Hare Scrambler questions

[Chris MacAllister]

Did all 1973 250 Hare Scramblers come with the big ugly pipe and box type silencer?  How about 1974 Hare Scramblers; did early models have the same yellow tank and side panels?  How about pipes?
Thanks,
Chris

[454MRW]

I am not positive, but I think all of the 73's had the large club headed pipe, but the 74 had a large chrome cone pipe on the enduro models and a slimmer non shrouded pipe with with a baloney style tip similar to the ones used on 76-77 MC5's on the MX bikes and the 74 250s had red tanks starting with bikes serial number dated around november 1973. I have a Novermber early red tank MX Hare Scrambler. 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

[rob w]

Take that back, IT'S NOT UGLY !! ;)

[Tom Murphy]

I agree with you Bob, one of my favorite features of the bike:)  (Also pretty hard to find!) I'd guess '74 non-shrouded pipe would work just fine on the '73.  Tom

[454MRW]

If I remember correctly the center mount bracket above the cylinder head is in a slightly different location on the 73 pipe, as I had a 74 enduro with the 73 pipe on it with an additional bracket to attach the pipe at that point. 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

[Chris MacAllister]

Let's say the '73 pipe is distinctive.  

Based upon the comments above, the initial '73 Hare Scrambler is unique in its color and pipe.

[rob w]

quote:Originally posted by Chris MacAllister

Let's say the '73 pipe is distinctive.  

Based upon the comments above, the initial '73 Hare Scrambler is unique in its color and pipe.

Hi Chris,
Yes, I would say yes to that statement.
Excuse me if I may ask. What is the reason for your question?
But Mike O's bike here is a mix - only he could say if it's original.
This bike, only with the "distinctive" pipe, would absolutely be in my list of the "top 3 most beautiful Penton models ever produced".

Bob

[Chris MacAllister]

I ask all the questions because I don't know much about Hare Scramblers.  I want a yellow tank model but with the smaller bullet style tank.  I guess that's 1973 only.  I thought some early 1974 models might be similar but they appear to be all red tanks.  It appears as if the '73 model was the only year to employ the boxy silencer.  If I want a correct, original '73 Hare Scrambler it could have the old style or bullet style yellow tank but only the boxy style silencer pipe, right?

[Chris MacAllister]

Clarify another thing for me.  What are the differences between the '73 enduro and MX models?  What were the MX models called?

[Paul Danik]

Bob,

     You mention in your post above that the Hare Scrambler is in your "top 3 most beautiful Penton models ever produced", what are your "top 3" ?

Chris,
     
     Didn't mean to invade your interesting thread, just had to know what Bob's favorites are, you know, inquiring minds......  

Thanks,
Paul

[454MRW]

Chris,
From the introduction of the HareScrambler in 1973 until the 2 distinctive 1976 designations of Cross Country or MC5, the 250 was considered a HareScrambler whether it was an Enduro model fitted with lights and speedo, or without as an MX model. Go to the Home page and look under Production years, and click on the Production year guide for model year changes and designations. 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

[marsattacks]

You ask a question that has interested and perplexed me. I have a late '73 (ergo a '74 model HS). There are some transitonal phases. This info is partly lost in the mists of time but here is what I think I know from others' efforts.  Not all of this is directly germane to your inquiry.

1. Very early 73s have PAINTED tanks and airboxes w/ sometimes crude brush strokes over green gel-coat. Later they were yellow/gold gel coat (I think).
2. The HS tanks have BLACK "small" lettering of the word "Harescrambler 250cc".
3. The swingarms are round and do NOT have provision for laydown shocks.
4. The engine cases are black and look like 72 Jackpiner cases not like later cases.
5. Some 73s had pipe covers others just a plate like the 72 Jackpiners.
6. Of course the iconic "fishtail" silencer. I have seen photos of MX versions w/ shrouds cut/bare stingers (MX).
7. MX would have green background number plates and enduro would be yellow per then-prevailing racing rules (I think).
8. Some of the yellow enduros had the "bullet" ZKW headlight.
9. Some early 73s had chrome fenders!
10. I think a few 73 MXs were powered by miniature aeon flux reactors but outwardly resembled Rotax motors.

Ok that's all I have for you. You can pretty much find photo evidence of all.

[454MRW]

Lol,
I think my early 74 Red tank HS has one of the Aeon Flux Reactor engines, because when I bought it in 76 it would wheelie almost uncontrollably in all 6 gears even when I geared it up for maximum top speed on the road! 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

[rob w]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Danik

Bob,

     You mention in your post above that the Hare Scrambler is in your "top 3 most beautiful Penton models ever produced", what are your "top 3" ?

Chris,
     
     Didn't mean to invade your interesting thread, just had to know what Bob's favorites are, you know, inquiring minds......  

Thanks,
Paul

Of course, honestly there was'nt a Penton made I don't love. But everyone must have their favorites.
Good question, now I'm on the spot - but since I opened this can of worms.
Personally, the ones I'm most attracted to, are -
#1 - 1975 Mint 400 MX
#2 - 1974 Hare Scrambler 250 MX
#3 - 1973 Hare Scrambler 250 Enduro

Now you go next Paul.

Bob

[BobJones]

The 1st picture is of a 73 I bought in a basket. I thought the pipe was aftermarket but after closer inspection it looks to be OEM but maybe someone rerplaced the end. Is there any instance when a 73 had a stock MX pipe? The last picture is of a 74 with the stock MX pipe. I also have a 74 with the Enduro pipe I ride at the reunion rides. The 74 in the picture has the "watermelon" tank because it is like the one I rode in 74. I do have an MX tank on the shelf.

Bob Jones
Show-me state
(2)74 Harescramblers,72 Jackpiner,68/69 6-Day,73 Harescrambler.