Anyone out there have information concerning the Penton shop/race team from the 70's, know as Mettco Penton, or Mettco Racing? If so, please drop me an e-mail. I've been trying to get together with Bruce McDougal, as he was a Mettco rider back in the day. However, we have not yet connected. Anyone else able to help, or able to get me together with Bruce? Any assistance would be much appreciated.
TED
Ted,
Talk to Donny Smith at
[email protected]. I think he knows Bruce and Danny LaPorte both if I remember right. Donny knows a good deal about the Metco bikes I think. You can also search for Bruce at the AHRMA.org website as he is a AHRMA racer/member. Very Fast then-Very Fast now.
Thank you very much for the info, Larry. Donny was nice enough to have already e-mailed me. Purpose of my inquiry is to try to put together a story on Mettco for the POG newsletter. This will help a great deal. TED
Ted,
We have someother members and guests that know lots about the "Mettco" days on this site also. Bart C. (who has his replica Mettco on E bay" and Marc Biro (who built the replica) as well as other southern CA racers.
Donny Smith
Ted,
I will see what I have on any stories on METTCO and will try to call you sometime on the subject. I think if we can help you get some of the time lines(riders etc.) it may make for a great story. I like the subject and will start this weekend to see what I can find. I think people like Dane and others may help also. Great Idea.
Ron Carbaugh
There is a Mettco Penton Replica on Ebay at the moment.
Desmond, Can you tell me how to find that Mettco ad in Ebay? I tried looking under "motorcycles" & then "Penton", but nothing came up. Ron, any information you may provide would be very helpful. Sure appreciate it. Also, Terry chased that Jackpiner, but the bidding went out of his price range (no surprise there). Thanks, guys. TED
Hi Ted,
The number for the Mettco Penton Replica is #2485964341.
Ted,
I have several other stacks of magazines to look through. I think most of the articles written about Mettco were under the Technical side so those mags are in another location in the Unofficial Penton Central Library.
Yes I noted that the bike did go up quickly. As you know there is a $800.00 Penton down near me that said to be a ridder. I don't mind trying to schedule a time to drive by and look at it. At that price it sure gives one money to add enduro kit etc and stay in a favorable price range. The bike I am refering to is located just north of San Antonio.
Just let me know and I can take picture and email also.
Ron Carbaugh
Thank you for getting me that ID #, Randy. That took me right to Bart's bike. Great photo, but actual "replica" status of the bike will take some investigating. What do you think of it - as far as how true it is to the originals?
Quotequote:Originally posted by Randy Kirkbride
Hi Ted,
The number for the Mettco Penton Replica is #2485964341.
Thank you, Ron. I am in fact as interested in the unique technical aspects of the Mettco bikes as much as anything else. I want to find out what mods the team performed. Thanks also for any info you might provide on the bike for sale in your area. If you have the opportunity to check it out, please let Terry know. TED
Quotequote:Originally posted by firstturn
Ted,
I have several other stacks of magazines to look through. I think most of the articles written about Mettco were under the Technical side so those mags are in another location in the Unofficial Penton Central Library.
Yes I noted that the bike did go up quickly. As you know there is a $800.00 Penton down near me that said to be a ridder. I don't mind trying to schedule a time to drive by and look at it. At that price it sure gives one money to add enduro kit etc and stay in a favorable price range. The bike I am refering to is located just north of San Antonio.
Just let me know and I can take picture and email also.
Ron Carbaugh
I raced with Bruce at the Vintage Iron World Champonship at Glen Helen in July. I think Bruce road a 125 and a 250. Still very fast. I kept up with him for the first 2 straights an 1 turn then he just dissappeared. I think it may have had something to do with me being on a cz400 and Bruce on a 250???(a long starting straight) He is still smooth and very fast.
Ted,
No luck in the show bike section(non technical library). I will try next in the shop manual stack Oh I mean library. I am still looking and yes I have my glasses on[:p].
