Dealer cost: Dealer net was $2195.00 and Retail was $2630.00.
*Close out price in December 1977: Close out price was $1800.00. Boy would I pay that now for a new one.
Thanks for everyones imput and for letting me enjoy helping with this section.
Ron Carbaugh