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#71
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Carl Hill - March 14, 2025, 07:22:09 AMThanks guys. This sort of confirms what I have thought for years. This machine was purchased used by me in 1978 at Avon Sportcycles, just outside of Lorain Ohio. Had lots of other mods as well. Would be cool to know who rode it before I did.
#72
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Daniel P. McEntee - March 13, 2025, 08:14:14 PMQuote from: Bob Gilman on March 13, 2025, 06:54:09 PMI raced a Berkshire in 1974 qualifiers, the head was drilled and parts paint marked when it went into tech inspection, there are a lot of bikes out there like this.
I entered the Potosi 2-Day Qualifier in 1975 on my '75 250WR Husky and in the entrants pack was the instructions for preparing the bike for tech inspection and that included drill the cylinder and head with a specific size hole for the seal. They never did put the seal on the head/cylinder but did put a yellowish almost like zinc chromate paint on everything else. I still have the bike in unrestored, original condition and all of the paint has worn or washed off. The 250 Husky that belonged to my late little brother was also prepped for a Potosi Qualifier and it has led a more sheltered life and some of the paint markings remain, but the head and cylinder were drilled also on that bike. I'm sure that these are often claimed to be ^-days bikes but if that were true, the rider number would be etched into the paint markings also, wouldn't they?
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
#73
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Bob Gilman - March 13, 2025, 06:54:09 PMI raced a Berkshire in 1974 qualifiers, the head was drilled and parts paint marked when it went into tech inspection, there are a lot of bikes out there like this.
#74
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Rob Thatcher - March 13, 2025, 02:31:25 PMI'm still waiting on delivery from Arizona for the 250, I will check those things. It also has an aluminum tank and ACEs expansion chamber. My 125 rebuild in process (1974 1/2 Sachs D motor with tag, build date 9/1974 enduro, not MX) also has the hole drilled in the case for the cylinder to cases seal. It's pretty eccentric, as the steering head has been reinforced, later model leading axle forks installed, probable later model swing arm and conical rear wheel. I will have both done by Mid Ohio. I also have an option on a 19776/77 Husqvarna 360 Auto if anyone is interested.
#75
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Paul Danik - March 12, 2025, 12:10:42 PMCarl and Rob, the engine was wired to the frame as well, look for a little hole in one of the fins in the engine case. I have seen a few NOS cylinder heads still in the box that were drilled. Do your bikes have centerstands and dual coil mounts?
#76
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Carl Hill - March 12, 2025, 07:18:41 AMI've been searching for information as well about a Berkshire I have owned since the late 1970s, Also had paint marks on the cases and cylinder was drilled. Can't imagine any other reason for this to be done?
#77
Penton Talk / Way-Back Wednesday, a look in ...
Last post by Paul Danik - March 12, 2025, 06:01:18 AMWay-back Wednesday. A glimpse in the rear-view mirror to see just how we got to where we are today.
Before there was a Penton Owners Group, there was a gathering of Penton enthusiasts at Alan Buehner's Penton Parts booth at the Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days, if I am not mistaken, the year was 1997. Just as the earth rotates around the sun, Penton enthusiasts from far and wide traveled to that event to gather around John Penton, who had graciously accepted Alan Buehner's invitation to be his special guest at the event. As much as John was the main attraction, having the likes of Dane Leimbach and Jack Penton also attending surely made for a proverbial three ring circus.
The excitement and enthusiasm built up from that gathering provided the spark that most certainly lit the fire of determination to form the Penton Owners Group. Prior to the gathering at VMD, Alan traveled to the homes of several Penton ISDT riders to offer to frame their ISDT medals to make them more easily displayed, Alan's sister was the talented person who actually did the framing. I was one of the riders that Alan visited. Till Alan came along, my medals simply sat in a drawer, as did the medals that others had earned as well. In the photo the framed medals can be seen in the background.
The gentleman in the photo with Dane is Dave Hougton whose wonderful wife, Debbie I do believe, took this photo. The young looking fellow to the right looks to be the gent that my wife married.
At the time this photo was taken, no one would have guessed that just three years later the Penton Sportcycle would be the Featured Marque at VMD, and John Penton would be the Grand Marshall. In the year 2000 when that occurred, there was a VMD west as well at the then Sears Point Raceway. Joh Penton, Al Born and I drove to that event pulling a Hi-Point trailer loaded down with the POG display items, but that is a story for another time.
