Is this in decent shape

[Admangia]

I am blessed to have been bequeathed this beautiful piece of motocross history. I accidentally posted my background on this and being newbie in wrong spot and apologize. However, wanting to know what other 3nthusiasts feel about where this 1973 Penton is at as far as restore Vs. Ride? Appreciate any input. I will take care of it but want to be sure whether not should be actively ridden/ raced?

[Daniel P. McEntee]

  I had a '72 125 Six Days that was like this that was the first vintage bike I bought back in the year 2000 or '01. The original owner had bought it new as a teenager, tried riding enduros but didn't care for that, so he took the lights off and tried MX, but at his first event, he crashed on the first turn of his first race and broke his leg!! The bike was parked then in a climate controlled garage until I found his ad in the local newspaper. We put the lights back on, Checked everything out, fresh fluids and the bike started on the second kick!! I took it to the ISDD Reunion Ride in Park Hills, MO to use as a pit bike after joining POG and got to show it to Al Beuhner and a few others who encouraged me to keep it all original. Just clean it up, fix what I really had to, and leave it as is. Al told me, " It's only original once! You can restore something over and over, but it's only original once!" There are very few survivors left, and I think yours is a pretty good example of all original. I'm sure others will agree with me. You can preserve it, display it, run it now and then up and down your street just to keep things loose, and if you really want something to ride, find a project or another example that had already been fixed up. But I think yours should stay as it is.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Cal Alexander]

That's a beautiful early 1973 survivor. In March of 73 Penton started releasing a much sought after Six Day with an MX tank and plastic fenders. Those of us in the MX game on the West Coast at the time all wanted one of these. I had an earlier Six Day with the toaster tank and aluminum fenders but what we really wanted is the version that you have. My guess is that your bike was made sometime between March and September 1973. Very nice survivor and a true piece of Motocross history.

[Cal Alexander]

By the way, get some exhaust springs for the cone on the end of the exhaust. Someone has monkey rigged some bolts to hold the cone on. Al Buehner at Penton Parts USA has the springs that you need.

[Carl Hill]

I wouldn't restore that one. Clean it up, fix whatever is broken, and ride it. They are only original once.

[Rob Hugo]

I wouldn't restore that one. Clean it up, fix whatever is broken, and ride it. They are only original once.

I 100% agree with Carl. Nice bike!

[Admangia]

All your posts are both edifying and solidifying my thoughts on restore Vs. Meticulously service, detail and gently ride/bring to gatherings. Everyone one who responded I want to thank so much. I sent a response to another Penton owner who appears to have set a bar on detail! Beautiful. I will take recommendations and enjoy getting cleaned up, ride ready and head out see how it feels.  I am honored to have been given opportunity to have this sentimental and  important piece of MX. history handed over to me!
Thank you, more to come as I attempt to get it cleaned up and going late spring then possibly off to vintage ride Soringville, NY  (zoar valley) this fall. That would be timeline goal for "go live".
Ty, Andrew

[Tomoromo]

I have the exact same bike, a '73 with MX tank. I went to the 1st Zoar reunion in 2023, and was the only Penton there. Had a ticket for last year, but came down with Covid and couldn't make it. Hope to be there in '25. Here's a couple pictures from 2023.