Please name the rider, brand and size of bike and what race or what year you think this race took place.
http://www.pentonusa.org/archive/homepage/index_121504.html
Good luck and as usual, have fun,
Sherriff Ron Carbaugh
Doug Wilford, 1974 Puch 175
Tony
Bike is a 1973 1/2 250cc Carle Cranke is the rider.
G Ellis- Like your preciseness... what suggests the 1/2 of the 1973 1/2 model, out of curiosity? Do those shocks look like the popular early 70s aftermarket brand engineered in CA by a guy, first name Charlie?
As in Curnutts........................O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
Yes shocks, Expansion chamber has a removable chome heat shield. Expansion chamber has two port outlet muffler. Motor finished in black. Green number plate. Am I getting close?:D
Somewhat close somewhat far:D.
Ron Carbaugh
Is it a 73 1/2 Ithink it could be a two day in the west.
Well, since you mentioned something about your "original '73 Harescrambler" in a topic over on the "for sale" side. I would have to say that, Ron "Deputy of the Desert" Carbaugh is his name....dodging cactus is his game. :D
Thanks for another cool photo, and good topic.
Bob
OK,
So far Robs comment on a original 1973 250 is correct and George it is a two day out west. Still there are special things about the bike and the rest of the questions. Rob I like your deductive skills and George you are relentless. Keep trying and I will guarrntee when this one is finished there will be some neat History come out.
O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
The bike has a one of a kind water holder.:D:DBy the way my first name is Gary not George.:(The year 1975. It has a different front rim than stock.
Gary............Sorry,
The Sherrif will inflict his own punishment. Probably two hours of reading Keeping Track. Is that good enough?
1. The water holder may be more of clue than you think.
2. Year is not 1975. Rim I am not sure without studing the picture closer............I will.
You are hanging in there. You may be close to qualifing for the Rob W Award for never giving up.
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Is the tank held down by a strap? I thought this kind of tank didn't need a strap.
Motor strut is missing, whats up with that? Thought these were needed.
Gary,
I would like to answer, but I'm punished for two hours. You are on to something...........but it is a reach.
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Ok, there's a very small gray radiator on the bottom of the front number plate, tied to a secondary water supply/drinking system strapped to the tank, providing liquid coolant to a proto-type "cool head". Either that or the photo is blurry and fins look solid on top?
Rider has Cranke's hair out the back of the helmet, but doesn't look like his nose to me. I'll make a stab-- '73 250 with a 175 pipe guard, Don Cutler riding the Mint 400 in 1974.
Eric Jensen
Barstow, CA.
1974
Shamrocks M.C. 2 Day-Qualifier
Gold
?
Brob
Rob,
Not the correct race, but you are in the right part of the USA but go a year before and you might start to tracking down the Race.[^]
Does the Sherriff notice a transition from Rob To Bob? Just checking...............:).
Ron Carbaugh
The event is Trask Mountain 2-Day Qualifier in 1973.
No Sir...........but you guys are getting closer.
Ron Carbaugh
Hood Texas Qualifier.
With the help of your hints, I now have reason to believe the race is either the "Red Garter Enduro", or the "Greenhorn Enduro".
I'll go with the Red Garter, I know a Penton took O.A. at that event. I would if I could, but I can't tell you yet who the rider was/is.
The rider's helmet in this photo has the older-style stripes, before they vee'd from front to back. That tells me he's an early-time guy, maybe an elder for the time?
Thanks,
Bro b
1973 2 day qualifier out West. I don't remember any part of Trask or Ft. Hood being this dry. Rob, what 2 days were there in 73? You should have that info.
Larry P
You guys amaze me with you talent for talking about things that happened 31 years ago like it was yesterday. Rob you ARE really on to something about the helmet. As for the race no one has hit on it yet. There is still work to be done on the information on the bike.
Just a heads up that word got back to the Sherriff that last months Quiz was too easy kinda like a National Enduro we had in Texas back in 1985. I haven't seen the persons name that thought it was tooo easy trying to answer this months quiz[:o)]. Oh by the way the same National (in Texas) in 1986 only 8 people finished. I think the quote to Cycle News in 1985 was "Texans put on a nice Family Enduros".
