Are there any of those old fashion sell out of your old barn stores left that made companys like Husky, Penton, Ktm a fun place to buy, or are they all the big time don't know a soul type that seem to be taking over?
After buying 14 new KTM's since 1983, I just bought a Husky, because I found a good old fashion dealer, that takes me back to what it used to be like. Almost all the new KTM dealers are big show room don't know anything type. Bigger is not better.
Be interesting to here about some of those old stores.
Terry Laible
Terry,
I know the feeling about the new stores that really are more concerned about financing your bike and writing life insurance than understanding you have to mix Oil with the Gas??? One such store is new(in building only), but it has the staff that has that cares and are like Family. The store is located in Amerst Ohio and sells KTM/Honda/Suzuki and is owned by Dale Barris. Dale started with Penton before he could drive(oh he could race and was good at it). Dale helped POG get started with the original meetings held at his store and would be what I consider as part of the founder/pioneers of POG. If you are looking for a great dealership and someone who cares this is a good place to start.
Just for you Penton Historians this was the Original Penton Brothers Honda.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron, Thanks for sharing that great story. This is what is missing in most of the stores today. No History. My favorite store today might be the BMW Dealer in Rock Island IL. Wood floor, old glass counter,and old racing pictures, and an owner who can talk old time racing till you can't take no more. My favorite KTM Dealer is H&H, they are the real thing, they have history just as Penton Brothers Honda has. Looking for more stories, names, and places of these little old MX stores. What did it take back then, and how many bikes did you have to sell to be a dealer. There must be one left somewhere.
Terry Laible
Terry,
Thanks for the heads up on on the Rock Island Dealer. Also, if anyone is traveling through South Texas I will be happy to give a list of old dealers to stop and see. Only problem is a lot of the old racers have retired and hence they are just not the places they were.
Ron Carbaugh
Terry
Just wondering where you are from? Smitty's is my favorite shop to visit. I have bought a couple of BMW's from him and usually get down to his shop once or twice a month. Where did you buy your Husky at?
Rocket
Rocket,
I got my Husky from Hall's Husqvarna in Springfield IL. They are the old time store that places you and racing first, not big show room and number of bikes sold. I've never bought a bike from them, because they don't handle KTM, so I finaly jumped ship to have a good old fashion dealer to work with. I'm from central IL., where about 20 years ago it seemed there was alot of small dealers working out of small building, selling bikes to there friends, and racing on Sunday. They have all but gone now and we are left with the big power dealers, that I will not buy from, or dealers that couldn't fix your bike if there life depended on it, and not to mention a new salesman and mechanic every month, or is it technicion and salesperson.
Terry Laible
Terry,
Where are they located? I have a trip planned to Springfield in 2005. Thanks.
Ron Carbaugh
Those dealers are not as plentiful because you can hardly be that way anymore and get a dealership. Not that long ago I looked at what it took to get a KTM dealership and one of the requirements was a 10,000 square foot store. The cool mom and pop ones are leftovers from when KTM or whoever would take anyone with the $$$ to buy three or four bikes. Alas that day is gone.
Larry P
I agree with you guys. I do not like the new style Steelerships as I call them. I buy all my stuff from Powersports in Hilliard FL. Tony is a great guy and always out at the races with his booth. I went in to a new dealership to buy some new race gear while back and got no help or service what so ever. This lack of customer service has kept me from buying a new bike every year. The last modern bike I got was a VOR enduro I bought off Ebay. I liked the old days growing up in PA when you could test drive a bike out on the back lot or take it out on the street. I remember testing an OSSA Desert Phantom blasting areoun the MX track the guy has then taking it out on the street. What a great bike. Does any one remember GKR in Spring City PA they sold Husky and Penton in the 60's and 70's. Steves Cycles which sold CZ in Pottstown PA in the early 70's. They sponsored a young Tony Destefano.
i have to second the opinion about dale barris' "on the edge" honda/suzuki/ktm. despite the fact that they are certainly a modern and well equipped shop they have great history and are very knowledgeable and helpful.i've been around a lot of shops over the years and his is at the top of the heap. i could not have done as well in the ahrma stuff this year without their assistance. thanks dale for everything, i'm proud to list your place as my sponsor.
