Length of 77 MC5 shocks ?

[Tom McPeek]

What is the stock shock length for a 77 250 MC5 ?  I am purchasing one and it is outfitted w/ remote reservoir Bilsteins  I have a set of 13.5 Fox airshox and hoping they will work.

78 KTM250 MC5,77 Penton 250 MC5

[tomale]

Hey Tom, The stock length is 13.5 but lots of guys use 14 inch because it helps make the bike corner better. but if that is not that big a deal, go for it...with the stock length.
Do a search there has been lots of talk on the subject, by the way, The frame on the 77 is exactly like the 76 frame with only a few minor difference. none of which have anything to do with suspension...So you will find some of the conversation will include the 76 bike too
congrat on the new bike.. I think it is cool that more of these are showing up, 7 years ago when I found this site there were only a handful of these bikes, I wonder how many are in riding condition now.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)

[Tom McPeek]

I am picking this bike up Sunday from Bruce B in Grand Rapids Mich. He's had it advertised for awhile and I can't believe someone didn't buy it already. It has been completely restored and I am planning to use it for a few CC races this year. I have been after one of these since seeing Tom Brosius's Red #69R bike on his website , I think these are the best looking Penton's in my opinion. I will be at Mid Ohio and a few ahrma rounds w/ it being that I am concentrating on Vintage MX for 2010 (2nd overall in 2008 looking to win it all this year) I will post pics when I can figure it out.  Thanks Tom

78 KTM250 MC5,77 Penton 250 MC5

[Dennis Jones]

Since all our bikes are just a little different from the next one be sure to check the swingarm to motor clearance if you go over 13 3/4". It is very close on full extension

Dennis Jones

[xracer]

tom that is a beautiful bike hope you got it for a little better price then he wanted  later dave when in doubt gas it

[Tom McPeek]

Talked to him a year ago when it was 3800 and made a deal for considerably less,I couldn't find one and do all that has been done to this one for what was agreed on. New plastic,repainted tank,frame powdered,rims,spokes,tires, PVL ignition,bars,cables,motor done,original exhaust was found and installed,seat cover etc. It just spoke to me for a year until I called again to buy it. Bruce is a very nice and honest guy so I was sold on the 77 Penton.

78 KTM250 MC5,77 Penton 250 MC5

[xracer]

i agree he is a good guy spoke to him at the gilmore bike show last year always a few pentons show up there great time plus the barns are open to see the cars later dave when in doubt gas it

[tooclose racing]

Fox Air Shox!  Great set-up if you know how to care and feed them. I believe that is what Buck Murphy and others ran on there MC5's in the Nationals back in the day.

I remember the post on this bike. Nice.....have fun.  My first couple of rides on my "new" '76 MC5 last year (I mounted 13.75 WPs) were a hoot![]

[Tom McPeek]

I am also going to run the 78 pipe (circle F) I have a stock 78 to use as a guide for the bracket.  I will probably bring the bike to the POG day at AMA w/ the Fox shox on it. Hope to learn a little more about setting up the bike from those in the know. Say hello if you can and offer up some advice.  Thanks Tom

78 KTM250 MC5,77 Penton 250 MC5

[tomale]

I had a set of the Fox air shocks on my MC5 back when it was new. They were the single stage units. they worked very well but were too stiff to hook up well on a hard pack track.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)