Just a little humour to go along with having fun.........[:p]
Ron Carbaugh
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Omar Sherriff has to make a technical correction on one of the answers.
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Dr.Rob W had the correct race,but wrong year.........Barstow/Shamrock is correct.
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Sherriff will read the answers a little closer in the future.
Ron Carbaugh
Looks like the front wheel hub is off of a , dare say Japanese bike?
Ted
Ted,
I think what you are looking at is a new hub. Thanks for the guess.
O. Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
June 24, 1973 - The fifth round of the qualifying events for the American ISDT team was held in the Shamrock's desert country east of Barstow.
The Manufacturers Team award was won by the Penton "B" team consisting of Tom and Jack Penton, and Bill Uhl. The best Individual Performance is not regarded as very important in the ISDT where team is everything, but in the U.S. Qualifying rounds best individual performance is highly valued and merits an award equal to the team awards.
In the Shamrocks event the contest was extremely close between Jack Penton and Lane Leavitt (Bultaco) who finished 1st and 2nd in the 350 class. Lane Leavitt's reputation is that of a English trials rider, so when his score in the special tests came up better than most all the desert specialists, alot of people were more than shocked. They were'nt completely recovered when Jack Penton caught and passed him. The fact that this was the first time in the desert for both Leavitt and Penton did nothing to ease the astonishment.
An easterner and a trials rider brave 120 degree temperatures to beat the desert boys on their home ground!
This trial was without a doubt one of the most difficult events to have been held that year. The temerature on the desert on Saturday was well over 100 degrees most of the day and may well have been as high as 120 degrees in some of the deep canyons and blow sand areas.
The course took over 8 hours to complete. More than 60% of the entrants were out of competition at the end of the first day. Of those who dropped out, at least half had machines that were still running. Fatique and heat exaustion did them in.
Triumph mounted a very heavy effort, Dave Mungenast had a real heartbreaking situation when he discovered his card was missing midway through the hot Saturday afternoon.
Jim Hollander ran very well at this event on his 125, proving and earning his spot on a team.
They had 108 entrants, 32 finishers.
Penton Riders finish
350 Class Jack Penton Gold
175 Class Bill Uhl Gold
175 Class Jeff Penton Gold
175 Class Cosby Chestnut Silver
125 Class Jim Hollander Gold
125 Class Tom Penton Gold
125 Class Mike McGowen Gold
That's all I know, now I'll guess the rider pictured to be..............[?]...............hot!.
Brob
Rob W,
You are sooo good probably the best, but the rider isn't mentioned in this article since he didn't finish. Actually on the first day this rider was in first place in his class. Second day there was a problem with the bike(heaven forbid). Now we need the rider and what is special about the bike.
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Here is a few observations maybe a answer maybe not.Could the gas tank be the first hi-point aftermarket tank?Also could the penton checker flags on the tank be the first for that sticker/emblem?
I also notice no speedo/odo.Also if the temps were so hot why the jacket?
One last thing what is the red sticker on the helmet?
Thanks for the quiz sheriff :)
Bobby Stults
If it is a "first" of something or other, I'd guess more like it was one of the first Penton 250 Hare Scrambler's to come over. At this time (June '73) even the big Penton dealers were not advertising that the "New 250" was available. Although I suppose there were more starting to get out to the higher-ups than you might thing.
In this same event, Jack Penton's 250 sported a new aluminum tank, only it was the more modern design yet. The type with the high crest at the front top. Commonly seen on Knute's Pentons. I thought that seemed like quite an early time for that tank to come out.
Bob
King Rob,
It is/was the first 250 Penton in the USA. I can't believe you got it. The A J Foyt cowboy hat has to come off in honor of that answer. NOW WHO WAS THIS VETRAN RIDER????? I will follow up with more on the reason the bike didn't finish as soon as the rider is identified.
O. Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
Gee....I've never been good at anything before [:I]
Thankya, thankya, Omar! :D
Brrrr'obbb
Lars Larsson?
Right Rob. Never been good at anything. You have raced and done very well at race tracks that people could of only dream at having raced at.
Big John(Mac).........great guess, but not correct.
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Not sure about the rider but that's the 2nd "73" 250 I have seen with aluminum fenders. The 3rd is in my shop uncompleted but not too far from it!
O.S.
Rider in picture = Mr. John Penton
Bob.
