Just wondering how many Penton owners there are on the West Coast and where you are located. I am new to the POG and actively looking for a Jackpiner. I live in San Jose Ca.
Hello Mike!
Good luck with your Jackpiner search. I'm sure there are over a dozen owners just in SoCal. I live near San Diego and own 5 Pentons and a bunch of parts.
Donny Smith
Live in Castaic Ca.( just north of LA) have an origional 2 73 jackpiners, 1 72 six days, a 75 250 and restoring a 74 250.
I'm on the West Coast – just the opposite hemisphere :D
VMX1963
Western Australia
//www.vmxktm.net
Live in Moorpark, CA (just NW of LA), Have a 1976 MC5 250 (6 speed).
Hi Mike , I live just north of you up in liberal Marin County . I have a 74 KTM MC 250, 74 KTM MC 400, and 76 KTM MC-5 250 sorry guys we had KTM's on the west coast . AHRMA #90m Thanks Dennis Rowedder 415-279-5770
Hi Mike,
I live in Garden Grove in Orange County. I currently own 3 1972-1973 Six-Day 125s, a 1975 Jackpiner, a 1976 KTM MC5 400 and a 1977 Penton MC5 400. Love the MC5s! John
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required. Luke 12:48
Hi, Mike:
I live in Oregon, well to the north of you. Was wondering if there are any other Penton owners in this liberal state? I know there are also several Penton owners in liberal Washington state, also. I just have one Penton -in progress- a 1971 125, and can't wait to race it! Steve Talbot, near Seattle, has several Jackpiners, I believe.
Clay Light
AHRMA # 9s
Hello Mike
There is a handfull of us in Washington. I have a 73 250 Harescrambler and I'm working on a 74 400. I picked up the Harescrambler in Hanford CA, so there are Pentons in your neck of the woods.
Matthew Sullivan
WARNING: The Surgeon General has determined that castor smoke can be hazardous to your health. It is highly addictive and causes delusions of grandeur.
HI mike and other west coasters. Im up in medford oregon when the weathers nice and down in so. calif. when it gets to cold up here . 1 1972 100cc - 4 125 sixdays- 3 175 jackpiners- 2 250 hare-sram. 1 mint 400 - 1 250 mc5- 1 400 mc5 - 1979 250 mc-80. Mike I have a 1975 jackpiner that needs a new owner.
Hey Mike, I live just north of you in San Leandro. Currently have a 72 125 six day. Also own a garage full of other bikes and bicycles. I'm thinking of planing a trip out to livermore to test ride my rebuilt Sachs engine. Just as soon as I'm done rebuilding it. Also have a modern 220 KDX for cow trailing and Enduro riding that is much better suited to riding around here than a vintage bike. Gavin (510) 481-0554
Heres from another Oregonian in Klamath falls. Pelican Guano race team has the following pentons 1 73 six day, 1 77 berkie 100 and 1 73 Jack Piner and 1 mettco replica 125 . As well as 3 Monarks; one a GS Pro.
Bill Cappel
Hey Mike
I have a 73 125 6 Day that I have been riding and tinkering with.
I am in NE Cal in Modoc County. We finally got some good rain and
the woods are great! Yeee Haw[:p]
How is the search for the Piner going?
Sam McMurry
Klamath Falls Oregon just above Modoc County California. Proud owner of several Sachs powered scooters.
5 Monark 125's 1971-74
1 Penton 175 1973
1 DKW 125 1973 I think.
Dirk Williams
541-883-8495
Sam; call dirk he has several project bikes I think you would find right up your alley and then he could have your sweet 6 day.
Bill cappel "pelicans forever"
Thanks Bill I'll do that! Have you been doing any riding ? They
cancelled one of our enduros due to the weather. I guess they
got quite a bit of snow on one of the rides up high so we will have
to wait for the next one on 11/6.
Have a good day
Sam
I do a shout out to all my fellow Penton owners in Nebraska and hear nothing but crickets. Some guy from California shouts out and the voices come screaming back. I always thought Nebraska was the hot bed for off road motorcycling. First my football team goes sour now nobody owns a dirt bike in my state.
