i'm trying to figure out how the upper shock mount should be on my 400 penton that i'm working on. the shocks are currently cantilevered which as we know is not vintage legal. the swingarm has the multi position layout but the mounting area for the top mount doesn't really have a place for the shock to sit in. there is a piece of metal tubing that is about where the shock grommet should be, but its welded in and it looks like it was the original way it came from the factory. i used to own a 250 way back when that had the multi- position shock layout so i'm not totally unaware of how it should be, but i really want to get this thing race ready and this one is throwing me a curve. any suggestions? thanks, chicago jerry
Jerry,
I would run it by Dale's shop or send me a picture. Sounds like someone has done some handy work.
By the way didn't you have the FIRST cantilevered Penton in your area back in the 70's?
Ron Carbaugh
Jerry,
That metal tube you're talking about, just in front of where the seat mounting screws go, that's your upper shock mount. You take the same 10mm bolt that was used to mount the shock in the laid-down position, and put that bolt through the mounting tube. The head of the bolt is to the inside of the frame/ threads sticking out.
For 4" of travel I have my 13 1/2" Works Per. shocks in that upper shock mount, and in the middle of the 5 holes for the lower bolt.
If there's any more info you need, don't hesitate to ask.
Bob Wardlow
thanks bob, that sure explains it. i knew posting that would get me the info i needed. thanks. can't wait to try to ride it.
and yes, ron, i had what i believe to be the first 250 penton in illinois with the multi-postion rear shocks. but i don't recall the set up with the shocks being completely external of the frame on the top mount. thanks again folks, i'm getting addicted to this site. by the way, anyone going to ky this weekend? chicago jerry
Two Questions. Where/who is Dales shop?...And who are you, chicagojerry.
Thanks
chicagomike
hi, i'm chicago jerry. i'm originally from south surburban chicago until i moved to amherst oh for my job in 1986. my last name is grakauskas which no one could remember so the nickname has stuck. dale's shop is actually "on the edge honda/suzuki" which is formerly penton honda.
any other questions? go bears! i still miss italian beef, jays potato chips, old style beer, chicago style hotdogs and aurelios pizza
Hi Jerry, is was nice meeting you at 800 MX park last weekend. How did you do on Sunday?
BTW, Teddy Landers won his class in the CC event to wrap up another national title, and I believe Lew Meyer won his class in the CC, also.
hi mick, i ended up winning even after falling in the first moto. i pretty much wrapped up the points chase, if my math is right. good to meet you too. jerry
Jerry, I grew up in Hinsdale outside Chicago and later moved to Peoria and boy do I miss Aurelios pizza too!!! I get some every chance I get when Im up there. Man thats good stuff!!! What years and type of racing did you do up there?
hi mike, i used to race a little mx in the early 70's. i saw mark barnett race a yamaha mini-enduro for yamaha of gary before he moved to a honda xr 75 for b&e honda. but i soon converted to hare scrambles and enduros. i joined the hill and gully enduro riders and actually became the trail boss for a couple of years. my job situation got worse and i had to quit riding for a few years in the early/mid 80's because i had no medical insurance. after moving to ohio in 87. i got back into some h/s but the older i got the more difficult it became to recover. so up until last year i was only riding 1 or 2 events, and admittedly not very well. then i was introduced to vintage racing with ahrma and now i'm hooked bad. thats my story and i'm sticking to it.
73 250 harescrambler
74 250 harescrambler
75 400 mint
2 74 can am 250's
3 74 250 elsies
78 husky cr 250
Hi Jerry, contact me off-topic at
[email protected]
Just so everyone knows the lay down position on the multible shock frames is ahrma vintage legal with travel limiters, 1 1/4 " spacers on a 13 5/8 " works performance shocks equals 4" travel . The lay down position causes the bike to kick less on bad braking bumps compared to the standard position. Just my 2 cents. Thanks Dennis 90m KTM mc250