Recent posts

#21

Penton Talk / Supercross and VMD news.

Last post by Paul Danik - April 10, 2025, 02:25:02 AM

As the Pittsburgh Supercross date is getting ever closer, tonight we uncovered a Steel Tanker and brought it into the little shop to give it some attention, mostly just getting the dust off of it and doing some polishing up as needed. The Steel Tanker is a later one with a serial number in the 6200 range, it is a very original machine with hardly any time on it and will represent the Steel Tanker era in the POG display. When I rolled it through the outer shop it had the feel of a new bike, pretty awesome for a Penton that is over 50 years old.

Dominic has been working away at my 1974 ISDT machine as can be seen in the photo. The little shop is most certainly nothing special, but it is where I worked on my Pentons from day 1 and is where I prepared my 1973 ISDT bike. To be working away at some Pentons with my grandson in this shop is something I never envisioned, but it is pretty neat, and Dom keeps saying how much he enjoys it. Dom and his younger brother Luca hauled the rocks into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum for the 1973 ISDT display, and they will both be at the Pittsburgh Supercross helping out wherever needed.

Enough about all of that, Vintage Motorcycle Days is right around the corner and here is what we are working on. As we have done for many years, Vintage Motorcycle Days will be the kickoff of John Penton's birthday celebration by the POG, but of course this one is very, very special as John will be 100 years old on August 19th. We are working out the details with the folks from the AMA of doing a display of Penton Motorcycles on the Saturday of the event. The exact location at Mid-Ohio of the Penton display has yet to be finalized, but rest assured we will want any and all Pentons to be there for the line-up with the goal of having 100 Pentons on hand. Will be get 100 machines, time will tell, but no matter how many we have on hand you can rest assured this will be a day we will all remember and the attendees at VMD will surely remember as well. More details will be announced as they are finalized, but for now we would ask that if you plan on being at VMD on the Saturday of the event, load up your Penton hardware and help us put on the biggest lineup of Pentons anyone will probably ever see. Running or not, original machines, race bikes and perfect restorations, all are welcome, even Wassells and short trackers too ! Let's make John proud.

#22

Wanted / For Sale / Re: 1976 250 Cross Country

Last post by Paul A - April 09, 2025, 06:51:40 PM

Thank you for your interest, I have a buyer.

#23

Penton Talk / Re: John Penton signature hats...

Last post by Paul Danik - April 08, 2025, 05:37:02 PM

Hi Kip, a supply of hats will be taken to Mid-Ohio. If by chance the color you want is sold out when you ask for it, they will still be available online.

#24

Penton Talk / Re: John Penton signature hats...

Last post by Kip Kern - April 08, 2025, 11:22:38 AM

Will these hats be available at Mid-Ohio?

#25

Penton Talk / Awesome photo from days gone b...

Last post by Paul Danik - April 08, 2025, 08:39:21 AM

This photo brings back so many memories from days gone by. I can still visualize John Penton on a fork truck where the operator was standing, not sitting as he operated it, zooming around in the Penton R & D building moving crates of Penton Steel Tankers. Like everything John does, he was really moving and getting his job done in record time, John didn't need any mirrors on that fork truck as EVERYONE knew to stay the heck out of the way !

As I think back to that time, and knowing what I know now, quite possibly he was organizing the bikes according to what updates they had from the factory. Can you imagine what it was like having bikes in inventory with the cast iron cylinders and also have some of the new ones with the aluminum top-ends that made the others, shall we say, less desirable!
The Penton R & D building may not have been an extremely large building, but what all went on there and happened there was simply amazing. I remember working on our bikes late into the night getting them ready to load into the Cycleliner in the morning and heading to an event. All sorts of folks would be stopping by when they saw the lights on, Jack and Dane seemed to know them all and they played host to ever changing crowd of curious onlookers.

#26

Wanted / For Sale / Re: 1976 250 Cross Country

Last post by Rob Hugo - April 07, 2025, 12:41:29 PM

Hi Paul,

Since you are new here, please post a picture and let us know your location. Thanks!

#27

Wanted / For Sale / Re: 1976 250 Cross Country

Last post by Paul A - April 07, 2025, 07:52:26 AM

Rdway60, Please email: [email protected]

#28

Wanted / For Sale / Re: 1976 250 Cross Country

Last post by Rdway60 - April 07, 2025, 05:43:10 AM

What's your location Paul? Do you have any pictures? I'm interested.

#29

Wanted / For Sale / 1976 250 Cross Country

Last post by Paul A - April 06, 2025, 02:48:46 PM

1976 Penton 250 Cross Country, 325 original miles. Purchased new by a friend, used little, stored for years. Completely original, including dried out original tires. Have not had it running. Needs a major cleanup, chrome on bars not good, have some spare parts, covers and brake lever. Chrome on one Marzochi shock shaft bad, have new replacement. $1500, negotiable

#30

Wanted / For Sale / For Sale-Hi-Point HP14 Trailer

Last post by Tiffster - April 06, 2025, 11:04:43 AM

For Sale: Hi-Point HP-14 motorcycle trailer.  Has factory Hi-Point options including overhead cupboard, clothing bar and tour package. Has four motorcycle wheel chocks, five sections of E track, and two conventional tie downs. Has rubber coin flooring inside.  Trailer has tandem torsion axles. It is in great condition and comes with all original paperwork including the original owner's manual and certificate of origin signed by John Penton himself. $6500. Located in WV.
Have more photos I can send upon request.