If I remember correctly, Jack brought along one of the Commemorative Penton / KTM Jackpiners and could be seen popping wheelies all over the Mid-Ohio grounds. Not to be out done by Jack's antics on the Jackpiner, John brought along the x-rays from his recent back surgery which he proudly displayed, as that experimental surgery allowed John to once again be able to dig ditches and do whatever was needed to keep the Penton homestead in good working order.
#78
Penton Talk / Re: Is there any registry of 6...
Last post by Paul Danik - March 11, 2025, 09:28:26 PMHi Rob. I don't think by vin # you can ID it as an ISDT machine, as to the best of my knowledge no such records exist. See if it has dual coils or at least dual coil mounts. How about a center stand. The build date could rule it out as an ISDT machine as the ones I have known to be ISDT machines were built just before the event, maybe a month or 2 before. Hope this helps. Paul
#79
Wanted / For Sale / For Sale - 1968 Penton Steelta...
Last post by johnbowman - March 10, 2025, 10:47:57 PMI am selling most of my motorcycle collection. Due to work and a few health issues, I no longer have time to take care of and enjoy all of my motorcycles.
I spent a few years bringing this bike back to life. I had a lot of help from the great folks in this group. It is not all original. I had to buy some reproduction parts. I currently have a Mikuni carb on the bike. It runs and starts great. I have a Bing carb and Husky style air filter that will go with it. Any steeltanker spare parts that I have go with the bike (filters, cables, etc.). I installed a new seat pan, foam, and cover. New tires, chain, and sprockets. New grips. Magura ISDT covers and cable adjustors. Six bolt rear hub. New piston and rings. Started the bike a few days ago on third kick after sitting for two months.
After years of heckling from Bill Ryburn about not getting this bike running, I rode this bike at Barber last year with Bill. We got a lot of comments with the two steeltankers on the starting line. Bill went down on the first lap. I ended up riding a few laps. The bike rode great.
As you know, this bike was in one of the first containers of Pentons to America. This is a very low number Penton steeltanker. Bike number V0172. I saved it and got it back together. Now, it's your turn to enjoy it.
$5,000. Bill of sale only. Not titled. If you are interested in the bike, please let me know.
Thanks for looking.
John Bowman
901.483.1039
I spent a few years bringing this bike back to life. I had a lot of help from the great folks in this group. It is not all original. I had to buy some reproduction parts. I currently have a Mikuni carb on the bike. It runs and starts great. I have a Bing carb and Husky style air filter that will go with it. Any steeltanker spare parts that I have go with the bike (filters, cables, etc.). I installed a new seat pan, foam, and cover. New tires, chain, and sprockets. New grips. Magura ISDT covers and cable adjustors. Six bolt rear hub. New piston and rings. Started the bike a few days ago on third kick after sitting for two months.
After years of heckling from Bill Ryburn about not getting this bike running, I rode this bike at Barber last year with Bill. We got a lot of comments with the two steeltankers on the starting line. Bill went down on the first lap. I ended up riding a few laps. The bike rode great.
As you know, this bike was in one of the first containers of Pentons to America. This is a very low number Penton steeltanker. Bike number V0172. I saved it and got it back together. Now, it's your turn to enjoy it.
$5,000. Bill of sale only. Not titled. If you are interested in the bike, please let me know.
Thanks for looking.
John Bowman
901.483.1039
#80
Penton Talk / Is there any registry of 6 Day...
Last post by Rob Thatcher - March 10, 2025, 04:54:02 PMAll,
I found a nice 1975 (?) 250 Harescrambler project with paint dabs on the frame, triple trees, forks, hubs, backing plates etc. I will be getting the complete VIN shortly. The cylinder and head have holes drilled.
Is there any way to ID it as an authentic bike by VIN?
Is there anything else to look for? The engine is out of the frame, fully rebuilt.
Thanks
I found a nice 1975 (?) 250 Harescrambler project with paint dabs on the frame, triple trees, forks, hubs, backing plates etc. I will be getting the complete VIN shortly. The cylinder and head have holes drilled.
Is there any way to ID it as an authentic bike by VIN?
Is there anything else to look for? The engine is out of the frame, fully rebuilt.
Thanks