Help with some information please penton 175

[BryanCosby]

Hi all,
I have been a lurker for a while. I enjoy and respect everyones wealth of information and tips here. I have a Penton 175 that I bought from a firend about 4 years ago. I intended to restore it but we had a baby 2 years ago and with two older boys I just can't find the time. I am thinking about selling it but wanted to know what is a fair price to sell it at.

It has a Virginia title from the 70's. A bunch of spare engine gaskets and looks to be very original (bing carb. is there) except for maybe the fenders, grips and the obvious missing parts. It ran when I bought it but has been stored in my garage since with being run. (Its not locked up and I ad put some oil in the cylinder when I got it in anticipation of long storage.

I am enclosing some pictures for reference. If any other pictures are needed I will gladly take them.

[tofriedel]

What stae are you located in?

Tony

[BryanCosby]

Virginia

[iyaoyas]

Hi Bryan,

According to the Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide 2011/12 Edition, your bike came in two flavors in 1973; the base Jackpiner and Jackpiner w/Enduro kit.  I'm not sure which variant you have (although another POGGER may help you there...) but the prices vary between $300 to ($4200)/$4600 (base model).  As you know, prices are subjective and primarily based on condition.  It's hard to say what the value of your bike would be just from the pictures alone.  

Not knowing the service history on the bike and the fact it's been 'sitting' for some length of time (perhaps several years before you acquired it?) a buyer would have to consider the cost (parts & labor) for a complete engine rebuild along with servicing the suspension, carburetor, brakes, repairing the hole in your exhaust, etc...  

At the end of the day, the value of your bike is what it's worth to you, the owner.  In reality, however, it's worth what someone is willing to pay you for it and hopefully for you, it's as much as you paid for it if not a little more...  Hope that helps...

[Daniel P. McEntee]

This bike has a lot going for it, in that it looks to be pretty complete, and judging from the chain guard, tank, levers and such, doesn't look to have been raced or abused, just not maintained very well. You could just strip this bike down, do a good clean up, and just touch up on paint, a seat cover and even repair the rear fender, and have a decent looking rider. Then later on when funds allow, do a full on restoration if you want. It all depends on what you want the bike for. It looks like it was what I call a "farm bike", just something that someone road around their property. Mostly just elbow grease and mechanical work to get it rolling again. A good inspection of the engine might reveal that it won't need much. I have done bikes, a couple I'm working on now, that were no where near as complete decent condition as this one. If you must sell, I generally have a figure of $500 bucks in mind when I go to look at a bike. If it runs and I can ride it, I consider condition and go up from there. If it doesn't run and depending on condition and completeness, I go the other way. We really don't know your situation, but hope this helps some what. But if I were you, I would make some attempt to clean it up, and do some preservation to get it running again, and plan on more work later. Your kids may be old enough to get involved by then, and think of the fun that could be had. You may never find one in this kind of shape again, and if you do, it may cost more.
  Lots to think about isn't there?
   Good luck and have fun,
    Dan McEntee

[BryanCosby]

Thanks for all the information so far. I will dig up the other paperwork that I have. It ran when I bought it and I think I will spend a little time getting it running again which as most have pointed out would give the buyer a warm fuzzy about pricing.

As is right now I was thinking about advertising it around $600 and take offers but I think having it running might help considerably. I may just consider keeping it because I have a KTM 450EXC that I ride and this Penton is my birth year and why I wanted it originally.

I have alot to consider and those who suggested a light refurb now to maintain it makes me think even more. I just dont have the time or $$ to restore it like I want to but I could refresh it and enjoy it.

[BryanCosby]

What was in the enduro kit? It def. had a headlight etc and was registered for the street at some point. I believe the switch on the bars is for the headlight but I have not even traced the wiring etc.

quote:Originally posted by iyaoyas

Hi Bryan,

According to the Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide 2011/12 Edition, your bike came in two flavors in 1973; the base Jackpiner and Jackpiner w/Enduro kit.  I'm not sure which variant you have (although another POGGER may help you there...) but the prices vary between $300 to ($4200)/$4600 (base model).  As you know, prices are subjective and primarily based on condition.  It's hard to say what the value of your bike would be just from the pictures alone.  

Not knowing the service history on the bike and the fact it's been 'sitting' for some length of time (perhaps several years before you acquired it?) a buyer would have to consider the cost (parts & labor) for a complete engine rebuild along with servicing the suspension, carburetor, brakes, repairing the hole in your exhaust, etc...  

At the end of the day, the value of your bike is what it's worth to you, the owner.  In reality, however, it's worth what someone is willing to pay you for it and hopefully for you, it's as much as you paid for it if not a little more...  Hope that helps...

[Daniel P. McEntee]

For the enduro kit, sometimes that was supplied by the dealer with after market items. The bike might have been on the show room floor in MX trim, and if a buyer wanted an enduro, the dealer just added on what he needed. Seeing as the bike has a Preston Petty IT rear fender, I'm guessing it would have had a Preston Petty head light/number plate also. The rest of the enduro kit would have probably consisted of a speedometer and drive unit, tool bag and bracket, and of course, the Petty head light and rear fender. Maybe some other misc. items like a spark plug holder, wrenches, etc. If it came from the factory as an enduro, it may have had a large metal head light, a standard rear fender with a rubber tail light/license plate mount, and the rest of the items I described already installed. Good lick with your decision. I'm voting for you to keep it!
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Richard Terry]

Bryan keep it. One becomes two, then three and then four. I sold my first Penton to Donny Smith years ago and still regret it.

[tofriedel]

I am not sure about the 73 models, but the 72's came with aluminum fenders and there was an enduro kit that included head light, handlebar mount light switch, tail light and tool bag.

I do not believe Preston Petty Products were availablre in 1973, I'm thinking 1975 - 77 for those items

Tony

[OUCWBOY]

My last year of racing every weekend was Oct 1973 and I'm sure Preston Petty fenders were in use by then. I could be wrong, but I recall using them at least part of that year. As a matter of fact I remember him trying to sell his fenders in 70 or 71 during an ISDT. I think in 1972 he expanded his product line to other items and not just fenders.

Donny Smith
Paragould, AR

[Lew Mayer]

I believe my 73 JP had those brittle fiberglass fenders. I'm sure very few have survived. I was sure glad when I could get Preston Pettys.

Lew Mayer

[Rain Man]

Hey wait a minute dad, don't sell my bike!!   Look at your son, he's got a bike to build!!!
 Home schooling @ its best Bro!  Think of the lessons you'll be instilling on his young impresssionable mind.

Raymond
 Down East Pentons