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#91
Penton Talk / John Greenrose passes
Last post by Keith May - January 31, 2026, 03:27:01 PMJust got the Still Keeping Track issue in the mail. Was sad to see that John Greenrose had passed away. I've been to his shop many times back in the day. I actually got my first Penton there, I traded one of the sales guys a Yamaha DT1 for an early '72 Six Days. I saw Johnny at the local release of the John Penton movie years ago. He was a hell of a rider and a nice guy too.
#92
Penton Talk / Centerstand for 77 Penton 250 ...
Last post by JCHubbard - January 30, 2026, 06:56:34 PMHas anyone purchased and installed this particular centerstand on their 250 GS6? If so, do you know if it came with instructions? Do any of you have any mounting tips? I'm considering buying it this weekend, as my bike's side stand has seen better days. Thank you.
https://ebay.us/m/4KJuyM
https://ebay.us/m/4KJuyM
#93
Penton Talk / Steel Tankers awaiting shipmen...
Last post by Paul Danik - January 27, 2026, 03:27:59 AMAre you looking for something to do as you drink your morning coffee out of your John Penton signature coffee mug ? Try counting this room full of Steel Tankers as they awaited shipment from the KTM Factory back in the day. If you have a minute or two, I will tell you where that photo came from.
A number of years back, while visiting John Penton at his home, John handed me a modified Campbell's Soup box from his attic with some hanging files in it. "Here, go through this stuff sometime, maybe you'll find some items of interest", said John as he handed me the overloaded box. That box sat next to my desk till the weather turned cold and I had some time on my hands. I told Judy one morning at breakfast that I was going to go through that box before lunch, YEA RIGHT, about 4 days later I was getting close to the end of looking at and reading all of the gems that John Penton had found interesting and had saved over the years.
One of the last things I turned my attention to was an envelope full of film negatives which I took to a camera store to have developed, when I picked up the photos, this was one of them. I mentioned this photo to Jack, he said that as the bikes came off the assembly line they would be wheeled into this room and lined up perfectly, as they awaited shipment. Some of the bikes would be taken by the European distributor, and some would be loaded into a container headed to the US market. Jack said that 105 bikes would fit into a US bound container with the crates being 7 deep, 5 wide and 3 high. The crates fit in the container so tightly that Jack's Uncle Ted made a clamp of sorts with 2 plates that slid along the sides of a crate and when attached to a tow motor with a chain, and pulled, it would tighten itself to the crate and pull it out. Uncle Ted was one problem solving guy!
Possibly some of you will tell us how many Steel Tankers you counted in the photo. If by chance you do not as of yet have a John Penton signature coffee mug, just click on the link below to be transported to the POG SHOP page of the Penton Owners Group's website and order up a mug or two, and be sure to browse the other items that are available there as well. You can take my word for it; your coffee will taste much better out of one of those John Penton signature coffee mugs!
https://www.pentonusa.org/shop/
A number of years back, while visiting John Penton at his home, John handed me a modified Campbell's Soup box from his attic with some hanging files in it. "Here, go through this stuff sometime, maybe you'll find some items of interest", said John as he handed me the overloaded box. That box sat next to my desk till the weather turned cold and I had some time on my hands. I told Judy one morning at breakfast that I was going to go through that box before lunch, YEA RIGHT, about 4 days later I was getting close to the end of looking at and reading all of the gems that John Penton had found interesting and had saved over the years.
One of the last things I turned my attention to was an envelope full of film negatives which I took to a camera store to have developed, when I picked up the photos, this was one of them. I mentioned this photo to Jack, he said that as the bikes came off the assembly line they would be wheeled into this room and lined up perfectly, as they awaited shipment. Some of the bikes would be taken by the European distributor, and some would be loaded into a container headed to the US market. Jack said that 105 bikes would fit into a US bound container with the crates being 7 deep, 5 wide and 3 high. The crates fit in the container so tightly that Jack's Uncle Ted made a clamp of sorts with 2 plates that slid along the sides of a crate and when attached to a tow motor with a chain, and pulled, it would tighten itself to the crate and pull it out. Uncle Ted was one problem solving guy!