Rod Whitman
They play football in Nebraska? Just kidding!
you know us OU folks!
Donny Smith
but it takes a team from the west coast to be #1. Go Trojans
Rod,
Kieth Taylor lives in Nebraska,
He owns several types of ISDT bikes. He would be someone to get in touch with for rides. He is a Vinduro member and fun to ride with on old scooter's. He has at least 2 bikes that were ridden in the ISDT . One, a 73 Can Am that was ridden at Dalton.
John D.
Big Mac and I just got back from the reunion ride. The Pentons were as thick as fly's. I think there were more Pentons than anything else. Mac has several, A 73 250 and a 77 MC5 400 and a 77 GS 250 project bike in blue trim. I have the two at the bottom of my post plus two project bikes. A six day... not sure of the year just yet and a 75 400 in enduro trim that I have not seen yet. Mac is in Portland OR and I am north of Seattle WA. Then Mark who has a couple of project bikes... can't remember what they were. He live a ferries ride away. He is suppose to be working on them this winter.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
Thom,
Your Six Day is a 1972 if I remember correctly.
Ron Carbaugh
OK, so that's about 37 Penton or vintage KTMs or Sachs-something, etc all along the West Coast....and I gotta drive 3 days and 4000 miles round trip to the mid-west just to get in 70 or so miles of Pentonian trail riding!! What gives??
I say we do less talking and more planning on a Western Penton/KTM/Sachs/Monark/DKW/whatever vintage riding event, camp-out get together of some sort, YES? What say about maybe in the late Spring down in Central OR region or way-Northern CA region (since I'm partial to max 1-day road trips) depending on who will show up. I'll even volunteer to be coordinator/trail-master/promoter and might even loan a bike to some worthy out-of-towner if needed. All in favor, say Aye and send me an e-mail too so we can debate this worthy concept further!
Jon McLean
[email protected]Fueled and trail-ready
Portland, OR
Jon, I am in, I think it would be great to do something like the reunion ride. It was diverse enough to keep even the moto crossers happy. It would be a blast.. Also if I remember right.... The place were I use to ride in calif. Clear Creek use to hold enduros faily often, Gavin should remember. And that place is still open. Lots of trails and lots of places for all sorts of special tests. It is near King city a bit of drive for me and maybe you but not too far. It could be done in one long drive. Terry told me sometime ago that there is some really good riding areas near Medford OR. That should make it more centralized. OK boys pony up. I bet Vern from the Tulsa club would be willing to help us with setting it up... advice and such. Maybe the first year it could be just a fun event where a bunch of us just meet and go for a ride. That would be cool. nothing formal just a Penton ride, camp and ride some more.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
Big Jon,
If I don't have to pit this year at Daytona I might fly up and enjoy your wonderful state. After all it is Pentons............[:p]. I would of course have to get Thom's permission.[:o)]
Ron Carbaugh
Ha - I was the guy that started this post just to find out if any Pentons were located close to me after I had to decided to find a Penton to buy and start riding again I have now found a Penton which should arrive in about two weeks. Count me in on a West coast ride. I am a novice but will help in any way I can. Great idea !!
Mike H.
San Jose, Ca.
Mike,
I live in San Jose and ride a 73 Penton 250. If you are over 40, we have a vintage group that races in Hollister. Its mostly MX, but we have offroad events and many of the guys meet for trail rides.
George
(408) 995-5363
Count me in for a get together/ride of some kind also. I would be
open to get involved and help out...
Sam McMurry
[email protected]
Mike and all-
Thanks for all the replies and feedback. I'm taking names and contact info and will see if I can help to start arranging to get something started. Ron, You're ALWAYS welcome in the great NW and if you're healthy enough to ride and can fly out for something like this, I'm sure we can arrange a Penton mount for you for sure. Good to meet you in Tulsa.