Brob W,
That is a excellent guess because our race face may not equal our nice guy face before and after a race. Since you brought up Mr. Penton's name I will say that this guy is a vetran that Mr.Penton turned to at times when he wanted a good showing. Now that I think of it Mr. Penton had some great names to turn to for big races.
HINT: I'm from Texas and this guy was someone close to my home. There are pictures of him in "Keeping Track".
Ron Carbaugh
Was it Bud Ekins? Ted
No Sir. Thanks for the guess.
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Preston Petty? Ted
That nose looks really familiar??? Who could that be?
Donny Smith
Dave Mungenast might be the rider?
Astronomer/racer Dave Latham?
No
Yes it does.
No
No
O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
Dear Mr. Sherriff, May I take another shot?
Drum roll........
Gene Cannady
Yes ____ No____
****************** NO *************************
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
Mike Lewis?
Donny Smith
Big "D",
You are CORRECT.
Donny you have to share with the people about where you grew up and who, what and where you obtained you first Penton.
Great job I will follow up with more on this months quiz after Donny tells his story.
Thanks Donny......I was wondering when you were going put the big piece of the puzzle together.
Ron Carbaugh
It took me a while to reconize Mike, because most of the time he had a beard.
Ron wants me to do a brief history of my first Penton, so here goes for those of you that don't know.
In about 1966, I bought my first new motorcycle, a 1966 Honda S 90 from the local Honda dealer. I rode the wheels off that bike, from flat track to scrambles to riding it back and forth to school. As we moved into late 68, motocross was the NEW motorcycle event to do. The Honda Dealer (also Bultaco, Husqvarna, Triumph, American Eagle, and some other brands as well) became the Penton Dealer. My best friend was the Dealer's brother in law, and he would always tell me about the new bikes that were in. I was in the market for a new bike to ride MX with and my friend started telling me about the new Bultacos. So, we drove down to the shop in January (for my birthday) to look at the Bultaco, well sitting on the floor was a different looking green and white Penton Six Day. I took one look at it and said that is the Bike I have to have so I bought it right then. The owner way in the back working on his Six Day. The dealer was none other than Mike Lewis. Later in that year, Mike wanted to install a 152 Kit in my Penton, since I wasn't a small guy I could use all the extra power I could get. Well, a week went by and my bike still wasn't ready. Come to find out that they were waiting for Leroy Winter to had deliver the new sunburst head for my bike. WOW! Two of my Heroes worked on MY Penton. You can't get much better than that! Mike and I continued our relationship, I bought my new Jackpiner from him in 1972, and in 73 I bought a Ford Club Wagon Van from his as well. At a MX race in the summer, my bike broke because of human error and Mike took the part off his bike to help me get the bike fixed so I could run the 2nd and 3rd Motos (yes, we ran 3 motos in those days). Oh, another thing, in October of 1969, I got hurt at a race and ended up spending 3 weeks in the Hospital. Mike Lewis came to visit me! At 17, that made a lasting impression that I will always remember. In December or 2001, I bought a new 2002 KTM SX 125 from Mike and had it shipped to California. He really didn't remember me at the time. However, In June of this year, I stopped in to visit Mike and as soon as he saw me, he remembered me. To this day, he is still one of my all time Heroes. I can remember the hours and hours I spent in the shop after it closed working on race bikes and being visited by many great racers, like the late Freddie Nix, Gary Nixon, Leroy Winters, Danny Ware and many, many others as well. Lawton Oklahoma. If you ever go through there, stop and visit with Mike Lewis, he is still a KTM dealer and most of all A great American Racer. He even tought me how to change a shift key without splitting the cases.
Donny Smith
Thanks to everyone that participated and for those that emailed me personally with wrong guess'. One thing that I hope we all agree on is that we all learn more history about the Penton Motorcycle and thae people that put them in the Glory Days of the late 60's and 70's.
Mike Lewis has always been one of my favorites because he was never scared to try something new in search of doing things better. I had the honor of working with Mike while being at Honda and his input, along with his best friend LeRoy Winters, on our enduro bikes was priceless. Mike was picked for rides like the one in this picture because I feel Mr.Penton wanted a veteran who he knew could start and finish a race while taking care of his bike.
