Fuel Tank Question

[Kip Kern]

I am currently restoring a 74/75 GS 175 (Orange Tank, original off white sidepanels) and upon receipt of the machine, noticed that the original tank is actually a green six day tank painted over(noticed where the knees rubbed through the paint) to match the orange glas airbox.  The rest of the bike is original so I am assuming (not a good word) that this is/was the practice on this model in its early stages until an actual orange fiberglas tank could be later produced for the bike. Any thoughts out there in the Post Vintage years? Signed: "Confused in Indiana"[?]

[Rocket]

Kip
I didn't think there were any orange bikes until the 76 models.  I have a 175, serial number 510 87000 that I consider a 76 model.  The bike is an original blue bike.  My bike has the "watermelon" style tank, what is yours?  Confused in Illinois!!
Rocket

[herman]

Kip, I have a 76 125gs and its orange and so is my 76 175 jackpinner.Both are factory tanks the 125 has 1076 miles now and the 175 has 1645 andhave never been painted. Herm If you need a picture let me know.

Herm

[TGTech]

Kip,

The first orange bikes, were in '76. Prior to that, the 175's were all blue.

Dane

[Kip Kern]

Frame Number 54 51187669 GS 175, so I am guessing its a 76. Silver frame with lay down Marzocchi's, early triangle CMF airbox that is Orange fiberglas, early original off white thin sidecovers on left and right side with cutaways for shocks. Orange tank (Six Day tank painted Orange with original "Penton" decals on tank) 200mm Cerianis on the front 35mm, Orange KTM original front headlamp/numberplate fixture. Enduro rear fender, silver hubs.  Seems I heard of another member in the POG that ran into this same style bike with the paint over tank.  I have the original shop manual and this bike is featured on the cover but in a GS version, i.e., pipe enduro fender and headlamp[?]  Still Confused but appreciate help!

[Kip Kern]

OOP's Engine #5-5208459 Silver 175 KTM  Bike looks original!

Thanks

[James]

Kip, one may not know if it is in fact original without knowing the complete history of the bike. Still, I has one blue 74-75 mx tanks I needed for a Red Hare Scrambler. I thought it was a blue 175 tank-some sanding revealed it was red underneath-I had it painted red.
I know I ran into this again on an airbox-don't remember what color combo but..it has happened to me and these parts looked like original gelcoat until I sanded them. In these situations, it seems like maybe a tank that was needed for a customers bike was sent to be painted by a dealer using what tank was on the shelf. I would like to learn more about this from someone who was involved with the sale/distribution of Pentons in this era though.  James

Yamazuki-Kawahonda all sounds the same to me.. Real bikes were made in Europe

[G Ellis]

Kip, I have a late model 1975 175 that was orange that I owned new.I just found after years gone.I brought it back home today after all these years. It is the Enduro model with 6 hole swing arm and Cerianis front forks. Dose yours have a Enduro tank that uses the "L" shape decal? I bought a 76 175 Enduro in 76, the only difference in the 75 and 76 was the front forks where Marzocchi, and a Lectron carb. I have the bike know and can send you some photos. I am getting ready to work it over in the next few weeks. Hope this will help. Gary

[Rocket]

Gary
What is the frame and engine serial numbers of the 75 bike?  This is getting interesting!!
Rocket

[Kip Kern]

Gary

The tank is a standard "72/73" Six Day configuration (no "L" grooves)but has been painted over orange to match the orange fiberglas airbox ("72-75" style airbox)  I think the whole bike is original and the tank was a paint over at KTM.  The paint job and decals are too original looking to me (and I've seen a lot of Pentons).  I am thinking this is one of the first "quickie" 175 GS models to roll off the line.  Anyone else out there have a orange glas airbox like this? This is getting fun:D  Oh yeah, the cylinder/head has the holes drilled in it for the ISDT tagging devices.  I just want to get this bike correct when restoring it, don't want to ruin something special if it is.  I love restoring these European built machines, nothing standard like the Jap stuff[]  Kinda makes it exciting!

[firstturn]

Kip & Rocket,
  Some years back I picked up a trailer load of 1st year Elsinores in Lousiana.  When I was finished the dealer told me he had a 125 Penton but it was Orange.  I found it and I loaded it along with the rest of the bikes.  One of my Friends really wanted the bike so I gave it to him.  I will have him look up the frame #.  It was a orange 125 with the toaster style tank, KTM engine and standard CMF frame.  Also it had the short travel rear suspention and 35mm standard Cerianis.  I will see what I can find out.

Ron Carbaugh

[G Ellis]

Rocket and Kip, here is the frame number 54411078661  the motor number is 5-5206294 I know this is my old bike, because the person I sold it to still had it in his barn. I sold it to him in 1978 and I just tracked this bike down this week.If you need some photos I took some this morning. Hope this will help Gary Ellis

[Kip Kern]

Further investigation reveals 76 Gs decals on tank, i.e., "L" shaped stripe with black "Penton" on each side of tank, no groves for the decal.  The stripes are gone but left a shadow on the paint and the decal glue remained.  I scraped the airbox and it is orange gel coat.  This is too cool!

[Kip Kern]

Gary  I would appreciate a digital of each side if you can send them.  [email protected]  and "thanks" in advance;)