what year is my KTM?

[Wardie]

My buddy said my bike is older than a 78 and previous owner said it is a 78. VIN number 855 09896

[Wardie]

sorry forgot to put the question in. Can anyone determine what year my KTM is from the VIN I listed above. Thanks Wardie

[Dale Sonnenschein]

Wardie, from what I can find it's a 78. The first digit is the year. I'm no expert on this so someone else might chime in to confirm.

73 Jackpiner
73 Husky 360 WR/RT
76 Husky WR360
78 husky cr250
10 ktm 250xc
02 bmw r1150r

[454MRW]

The 855- identifies that bike as a 78 MC-5 model. If the serial number had been in the 9950 or higher range, it could be a early 79 model called the MX-6. So far, the MX-6's that I have found started around serial number 855-10315 and higher and were only produced a couple of months or less. 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

[David Morgan]

Picked this 175 up the other year and had the notion it was a MC-5, however after reading the above I'm wondering if this would be a MX-6 ? VIN# 855-10664








Dave

78 KTM 175 MC-5
79 KTM 250 GS
82 Husky 250 XC
86 Yam 200 IT

[skiracer]

I thought the only difference between the MC5 and MC6 was that the MC 5 had the cog in the shift drum so that you only used 2 - 6th gear, whereas the MC6 used all the gears.  Of course the suspension is different too; MC 5 had the longer set-up.

1976 MC 5 Original Owner
1982 Suzuki PE 175
1976 Penton 175 XC

[454MRW]

MX6 is a very early 79 model using a 855- left over 78 MC5 frame and with extra holes in the fork damper rods improving the harsh 78 forks and fork boots and a couple other improvements. All ktms had 6 gears, but a few had 1st gear locked out with a bolt that could be easily changed to allow all 6 gears to be used. A very limited number of MX-6's were produced, maybe 30-45 days. Search MX-6. 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

[skiracer]

Hey Mike, thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge.....  much appreciated!

quote:Originally posted by 454MRW

MX6 is a very early 79 model using a 855- left over 78 MC5 frame and with extra holes in the fork damper rods improving the harsh 78 forks and fork boots and a couple other improvements. All ktms had 6 gears, but a few had 1st gear locked out with a bolt that could be easily changed to allow all 6 gears to be used. A very limited number of MX-6's were produced, maybe 30-45 days. Search MX-6. 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

1976 MC 5 Original Owner
1982 Suzuki PE 175
1976 Penton 175 XC

[Bill Campbell]

Mike,I think I have a set of 78 35mm forks. Any chance of getting the info on fixing the damper rods. Cheers Bill

[454MRW]

The MX-6 250 has 38 mm forks, so I am not sure that it would be necessary or beneficial to 35 mm forks. I  still have a MX-6 250 that I have yet to restore, but if I remember correctly there were 2 sets of holes drilled in the damper rods, with the 2nd set about 1-1-1/2" farther up and at 90 degrees around from where the lower set were drilled and about 1/8", but I would have to dismantle a set to get an accurate measurement on the 38 mm forks. I had read an article in a magazine about doing this same modification on the stock 78 38 mm forks because of their harshness, but can't recall which magazine, but I probably still have the magazine with the 78 MC5 test article here somewhere. 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

[Bill Campbell]

Thanks for the info Mike. Perhaps you can post it if you find it. I have two bikes with 38mm forks from around that era so it woild be helpful. Bill

[454MRW]

I found the article. It is a 78 MC5 250 test in the November Cycle magazine. On page 34 it tells about the hydraulic lock that occurs upon contacting square edged bumps and high speed jump landings and forearm fatigue. It tells to drill another compression hole 1/2" above the existing hole and make it the same size, and position it 90 degrees from the existing hole. The compression hole is the lowest one on the damper rod, and it will make the forks as good as any on the market. It also states that Can Am's already have this modification done at the factory in Canada. 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

[Bill Campbell]

Thanks very much Mike