New Penton Onwer

[JamesHorwatt]

Morning All,

   I just picked up what is said to be 75 Jack Piner 175. I have my doubts about that though. But i really don't care what it is. I have one!!!

I believe the serial number is either 5/511 87469 or 54511 87469. The back slash in the first set may be a "4" like in the  second set.
Its kind of blurred

Thanks Jim

[brian kirby]

It is a 4, there was no slash in Penton/KTM frame numbers at that time. 5-11 would make it a '75.

Brian

[JamesHorwatt]

Ok thanks Brian, But what bike is it?? Jack Piner and what engine size??
or will any size KTM fit?

Thanks Jim

[454MRW]

175, 250, & Mint 400's all used the same 54-xxxxx frame. I had a 76 Cross Country 175 that had the same 54-6xxxx frame numbers. If you have the original engine, look on the right side engine case, just above the ignition cover beneath the side cylinder fins for the engine ID and serial #'s. If it is a late 74/75 Jackpiner it would start with 52-4XXXX or late 74 actual (75) 52-5XXXXX. 250's used the 54-XXXXX engine code. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[JamesHorwatt]

Hey Guys, Thanks for all the great and useful info. Well its just a roller, no engine,seat,electronics, or fenders. so I need to get moving looking for stuff. So I can make this a 175 Cross Country? or a Jack Piner??. I have several(8)big cc bikes and would really like a smaller cc bike.

Thanks Jim

[454MRW]

Does it still have the airbox? I believe that all 175's were referred to as Jackpiners until 76 when the term Cross Country was used, but in all reality it would still be a Jackpiner regardless. If it has a blue airbox and tank, then it was a 175, a red one would be a 75 Hare Scrambler 250, and white would be a Mint 400. In 76 they used an orange airbox for all with orange tank and side panels, etc. If you want to email me some pics, I will post them and maybe we can make a better determination. [email protected] Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[454MRW]

From the orange showing through the brownish? primer/paint and the tank strap vs. the tank cords used earlier in 75, and the front ribbed forks, I would say this is an early 76 Cross Country, but as far as the size it was originally, without the airbox or other clues, I can not tell. Mike






Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[JamesHorwatt]

Hey Mike,

   Would you have any old pictures of your 76 Cross Country 175, I'm thinking of going that route.

Thanks Jim

[454MRW]

This is not my 175 Cross Country, as I bought it needing restoration and sold it before doing anything to it, but here is one I grabbed off the internet. Note** this has the leading axle Marzocchi 35mm forks, as did my 76 175 Cross Country, but I am not sure all 175 had those. I know the 250/400's did have the Ceriani's for the most part. Mike

Here is a RH side view of another 76 Cross Country, but I am uncertain of the size, but maybe a 175 as it has the leading axle forks as well, but in this case they are Ceriani leading axle forks, maybe transplanted from a 76 MC5 which is more common. Mike



Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[brian kirby]

I dont think any of the '76 Cross Country models came with leading axle forks, I think they all came with the 200mm travel straight leg Ceriani's, but I could be wrong. As with a lot of details, KTM changed stuff all the time so there are not very many absolutes about what a bike could or did come with.

Brian

[454MRW]

Brian,
I think you are mistaken on that one. Look under the production guide on the home page and it says 76 cross country had either Ceriani or Marzocchi forks and I am unaware of any straight leg Marzocchi's. Plus I had no reason to doubt the bike I had's originality. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[brian kirby]

Could be, most of the '76s I have seen have the same ribbed 200mm Ceriani straight leg forks as the late '74.5 and '75. I always assumed they just carried the entire bike over with orange bodywork and a new name. Marzocchi did make long travel straight leg forks though, SWM used them up until '79.

Brian