George- Thanks for the heads up on Hollister. We've got a really good vintage MX thing going right here in our backyard, but would love to try something a bit different and a trailriding group event could be great... maybe something close enough to your area to get a few guaranteed attendees from your group, OR... maybe you can organize some near future two-day, like +40 MX one day and a 30-40 mile fun run in your hills the next day. Sounds like just the ticket. Let's talk further. Thanks, Jon
Jon , Thom
Don't forget the rest of the Northwest ;), count me in.
Dale
Sorry Deek, did not mean to for get ya!
how was the class that kept you from going with us to the reunion?
My brother lives about 15 minutes from the trails in holister,Maybe we could get him out there too. He has not been on a bike in over 30 years.... Some wives just do not understand. I guess I need to introduce her to young Ted. If you get a chance check out the Dec. 2003 issue of trailrider mag. Ted is on the cover. A very young 76 year old Penton rider. Ted was on the mend from a fall several months ago but still mangaged to ride both days and all of the special tests, at the reunion ride. way to go Ted... your my hero!
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
hey, count the guys on Pelican Guano race team in. We will be there with our Pentons and Monarks to ride, race and show. Could be a fun weekend. Great idea about having it in central Oregon as Central CA is too far for the idaho guys; and most of the Seattle guys pass on the central CA races as its a 12 hour drive from Seattle.
That's kinda the way the guys in SoCal feel, too fart to drive one way 12 hours.
Donny Smith
Just think if Team Penton circa 1973 wimped out on 12-hour road trips to make 2-day qualifiers back in the day. Would have been a lot fewer Pentons in the win columns. There'd be about as big a following for Pentons as there are now for Sears Allstates.
I think that all Penton devotees owe it to whomever takes the initiative to organize and put on a worthy event, to make best effort to get there if at all possible. Then with enough following and interest, other more local events will spring up, at least that's been Dick Mann's theory. Hurrah!
Interesting dialog, We promoted Johnston Ranch Trials and MX this last season, "AHRMA" Northwest and are planning on another MX, Post Vintage MX, and trials this next June. Anyway to make a long story short, Dick Mann was my mentor. During a couple of our lengthy conversations he suggested that we look into promoting a West Coast ISDT weekend, here in Southern Oregon. He was inspired by the huge turnouts back east.
I have spoken with a couple of local Forresters who think that US TIMBER may POSSIBLY allow something like that to happen.If anybody is inclined, tell me what the expectation is and what would be required to achieve something like an ISDT Week or Weekend
How much land would be required.
What special test would be needed.
How long would the loops need to be.
How many riders would come.
How many days would the event need to be.
In working with local state and federal government on the last event I think Klamath County would welcome an event like this, with open arms.
Dirk Williams
When I was in my teens and 20's I would drive 2, 3 or 4 days to get to an event, ride the event and trun around and drive home. Now that I'm in my 50's and gas down here is $2.49 to $2.79 a gallon, kinda makes you want to stay closer to home. A big event like the RR or Mid Ohio or something along those lines.....yes. In 1973 I was 22 and could drive about 48 hours non stop. Now days I have trouble drive 4 hours non stop.[8D]
Donny Smith
Hi Mike . I have two 77 MC5s a 250 and a 400. Both in the process of being restored. If I ever get my engine back from Bobby Lucas of Texas. Almost been going on a year now.
Thanks, Danny of Yucaipa Ca.
Posting 07/2002
Yucaipa CA.
Age 50, maintenance mechanic, two 77 Pentons, 250,400 MC-5s.
remember guys if you want a westcoast reunion run and it takes 22 hours to drive from end to end; then modern math says that 11 hours is the middle if we can find the middle then few are really inconvenienced and many are accomodated. The alternative is 18 hour drives for some and and 4 for others. Oregon, selfishly sounds like a good middle ground. 10 hours from LA and southern Oregon is about the same distance from Seattle.
i say if Bryson is willing to try and set something up on the west coast lets help. Count me in for one. Id love to do an ISDE out here.
bill cappel
I have NO experience setting up an ISDT, however until I did Johnston Ranch Vintage MX and Trials last year I had no experience doing a two day Vintage Motorcycle weekend either.