Ron Carbaugh
Here is the E mail address to Danny LaPorte who once rode for Mettco. I know he is willing to provide any information that he can remember about Mettco and Fred Hayes (Mettco Owner). As you can see by Danny's email, he works for FMF Racing now.
[email protected]Donny Smith
Update on Mettco.
Here is a note from Danny
"Call me if you need any info, 310-900-5635
Thanks Danny La Porte or e-mail"
Donny Smith
Thanks, guys. I've been in touch with several of you concerning this info. Carl Crank even e-mailed me with what he knows of Mettco. Still need to find something of the owner/backer of the Mettco effort.
I'll see what Bruce can tell us. TED
Fred Hayes was the owner and builder/designer of the Mettco bikes. I don't know if he is around anymore. I know someone had told me that they had spoken with his daughter.
Not much help, but Bruce or Danny will know.
Donny Smith
Thanks, Donny.
Ted,
I'm not having any luck on the articles that I know I have(somewhere). I am running across articles (Penton) on Lopez and Laport so I am keeping these as I run across them so hopefully it will help you better understand how powerful this Mettco operation was in the R & D of racing Pentons.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron, First, congrats on reaching 800 posts. It was fun to see some of our compradres gettin' on you about it. Also, in your post I presume you are referring to Danny LaPorte, but who is the other name you mentioned - Lopez? TED
Ted,
Ray Lopez won the first 125cc National Championship Race. This was not a title, just the pre cursor to the 125cc class becoming an AMA event. The Event was held at Glen Helen Park in Southern CA. The next year, Marty Smith stated dominating.
Donny Smith
Ted.
I was not tuned in when I wrote the name of the great RIDER AND NICE GUY Danny LaPorte. My error and a big one for a guy who Honda let go for a DUMB/DUMBER reason(no problems with Danny just a Dumb Move-I was there when it happened).
I was really proud of Danny for JUST taking it is stride and going on to Yamaha and winning a World MX Title. "Ho Hum, just another day at the races I guess I'll ride the Yellow one and win the World Championship". Of course I'm putting words in Danny's mouth, but he is and was a great champion and that is not bad for a boy that raced Penton's.
Ron Carbaugh
Sheriff R.C., do I understand you were able to locate some info on Mettco? Sure would appreciate anything you may have turned up. TED
Sure was nice to meet with you in person as well, Bob. It's great to get to put a face with the POG site-name. Thanks for the additional info. Most of this is all new to me, as I first began to read the national motorcycle publications around 1974, and by that time Uncle Donny seemed to be concentrating on TM Suzukis and 125 Elsinores. Possibly he had shifted his attention away from Pentons by then? You also have confirmed that Mr. Hayes is deceased. However, is there any information avaialable in general concerning his business(es) and racing program(s)? TED
Donny, the significance of this information you have provided did not occur to me at first. However, looking again now at what you reported, do I understand that Ray Lopez won this first 125 N.C. race - on a Mettco Penton? That would be a very important fact to note in the Mettco story! TED
Quotequote:Originally posted by OUCWBOY
Ted,
Ray Lopez won the first 125cc National Championship Race. This was not a title, just the pre cursor to the 125cc class becoming an AMA event. The Event was held at Glen Helen Park in Southern CA. The next year, Marty Smith stated dominating.
Donny Smith
Ted,
Keith here. Did you receive the photo's of the "Mettco" replica I e-mail to you last week? Also, if your looking for some more information, the very 1st issue of Motocross Action had an article that featured the non-AMA 125 National Championship race won by Ray Lopez, I think Marty Smith finished 2nd on his Monark. Ray also raced at the 125 World Cup in St. Charles that summer. He got the holeshot in the 1st moto and lead for a while, but I can't remember how he finished. Anyway, good luck finding that issue, I hear it's worth some money.
