Production Numbers

[flattracker23]

Are there any production numbers for how many of each year and model were made?

Spencer Gaydon
Lubbock, TX

[firstturn]

Spencer,
  There really isn't any exact numbers on how many Pentons were built each year.  We have somewhat of a handle on the the numbers for the steel tankers (1968-71), but not to much information after that up till 1977 when the final Penton was sold.  I hope this helps.

Ron Carbaugh

[Paul Danik]

Spencer,

   When production of the Steel Tank Penton ended and production of the CMF (Chrome moly frame) models began, KTM went to a new frame numbering system.  The new system began with either 50,000 or 50,001  we don't know which and we may never know unless we find frame number 50,000. The earliest frame that we have recorded was built in June of 1971 and it is #10650190. It appears from the information that we have that the CMF serial production started in June of 1971. Here is what I can tell you going from what frame numbers we have.

June of 1971 to June of 1972 a total of 5,454 machines produced. All would have been 100 or 125 cc machines.

June of 1972 to June of 1973 a total of 10,739 machines produced. We have Jackpiners now mixed with the 100 and 125 cc production, the Jackpiner frames have a #7 prefix on the serial numbers.

June of 1973 to June of 1974 a total of 8,567 machines produced. Now the Jackpiners are in the new frame and the 250 is also introduced and in the production number mix. The #7 prefix is no longer on the Jackpiner frames.

June of 1974 to April of 1975 a total of 8,663 machines were produced.  We have no frame numbers from May or June of 1975 hence the use of the April production number.

April of 1975 to April of 1976 a total of 6,044 machines produced.

April of 1976 till Sept. of 1976  3,745 were produced.

The highest frame number that we have on a CMF machine is 93,213 and it was produced in Sept. of 1976.  The next number that we have is 00047 from Jan. of 1977 and that is a whole new production run, probably starting the MC 5 series.

   When we get enough frame numbers we will be able to get some fairly accurate monthly production numbers.

   I think the highest Steel Tank Penton frame number is in the upper 5,000 or low 6,000 range for a production run from early 1968 till before the start of the CFM production run that began in June of 1971.

   Many thanks to you guys for supplying the frame numbers, as you can see lots of information can be gathered from your input.  If you have a frame and haven't yet supplied us with the serial number please do so, EVEN IF ALL YOU HAVE IS THE FRAME!

    Most of you know how to read a frame number but for those who don't here is the earliest frame number we have 10650190. The first three numbers indicate the year and the month.  the 1 indicates the year as 1971 and the next 2 numbers indicate the month as 06 or June and 50190 is the production run number.

   One other point is that we don't know if the machines built for sale outside of the US were mixed into the numbers system that we have or if they were numbered differently.  If you are outside of the US and could send us your serial number we might be able to learn a little bit more.
   
     I hope that this is some help.    
Paul

[Randy Kirkbride]

Paul,
I have a 75 250 that has serial #54 505 84124.  That would be May 75, right? You say you have no numbers from May or June? It must have been a very slow time at the factory??  I'm sure I had that number in the old registry. James in MO has #505 84323 also.  I searched 505.

[OUCWBOY]

Speaking of the old registry, that's one option that I think we should bring back.

Donny Smith

[Paul Danik]

Randy,
   
   Thanks for your frame number and yes that is May of 1975. Your frame number fits properly in sequence with the date of production and serial number sequence.

   As far as not having any numbers from May or June of 1975, except for yours, it is just that no one has sent in a frame number from that time period, I am sure that the factory was running strong.

   Using your information we now have some new data;
June of 1974 to May of 1975 9,365 machines produced.

    Keep them numbers coming.

    Thanks Randy!!!!
   
    Paul

[Paul Danik]

Donny,
   
   At this time we are in the process of evaluating web servers to decide whom to use to prevent a situation such as we just went through. Once we make the move we will be getting things moving ahead as web space allows, we have several interesting additions ready to add to the website but we are in a slight holding pattern till we change servers.

   Thank you for your input concerning the registry.

Paul

[OUCWBOY]

Paul,
Thanks for the update. That was a great feature. I do know how hard it is to get a good web service. Good Luck!!


Donny Smith

[behindbars]

Hi Paul. Not sure if this is the right place to send some frame numbers, but I figure someone will get them where they need to go..... Looks to my inexperienced eye that there is no new info gathered from these numbers, but here they are just in case. 1974 250 (54 311 69136) 1974 250 (54 311 69374) 1974 1/2 400 (54 405 74076) 1975 400 (54 411 79548) The one Mint dated May of 74 seems pretty early for this model.

[tmc3c]

Hey Spencer,Have you seen the PENTON/KTM/Kenny Roberts flat tracker?



Thomas Carmichael


1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler

[flattracker23]

quote:Hey Spencer,Have you seen the PENTON/KTM/Kenny Roberts flat tracker?

I think I have seen pictures of them in magazines. I had a friend here in town that had a Champion framed Penton, with a KTM motor in it.

Spencer Gaydon
Lubbock, TX

[tmc3c]

Spencer, Check the photo section out,AMA museum pics and then Mid-Ohio 2005.Ron Carbaugh has a beauty also that was on this years calendar.



Thomas Carmichael


1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler

[Tony Price]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Danik

Spencer,

   When production of the Steel Tank Penton ended and production of the CMF (Chrome moly frame) models began, KTM went to a new frame numbering system.  The new system began with either 50,000 or 50,001  we don't know which and we may never know unless we find frame number 50,000. The earliest frame that we have recorded was built in June of 1971 and it is #10650190.
Paul

Ahh, let us not forget that a 72 Six Days carrying frame number 167 is alive and well.  I believe it too was built in June 71.

It lived in my garage for awhile, but alas it's rightful Dad came and took him home..........but I get to visit when ever I want:)

Tony

[OUCWBOY]

I have an additional frame for a KTM engine, number 403 71852 to add to the list.

Donny Smith

[BobJones]

I just picked up a 72 Piner #7-209-57492.Is that an early #?

Bob Jones
Show-Me state