Those with the experience exist, As I layed in bed last night I kinda envisioned an AHRMA ISDT Event with PENTONS being the guest of honor. I did call a good friend last night who is the GM of our local sportsmans park. I ran the idea past him, he loved it even suggesting that the Sportsmans Park be the central local for the Special Events/Banquet/Camping area. Running water tall trees on the Klamath River and existing other amentities are all centrally located.
US Timberland is across the street from this place, they are HUGE with 1000's of miles of land. Tell us what we need and lets see if its possible. Or not.
Dirk
The guys who put on the Trask 2-day Qualifiers would also love to host a Reunion Ride.
Perhaps you West Coast guys could all work together on it. Something to think about though is the lead time for all of the guys East of you to plan out the excursion.
Another guy who might be a good resource in Oregon is Ed Chestnut of Hodaka fame.
Just a thought, or two......
Tony
Hey you West Coast guys, in the Dec. 04 issue of Rider is a story on the 36th annual Hanford Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet, located in Hanford, Cal. On page 65 is a picture of an early 250 Penton Hare Scrambler that looks better than new with the following caption, " Three of the judges, David Carlton, Jody Nicholas and Mike Vils, are seen contemplating an immaculate Penton." The bike appears to have some great signage leaning against the front wheel and some other write-ups hanging from the handlebar, great display. The last thing I thought I would see in Rider was a picture of a Penton!!:D
Any information on the bike, owner and how the bike faired would be appreciated. Congrats to whomever owns, restored and displayed this fine machine.
Paul
Paul, nice of you to praise this guys work. I wish it was mine. There are several penton owners out here that do not particapate in the POG. Some don't probably know that it exists, others may not be aware that you don't have to hold a membership to particapate in the forum or the RR. Part of this is in my mind ia a closed minded attitude within AHRMA. I say this out of opinion and may not have all the ansewrs and facts straight. Some time back I noticed that AHRMA would not advertise any event that was not one of thier own. So that events like the Hanford one ( and I'm not sure of this may be I missed it)were not advertised in the AHRMA vintage views. I do believe that the RR wasn't in vintage views. This type of thing irritates me. All vintage event's should try to if at all possible get the word out that an event is happening. If not then our sport suffers. My question is how do you draw the line on who's in and who's not? Do all bikes at a RR need to be of a specifice year and or cc and what about different makes. If someone want's to bring a Greeves I think that's great. G man. p.s. Southern Oregon seems to be the best compromise.
Dirk - I missed your Johnston Ranch MX, but w/ your experience with that and your idea of a K-Falls area ISDT or some such is a perfect direction. I'm checking with the Kesterson's at Big K Ranch in Elkton to see what they might consider, but didn't realize there was land near the Sportsman's Park-- that could be huge. Another idea might be to piggyback an offroad ride on the day after or before another Johnston Ranch MX if it's to happen again.
A year ago I discussed something like an ISDTRR with the last (I think) active member of the Trask Mtn MC club, who used to put on the Trask Qualifier, and he was not too encouraging about access to areas or getting something going like this from what I could tell. I also attended an OMRA meeting and ran it past Tom Niemela, who heads the Ratdog Dualsport at Trask, and not a lot of excitement from what I could see there either... kinda blew us off saying we'd never meet sound limits. SO...if someone related to Trask is gung-ho for an ISDTRR, would like to know who they are so I can lend a hand and pursue further.
In the meantime I'll shoot you a note offline and maybe we can brainstorm something. Been to 2 ISDTRRs and can advise on how those were set up. Would be great to team with you and help/promote in anyway possible.
Jon McLean, 503-320-7527
Gavin, There were all sorts of bikes at the last Reuninon Ride. And it was a Ahrma event. They made sure we had all of that inorder to sign up. I agree though, We should not be so narrow minded as to only advertise just Ahrma stuff, We have a winter MX series that does quite well with out Ahrma interference ummm I mean help. We have on an averaged 200 to 250 riders each month. And no Tech inpections either. The racing is always good and rare execption everyone plays by the rules. We have some really fast guys up this way.