Keith R. Larson
Keith, Donny, Ted, & all,
At Americas first big 125 championship race, billed as the 125 National Championship at Arroyo. (San Berdardino, CA.)
There is no mention that Ray Lopez (winner) was riding for Mettco, just that he was on a Penton. The Mettco riders were Chuck Bower and Bruce McDougal.
I don't know much about making good copies but I will look into it. Just that the article is white print on black pages, and some of the photographs are black and red.
I bought this first issue MXA at the local newsstand, I remember the day, I was 16 yrs. old and so happy there was a publication directed stickly towards motocross.
No one else was ever touched this mag, like all my mag's I looked at them a couple times and they went directly into my organized plastic containers,this magazine has traveled/moved across the country with me several times. More than once when I would move into a new house with someone, they would say "what are all those magazines for?", and I would say back, "those are my magazines, they always go where I go".
I guess I lived a sheltered life in the woods of northern Michigan, and those magazines were my link to the outside world. They offered me hope and dreams. I knew the minute I graduated from high-school I was leaving for California to play with the big boys. Unfortunately when I got there I was the only one left racing a Penton, but I think I represented the brand pretty well, at least I made them remember the Penton a little bit longer.
Bob
Wow, thanks for the info, guys. This is really starting to get interesting. It's great that you remembered about the article in MXA #1, Keith. I didn't have a clue. Thanks also to Bob for picking up on the info and offering to supply copies. That would really be great. Like Bob, my contact with the "motorcycle world" was through the monthly publications. I've still got all mine, too, and continuously use them for reference material. Speaking of which, Bob, that article I mentioned to you at the meeting - about Danny Turner - turns out it was about Jim Felt, who was Jimmy Weinert's Kawasaki mechanic at the time. Still is a great piece, though. These bits of information really help, guys. Please keep 'em coming. It is by piecing them all together that we will hopefully assemble enough information to present a comprehensive story on Mettco. Sounds like Bob has a really interesting story to tell, as well . . . (hint hint)
I guess I was wrong about Ray Lopez riding for "Mettco". I just though he was on the team with Bruce McDougal. When I was 15, I went to the 125 World Cup at St. Charles, and I seem to remember that Bruce McDougal & Ray Lopez pitted together, which may only mean they rode out together. Now that I think of it, maybe it was Chuck Bower at the World Cup with Bruce. Wow, this age thing is beginning to get to me. Sorry for the wrong info guy's.
Speaking of the 125 World Cup, there was a Penton rider, (his last name was Pennington or Harrington, I think) and was the top placing Penton (4th overall). I wonder what ever happened to him?
Keith R. Larson
Rob W & atk114,
On the subject of Mettco and Ray Lopez I think some of the confussion came/comes from the way the articles were written when it talked about the success of the Penton riders. An example is the following write up in Keeping Track; "The race of the day was between two of the best 125 moto-crossers, Ray Lopez on his 125 Penton and Mettco mentor, Chuck Bower on his green machine." As one might just read this and take it that they were both on Mettco Pentons. Just a little news/views form the past.
Ron Carbaugh
Keith,
The name you are refering to is Harrington. He rode for Penton Central, I think. There were a ton of fast guys that rode for them.
Ron Carbaugh knows the real facts on this one.
Donny Smith
Donnie,
Thanks. I thought it was one or the other. When I get home, I'm going through some of my old magazines, and get his first name. I have a old MXA and Dirt Rider magazine that features an article on the 125 World Cup. It's funny how his name gets lost in these talks. Everyone remembers Bruce McDougal, Chuck Bower, Danny LaPorte, & Ray Lopez, but I 've not seen Mr. Harrington's name mentioned before, and he finished 4th in that race.
What about other MX riders sponsored by Penton. I remember Buck Murphy, but can't think of anyone else. Who else remembers other MX riders sponsored by Penton?
