Messages

Just sent a few pictures for you to look at.

Thanks,
Mike Leon

Keith,

Used original internals.  They will need a tube to pattern.

Good luck!

Mike

Keith,

I recently completed a Jackpiner project (pictures on page 12 of the What did you do to your Penton today? message.

I had to replace the fork tubes and couldn't find any good ones.  I had a pair made at Forking by Frank. The tubes came out great.

Frank's Maintenance and Engineering
945 Pitner Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
847-475-1003

Good luck,
Mike

Thanks - would like to see pictures of the Bultaco's if there are any trials bikes.

Also interested in the BSA's.

Thanks,
Mike
mikeleon26@hotmail.com

Finally completed the 1974 Jackpiner project that I started with my daughter.  Due to a few personal obligations and delays the project was on the back burner for awhile but we finally got her done.  

We started with a pile of parts and put another Penton back on the track (soon to be).  As you can see it's not 100% period correct but it was a blast buidling with my daughter and it incorporates a little bit of us!  

A lot of thanks go out to this forum and the POG members.  This is truly a unique group or should I say family! Not to forget anyone but special thanks to Chicago Jerry, Gary Ellis, Al Buehner, Larry Perkins, Tom Brosius...

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Gary,

Thanks I will give you a call.

Unfortunately I sent the pipe to someone to use as a pattern.  They say they will get to it but its been about 10 months so I'm looking for another solution.  I was hoping that once he has the pipe bent for me (and I make sure it fits) that we would have a source for Jackpiner pipes.

Hopefully we will.

Thanks,

Larry,

Received our jerseys and they look great!

Thanks for all your time and organizaiton to put this together!

Great job!

Mike Leon

Ted -

Thanks for the guidance and tips!

Have a great 4th of July!

Mike

I have a father / daughter Penton story in the making.  In 2009, I finished a restoration on a 1973 Honda CR250.  We went to VMD where I raced and with the help of my daughter and nephew as pit crew I took a first.  About 6 months later my daughter asked if she could race Vintage MX and wanted to know if we could restore a Penton.  At VMD she was drawn to all the Penton bikes and that's all she wanted to race.  As soon as I heard this I was all over the opportunity to start a project with her.  

I'm divorced but remain very close and active with my daughters.  In addition to all the softball, volleyball, basketball, cross country and academic events we always made time to go dirt biking.  Both of my daughters started riding when they were 5 and continue to enjoy it today, they are 21 and 18.  Riding has always been a way to get them away and stay close to them.

So back to the Penton project.  I set out looking for a bike but couldn't find anything so I started buying pieces. Literally, I bought a frame, hubs, forks, engine a tank and started from there. We then started buying some new parts as needed.(I also need to thank many POG members & people for their help, Chicago Jerry, Gary Ellis, Larry Perkins, Tom Brosius, Vintage Iron and Al Buehner).

The project is taking longer than expected but only because my daughter wants to be involved in the build. We have juggled working on it between her being away at school and now her summer internship. She has been involved in everything including lacing the wheels, replacing the fork tubes and rebuilding the forks, installing wheel bearings and seals....

As much fun as it is to do this together I just hope that it's something she remembers years from now and maybe when she has kids of her own she can share the story of how she came to love Pentons and how she built one.  Once it is finished I have a feeling she will never let this go.  

Our target is VMD 2011 so hopefully we'll be able to have it in Ohio.  It's a 1974 Penton 175 Jackpiner and although it is not 100% original we're proud to be resurrecting a Penton from the grave and getting it back on the track.  We'll post pictures soon.  

Motorcycling has been a big part of my life and I think it is a great family activity!  I'm a lucky Dad of two great daughters.

Thanks for letting me share.
Mike Leon

JP,

Sounds like quite the bike.

Can you forward a couple pictures?

I'm finishing up a 175 Jackpiner build for my daughter and trying to figure out what's next for me.

Where are you located?

Mike Leon
847-922-6896
mikeleon26@hotmail.com
1974 Jackpiner
1973 Honda CR250M
1977 Bultaco Sherpa "T" 125
1971 Montesa Cota 25
1970's Champion Frame Yamaha 500

Jerry,

So glad to see your post and to hear about the blessing your family received on Easter!  Life is precious and we sometimes take it for granted until we go through a challenge such as yours.  Continued Blessings to you and your family.

Mike Leon

Thanks for your help it is much appreciated.

I did see these posts when I did my search.

I was confused with the old vs. new mikuni specs.

As mentioned in the posts the old 140 = new 230 but I wasn't sure if there was a conversion needed on the other needles/jets.  This gives me a starting point.

Thanks again

I can't help with rim and hub width but I ordered a set of spokes and rims for my Jackpiner project from Vintage Iron and they had all the info.  

Vintage Iron
714-694-0066
//www.vintageiron.com

Hope this helps.

Larry, well said.  I'm somewhat new to the site but have found the members to be unbelievably helpful as I am rebuilding a 1974 Jackpiner with my daughter. I'm not so sure that it is rebuilding but more like resurrecting from the grave.   I have not claimed to be a POG member but will join so I can!  

Thanks,
Mike Leon

Gary,

Thanks for following up.

Just sent an email.

Take care,
Mike