Bill and I rode some together in the Kalamath area and I think it would be a great place for a Reunion Ride. I am sure that If we asked we could get all the help we needed ie information, spec, scoring methods etc. The reunion ride we did a few weeks ago required a staging area for special test and bike impound and pits/camping are and a place to put a Motocross track, the area like johnston ranch would be about the right size. and then at least two loops of trails. They should be enought to cover 70- 80 miles total. ONe 40 mile loop and another 30 mile loop. The Terrain tests would be held on the loops. So there needs to be a diversity of Terrains. Tight single track, easy single track, fire roads, water crossing, down hills and up hills. NOt too steep or rough because we want to allow for some of the old bigger bikes. Thriumphs BSA's etc. The banquet room needs tobe large enough to seat 300 or better since more than just the riders show up. Lots of the guys bring their families too.
That should give you something to think about. That would be really cool if we could put something like that together.[8D]
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
Johnston Ranch is going to happen again this year. Only it won't be at Johnston Ranch. We have partnered up with a local Sportsman's Park, They have offer up a virgin rolling terrain area with gullies and some fairly cool terrain changes for the vintage MX.
Saturday were running a Post Vintage race and a Trials, with some Saturday night activities, Sunday will be the Vintage MX. It is my goal to Marry a natural terrain track to a prepared track. Ideally the track will be 1 1/4 miles long with roughly 1/2 being on grass track the other half will be a tractor prepared gig.
Ed Parsons and Pete Fisher will be here in the next couple of weeks to lay out the track. I will then groom the natural terrain and plant a semi dry Rye grain grass to germinate and grow under the snow pack.
We will again seed the natural terrain area as the snow melts in early spring. The goal is to have a good grass terrain in place with a good existing root system that can re-generate it's self in a semi dry climate. The Sportsmans Park has committed to sinking a well out back for us,in about 24 to 36 months.
The Natural Terrain work will be done by Xmas and the majority of the tractor prepared track will also be done. Billdough Has arrainged for the loan of tractors to complete the task.
Incidently Bill Cappel and John Cappel have both seen the location. Perhaps both could comment on the site location and potential.
Dirk Williams
PS forgive my spelling I'm in a hurry to get to church.
I think the terrain will make one of the best tracks ever. If any of you remember mammoth Mountain in the early years I think this track will remind you of it and be even better. To me Mammoth Mt was the best track ever. Here you will have many elevation changes and steep downhills into big bermed turns heading right back up another hill with great soil and multiple lines everywhere. Racing through the trees with a view to the river will provide a postcard beautiful environment. I cant wait.
Bill Cappel
That sounds great, thanks for the heads up. I will be look forward to racing there. It is hard to find a good track that actually has up hills and down hills. The track at Eddieville is a huge course with lots uphills and down, jumps and off camber, hard pack and some soft stuff too. It was sure a hoot to race on. My favorite track back when I was still racing in Calif. was at Watsonville. It was in the fairgrounds and the track was carved out of the side of the hill. It had a front straightaway that launched you off onto a down hill that had a hairpin corner at the bottom. It was high banked and lots of room to slow down. The track at brentwood was great too. lots of sand and plenty of places to go fast. It could get rough though.
The track at the reunion was great fun. I would have like to seen a few more incline changes and maybe a jump or two.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5
Looks like a west coast ISDT event is already in the planning stages, event site is being scouted this weekend by one of the great ones. I'm sure they will let us know when it's time.
Dirk Williams
You go Dirk.... Let us willing VDR guys know how we might help or volunteer. I vote for a 3-day event at Sportsman park, ISDT day, Vintage MX day and Evo MX day. Maybe even a Cross-country like at Honey Lake last year.
Jon McLean
503-320-7527
Wow! you guys, this is exciting!
You can count on me covering the event in Cycle News and, hopefully competing, if I can complete the Penton. I'm sure Dirk would have a "spare" Monark for me if the steel tanker project stalls. I'll help any way that I can.
Clay
Boys I didn't mean to mislead you, It's not me doing it, I can only say that something is in the works. When it's a "go" those who are doing the foot work will proudly make the announcement.
Dirk