Keith R. Larson
Keith,
I'm sure the reason you don't see (Mark?) Harrington's name that often is because he was from Texas, and those magazines were all written and published in California. The other guys are all from CA. There were faster or just as fast riders from the Midwest, North, East and South but they didn't get the coverage that the CA boys did.
Donny Smith
There were several riders from Washington State aboard Pentons in the early-to-mid '70s, but Buck Murphy was THE MAN! He placed very well in the Supercross Series and outdoor nationals. Another was Ken Buirley from Oregon. Ken was one of the top Northwest Pros in an era of Chuck Sun/Rick Burgett/Jim Pomeroy, but he ended up moving to So. Cal., I believe. Maybe Donny remembers him? Ken raced a steel tanker, then went on to ride a 1972 125.
Clay Light
Redmond, OR.
Hello Clay,
The only thing I know about the West coast riders is what I saw when we came out here a couple of times. I know all the fast guys from the OK, TX, KS and AR area.
Donny Smith
Quotequote:Originally posted by Larry Perkins
Ted,
Talk to Donny Smith at [email protected]. I think he knows Bruce and Danny LaPorte both if I remember right. Donny knows a good deal about the Metco bikes I think. You can also search for Bruce at the AHRMA.org website as he is a AHRMA racer/member. Very Fast then-Very Fast now.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Larry Perkins
Ted,
Talk to Donny Smith at [email protected]. I think he knows Bruce and Danny LaPorte both if I remember right. Donny knows a good deal about the Metco bikes I think. You can also search for Bruce at the AHRMA.org website as he is a AHRMA racer/member. Very Fast then-Very Fast now.
Buck murphy still lives up this way. I had seen him a little over a year ago at the season opener for our winter series. He did not ride but brought some kids who did. when asked if he was going to ride he shied away from giving a direct answer. As I understand it he had crashed pretty hard the year before and was still on the mend. I was told he was at the Hammer and Tong this summer but I did not see him. by the way Jim Pomeroy and his brother were there as well. Jim crashed a few weeks before and messed up his knee so he did not ride but instead played the role of MC and everyone had a great time. It was hot and the track was awesome. It reminded me more of the tracks of California. Hardpack... but with plenty of fast down hills to scare even the craziest of us.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
Buck usually races the AHRMA National at Chehalis each year.
He also came down to the final west coast AHRMA Ntional this year at Tulre ( acouple weeks ago). He rode the open traction TT on Saturday in addition to Sunday's MX, and rode Marsh Runyon's KR Harley in the Main (with absolutely NO practice!), and was pure entertainment to watch.
Cheers, Dave J.
Sorry guys, I replied to the seeking info on Mettco Penton, but posted it as a new forum (Ray Lopez) While we are on the subject, Donny Emler's "Penda" was i believe called a "Pendapp". It was a Penton frame with a Zundapp highly tuned motor.
David Duarte
Dave,
There could have been another project, but the Penton/Honda project was a Penda. Roger Sanderson built the pipe and remembers the project well. If the was a Pendapp I will look through my library as well as any other information you come up with please let us know.
Ron Carbaugh
Hi Ron, I cannot remember a Penton/Honda project with Uncle Donny. That does not mean it did not exist, just brain fade on my part.The Penton/Zundapp thing i do remember. It won many races with(brain fade) aboard. I will call Emler and ask him to refresh my aging memory. Dave
David Duarte
Dave,
I actually met you many moons ago. I will try and look up the article on the Penda...can't remember the magazine...brain fade, you know. Tell Uncle Donny Hi.
Ron Carbaugh
David, if you do happen to speak with Donny Elmer, would you mind asking him if he has any facts to share concerning the original Mettco Penton team? We're still trying to find out more about the team's origin, structure, and the modifications made to the bikes. So far, lots of tidbits have come to light, but we need more in order to assemble a complete story with which to honor and document the Mettco effort. TED
Ron, uncle Donny refreshed my memory on the "Penda" That came sometime after the "Pendapp". Donny was helped by Penton West(Fred Moxley) in the early seventies. Fred was not all that pleased with the Zundapp motor thing and asked him to park it, which he did.The Penda project came after Moxley left Penton West. Ray Lopez won that first 125 national with the Penton motor. Other riders for Emler were Tim Hart and Billy Payne. Ray lopez did not go off and build pipes. I had him mixed up with somsbody else.
