How many people who visit here, have Hiro powered Pentons and in what condition are they? And if you know anybody who doesn't visit here, but has one, I'd like to learn about them too.
Dane
Am I offending people asking about this? I just want to know how many of these are still out there, because I may have something for those who do have these engines.
I know that Mick and Kip have them, but I don't remember how many others are out there.
Dane
Dane,
I don't have one, but wish I did!!!!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Dane, I have a NOS Hiro I built from scratch. Thanks to you for the help on the rear enging mount! I took a NOS Hiro engine and an original "74" CMF frame and mated them, have to say it turned out pretty nice. I studied many pictures of the bikes and decided to see what it took to do what you guys did back in the day. Currently, I am installing a "72/73" KTM 175 cylinder, piston and head on a NOS Hiro bottom, it should turn out pretty nice too, same stroke and a few base gaskets to get the deck height. The real work will be relocating the 4 cylinder studs;)
Hi Dane,
If you do happen to have an extra top rear bracket laying around that I could copy, that'd be great.
I'm hoping to make some progress on my Hiro project sometime in the next few months.
Dane - Can you remember the apx. date when these bikes were assembled ?.
Thanks a ton
Bob
Bob,
We first met Andy Mosconi, the creator of the Hiro engines, at the 1974 ISDT in Camerino, Italy. (Mr. Mosconi was Italian, but his English was so good, we thought he was a Brit!) That being the "beginning", I'm thinking that the bikes were created during '75 some time. Exactly when, I don't have a clue.
I'll have to look at the shop to see if I can find the rest of the engine mounts again since Kip sent the rest back.
Dane
Hey Dane, I don't have one, but sure wish I did! [:p]
Dane,
I have one that was built by Kip and it's a work of art. I picked it up this year at the Penton Owners Group meeting, AMA Museum. The engine was new from Ron C.
Bob
Hey Dane,
Sorry I didn't catch this earlier. Mom was in the hospital last week and I got behind on everything.
As far as I know, Pat has his beautifully restored Hiro, Bob has his beautiful replica, I have my unrestored original, and hopefully Bob Wardlow will have his replica going before long. The only other Hiro I occasionally hear rumors of is one in Colorado. FYI, the frame on mine is dated 410. If anyone could use pictures or any other info about mine please just let me know.
Kent
Kip, How much "Scratch" does it take to build an NOS Hiro Penton. ?
;) [B)]
BobW
Hey Dane,
Sorry I didn't catch this earlier. Mom was in the hospital last week and I got behind on everything.
As far as I know, Pat has his beautifully restored Hiro, Bob has his beautiful replica, I have my unrestored original, and hopefully Bob Wardlow will have his replica going before long. The only other Hiro I occasionally hear rumors of is one in Colorado. FYI, the frame on mine is dated 410. If anyone could use pictures or any other info about mine please just let me know.
Kent
Kip, How much "Scratch" does it take to build an NOS Hiro Penton. ?
;) [B)]
BobW
Rob About 300 hours labor each, a NOS Hiro engine and a complete "74" Penton 125! A lot of head scratchin![:p] Actually, I built one for Bob Andersohn and one for myself. A ton of work but worth it to see what Penton went through in the 70's.
Hi' I was wondering what a new Hiro motors worth?I have four new engines that years ago I bought new from Mefford restorations outa Rockford,Ill.I have one in a bike and (4) new ones and a parts motor outa bike.Just wonderd what the new engines are worth as gave him $125.00 a piece four them back in '91 complete new engines.I wonderd also mine have kinda a gold cast to them and one is more silvery in finish,,wonderd if theres a difference??:)
I would guess anywhere from $500-$1000 if NOS, more possibly if they have Motoplats in them. The only problem is there are no spares for these engines at least in this country. I have seen a polished case version Hiro engine and a early silver painted side cover model but no gold cast. They are pretty neat though, the big amount of work is changing the Penton frame drive from right to left side. Getting everything to line up and function well as well as look good is a big challenge. Have fun!;)
If anybody needs Motoplats for the Hiro's, let me know, because I still have a bunch of them.
Dane
Hi all, Beware - I just bought a scanner :D
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/BobWardlow/newHiro.jpg)
Here's my Hiro Penton when it was only 2 days old, back in 1975. I'm test riding it for the first time - prepared to go racing the following day.
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g8/BobWardlow/brandnewHiroPenton1975.jpg)
Bob
Bob, cool pics and you still own this bike? I wish I had more pics. Even my digital pics of bikes I have owned lately are getting deleted before making any copies. Thats something to think about cause I know you treasure the old bike and pics. Someone else will too hopefully years from now. Easy,TTP
I don't know if he still has it or not, but as of a few years ago Jim Letellier (Letko Cycles, Kansas City, KS) had a NOS Hiro engine sitting on the shelf.
Jeff DeBell
Thank you TT Paul, Been away for several days playing lacrosse in motown. Nope, that bike has been long gone for 32 years...but it was fun while it lasted.
Six foot one Bob. :D
Dane
I built 2 out of existing Pentons and NOS engines (1 for a customer and 1 for myself). Mine are not originals but are in showroom condition.;)
Rob,
I think Jeff was refering to the NOS Hiro engine.
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Is it possible that by building retro-Hiros, that more may be assembled now than were originally built??
Donny,
Quotequote:Originally posted by paul
Bob, cool pics and you still own this bike? I wish I had more pics. Even my digital pics of bikes I have owned lately are getting deleted before making any copies. Thats something to think about cause I know you treasure the old bike and pics. Someone else will too hopefully years from now. Easy,TTP
(my reply) No,....long gone....(blah, blah)
Bob
I plan on bringing mine to Mid Ohio this year to show possibly sell. Kaleb is starting his Sophmore year in college!;)