Looking for a 125, any year is fine, for a father/son (12 years old) restoration/fun project. Would prefer a running, "mostly there" bike. We would complete minor mechanical and cosmetic restoration as a learning project. Bike will be ridden when we are done - not a museum piece. My son and I just read the John Penton book from the library (Youngblood) and he thinks this would be a cool project. I always lusted after one as a kid (Suzuki was more in my price range then) and agree with his assessment. By the way, he thinks it's cool that there are 2 rear shocks and NO radiator! Ah...the good old days.
Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Gary
Atlanta
[email protected]
Gary,
Great project, I know that the time my son and I have spent together working on Penton projects is priceless. I will get an email off to you, maybe I can help, if not, I am sure that others may have a suitable machine.
My son learned how much fun it was to work on items of a mechanical nature while putting together several Pentons, now he is a tool and die maker, you never know where that " Penton project" may lead your son.
Paul
Paul,
Thanks for the reply. I just got your email and replied. My son is the youngest of three and I always look for a special interest/project with each of my kids. My 12 year old has a fascination with dirt bikes, especially vintage ones. This could be a good way to get the next generation of Penton collectors "seeded".
I appreciate your help and guidance on picking the right bike. My son said to me last night, "Dad I like it when we get new stuff, especially when it's old". He gets it!
Gary
Gary,
Great project, I know that the time my son and I have spent together working on Penton projects is priceless. I will get an email off to you, maybe I can help, if not, I am sure that others may have a suitable machine.
My son learned how much fun it was to work on items of a mechanical nature while putting together several Pentons, now he is a tool and die maker, you never know where that " Penton project" may lead your son.
Paul
Paul,
Thanks for the reply. I just got your email and replied. My son is the youngest of three and I always look for a special interest/project with each of my kids. My 12 year old has a fascination with dirt bikes, especially vintage ones. This could be a good way to get the next generation of Penton collectors "seeded".
I appreciate your help and guidance on picking the right bike. My son said to me last night, "Dad I like it when we get new stuff, especially when it's old". He gets it!
Gary
I've been toying with the idea of selling this one. Just doesn't look like I'm gonna get the time to do what I want with it. I'de want $2000 for it. Doesn't need much. If interested, let me know.
[email protected] http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/269162/penton.jpg
i have a 73 125 6 day that i'm considering selling. it is a running bike, with only the front fender & pipe side # plate missing. has a Preston Petty fender on back, Curnett shocks.would be an easy resto project. have no idea what its woth, so someone please give me an idea.Live in Ithaca ,NY. Its the same bike i put pictures of in here w/ green paint on hubs,cases, etc. was ran in a qualifier at some time in the past. bike was stored for over 30 years
Area 51 check your mail.
Don't you just luv people that put up a post then wander away??[V]
My bad! After Paul's reply post, there were 200+ "reads" and no posts for a week - I assumed the thread was dead, as I left on vacation. I did receive a number of direct emails saw the most recent reply posts and maintained correspondence with all of them (hope I didn't miss any) while on the road. My bad for not publishing reply posts on the board to show progress - won't happen again.
** UPDATE **
My son and I have found a Penton that I'll be picking up next week in Ohio. Don Roth is selling us his 73 Six Day (see POG site, Featured Bikes, March 2002). I'll be picking it up from Don this coming weekend and then coming on into VMD and will be sure to meet as many members as I can, and hopefully John. It's a 1,300 roadtrip from Atlanta, but as they say in Harley circles: "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand". Fortunately, you all "understand".
Before I left on vacation I sent in my membership application to POG. Just got home and open my package - thanks for the prompt shipment Doug! I also ordered the 73 ISDT DVD & the 30th anniversary program and just finished reading the program cover to cover, while watching the DVD - how cool is that! I also ordered the KTM Dealer DVD – can't wait to see it. Well done POG!
Special thanks to a number of POG members who contacted me and were very patient with my numerous questions: Doug Wilford, Paul Danik, Ron Carbaugh, and Don Roth. Additional thanks to Don for answering 273 questions (I counted) about Pentons and his specific bike. Before I left on vacation I printed off everything I could from the POG site for reading, including the newsletters from 1999 & 2000. Ed Youngblood even Fed Ex'ed an autographed copy of his John Penton book to me, to arrive before I left on vacation. I was wall-to-wall with reading material, when my wife saw that all-too-familiar-look, whenever I get a new hobby. Especially one that involves "hardware".
Not only is this bike going to be a father/son project, it truly is a childhood dream of mine to own one. I raced Suzuki's as a kid and the "older kids" in my neighborhood had the 125 Pentons. Man, they were "scary fast" - I promised myself that someday I'd have one. Only took 33 years!
I found the POG site about 2 years ago and have been visiting on a regular basis. Frankly, it was the POG infrastructure and support that gave me motivation to seek out my first Penton. How cool is it, that John Penton hangs out with POG and many of the members are former Penton employees, racers, and competition medalists!
I belong to other enthusiast groups (Harley Davidson, Triumph Sports Cars, etc) and none of them have the "core" and content of the POG membership. I am genuinely looking forward to stopping by the POG tent next weekend in Ohio and meeting as many of you as I can.
Thanks again to everyone who stepped up to help my son and I.
Regards,
Gary Dowling
Atlanta
73 Penton Six Day 125 <---- almost!
Gary,this is only the beginning. First its a 73 Six Day then a 72 Jackpiner maybe then a Berkshire. Then you will start looking at Steel tankers. Oh,the monkey will be on your back.
All kidding aside, buying that 72 Six Day a couple of years ago was one of the most fun things I ever did. The bonus is the extended Penton family you aquire.
Rod Whitman
1972 Six Day (Rider)
1972 Six Day (Project)
Hey Rod,
Thanks for the message. It's funny you said that. I was just looking at pictures of a Jackpiner that someone sent me, thinking about the restoration needs! Hey, if one is good - two HAS to be better!
Gary
A Jackpiner is an excellent bike. I've had my 73 since new and haven't worn it out yet.:D
Lew Mayer
Thanks for feedback Lew. I've heard that alot from JP owners. I'm getting the impression that this new hobby of mine is actually more of an addiction. I haven't taken delivery of my first bike and I'm already planning my second! One of the POG members commented to me: "Gary just jump in - the water's fine".
Gary
Welcome to the "group".I know what you mean about one not being enuff, {bet ya can't buy just one}, I started my journey last year and now own 3 6 days bikes. A '72, '73, 'and a 74, sourced from various sources. Various states of condition, but all Pentons. All ways looking for more. Enjoy the journey, and the memories. [^]
Thanks - this is going to be great. My 12 year old son is really into this and looking forward to starting our project. Don sold us a good foundation bike. I am confident that there will be Penton-s in our garage.
Gary
** UPDATE to the Update **
Well sometimes "life get's in the way". I now have to be in Wash. DC this coming Friday for work - so I will not be making the trek to VMD/Mid Ohio. Was really looking forward to stopping by the POG tent and meeting as many members, as I could. Don Roth is actually going to ship my bike to Atlanta - efficient, but no where near as fun as 1,300 mile roadtrip.
By the way if any of you see Don at VMD, screaming by on the rear wheel of a (my!) 73 Six Day - please let me know!
Thanks again for everyone's help, especially Don. I am confident that I'll be "torturing" the Forum and POG members in the near future, for help and guidance.
Gary Dowling
Atlanta
almost -------> 73 Penton Six Day
(Don, no really...the check is in the mail!)