Ted, Donny does not lend much info on the motors used by Mettco. The team of Mcdougal, Bowers, and Laporte were hot competion for him. I mentioned what Fred Hayes was up to. I am sure he would not mind talking to you about the Mettco team. Ron, did i meet you at Penton Central? If not where? Later
David Duarte
David, The Zundapp-engined Penton was ridden by Billy Payne in 1973.
OH. Ted, Forgive me for the misleading information on the existence of Mr. Hayes. Next time I'll ask for a second opinion before I pass on an ugly rumor like that. Sorry...but hey, that's good news I was wrong.
Thanks
See ya
Bob
Bob, I am also very glad to hear that Mr. Hayes is still kicking. David, would you have any idea how to get in touch with him? If I could hook up with Mr. Hayes, he would certainly be the best person to provide the whole story on Mettco. TED
Hi all... I'm new here, I just discovered this forum.
It's been quite awhile but here's what I recall from my CMC days.
I had two 125's built by Mettco back in 72-73. So I used to hang out there quite a bit. I do remember that Fred Hayes was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I was not a Pro, but yet he would take the time to help set up my bikes. Also, some the top 125cc riders at the time worked there; Chuck Bower, Bruce McDougal, Danny LaPorte and Mike Garrett... and they were always happy to give advice and share racing stories.
I know this is an old thread but here is a link to
Hayes Diversified Technologies:
//www.m1030.com/home.htm
I spoke with Mike Garrett about five years ago and he was working at FMF, he's another you can contact about Mettco history.
Here,s one for you all. I have a bunch of old cycle news papers.Ascot Park raced MX on Wednesday nights. I have a really neat picture of Chuck Bower winning on a 125 Mettco Penton. In the picture you can clearly see the KTM low end motor. 125 or 175? or sachs barrel on a KTM?
Tim Hart raced a DKW with a 64 tooth rear sprocket and a down pipe.Don't know if Emler ported it or not. I do know that uncle Donny turned my brother's stock 100cc into a rocket! If someone talks to Emler find out if he still has pipe dimensions for Sachs motors.
Ahh, The good old days! Ascot on Wedsdays, Irwindale on Thursdays(?), Lions on Fridays, then on the weekends at either Carlsbad or Saddleback... I really had it bad back then... ha ha!!!
I don't recall the KTM lower end on Bowers 125... but, he did also race the 250 class on occasion though.
And Tim Hart raced a DKW?... never saw that either, but then again it has been over 30 years and the memory ain't what it used to be.[:0] Hart rode a Maico for Bob Bailey before he went to Yamaha... I know that because Bailey's shop was about a block from my home.
http://www.bobbailey.com/
Uncle Donny did port work and built a pipe for my 250cc Maico back in 74... if FMF can't make your bike fast, nobody can. [8D]
http://www.fmfracing.com/
DKWKid who is also known as my brother is correct regarding Tim Hart's DKW ride at Ascot. Normally he raced a Maico but their 125 was right down there at the bottom (with the CZ 125)in terms of performance. I know that his bike was prepared out of Competition Services of San Pedro so not sure who did the engine work.
I raced District 37 desert trailbike (100cc) class in the early seventies. I purchased a new DKW 100 and found out quickly that it could not keep up with the king of the trailbike class..the Harley Baja. I took engine to FMF for a little work. They milled the head .060, ported the cylinder, and built a new pipe for it. This transformed the bike into one of the fastest 100's racing in the desert at the time (lots of Saturday drag races proved it). The most memorable moment is when I was racing and caught up to a friend riding a Berkshire just as we came out of the desert onto a fire road. We cleared the berm and plopped down on the road at almost a dead stop. We both immediately hit full throttle and started working the gears. The course went down the road for a couple of miles then turned back into desert trails. By the time I got to the end of the road, I had gained about a quarter mile lead on him. Made me feel good but he was not too happy about it!
