Link to my KTM 250 pictures

[pketchum]

Here's a link to my 1979 KTM 250. It's not completely finished as I need to repaint the front end pieces, change the fork oil, and install my for boots, and finally finish fitting the front number plate/headlight.  I'm really going to try to make the ISDT Reunion Ride this year.  It will be a challenge since we're scheduled to close on our new house on Oct. 26th.

http://home.comcast.net/~nstringer100/homepage.html

I took her out for the very first time to the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest near Chadwick, MO.  The trail system has has over 100 miles to explore.

My KTM performed flawlessly!!!!!  The only things that I need to do is to adjust the control ergonomics.  What a neat bike this is!!!!!  Currently it's geared a little too low at 4.75:1 and claws the air in 5th gear upon hard acceleration.  This bike also registers 180 psi on a compression test!!  Wow!  And it starts like a dream too.

Special thanks to my KTM mentor Teddy "Ligntening" Landers, Helmut "Speedy" Clasen, Andy Lippert, Tom Brosius, and Donny Smith.  Plus all the other POG members who help me satiate my 2-wheeled addiction.



Phast Phil
Moderator, Hodaka Owners Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hodaka

[tomale]

Very cool phil, I wondered what a 79 looked like. It looks very similar to the 78 from what I can see the major difference are the side panels and the Alum. swingarm. the shock angle looks to be a little closer to a 45 degree angle than the 78. It remindes me of the 76 in that regards.
I can hardly believe that the reunion is so close. I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the crew here at POG land.
I finally got to start working on my bike for the reunion ride. It did really well at last years winter series. Not once did I worry about it not starting. I think I used the same plug for all 8 races. 16 motos and at least 5 of the 8 were rain days. The bike is basically ready but I wanted to at least make it look the part. I added a Preston Petty front number plate/headlite. No bulb but it will kind of fit it. I am changing the rear fender and it will have a stop light on it. I am going to change the bars and give it the once over to make sure that it will hold up to what ever Oklahoma can throw at it. Not too worried after all it is a Penton/KTM
Thanks for the pictures see you in a few weeks

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5

[crash carden]

Hello Phast Phil, NICE KTM![8D] I just picked up a 79 or 80 175cc KTM rolling frame,and I have a few questions about the KTM's. Is their a website for vintage KTM's where I could get info on parts etc.? The guy I got the bike from says its a 79 but the first three frame numbers are *001. Is that like a Penton meaning its a January 1980 bike? It also has the # plates made in the rear fender, instead of the side panels like yours.It has an alloy swingarm as well.Do you know if you can buy a parts/owners manual for the old KTMs? How about parts can you still get them through KTM? I am also wondering if I could put a larger KTM motor in the frame say a 250cc or 400cc? It looks possible but I am not sure. Also what type of shocks came on the 79/80 KTM's? I know some about the Penton models but this is my first KTM. So if you or anyone else out there can help me out that would be great. Thanks for any help. Crash Carden, GO TEAM PENTON!:)

[DKWRACER]

Crash, a neat site to visit, is the un-official KTM 495 website
http://www.ktm495.mxbikes.com/
Good luck with your new/old KTM......

[Big Mac]

Crash - What on earth are you talking about?? THIS is the vintage KTM website! A lot of guys, especially in the west, have owned '73-'77 KTMs from back in the day only to consider years later these WERE really one-in-the-same Pentons. I have a photo on my garage wall from a '74 DB mag of Washingon's Buck Murphy railing a yellow-tank 250 (a la '73) on some NW couse, with the caption "Buck Murphy leading on his Penton 250." But on the tank side is the blue-oval KTM sticker where the Penton sticker usually sits.

Of course you know all this...just curious that your note makes it sound like the late '70s KTM was some alien creature to "Penton".

[crash carden]

Hello DKWRACER, thanks for the tip on the KTM website. Great KTM site and a big help to me!                                                Hello BIG MAC,HA yea I know but,:D I have this problem that if the bike does not say Penton on the gas tank its not for me. I just love those old toaster tank Penton's. My brother calls me "ONE BRAND DAN" :Das he buys,sells,and trades all type of dirt bikes. Of course he finds more deals that way.But I just can't get over the Penton thing so this is one 1980 KTM that will have Penton stickers on the tank! [)]Oh and the frame will be painted Penton silver,none of that orange krapp for this old Penton fart!;) PS someone needs to ship you west coast boys an arm load of PENTON stickers [)] I love it!See ya, Crash Carden Team Penton/KTM !

