Enduro Kits

[Paul Danik]

Over the years most everything that might be considered as a "new concept", had in reality already been tried in the past, as has been discussed in numerous interesting articles over the years.

Concerning Enduro Kits, as were sold by Penton to convert your box stock Penton into an enduro ready machine, was Penton the first to ever offer such a kit?  Just wondering..........

Paul

[Dale Sonnenschein]

I started riding in the early 70's and I don't recall seeing anything offered back then. In that era I think most came with lights but were really a dual sport bike. The real racers were more MX or scrambles bikes with low pipes. Except Penton of course. But my memory fails me a lot lately.

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

[Keith Meatyard]

A note about enduro kits.  I have a 73 Jackpiner that had a speedometer and tool pouch on rear fender, but no lights.  I had found the original purchaser from the title paperwork.  He bought the bike brand new from S&S Cycles, Baton Rouge, LA 9/3/73.  I asked him about the lack of lights, and he told me "it did not come with lights, only the speedometer and the tool bag, and a 55 tooth rear sprocket".  I guess dealers could do different things to these bikes?

Keith Meatyard

[Paul Danik]

Kieth,

  The items you mentioned are all listed as being available as separate items, in either the Penton Jackpiner Spare Parts Manual - 004, or in the Penton Hi-Point Accessories Catalog.  This would allow the dealer to have these items on hand and to equip the machine according to how he may wish to have it sitting on his showroom floor, or custom equip it for the buyer according to his intended use.

  In thinking about this, it is understandable that a serious trail rider might only want the woods gearing, tool bag & rack, and speedo. The lights would be needed for an enduro competitor more than a trail rider.

  The July 15, 1974 Penton / Hi-Point Accessory Price List shows that a complete Enduro Kit had a dealer cost of $ 85.00, and a suggested retail of $ 120.00.  

  I do recall the local dealer commenting that it was cheaper for him to buy the entire Enduro Kit, and then part out the separate items according to the needs of the buyer.

  At the next POG meeting, during the "Ask the Expert" portion of the meeting, I will ask the assembled "experts" about the origination of the Enduro Kits, as well as if they recall any manufacturer ever offering such a kit before Penton did so.

Paul

[Dale Sonnenschein]

I bought my jackpiner from the original owner. It has a larger diameter headlight and a rubber mounted taillight. Also a speedometer mounted on a bracket that mounts to the steering head. He bought the bike in september as a "demo" bike. It's production date is 2/73 but it has the 72 kickstand along with some other 72 parts.

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

[EricSchoeppner]

I don't currently have a Penton but hope to restore one in the near future. I have a "Penton Enduro Kit". The box has no markings on it except hand written on it "Penton Enduro Kit 1968-1971 $149.00"

It contains:
A completely chrome CEV headlamp with an integral lighted speedometer.

Speedometer cable and drive mechanism that would apprear to attach to the front wheel but the cable seems kinda short (where else could it go to?)

CEV Horn

Brake light switch (very strange looking to me I can't see how it would work)

Handlebar mounted control switch (lever with 3 positions and 2 buttons)

Tail lamp

Wiring diagram

I have looked through this forum at many pictures and the tail lamp looks the same as other 68-71's. Mine is silver. I have noticed some bikes are black.

The headlamp does not look like any others I have seen here as it is all chrome with the speedo built in. The headlamp brackets are a little different too and shiny chrome.

Has anyone ever seen this kit before? Did any bikes originally come with this type of set up (speedo in the head lamp driven by the front wheel)?

[Paul Danik]

Eric,

    That sounds interesting. You may have what might have been one of the earliest of Enduro Kits made up by Penton, before they had the printed boxes made up.

    The speedo cable possibly ran to the speedo drive on the top rear of the ignition cover, which in turn was driven off the main shaft of the transmission. The main shaft also is what the countershaft sprocket is bolted to. You say there is a speed drive unit with the cable, so possibly I am incorrect, will need to study that further. I wonder if the included drive unit was to be installed in the ignition cover if needed as many were trashed when reinstalling the cover without matching the drive unit with the end of the main shaft and destroying the little driven tabs.

  I have seen that headlight unit before as it was used on numerous mopeds and such "back in the day". What is confusing is all of the Steel Tank Pentons came from the factory with mounting ears on the forks, they held the front number plate or if a headlight was installed they were rotated outward and used for that purpose.

  Thank you for bringing your information forward, and please keep that Enduro Kit intact as possibly it is the earliest known completely intact one in existence and could be used in displays or

  Not sure where you are from, but if you ever are near where the POG is doing a display or having a meeting, possibly VMD, please do a "show and tell" for us.

   As a side note, often Penton used "whatever was available" in making up Enduro Kits, that is why the question of what is "correct" for a restoration can have various answers. Any ID numbers on the headlight or other items would be helpful.

   I am off to the archives to look for any picture of that style of endure kit, with coffee in hand...  No wonder I need an afternoon nap once in awhile.

Paul

PS   In re-reading your post, I see that you currently do not have a Penton, given that info possibly the speed cable does indeed run to the front wheel to be used with the included drive unit. The cable would not need to be very long, given the location of the mounted headlight and the relatively short length, and travel, of the front forks. Possibly Santa will provide you with the desired Steel Tanker project...

[EricSchoeppner]

Thanks for the info Paul. I'll try and post some pictures in the very near future. I currently do not have an image hosting account but will look into it. I will get the magnifying glass out this P.M.and post some numbers.

There is no voltage regulator included with the kit or shown on the wiring diagram. Do any other Pentons have voltage regulators?