Penton Owners Group

General Discussion => Penton Talk => Topic started by: Kip Kern on May 11, 2007, 07:52:29 AM

Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: Kip Kern on May 11, 2007, 07:52:29 AM
Anyone ever heard of this place?  I just picked up a "74" 250 ISDT (ETS2501G) MZ and it came with a letter from this place.  A Mr William J. Wilhelm Sales Manager wrote it.  Not a Penton but what a cool Bike and a neat history.
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: sachsmx on May 11, 2007, 07:59:21 AM
Kip, I am not sure how it relates to motorcycles, but they have an import car dealership on the east side of Columbus, OH. It could be that they also sold motorcycles at one time. Look them up and give them a call. There may be someone there who can give you some history on their business.
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: tofriedel on May 11, 2007, 09:04:35 AM
Kip,

I do not if they are related, but Byers Automotive was one of the biggest auto dealers in the state some years ago (60's & 70's) when I lived in Columbus.  I do not believe they had a motorcycle franchise during that time.

I will check with some family & friends who still live in Columbus.

Tony
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: Gary Roach on May 11, 2007, 09:45:00 AM
Kip,

We buy our Audi, Porsche, and Jaguar parts from Byers Imports. I talked to Jeff in the parts department, and he didn't know if they sold bikes back then or not. He said that he would ask some of the other employees if they knew, and if he finds anything out, he would get back to me.

Gary
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: Dwight Rudder on May 11, 2007, 01:35:11 PM
Don't you just love the non folding footpegs ?    The bikes run great though.
Dwight

Dwight Rudder
7 time ISDT / E medalist
8 time National Enduro Class Champion.
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: Kip Kern on May 11, 2007, 05:45:20 PM
Thanks for the help guy's.  Appreciate any info!  Those aren't foot pegs Dwight, they are railroad spikes!;)
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: tofriedel on May 11, 2007, 06:07:16 PM
Kip,

After talking with my nephew, I learned that Byers never had a MC franchise, but they would take anything in trade on an automobile.  My guess is that someone traded the MZ in on a car.

Tony
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: Kip Kern on May 11, 2007, 10:17:17 PM
Tony

The address on the letter is Byers Imports, 610 Oak Street, Columbus, OH. a Division of Geo. Byers Sons, Inc. "Transportation Merchants For Nearly 80 Years" 46 East Town Street.  William Wilhelm Sales Manager, Byers Imports Automobile.

Looks like the Gas crunch of "74" got this place to offer qualified dealers the German MZ motorcycle line to combat the Gas Crunch.  Looks like history is repeating itself 33 years later![xx(]
Title: Byers Imports, Columbus Ohio
Post by: wolfmanonapenton on May 12, 2007, 02:59:27 PM
Byers,sold Mz's and DKW/sachs for about 2years only,a backdoor type of deal!;)very short time period!