196? Hansa vs 1968 Penton frame

[nsujeff]

Here is a photo comparison of the Hansa, a direct precursor to the 1968 Penton. You can see the same backbone frame, similar air boxes even the rear tubes below the seat area, though widened for the wider tires of the Penton. Not pictured are the hubs which are exactly like the Penton's, but are laced to a skinny 17" rim.


Right and left side views. Noticeable extra backbone and steering neck bracing on the Penton. Hansa lacks down tubes. (The frames remind me of Grasshoppers for some reason)


 Similar overview. Penton much wider for dirt tires.


Airboxes are nearly identical, mounting in the same fashion.

Jeffrey P. Borer
Amherst,Ohio

[rob w]

Very nice Jeff. Clear evidence of the Penton steel tanker's ancestry.
More material for the next book. Thanks for your work.
Bob

[nsujeff]

Thanks Bob, it looks as if they used some of the same jigs and tooling to build the Hansa and Penton frames.

Jeffrey P. Borer
Amherst,Ohio

[tomale]

I have never seen those side covers on a Penton, were they on the really early model's?

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

[nsujeff]

Hi Thom, there were two versions of the air boxes that I'm aware of, the one shown and this shortened version. I do not know how many of the early (large) or the the later (shortened)versions were used but I think they all were on the early '68s. Somebody in the POG surely has more knowledge about these.

right side

left side


Jeffrey P. Borer
Amherst,Ohio

[joe novak]

Jeff,  Really great presentation of the early 1968 Penton frame and the Hansa frame comparison.   Would you be so kind as to throw them in the back of your truck and bring them to the next POG meeting.  There is someone at the meeting (John Penton), and I would like him to  give his impression of the two frames.  You know what happens when John starts talking.  We get the entire story.... and we love it.   Joe

[nsujeff]

Hi Joe,
 Sounds like a good idea, I'll bring them Thursday. Airboxes too.

Jeffrey P. Borer
Amherst,Ohio

[hotrod392]

If I show up at the next meeting, can I take these home with me?

If anyone has any '68 airboxes or covers (in any condition) cluttering up their shop, I have a couple of 68 steeltankers that would love to get reunited with their former parts;)

Thanks Jeff for the photos!

Shane
ssweckerly@bellsouth.net
270-843-3660