If you own a steel tank (1968-71 Penton) and would like a chance on winning a new old stock John Penton autographed Berkshire steel gas tank, just click on the link below:
http://www.pentonusa.org/steeltank/steeltank1.asp
Whouda thunk, that our dear Admin. had his beginnings on historic bicycles? To learn a history, not only about ourselves and share it in "POG Forum", but become a part of the Penton Legacy. Out of the depths, come more and more....glad to be a part, and very proud, thanks Mr. Admin
Tom Brosius
Thanks Bill,My questionnaire is on the way to you.I hope Ron doesn't get to enter for each of the steel tankers he owns ! If so I bet the tank goes to TEXAS!!:D:D
Thomas Carmichael
I think this is great! I'll be sending in the information for both of my steel tankers. I'll also send in the story of how I got my first one. Maybe I'll also tell about riding it in my first organized event (the 2001 ISDTRR).
Mark
Bill, if you read this posting I think we need to add one more question for the steel tankers. The seat logo is of interest. Some 71 bikes had the Penton logo only while others had a combination of Penton/KTM printed on the back.
Kevin
The seat logo question is of interest to me as the Steel Tank 125 I am working on had what I believed to be the original seat cover with no logo at all. Anyone else seen this?
RIchard
My Steel Tanker I bought new in 1969 didn't have any on it at all.
Donny Smith
Another supplement to questionare might be Bing carb number. I already sent mine on my 1969 in but my carb number is 1/26/117. Donny what is yours on your 69? And no my 69 did not have a logo on its OEM seat cover.
Kevin,
A seat logo question was thought about but dropped due to the number of questions already being asked. Due to the age of these bikes, the seat would have been the first thing to deteriorate, thus making this question maybe not a good one. Whereas with gussets and high breathers, these things never go away or deteriorate. In filling out the questionnaire, if anyone feels that they have something special about their bike (i.e. seat logo or anything not covered in the questionnaire), please feel free to add it to the comments section.
On the subject of seat logos, I have a 71 steel tanker that has the word "KTM" only on it. So it looks like there were 3 styles of logos offered in 71.
Bill
My '71, which I have owned since '72 and is entirely original,has only the "KTM" on the seat like yours.
Bill, Paul and Doug,
Thanks for the hard work to get the ball rolling on the Steel Tanker Project. OK, for all of those Steel Tank Owners please help all of us help POG with the information from your bike. Thanks Guys.
Ron Carbaugh
In picture # 14F, the bike with the down pipe. There were some bikes in '70 that had the "Sachs" name cut off of the engine side cases, and replaced with a black "Penton" name plate sticker. I first noticed that was done in a magazine test article from 1970. That observation surprised me at first because I thought it was only done to the later '74 or '75 models.
It was either done for a short time back then, and then that operation ceased for 3 1/2 years. Or maybe it was ordered to do in the earlier years to some of the bikes that were going out to the magazines.
I don't know, just an observation.
Bob
Rob W,
Great observation. I had one of these bikes that was original with the side covers you are describing. Are you guys thawing out Yet?
Ron Carbaugh
Good morning to all of you,
More on the #36 Steel Tank MX model in picture 14F.
The 7" welded frame extension on the LH side that was made to support and mount the down pipe. The one in this picture must be a proto-type or pre-production to the 1970 models. The one in this picture does'nt look quite the same as stock, the production braces were welded on more horizonal and have a gusset on top.
...and
Like the bike I've seen from this era in a mag. test article, the engine's top end is painted black. At one time I tried to figure an explanation as to who (if anyone) was painting the top-ends black, whether it was a personal mod or if it happened to many units at a distributor. But I never found an explanation.
Thanks again,
Bob
Rob W,
Not so much to do with Penton Imports, but E.C. Burt liked to paint his Sachs engines black. Put a dollar with this information and it will buy you a cup of coffee.;)
Ron Carbaugh
Rob W,
YOUR NEXT MESSAGE IS #1000 SO MAKE IT GOOD. I HAVE ENJOYED ALL YOUR INPUT OVER THE YEARS AND ESPECIALLY YOU INPUT INTO THE QUIZ.
MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.[^]
Ron Carbaugh
Rob;
The Penton name plate on the sides of the engine began in between 69 and 70. The story and reason: After John ordered enough of the 1251/5A engines from Sachs for them to start an assembly line they also started making SACHS Motorcycles, of which were imported by a company up your way in MI. John told Sachs he would not advertise for Sachs (reason for case plates)and if they didn't stop selling Sachs in the US. He would go to Puch and use their engines. Sach then changed to DKW and all was well again except, we had a few thousand pairs of the Penton case plates and continued to sell them as a Hi-Point Acc
Doug,
Thank you for explaining that.
You know I appreciate hearing and learning those bits of Penton info and lore for the first time.
I don't search for these questions, they just rise to the surface when stirring the pot in the quest for knowledge.
I remember back a couple years ago when I was just a young grasshopper here in the POG. You told me to be patient and the answers will come with the questions.
Must say, I'm very excited about the new Steel Tank Book to be published. It's going to be great, really looking forward to it.
Thanks
Bob