"chicago" jerry
Ron - Larry - Desmond
I have a decent old hole in the wall dealer story.Here it is maybe it makes some sense.
I love the old pentons and all model and years of KTM's.But my friend [who I had a post about all of his bikes being stolen].Was a KTM dealer from 1980-1994.This is when KTM decided to clean out all of it's mom and pop small operations because they only sold 3-4 bikes a year and only a few thousand dollard of parts.It did not matter to him what was going on he would help you out he would rob a part off any bike to get you going for the next race or call up someone close to see if they had a part.He would do everything possible to get you back going.He would rebuild anything on your bike it did not matter he would build a complete engine in one night or if he didn't get it done he would pull his on engine out of one of his bikes and put it in your bike.And he would never charge a dime for labor.He has forgot more about bike than I will ever know.They just don't make many people like that anymore.
The deal is.It really did not matter to KTM that they hung with them through all the crappy years just when things started picking up they dumped them.They dumped him so I dumped KTM and so did several other people.This has I know cost KTM very many new bike sales and parts over the last 10 years.So in 1995 I bought my first Suzuki RMX 250 and have never considered buying a new KTM since.I now have a KX 250 and still do all my business with this old dealer and you can get anything you need in the aftermarket these days.
This could be the trick for all you guys find you a dealer that just deals in used bikes and aftermarket parts they are a lot of these guys around.And leave all these high zoot places out and support the little guys.
Desmond you can thank all the insurance companies for the end of most all demo rides.I am now off my soapbox now.
Bobby Stults
Ron,
Hall's is easy to find just let me know when your coming, maybe someway you could drive by my place and check out my Pentons and even do some riding, or just sit and admire the Pentons, because those are just for looking.
Keep the old time MX shop stories coming. This is just to much fun. Does anyone have a count and name of all the old Penton Stores, and what you had to do to be one?
Terry Laible
Terry,
Hall's is a great place. Jay does a wonderful job, plenty of parts always in stock and a very knowledgable and super staff. They have been around for a long time. Where are you located? I am in Canton, and am always looking to meet new friends with Penton's.
John Hardin
john hardin
Terry, I live in Califonia and Hall's is where I order my Husky parts from. They have always been able to come through and find the parts I've needed, even if they had to back order them. I'd like to see the store some day, but I can't imagine when I'll be in Illinois again. I rode my bike through that state this summer and corn and soybeans all look the same after six states. G man. p.s. My local Husky dealer could care less if I even exist. When I needed parts for my 86 400 he just told me to forget about it.
Terry,
I have a list that was sent to me by Penton so that I could get parts back when I was traveling/racing. I will try at some point( have time ) to go over some of the stories that I remember on how some dealers became Penton Dealers. The real source for some of the best stories would be Doug Wilford.
What a great subject and yes I would like to visit when I go to Springfield. I met the daughter of the old Indian dealer back a few years ago and this LADY had some wonderful stories. You know that most people think the capital of Illinois is Chicago....Springfield is a great town with tons of history...nice place to go for a mile race.
Ron Carbaugh
Two shops come to mind, one from the past and one present.
I would have loved to have visited John Durrill's Penton shop, and I bet that Speedy's KTM shop in Canada is a fun visit.
I delivered parts for the now gone Fox Distributing back in the late 70's. I delivered all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. There were some great shops in those days and I made a lot of friends.
Sadly, of all of those shops the only ones that remain are now only parts and accessory shops that sell a limited inventory of used bikes.
Tony
Tony,
What was the name of the old shop either south of Denton??? He had a flat track behind his shop? any clues? If not I will find out the name.
Ron Carbaugh
Ron,
Was it off of I-35?
I remember a couple of shops that had tracks, or something like a track.
I do remember a shop around the Lake Dallas/Lewisville area that reveived a lot of flat track parts but I don't remember the track.
I was in school at the time, and some of those memories are a bit fuzzy! [:p]
Tony
Avon/LaPorte KTM has always been fair. Randy & Barney are always helpful, only place you can interrupt the machanic (Barney) and he'll answer your questions. Fun place to bench race. Sorry....KTM purchased them and will take over in January 2005. Not sure what they are going to do. Refab dealer buy backs or something? You guys are right Dale Barris is the best. Bought my boy his first bike (Honda 80) there and whens he's ready for a KTM I'll buy it from Dale.
Jim
Gotta put my vote in for my local KTM/Husky/Ducati dealer...LETKO COMPETITION CYCLES in Kansas City, KS. Jim Letellier is the off-road half of LETKO (Jim Koenig is the Ducati guru there) and he is everything a dealer should be, in my mind. They are not the biggest, the newest, the cheapest, or any of that, but they have always treated me with HONESTY and FAIRNESS and they will do their best to help you with any problem you have. Back when I was actively racing on a Husaberg (they use to handle those, too) my bike was in the shop for valve work and they couldn't get the parts in time, so Jim let me use his personal bike (ex-Team Mexico '94 ISDE bike) for two consecutive weekends of hare scrambles...all I did was show up and ride. My closest thing to being a sponsored rider ever! How many dealers will let you do that? In return, when I bought the first RFS KTM Jim sold, I let him have it for a month to ride so he could see if he wanted one for hare scrambles and enduros (he waited a couple of years and now has a 250 RFS). Anyway, if you need KTM or Husky help in Kansas City area, LETKO is THE place to go (there is another KTM dealer in town, but they are big multi-brand cycle-atv-watercraft dealers who only care about selling you a bike, nothing else).
Jeff DeBell
Amen Jeff!
Jim and Jim were always real good to me when I raced KTM's out of their shop in the 80's and I lived in Lawrence Kansas. I strayed once and got one from Freedom and learned the hard way that cheaper isn't always. LETKO hooked me up with the now famous 495 Dirtbike Magazine cover bike after it went back to KTM to be refurbished. I raced it then in the 84 World Championship Desert Race put on by Casey Folks.
Yep Jim and Jim at LETKO get my vote too. Good call Jeff.
Larry P
So many great stories, of the ultimate store. If anyone deals in Trials you know there are still alot of small sell out of your barn stores left. If you call Ryan Young Products (Sherco) you might just here Ryan answer the phone, or call Rising Sun Imports (Gas Gas) you will talk to Jim Snell The best trials mechanic anywhere in the world. I bought from both and they are the best.
Who was the favorite Penton dealer and the worst?
Terry Laible
Tony, Ron this is neat. I am from Dallas/Ft Worth and I would vote for Les Stults and the old Bultco/KTM on Lanacaster near downtown Fort Worth. What is sad.is like you said after the lean years these guys were dropped. I remember one day in 1993 when7-8 bikes went out-then I helped pick up two more. We uncrated, set them up,and even a few runs down the sidestreet. When I looked for a bike in 99 he was not around. I decided to pass.
Anyone else remeber this shop?
I think the one woth the track is now Bates cycle parts(or is it still there? I haven't been home to look in a few years).
How about Sammy White's Kawasaki City in my hometown of Irving, Tx.?
Phil Plymale still there? Those guys took care of people and sold a lot of bikes. I guess if I ever get a new one I owe it to them.
One last shop..Anyone remeber Maico of Dallas in Irving on Irving blvd? that is where I firtst drooled over European Mxers that were so tall I could not imagine riding them. I am 6'2'..but they are long gone. Anyone else remember them ? James
You dont stop racing because you get old..you get old because you have children
When it comes to old Penton dealers back in "The Day" in Texas there will never be one more notable in my mind than Bill Kasson Yamaha in Austin. This was a true racing shop with Bill, Mike(LG), and Joe Kasson all racing at one time or another. They opened late on Mondays and stayed open late so racers could gather and bench race or look at Sundays race prints sold by several photographers over the years. One of the most notable was Richard Creed who shot the famous Penton poster with the two jumping 125 Pentons. Many great riders rode out of this shop including Steve Stackable and Jack Hicks both of which I went to High School with. Another good one was Mark Wheeless. This was a great shop in a great time.
Larry P
Browsing through the net I've found AMS racing. I've bookmarked this page months ago, because I felt it's worth to check back now and then to read the sentences below: Dave from AMS describes exactly what I (we) feel should be a real Motorcycle shop:
For a long time now the motorcycle industry has been dominated by big chrome and glass shops staffed by people who are more likely to be found on a golf course than a race track come the weekend. If you've been riding a long time, you might remember when motorcycle shops were run by people who actually rode and loved motorcycles. There used to be shops where you could hang out on a Saturday--even if you didn't buy anything--a place where the guy's behind the counter knew your name and what you rode.
There are still a few shops around that run the way shops should be: by people who are motorcycle enthusiasts above all. AMS Racing isn't the fanciest place around, but high dollar decor, slick salesmen, and carpeted floors are no substitute for knowledge, experience and real world bike-sense. If you need a great bike restored or just need your favorite ride tuned up, give AMS Racing a call. And if your in the Mesa, Arizona area and have a little time to spend, stop in and say "hello" to Dave, Tim, Neil or Norm or anyone else that is hanging around doing some "bench racing"
To visit dave @ AMS: http://www.amsracing.com/inside.htm
My KTM dealer here in Switzerland lives with and loves racing KTM. He is in business since 20 years, and we can meet us on Saturday there (even if we dont't buy anything) and make plans for Sunday. But KTM doesn't like him too much, there is no clean show room, people can walk through the garage, no slik sales man around...and maybe the worst: he has knowledge and experience!
Tom
KTM 495/81
KTM 495/82, Works bike from Kes Van der Ven
KTM 495/84
KTM 500/85
James,
I actually went to see Les in the early 90's to buy anything he had left for early Pentons and I ended up only buying a few thins..pipes etc. I never did any other business pror or after that with Les, but I wish that he had more time to share some stories. Thanks for the memories.
Ron Carbaugh
Tom, You're right, Dave Boydsun of AMS is a treasure for vintage MXers and the closest I've met to a real life little ol' mx store. He's steered me right several times---call for a simple Bing jet and you'll get a 20 minute course on the pros & cons of carb swaps, fixes for old carbs, carb setups, you name it. Besides maybe Robert "CZ Bob" Borg and Larry Perkins when he was more into parts supplies, I've never talked to any more helpful and knowledgeable suppliers that had real racing experience to offer and would spend time steer you right. Plus Dave has invested countless hours as an AHRMA regional rep plus attended probably every Western States AHRMA MX event put on over the past 5 years. Will cost more to have your parts bought from AMS shipped to Europe, but I'd say the extra touch would be worth it. Of course, Al Buehner does a bang up job on Penton parts too.
James/Ron,
Les is still around. He's a mechanic in Ft. Worth at an "Italian" shop. Everything else I know, I'm not tellin'![^]
The Bates shop is the Bates #2 shop on I-35 in Carrolton. It's still there, but no track. It's been somewhat modernized, has a spiffy accessory show room and a small salvage yard. Most importantly, they have a tire change machine and don't blink when you bring in a 30 yr old Metzler thats harder than diamond plate!
Bates #1 is still in business in Garland, and it would give any new sales rep for any of the manufacturers a heart attack before they ever got out of their car, much less through the front door. It aint clean, there's stuff in there with more dust on it than a well used Malcolm Smith fender bag. It's a real throw back and very Vintage friendly.
Another couple of shops still around are both of the Two Wheel World shops. One in Arlington and one in Garland. The one in Arlington is a great supporter of the Texas Vintage Racing Club, and the one in Garland is more into the Enduro scene.
I make it a point to try and support the Two Wheel World and Bates in Garland every chance I get. Both have been very helpful in the past when I was in need of a modern replacement trinket for a vintage bike. I must admit though, the tire change guy at Two Wheel World in Garland runs when he see me walk through the door with an old wheel and tire........something about a hour long struggle with a desert raced Piner rear wheel and Metzler from a while back.
Tony
Quotequote:Originally posted by taxman
Avon/LaPorte KTM has always been fair. Randy & Barney are always helpful, only place you can interrupt the machanic (Barney) and he'll answer your questions. Fun place to bench race. Sorry....KTM purchased them and will take over in January 2005. Not sure what they are going to do. Refab dealer buy backs or something? You guys are right Dale Barris is the best. Bought my boy his first bike (Honda 80) there and whens he's ready for a KTM I'll buy it from Dale.
Jim
I read somewhere that KTM was going to continue to run it as a dealership with Randy and Barney running the day to day business. The shop will also be used to train new dealers, sales and marketing staff, mechanics, and as a pilot store for promotions and marketing projects. It's going to be kind of a KTM University as I understand it.
Tony
There is a new little bike shop in New Philadelphia, Ohio. It is called Ohio Moto. They currently stock new Sherco, Beta and Scorpa Trials bikes. Also they have in stock Kasea 4 wheelers. They claim they are working on getting a motocross line and maybe someday a street bike line also. Nice guys. A great place to hang out. Just like the old days. They even have a little vintage corner with PENTON and BULTACO stuff.The sign on the window has the phone number as 330-339-3486. They said that they want a place for guys to hang out all the time. More vintage PENTON and BULTACO stuff coming. Complete bikes. Worth a look if in the area or take a drive.
Tony..Oh I mean Mr. Smith from Iowa,
The old dealership that I was thinking of was located between Sherman and Dennison on the East side of the Highway. The guys name was Jack Barnett and originally was a Indian Dealer and then a Honda Dealer well into the 80's. Surprising since he was almost a one man store. He had a Flat Track behind his store and was a good racer in his own right. Great memories.
Ron Carbaugh
I just got back from a Mom and Pop Kawasaki dealer whom I have been giving some busines to for the last year. I brought in a Bultaco Alpina wheel to have a new tube put in. When I went to pick it up they told me never to come back that they do not want to deal with old junk. I told them no problem I would never discrace there store with my cash again. I had planned to buy my daughter a Kaasaki KDX50 from them that day. Needles to say I did not get the bike at thier shop. It is amazing how some folks stay in business.
Tony, thank you. Les was still working with JR whan I left for my first HFT store in Iowa early 2001. I am glad to hear he is doing well and I owe him lunch. JR and Les made it a point to take me to lunch before I left. Ron, I have heard many of Les stories and they are great. We did a bit of "test riding" on Lancaster years ago and there were several stories about injuries from this. I can tell you that a 90 540 KTM will run away and hide from a 90 cr500-but I can't remember who was crazy enough to run them down the street. I am sure it wasn't me..at least I think.
sorry to hear about that incident with the Kawasaki shop. I bought my daughter a PW50 last year mainly due to the great dealer here in Tucson. This was only after the other dealer had no one on premeises-and everyone was there at he time who could find me a non resistor plug-but they were sure I needed anew cr/kx/rm 250 to put under it.
James
You dont stop racing because you get old..you get old because you have children
The one shop that comes to mind up here in Maine is Maine Cycle in Auburn. I don't do much business with the Myrics, but there serious off road enthusiast that have rides out of there shop every Wednesday nights in Season. And the best part is they have a fast group and a slow group.[8D]
They also have a huge salvage warehouse. My favorite is that they will mount the knobbies you buy from them, for free !!
I don't know all the details, but at one time they considered a KTM franchise, and it never transpired, too bad too, there all riding Hondas and Yamahas now !!
Raymond
Down East Pentons
Since their seems to be no little old fashion MX stores left, I might just have to build one. Maybe old barn look, wood floor, old glass counter, neat old pictures. Who would come, since I don't want to sell anything. A store with out a salesman? Maybe a Dalesman Salesman since I don't have one to sell we could just talk about where you might find one. No computers or phones, just a welcome sign. I got a guy that owes me $'s and won't pay, he has lots of old lumber, maybe just maybe I'll build that store.
Terry Laible