[pketchum]

Hi Crash,

I'd have to do a little bit of research on the frame number but I bet your guess about it being an early 80 might be right.  The number plates being on the rear fender would denote it has the MX plastic.  Al Buehner sold me my KTM manuals for a fair price and I'm certain that he has more in stock.  *Some* KTM parts are still available through KTM but not many of them are anymore.  I was able to buy a NOS airboot, which was still quite flexible, for under $10 if memory serves me correctly.  H&H KTM sells the air filters and I think that Uni carries them as well.  Sprocket Specialists carries good rear sprockets for my 79, but the countershaft that appears to fit my 79 or 80 (I have both) KTM doesn't fit without the aid of a rather large shim.  Al Buhener's stocks the right ones for the front but he's expecting a new shipment in "any day now".  Tom Brosius has remanufactured some fiberglass body work that my work for your application, and there's an outfit (untested by me) down in the land of Oz that is reproducing bodywork and rubber bits for the KTM's.  Here's there link: http://home.iprimus.com.au/hyrockpk/.  They also have reproduced many items for the Penton's as well.

If yours is like mine, the 400 engine will fit in the frame quite easily.  Listening to Teddy Landers' sage advice I've learned that there are two different engine styles.  One like mine which bolts up conventionally, and yet another that the rear engine bolt server double duty as the swingarm bolt.  They aren't interchangeable either.  I believe this was KTM's way to move the pivot point closer to the countershaft sprocket.

Rear shocks: I've seen the late model KTM's use Marzocchi's and read that they also used Bilsteins, so I'm not really sure.  Both of my bikes had the Marzocchi's installed, the ones with the remote reservoir.

I was told by several folks in the know that I should "fix it up, you won't be sorry/you'll love it", and they were absolutely right.  


Phil

quote:Originally posted by crash carden

Hello Phast Phil, NICE KTM![8D] I just picked up a 79 or 80 175cc KTM rolling frame,and I have a few questions about the KTM's. Is their a website for vintage KTM's where I could get info on parts etc.? The guy I got the bike from says its a 79 but the first three frame numbers are *001. Is that like a Penton meaning its a January 1980 bike? It also has the # plates made in the rear fender, instead of the side panels like yours.It has an alloy swingarm as well.Do you know if you can buy a parts/owners manual for the old KTMs? How about parts can you still get them through KTM? I am also wondering if I could put a larger KTM motor in the frame say a 250cc or 400cc? It looks possible but I am not sure. Also what type of shocks came on the 79/80 KTM's? I know some about the Penton models but this is my first KTM. So if you or anyone else out there can help me out that would be great. Thanks for any help. Crash Carden, GO TEAM PENTON!:)

[vmx1963]

Beautiful job Phil - personally I think the '79 & '80 were the best looking models KTM produced.  I'd have a few in the shed if only we had an Evo class club in Western Australia...

VMX1963
Western Australia
//www.vmxktm.net

[crash carden]

Hello Phil, thanks for the information on the KTM website its great! Also thanks for sharing the other info. as well. I sure like the way your KTM came out,it looks great![^]ENJOY!I found out my KTM is a Jan. 1980 bike.I am looking for a 400cc six speed engine,carb,and pipe for my KTM racer.I am hoping to have it up and running by spring. Should make a good winter project.[8D]Thanks again, Crash Carden

[Larry Perkins]

Crash

I have a complete fairly low hour 79 400 that goes that I would sell for $1000 with a spare seat and NOS fork boots.  Needs seals, a front fender, and some paint on the pipe.  Might want to change the needle jet and check the slide.  My plan is to do these things and go eBay but if you are interested let me know.

[Larry Perkins]

The seals needed are fork seals.

Larry P

[DKWRACER]

Phil, your frame looks nice, could you shed some light on paint code or p-coat manuf. and code etc...I have my RV 390 stripped..
Thanks, Tom........

[pketchum]

Nothing fancy Tom!  I used Duplicolor's "Chevy Engine Orange" in a rattle can.  Even up close it looks quite nice if I do say so myself.  This same paint code is a perfect match for late model Hodaka Super Rat's and Super Combat's as well.

quote:Originally posted by DKWRACER

Phil, your frame looks nice, could you shed some light on paint code or p-coat manuf. and code etc...I have my RV 390 stripped..
Thanks, Tom........

Phast Phil
Moderator, Hodaka Owners Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hodaka

[crash carden]

Hello Larry, your 400 sounds good I might be interested. Could you email me a picture? Thanks,Crash Carden. Email: [email protected]

[tlanders]

My 1978 MC5 250 with the frame painted Penton silver/grey is the best looking bike of all of them. It is the last one with a fiberglass tank. It handles like a dream and I LOVE IT!!!! My 1980 MC80 is even more awesome because of the reed valve 400 engine I have in it but the yellowing plastic tank detracts from it's looks and every one you see has the right side plastic burned and melted by the exhaust pipe. In 1981 they screwed up the handling in the front fork length race with the other manufacturers (made them way too long) and in 1982 they screwed up the rear suspension by going to a monoshock. The 1978 to 1980 Penton/KTMs are the best of them all!!!!

You have done a great job on your bike Phil. Can't wait for the Soggy Bottom Boys team to hit the reunion ride!!!!

Teddy