Penton
Encyclopedia
Penton was a brand of off-road use motorcycle
introduced in 1968 by John Penton, a noted enduro
rider on the dirt bike competition circuit.
Penton approached the KTM
company, who at the time built bicycles and mopeds, to build a light-weight off-road motorcycle. The first Penton motorcycles were modified small bore motorcycles with a Sachs
engine with improved suspension and details. The early motorcycles made their mark in International Six Days Trials (now called the International Six Days Enduro
) competitions with riders such as future Motorcycle Hall of Fame
members Billy Uhl
and Carl Cranke
. The most popular size was the 125cc (Six Day), but they were also made in 100cc (also Berkshire) and later, in 175cc (Jackpiner, in 1972), 250cc (Hare Scrambler, in 1973), and 400cc (Mint, in 1974). Later models utilized KTM engines, gas forks, lay down shocks, fiberglass gas tanks, plastic fenders and frames of high grade chrome-moly steel.
Other, less-common models included the Mudlark observed trials motorcycle (made by Wassell in England), the Cafe MX (a dual purpose version of the Mudlark), the Hiro 125 (the Six Day with an Italian motor), the Woodsman (an enduro version of the Mudlark) and the K-R (Kenny Roberts)shorttrack racer.
Production, development and distribution was taken over completely by KTM Austria in 1978.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
introduced in 1968 by John Penton, a noted enduro
Enduro
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
rider on the dirt bike competition circuit.
Penton approached the KTM
KTM
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen...
company, who at the time built bicycles and mopeds, to build a light-weight off-road motorcycle. The first Penton motorcycles were modified small bore motorcycles with a Sachs
Sachs Motorcycles
Sachs Motorcycles is a German based motorcycle manufacturer, founded in 1886 in Schweinfurt as Schweinfurter Präzisions-Kugellagerwerke Fichtel & Sachs, formerly known as Fichtel & Sachs, Mannesmann Sachs and later just Sachs....
engine with improved suspension and details. The early motorcycles made their mark in International Six Days Trials (now called the International Six Days Enduro
International Six Days Enduro
The International Six Days Enduro is the oldest 'off road' motorcycle event on the FIM Calendar.The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England. It has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II, at various locations throughout the world. The early...
) competitions with riders such as future Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
members Billy Uhl
Billy Uhl
Billy Uhl was a top American motorcycle enduro competitor. He represented the United States in the International Six Day Trials in the 1970s, winning five gold medals....
and Carl Cranke
Carl Cranke
Carl Cranke was a top American motorcycle enduro competitor. He represented the United States in 10 International Six Day Trials in the 1960s and 1970s. Cranke is also remembered for his tuning abilities with two-stroke engines and was also credited with helping develop Penton motorcycles...
. The most popular size was the 125cc (Six Day), but they were also made in 100cc (also Berkshire) and later, in 175cc (Jackpiner, in 1972), 250cc (Hare Scrambler, in 1973), and 400cc (Mint, in 1974). Later models utilized KTM engines, gas forks, lay down shocks, fiberglass gas tanks, plastic fenders and frames of high grade chrome-moly steel.
Other, less-common models included the Mudlark observed trials motorcycle (made by Wassell in England), the Cafe MX (a dual purpose version of the Mudlark), the Hiro 125 (the Six Day with an Italian motor), the Woodsman (an enduro version of the Mudlark) and the K-R (Kenny Roberts)shorttrack racer.
Production, development and distribution was taken over completely by KTM Austria in 1978.
External links
- Penton Owners Group
- 1969 Penton 125 at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame