Highwheels And A Penton

[Larry Perkins]

Okay, I take offense to the bad home definition as I part out many bikes on eBay and it is how I make a living now.  So I assume you are taking a swipe at me and I don't really appreciate it.  When I part out a bike one dies but usually it helps a dozen or more come to life.  I have been thanked by many people who have bought those parts when it is the piece that finishes their project.  So I think you are wrong and again take offense to the comment.  I was only being funny and you are being personal.  You should rethink your opinion and think of the bikes that come to life with those parts that go on eBay.  Might think about not being too judgemental of others and trying to press your ideas of what is right on others.  Perhaps it stems from the fact that when it is something nice you rarely bid enough to own it yourself.  Sorry for swiping back but when swiped at it is my nature to swing back.

Larry P

[454MRW]

Larry,
I don't think that Dan meant anything about you specifically, but more about the ever increasing amount of eBayers that routinely buy fairly nice complete rebuidable bikes with the sole intent of parting them out. It takes a lot of time, money, and effort to rebuild these "Jewels in the rough", not to mention the research required to get them right. Selling the parts is more profitable, but I also hate to see nice examples parted out. Rough, only somewhat complete bikes are another story altogether, and if it helps out others, then I don't see anything wrong with that. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S

[thrownchain]

Thanks Mike, what I said wasn't a swipe toward anyone. And the sad fact is alot of people buy bikes to purposely part them out, because unfortunately, they are worth more as parts. I was just hoping that the buyer would take what is a very complete bike and possibly a "unique" one and take the time and effort to resurrect it to it's formal state.

I buy and sell on E bay and have gotten good responses to people I've helped out with parts they needed. And as I get my projects together, I will be selling off the "extra" parts I don't use and hopefully they will help out someone elses build. Fair enuff??

[Larry Perkins]

Still sounds like a jab with the statement, "And the sad fact is alot of people buy bikes to purposely part them out, because unfortunately, they are worth more as parts."  You say you are not swiping at anyone and then say the same thing you did before.  I say if people like yourself would give what bikes were worth instead of being so cheap and trying to get everything for a steal or for free then the parting out would not happen.  An example-I had a pretty nice running 1984 KTM 420 that needed very little and could not get more than $1000 offered here so I parted it out to the tune of $2900.  What would you do?

Another example is the Penton that started this thread.  It is worth almost twice what was paid if parted out.  The last headlight like that I sold brought $150 with the wiring and switches because as Mike mentioned they are brittle and therefore hard to find in good condition.  There are several people out there wanting these to complete a museum restoration.

I sell parts for a living and part out many bikes.  I believe it is a service to others and it feeds me and mine.  By saying you think it is wrong you can claim you mean no swipe to anyone in particular but it is a swipe none-the-less.

Perhaps Byron's saying would apply-"Though the boys throw stones at the frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest."

Larry P

[454MRW]

Larry,
What I meant is based on the fact that 95% of all the biked I personally buy are not complete, or parts and piece of bikes to begin with. I try to buy parts cheap because I strive to put them together, not take them apart. A bike like this would be rebuilt by me, not separated, as it is complete to begin with. Sure I try to get parts bike cheap, because I can not afford to buy nice complete bikes. I currently have over 25 Penton project bikes and the most expensive Penton I have ever purchased is Rons Flat Tracker, and I still haven't scraped enough cash together to settle my obligation to Ron, but I'm working on it. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S

[Larry Perkins]

My comments were not directed at you Mike.  I have not taken offense to anything you have ever said or done.  You are a good guy in my book.  As my Grandpa used to say, "You are welcome at my campfire anytime."

Larry P

[thrownchain]

I'm not going to keep this going. We have differing opinions and we're are entitled to them. You do it your way, and I'll do mine my way, because it's what I can afford to do.

[Rain Man]

and you know what else Larry !  theres a whole bunch more penton  motorcycles  out here that are just tucked  away, waiting to be restored or parted out. I know a guy right now that would sell his whole penton collection,(15 bikes + or -) if he had one that was restored to mint condition.
 I imagine the supply of parts is somewhat limited, but I think  will never see the end of available penton parts in our life time.
 Now does anybody have fiber clutch plates for a 250 or a 12mm kicker shaft for an early jackPiner ??  I just need the cluch plates, not the whole bike...

Raymond
 Down East Pentons