Possibly some of you will tell us how many Steel Tankers you counted in the photo. If by chance you do not as of yet have a John Penton signature coffee mug, just click on the link below to be transported to the POG SHOP page of the Penton Owners Group's website and order up a mug or two, and be sure to browse the other items that are available there as well. You can take my word for it; your coffee will taste much better out of one of those John Penton signature coffee mugs!
https://www.pentonusa.org/shop/
#94
Penton Talk / Re: Happy John Penton Day !
Last post by Bob Gilman - January 25, 2026, 07:06:56 PMI remember that day,Dorothy and I traveled to Amherst just to attend that dinner, I still have my invite with his picture hanging over my 125le in the living room. Met a couple of good friends thats lasted all 27 years Kip Kerns and the man thats keeping this web site going with all his posts Paul (steel tanker) Danik. Was a great night.
#95
Penton Talk / John Penton travel mug now ava...
Last post by Paul Danik - January 24, 2026, 05:44:32 AMThe John Penton signature travel coffee mugs were a hit at the York swap meet, and now they are available on the POG SHOP page of the Penton Owners Group website. Just click on the link below to place your order.
https://www.pentonusa.org/product/john-penton-signature-travel-coffee-mug/
If by chance you don't already have one of the original coffee mugs or are in need of a John Penton signature hat they are in stock as well and can be ordered by clicking on the link below.
THANK YOU in advance for your purchase as it helps to support the Penton Owners Group in its mission.
https://www.pentonusa.org/shop/
https://www.pentonusa.org/product/john-penton-signature-travel-coffee-mug/
If by chance you don't already have one of the original coffee mugs or are in need of a John Penton signature hat they are in stock as well and can be ordered by clicking on the link below.
THANK YOU in advance for your purchase as it helps to support the Penton Owners Group in its mission.
https://www.pentonusa.org/shop/
#96
Penton Talk / Re: POG items under armed guar...
Last post by Daniel P. McEntee - January 24, 2026, 12:44:05 AM I think this is a recent addition to the Mungenast collection. The sign says one of only two made. Looks like a '71 Steel Tanker frame and such with a '72 fiberglass tank. Serial #2.
#97
Penton Talk / Happy John Penton Day !
Last post by Paul Danik - January 23, 2026, 02:42:45 PMI would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy John Penton Day. The story of how January 23rd was declared John Penton Day by the Mayor of Amherst, Ohio is rooted in the fact that the then newly formed Penton Owners Group hosted a dinner party in Amherst that evening. It was truly a gala event and the excitement was way off the excitement meter for a number of reasons, with several listed below.
The Penton Owners Group was pretty much freshly organized and more and more of the folks who were involved with Penton Imports and Hi-Point back in the day were planning on being in attendance. Some of these folks had become like family back in the day and getting to be with them once again was an exciting prospect.
Of course, the fact that AMA President Ed Youngblood, and his assistant Will Stoner would be in attendance, promising an announcement that was guaranteed to make one and all happy surely helped to generate much excitement. Ed was also there to present John with his Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction medallion as John was not able to attend the actual Hall of Fame Induction Ceramony.
As the evening got underway, words of greetings were spoken and old friends mingled as dinner was enjoyed by one and all. In due time John Penton spoke and was heckled by his sister Pat Leimbach who got the crowd into an even more festive mood.
Soon enough, Will Stoner and Ed Youngblood took to the podium. Ed and Will announced that not only would Penton be the Featured Marque at Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000, but John Penton would serve as Grand Marshall. Yes, the excitement meter was now of no use as everyone was thrilled beyond words at this news.
Soon enough, the Mayor of Amherst took to the podium and with Proclamation in hand, declared that January 23rd. would be from that day forward known as John Penton Day in Amherst, Ohio.