Web surfing netted this info.......
http://guerrantwebworks.com/hdt/history.htm
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships
Facebook - Cheney Twinshock Racing Group - Administrator
1970 Six-Day 125
1971 Six-Day 125 (Dave Fisher's)
1973 Jackpiner 175
1974 Berkshire 100
And some silly other bikes...
Very cool link, what a thought, a diesel dirt bike!
A few years ago, my friend Bill Cappel bought a Mettco Penton, I have no idea whether it was a replica or the real thing but it was very cool. It was very fast! I asked and he let me ride it!very cool.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74' 1/2 440 maico
70' 400 maico (project)
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki
Thom,
That Mettco Penton that Bill has is a replica. One of the Fastest 125's I have ever ridden. The bike was built by Marc Biro, who did a wonderful job with that bike. I bought it from Marc, sold it and it later made it's way into Bill's collection. Wish I had kept it!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
I wondered about that, Billy has a bunch of very nice bikes, I first met Bill back in 03, He had connected with a friend of mine and I was enlisted to help him transport Bills first vintage bike, which he raced at the first ever vintage race in Kalamath falls. Bill and I have been friends ever since, though it has been awhile since I have seen him.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74' 1/2 440 maico
70' 400 maico (project)
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki
The last couple of years at VMD they have had a life member breakfast, two years ago Al Born and I attended together and had the pleasure of sitting with Mr. & Mrs. Fred Hayes, they are absolutely wonderful folks... After the breakfast Fred went to his car and gave Al and I each a Mettco T shirt :) :)
This past year I attended the life member breakfast on my own as our wonderful friend Al had passed away. Fred and Mrs. Hayes said they sure missed Al, as we all do.
Just wanted to share this....
Paul
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp170/ktmgs/sc0001b192.jpg)
Donny,
I wish I had kept it!
Marc
Marc,
I think everyone that has had it feels the same way. You did an awesome job with this bike. It was of the highest quality I have ever seen. You do the best work I've seen. Thank You!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Very clean looking bike but I don't see the trademark rivets around the gas tank lip. Every Penton sold by them had both the sticker and the rivets. I spoke with Fred Hayes and Bruce McDougal at a Trailblazer's banquet a couple of years ago. I had taken my Penton Berkshire to display and they stopped by to chat. It was a fun event!
:D what don't I see (http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp170/ktmgs/DSC_0135.jpg)
Larry, Am I not seeing rivets on the 8K bike??
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
A friend of mine purchased a Mettco Penton in 1972. It was a stone stock B engine and I remember the gas tank having the rivets. I also hung out at Ascot most Wednesday nights and remember seeing them on the Mettco bikes there. I always thought it was a gimmick and was really just their trademark. Perhaps later on, the stopped doing it. Don't know...just relying on an aging memory.
Just curious ... does anyone know anything about this picture Who is the "Skunk Helmeted " rider on the right hand side , second row maybe #12..... thks Brian T
Brian Taylor
I know Fred Hayes, the man who started Mettco. I met him at the Quail motorcycle gathering in 2011. If you like I'll call him Mon. and get his permission to give you his ph #. He is a great guy and I'm sure he'll be happy to help you.
LOL... that's me, Bob Seki #12B. CMC Carlsbad, 125 Intermediate class. Staged for the next moto. Photo credit: Tom Corley.
Quotequote:Originally posted by BrianTaylor
Just curious ... does anyone know anything about this picture Who is the "Skunk Helmeted " rider on the right hand side , second row maybe #12..... thks Brian T
Brian Taylor