Can you help Tom Penton?

[OhioTed]

Tom Penton was in Amherst for the 10/2/08 POG meeting.  While there, he described his all-time favorite Penton motorcycle.  Bet you can't guess what it is.  Hint:  They were hand assembled, and Tom says only between two and four were ever put together.  For a video, click on  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgT5qLiKfAc

Can you help Tom to locate one of these bikes?  He would like to own one.  By his recollection, one went to Jim Hollander, and one to Marcia McDonald.

[john durrill]

Ted,
 You made my day with this post.
We did something like this in 2002. Well we made a poor attempt at it chuckle chuckle! We had to use  slightly different parts because of pistons that were available at the time.




 6 years later with 2 added engine mod's and converting the 73 frame to 75 Sachs 6-Day specs we think we are finaly finished.
I hope Tom can find one of the bikes. They are a real treat to ride in the woods.
 John D.

[firstturn]

Priceless Ted.  John beautiful job on the Sachs 175.

Ron Carbaugh

[Kip Kern]

What is it, can't get the photos!

[OhioTed]

Kip, be sure to log on to your internet access using Microsoft Explorer.  I was pulling my hair out, trying to figure why photos would not come up, and it turned out they were being blocked by the server.

[john durrill]

Ron,
You , Martjin , Doug , Larry Perkins , Leo , Speedy ,Bob W. , Phil Schloss ,Several of the POG guys that gave me parts to modify like the rear brake stay, Al B. , Jake Fisher , Barry Higgins ,Falicon , a local welder and a guy from Australia ( can't remember his name ) , All helped me do this over time. Here are 2 pictures from last years RR with the Lay down rear shocks.


The pictures are big sorry but its the only way you can get a good look at the frame and engine.
  This fall we added  the longer 35 mm forks ( 200 mm travel ) to help with the handling. Tested it at Rick G's 2 day ride ( several miles of one track with 8 to 18 inch whoops ,lined by handle bar width trees) in Sept and the bike handles great.
 I Hope someone can find one of the few that were built. It would nice to see Tom P on it at one of the RR's. I would very much like to get a close look at one. I know they did a much better job than i did.
 Thanks again to every one that helped me out with it. Guys please beat the bushes and see if one can be found.
 John D.

[OhioTed]

I don't know if John has mentioned it before, but he has been freaking out the Dual-Sport event riders down in Florida with the performance of his Penton.  Through a mutual friend, who lives in FLA and is big into the D-S events, I kept hearing about "this guy on an old Penton, who goes really, really well".  Apparently, they can't believe that someone can keep pace with their modern, big-bore, D-S bikes, with a 35 year-old, small displacement, 2-stroker.  Way to go, John!  Love the bike.

[firstturn]

John,
  You are the one to be congratulated as you have stuck with this project.  Great pictures and I love the swingarm [8D].

Ron Carbaugh

[OhioTed]

It would appear that while the nature these bikes is known, their present locations are not.  For a start, does anyone know how to contact Marcia McDonald or Jim Hollander?

[Larry Perkins]

I think Jeff DeBell will know how to get in touch with Marcia.

Larry P

[john durrill]

Here is what the engine looked like. Its not a good photo but it is the only one i have of one. The engine worked well enough that Monark used it in European enduro's and ISDT/E till the early 80's?
 


 The 7 cylinder fins and the exhaust head pipe size are the give a ways.
John D.

[OhioTed]

Thanks for the info, Larry and John.  Larry, do you know how to get in touch with Jeff?

[Larry Perkins]

Jeff posts as a member here as Jeff D.  If you can not reach him through here let me know and I can dig up my contact info.  He is a Fireman up KC MO way, a great guy, and has an eye turning spouse.  No insult only major compliment Jeff!:D

Larry P

[Joe Murphy]

[email protected]--where to find Jeff Debell. Ask him about Rokon riding.
Larry-someday I have to get that Petty headlight from you.
Murph

[Jeff D]

Marcia should be at the Reunion Ride so I'll have to try to remember to ask her about the 175/125.  Don Cutler recently rebuilt a Penton for her, so perhaps this is the bike?  I'll see what they have to say.
And I have to agree with Larry about my bride...she sure caught my eye!  I tell folks even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.  I got lucky!

Jeff DeBell