So, there you have it folks, here we are 27 years later with John Penton having reached 100 years of age before he recently passed, and with all of you folks helping to keep all things Penton going strong we are celebrating John Penton Day once again. As I sat here trying to think of something to say as to how one can celebrate this occasion, a smile came easily as I pictured John, possibly that is the answer I was looking for.
The Penton Owners Group was pretty much freshly organized and more and more of the folks who were involved with Penton Imports and Hi-Point back in the day were planning on being in attendance. Some of these folks had become like family back in the day and getting to be with them once again was an exciting prospect.
Of course, the fact that AMA President Ed Youngblood, and his assistant Will Stoner would be in attendance, promising an announcement that was guaranteed to make one and all happy surely helped to generate much excitement. Ed was also there to present John with his Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction medallion as John was not able to attend the actual Hall of Fame Induction Ceramony.
As the evening got underway, words of greetings were spoken and old friends mingled as dinner was enjoyed by one and all. In due time John Penton spoke and was heckled by his sister Pat Leimbach who got the crowd into an even more festive mood.
Soon enough, Will Stoner and Ed Youngblood took to the podium. Ed and Will announced that not only would Penton be the Featured Marque at Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000, but John Penton would serve as Grand Marshall. Yes, the excitement meter was now of no use as everyone was thrilled beyond words at this news.
Soon enough, the Mayor of Amherst took to the podium and with Proclamation in hand, declared that January 23rd. would be from that day forward known as John Penton Day in Amherst, Ohio.
So, there you have it folks, here we are 27 years later with John Penton having reached 100 years of age before he recently passed, and with all of you folks helping to keep all things Penton going strong we are celebrating John Penton Day once again. As I sat here trying to think of something to say as to how one can celebrate this occasion, a smile came easily as I pictured John, possibly that is the answer I was looking for.
#98
Penton Talk / Re: POG items under armed guar...
Last post by Daniel P. McEntee - January 22, 2026, 03:43:01 PM Hey Paul;
I sent you a message on another matter through the group message system. Check your messages, please. I will get photos added to this thread asap. THANKS!!
Dan McEntee
I sent you a message on another matter through the group message system. Check your messages, please. I will get photos added to this thread asap. THANKS!!
Dan McEntee
#99
Penton Talk / Re: POG newsletter # 110 is in...
Last post by ALB - January 22, 2026, 02:53:56 PMPaul, Thanks for the kind words. A lot of time and effort goes into putting one of these newsletters together and it would not be possible without the talented writers and contributors that submit photos and articles.
Newsletter #110 is almost complete. Just need to do some fine tuning to two articles to make everything all fit.
One of the articles is about Emily Schultz, the winner of the 1972 Penton 125 Six Days give-a-way bike. In the article I have included the letter that she wrote to John Penton that won her the bike over 14 other letters that were submitted.
The newsletter is on track to be mailed out near the end of next week. So there is still time to join the POG and start receiving your copy. If you are already a paying member of the POG, double check the due date of your membership to make sure that you are current.
Newsletter #110 is almost complete. Just need to do some fine tuning to two articles to make everything all fit.
One of the articles is about Emily Schultz, the winner of the 1972 Penton 125 Six Days give-a-way bike. In the article I have included the letter that she wrote to John Penton that won her the bike over 14 other letters that were submitted.
The newsletter is on track to be mailed out near the end of next week. So there is still time to join the POG and start receiving your copy. If you are already a paying member of the POG, double check the due date of your membership to make sure that you are current.
#100
Penton Talk / Re: POG items under armed guar...
Last post by Daniel P. McEntee - January 21, 2026, 07:21:49 PM Mission Accomplished !! It was great to just get out of the house!! It was in the 40's today here!! I got there first, and Conrad made the scene next followed by Marr from the Museum next. Got the stuff carried in, looked it over a bit, then a whirlwind tour of the Museum. I haven't been there in a while and things are different!! I need to spend a day there as soo as practical!! If you ever get the chance, you gotta check it out!! The Penton Room in coming along Nicely!! I got a few pictures that I'll post later.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee