HOW MANY MC5s in 400cc?

[Jeff Moore]

Has anyone been able to figure out roughly how many MC5s in the different engine sizes 125,250,400 were built at the end of the Penton era in 1976-1977?

I have seen the 550 (MC5) Serial number as low as 865 and I think there was another one as high as around 6050.  

Based on this info there would have been over 6,050 MC5 bikes built in all sizes, and probably more with higher serial numbers.

[rob w]

"Production Years"
"Frame numbers list"
- has a 550 07207

[Ed Wilcox]

I have a 77 MC5 with 55006490 250

[Try327]

I have been following you post and I wanted comment on the MC5's. I have a 400 with the serial number of 000870. The engine is stamped with a build date of 76 and the frames rear seat mount is the single plate, the 77 250 I have has the double mount. The funny thing about the 76 it had all the 77 plastic on it and I am the second owner. I will bring this up at are next meeting of the owners group ask the expert session. Jack P took a look at it a few years ago at our IX show and the first thing he was interested in was the serial number and commented on how low the numbers were. I will get back with you guys after the meeting and let you know what was said.

[Jeff Moore]

You wrote about the plastic for 1976 is different then for 1977.  What is the difference??

My bike is a 1977... It has dual seat brackets, the extra silencer bracket and it has a Fiberglass seat pan which, I was told that was on 1977 only!

Jeff
[email protected]

[454MRW]

Side panel should be the same with the exception of the pin anniversary gold/silver foil sticker on the 77. I don't think the rear fender changed until 78 which was slightly longer than the earlier, but it might have been used in late 77. I think 77 had a slightly different front fender possibly with KTM professional embossed.

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Penton
1976 MC5 400
1978 KTM 78 GS6 250
L78-79 MX6 175-250 KTM's
1976-78 125-400 RM's
2007 CR125R Honda
1977 MC250 Maico
2017 KTM Freeride 250R

[Try327]

Yes the plastic is the same, what I should have said that it had 77 graphics on it. The 76 frame has just one outer seat mount welded to the frame instead of an outer and inner. The 400 that I have I change the plastic to West Coast white and the graphics to KTM. I wonder how many 400 Penton's with a lower serial number were sent over.

[Jeff Moore]

OH Yeah I just remembered...

 The one other 1977 change from 1976  the guy told me to check, was to a Fiberglass Seat Base as opposed to Alloy for 1976...

Jeff

[Daniel P. McEntee]

It wasn't just the factory that was responsible for changes to bikes sold off the show room floor. Dealers had their hands in the mix also. I have seen many, many trials bikes, both Penton and other brands, that were originally purchased as MX bike after they had a change of tires, or made street legal with lights and then sold as enduros. I had a '77 400 MC-5 that came from the Kansas City , MO area. It was purchased new with a light kit,and MO title, and had several vehicle inspection stickers still attached to the fork legs, which were required for getting a plate in Missouri. Parts were often swapped from one bike to another to better the chance of selling it, or parted out all together just to move it and get it off the books. Just part of the over all story and history.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Try327]

There is another difference in frames and at some point they added a bottom engine mount. My 77 250 has the double foot peg mounts but only two engine mounts. I asked about the double foot peg mount but nobody has a answer on how many were produced. And as far as the 3rd engine mount we are not sure when that happened but think it may be late 77.

[Normandy10]

My 1976  Cross Country 400(April 76 build by the numbers) has three mount bolts, front, rear, and a smaller one bottom center just forward of the foot pegs.

Mike

[454MRW]

My theory is a dropped it in 76 as a quick engine service more than a weight concern since there were making a brand new MX bike, then added it back either in late 76 or 77. I just picked up a 77 Red West coast MC5 125 and it has the bottom mount.

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Penton
1976 MC5 400
1978 KTM 78 GS6 250
L78-79 MX6 175-250 KTM's
1976-78 125-400 RM's
2007 CR125R Honda
1977 MC250 Maico
2017 KTM Freeride 250R

[Try327]

I brought up the question at the last meeting about the engine mount and the two position foot peg mounts and there was no real comments on the frames. As far as the colors go they did say that the West Coast did get the different color bikes, they mentioned the white 400 and red 250. One of our members did say he has a blue large desert tank.

[Normandy10]

My 1976  Cross Country 400(April 76 build by the numbers) has three mount bolts, front, rear, and a smaller one bottom center just forward of the foot pegs.

Mike

[454MRW]

My theory is a dropped it in 76 as a quick engine service more than a weight concern since there were making a brand new MX bike, then added it back either in late 76 or 77. I just picked up a 77 Red West coast MC5 125 and it has the bottom mount.

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Penton
1976 MC5 400
1978 KTM 78 GS6 250
L78-79 MX6 175-250 KTM's
1976-78 125-400 RM's
2007 CR125R Honda
1977 MC250 Maico
2017 KTM Freeride 250R