Speaking of this picture and the race. Mike was leading his class after the first day and was coming into a gas stop the second day when the bike quit. The bike had been raced in the East and by the time he got it (from Penton Central) it had too many hours on it and had a wrist pin failure. But as Mike remembers it this was the first 250 to come into USA.
As Donny (Smith) stated Mike is still a KTM dealer in Lawton Oklahoma and he did very well at the recent 6 Day Reunion on a 400 KTM. Nice guy and Great Rider.
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How many 6 days did Mike ride? The mention of the stripes on the helmet was a great point...what was the last year for USA to use this design?
Ron Carbaugh
Thank You Ron for doing this !! I love learning more about Pentons !! Do you have anything on the enduro that was ran in Atlanta G.A.?[?]
Thomas Carmichael
Wow this thread was really fun ... I really enjoyed it .... I hope we can do more ... BT
Brian Taylor
Brian & others,
We're not finished with this months QUIZ yet!
How many 6 days did Mike ride and what year(s)? The mention of the stripes on the helmet was a great point...what was the last year for USA to use this design?
Thomas,
On the subject of the Atlanta Enduro are you talking about Stone Mountain?
Thanks for everyones input.
Omar Sherriff(according to Brob)
Ron Carbaugh
Yes Ron Stone Mt. I would love to learn about it because it was close to home and I have heard some stories about it. Thanks
Thomas Carmichael
Mike rode the ISDT in 1970, 1971 and 1972. He then rode the ISDE in 1994. AND a few Reunion Rides as well
Donny Smith
Donny,
You are correct again on the 6 day events. Thanks for your great input.
Anyone have the answer to the on the helmet?
O.S.
Ron Carbaugh
The triangular sticker on the helmet is an old school A.M.A. sticker
1975 Penton 100 racer (back-in-the-saddle)
Thanks!!
Bobby Stults
How about the two white stipes????????????
Ron Carbaugh
The last year for the parallel stripe ISDT helmets, was 1970, the El Escorial event. I was just learning about the ISDT at that point, so I didn't go. The next year, when I was chosen to go the Isle of Man for the ISDT, I didn't even know that I'd be getting a new helmet. When I learned that I was going to get one, I was so excited, that I'd be getting a striped helmet. When the helmets arrived, they had the "skunk stripe" pattern and frankly, I was rather disappointed about it.
For those that don't know about the striped helmets, let me fill you in. Each country that entered the ISDT, had a particular color pattern to their helmets, so you could identify the country of the rider. There used to be pictures of the different countries' helmets, in the FIM rules, but I was unable to locate them in the current rules.
Dane
Dane I have something if you want me to send to you or to the admin to post for the different colours of countries ..... Brian T ( green with white stripe ) :)
Brian Taylor
Dane,
Thanks for the input and correct answer on the helmet. I especially appreciate the part where you got your new helmet for 1971 and were disappointed. GREAT STORY.
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Since we now have discovered 1971 was the first year of the New type Skunk Design helmet just for fun lets see if anyone knows who was the top American that year at the 6 Day ISDT?
O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
Dane Leimbach with a score of 0,64.1 Gold metal.
On what size Penton???
Ron Carbaugh
Prototype 175 penton.
[V].....not correct, but the good news is you answered a VERY tough question in record time. Thanks.
O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
A 100 cc Berkshire.
Bobby Stults
I'll take a guess. I recall Dane riding a 125 locally back than, so my guess is a 125. Boy those were the days, when Dane and the Penton Bros. showed at Meadowlarks you figured on dropping several places. Simply unbeatable in the early 70's. Fond memories.
Jim
I agree on the 100 Berkshire.
[^] Correct it is a 100 Penton Berkshire. Thanks Bobby and Randy..........my favorite Penton. Makes one wonder about the old argument of big bike verses small bike. Congratulations Dane. What a performance on your first ISDT.
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Ron Carbaugh
I guess I was just focusing on the true format of the event: team competition. I never paid any attention to the individual results until firstturn pointed it out to me. Thanks for noticing.
Dane
Ron was that Dane's first 6 day? I was just wondering if it was.
That was my first ISDT. It just goes to show, that ignorance is bliss. I had no concept of the magnitude of the event, and just went about doing the best I could.
