June 1st POG Pentonville Tour

[Admin]

Fellow POG member and Penton Enthusiast,

When John Penton's father Harold purchased a 1917 Harley-Davidson as a means to commute to the Ohio State University campus in Columbus from his home in Cleveland, little did he realize how he had started a chain of events that would change motorcycling history forever.  That Harley eventually sat neglected in the barn on the Penton family farm till at age 14, John's Brother Ike, dragged it out and got it running. From the day Ike dragged that Harley out of the barn in 1931, until a few weeks ago when John Penton was interviewed and filmed in the old Penton Brothers Machine shop building for the upcoming John Penton movie project, motorcycling history has been made on the Penton family farm.

Please plan on joining with us on Saturday June 1st as we stroll the Penton Family property as guests of the Penton Family and not only learn much of the Penton history, but also see first hand where it occurred. Who knows, we may even get to take a putt on our Pentons on a few of the actual farm roads where several generations of Pentons learned to ride!

What:   First Annual Penton Homecoming
When:  June 1, 2013
Where: Penton Farm Market
Time:   POG meeting starts at noon, tour afterward
   
The Penton Farm Market is located at 4905 N Ridge Rd  Amherst, OH 44001 (see directions on back), we will be parking in the rear of their parking lot. Please do not park directly in front of their building. Please bring along your own chair as depending on the weather we may just meet in the shade of one of the large trees for the abbreviated POG meeting. We will have an afternoon snack and soft drinks. Please eat lunch before arriving as no lunch will be provided.

We will be doing a display of Penton motorcycles so please feel free to bring as many of your Pentons as you wish. From barn fresh to total restorations, all machines are welcome. We will begin setting up the display at 10am.

During the walking tour we will see a number of the buildings that played roles in the Penton history, including the original Penton Brothers Motorcycle Agency (also known as the chicken coup), the Penton Brothers Machine Shop, the Penton Farm Market, the Penton Honda motorcycle shop building, and the home that John Penton built for his family and that he still lives in today. We will also be visiting the locations on the property that numerous historic Penton Sportcycle and Penton Family photos were taken. Some of these photos were used in the early Penton Sportcycle and Hi-Point literature.

This event will be held  Rain or Shine (if raining bring an umbrella and raincoat).  This is a free event for all POG members and their family.

On Sunday – John and Jack will be traveling down to John Penton GNCC being held in Athens, Ohio. Everyone is welcome to attend that event (admission fee is required). Approx. a 3 hour drive from Amherst, Ohio.

You can contact Alan Buehner (Work No.) 216-651-6559 if you have any questions about this event.

[BrianTaylor]

"Tour Guide " another title to Mr Pentons long list of credentials You have love it ... Brian

Brian Taylor

[Paul Danik]

As of now Saturday June 1st. is supposed to be about 85 degrees and sunny

Just when you begin to think you know most of the history of Pentonville you find out differently...turns out that the picture of John Penton at speed on his NSU, the one at the bottom of page 48 in the John Penton book, was taken near the Penton Brothers Machine shop building that today houses Penton Racing Products. Jeff Borer is going to have that exact same NSU on display on Saturday June 1st. and we might possibly get to see a reenactment of that historic ride.

The photo on page 49 was taken a few hundred yards away and we hope to check out that site as well. The picture of John and Bill Penton on their BSAs at the bottom of page 46 was taken outside of the current home of Penton Racing Products, also on our list of must see buildings.

The Penton property abounds with very interesting and unique features, over and above the historic features pertaining to the Penton Sportcycle and the Penton family's involvement in motorcycling, should be a very interesting day...

Hope to see you there.
Paul

[scott brogan]

Well everyone, its almost here. Looking forward to seeing many
of our Penton family. And the collections of our Penton bikes
that come with them. This is going to be an exciting year.
The John Penton movie in the works!!!  I hope we can cement
the Penton motorcycle and the whole Penton story in the history
of motorcycling long after we are gone.  HAVE A SAFE TRIP EVERYONE
See you all sat.  

Scott B

[Randy Kirkbride]

The Penton Farm Market street address is actually 44905 N. Ridge Rd., not 4905.

[Paul Danik]

Thanks Randy, I typed that so the error is mine...  Honest, we aren't trying to make this like a hidden check at a national enduro....

Paul

[hankthecrank]

Leaving tomorrow with wife and 2 granddaughters. Camping at Riverview at Vermilion and see you guys Saturday! Hank

Hank Rinehart

[Paul Danik]

Below is a link to an article that was done on the filming for the John Penton movie that was shot yesterday on the Penton farm.

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/05/31/filming-the-life-of-a-motorcycle-legend/

Paul

[BrianTaylor]

Hope there was lots of mud and water at the creek crossing ... Brian

Brian Taylor

[paul a. busick]

Brain,  Scott and I have laid out a very nice, vintage friendly course. The course is mostly grass track and in a rolling meadow.  There are 2 creek crossings that are not much more then a good splash.  The crossings are hard bottom and about 8 inches deep.  We set the ride up for enjoyment so that new and old bikes and riders will have fun. The farm is only about 45 min. from the Penton market.  See you all this weekend.  Amherst Paul  []

[Paul Danik]

Despite a gloomy forecast, the Pentonville tour and POG meeting went off without any storms...

A big thanks to all who helped in any way to make the days events possible, as well as to all of your fine folks who attended.  I do believe the long distance award went to POG member Bob Collins from Beaumont, Texas who rode his Goldwing to the event. I tried to coax Bob to join in the ride around the Penton farm that Jack Penton lead aboard Jeff Borer's NSU, but Bob wasn't having any of that...maybe next year Bob..

Speaking of Jeff Borer's NSU, which is the actual NSU that John Penton campaigned many years ago.  Jack Penton, who has been doing some reenactment riding on the NSU in period correct garb for some filming for the John Penton documentary, gave us all a little taste of yesteryear when he rode the NSU across the dam of the Penton farm pond and waved to all of us standing below.  Jack was dressed in the period correct clothing as he did his ride, it was quite an interesting sight that none of us will soon forget.

A big POG thanks to John Penton's niece Kirsten, who manages the Penton Farm Market along with her husband Andy, for allowing us to use their facilities for our gathering. If you get to Amherst be sure to check out the market, the food they provided us with yesterday was delicious and everything in the market is very fresh and well presented.

John and Jack Penton, as well as B.J. Penton from Penton Racing Products, were gracious hosts as surely everyone who attended will attest to.  Thank you Jack, John and B.J., we sure appreciate your hospitality.

Paul