Dane
I am waiting on some more info on the bike from this post. We know who the rider is, and event. What about the bike? What was the water bottle for? What is so special about the bike?
Gary,
The canteen is just that a canteen. The answer on the bike was that it was the first 250 Penton that came into the USA. Check the 11/10/04 post by firstturn.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron did that one have the Military crank in IT?
Inquireing minds want to know![:o)][:o)]
John D.
John,
I think you being on vacation is making you start discussions I can't finish. You need to get busy with the velocity stack in the air box project.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron ,
I have been catching up on all sleep lost in the last 3 months chuckle chuckle. I wake up for a couple of hours and this stuff pops into my mind [}:)]. I still havent figured out how to make up the bell on the velo stacks with the equipment i have. The shape is critical to how efficent the stack will work. That and what to use for a spray bar on the NOS system.[8D]
John D.
John,
Don't worry about the bell. I think I have a spare....but I'll check with Santa first[:o)].
Ron Carbaugh
Hey Santa's
Hard Drive crashed and his info on me was corrupted so you can't count on his recomendations!!!!!!!! His dog ate the printed copy. That guy always gives me a hard time.[B)]
John D.
John,
Well since I believe you, why don't you email me your address and I will submit to Santa and see what happens.
PS:I think you first grade teacher told me you used that "dog ate my homework" excuse on her???
Ron Carbaugh
Its on the way Ron,
Thanks,
No i told her i was attacked by Indians. Back then she believed it chuckle chuckle. I'm giving away my age:)
John D.
Seminole?
Ron Carbaugh
Osage , Oto tribes,
The Old farm has been in the family since 1828 ( thats as far back as the records go ). The family here in the US started out with a French trapper and an Indian maiden. chuckle chuckle
John D.
.....and the French trapper had an old plow mule that he got to pull like an Ox using an old boot, some leather strapping, and a leaf.
If John has a riding lawn mower, I'd bet it does 80mph.....in 2nd.
Tony, who has John on his cell phone speed dial for internal Sachs emergencies!
Just a follow-up to the Quiz. Just to bring full circle and a little history in closing of this months Quiz.
Mike Lewis
Lawton Oklahoma
Born in Shawnee Oklahoma, Mike started riding motorcycles at the age of 14 years old. Two racers, Jerry Mathews and Leon Bush, noticed the talent of Mike at this young age and spent the next three years teaching him the tricks of the trade. At the time Mike was proving himself as a formiable rider in every venue on a 165 Harley.
In 1959 Mike moved to California and it was there that he was exposed to many different types of motorcycle competition. Mike won many events on the 165 Harley and early Jawas. 1959 was a turning point for Mike in that he won his class in the famous Green Horn 500, which was a two day desert enduro. He was also the first rider to ever finish that 500 mile event on a 125.
After the racing and learning new skills in California he returned to Oklahoma and bought a Harley Davidson dealership. In 1966 he took on Honda, then Husky in 1967 and Penton followed in 1969.
In 1970, 1971 and 1972 rode the ISDT and could have ridden more if there hadn't been some words with the then person in charge of AMA ISDT participates. Mike stood his ground and just picked his events after that to attend and in some cases won. Remember the year he started and remember he made the 1994 ISDE and he was at the Reunion Ride this year. As one person told me when they saw me sitting at the table with Mike at the Reunion..the legend lives on.
Another Legend of the early Penton Days does live on and Mike carried the banner for Penton well for many races. I couldn't end the story if I didn't tell about start of the second day of this years Reunion. Mike was at the start and calmly waited for his number. He looked over at me as the number came up and winked. At the touch of a button of the 400 KTM was off....just his way of saying I have earned the right to have the Majic button to get the big bore started. Thanks Mike for the great memories and Friendship.
The Sherriff is working late in the dark room for the new Quiz. Please stay tuned and thanks for the record numbers of visitors to this months Quiz. The Quiz is for the enjoyment of our members and guests of this site. Thanks for making it a success. O.Sherriff
Ron Carbaugh
Stay with me I am having the picture sent to via a downlink....sounds fast right. Only problem is the satelite with the transmitter is orbiting the third moon of Pluto. Those guys at NASA where told to make it orbit the moon, but not which one. That's what happens when you locate a Control Command in Texas.[8]
Ron Carbaugh