I got to tour a Penton Dealership tonight

[fastfredracing]

Super cool place . John owns the place , He is 82 years old and still building bikes and motors for vintage Penton, Bultaco, Maico, Husky , KTm etc.
I have never met him, but my buddy , who is the local Police officer knows him really well, and has a key to the place . He asked me to stop by , and check the place out tonight
My bud vintage races the 73 Penton 125 in the photos. The other one, he is almost done doing a 100 point factory restoration on. The story is , that they bought up 5 parts bikes to make the vintage racer, and when they were done, realized they had enough left over to make another complete bike .
I guess this guy is legend. Had a part in the making of the film, On any given sunday . and raced for the Penton , KTM, and Husqvarna factory teams over the years .
Supposedly, when KTM absorbed Penton, John was friends with, and raced with the owner of the Penton Company, and bought the remaining stock of the company . 2 tractor trailer loads of parts , supplies, hardware, literature , decals, clothing etc, were all loaded into this building .
Unfortunately , I did not get to see all the bikes and showroom , only the shop, parts warehouse, and old dealer parts counter .
I guess the old guy is super finicky, and does not want anybody around the bikes if he is not there. Im supposed to go back and check it out Sunday, when he is home . 30 or more vintage enduro race bikes , all factory racers , a few won championships on . Im stoked. I was there for an hour, and could get lost in a place like this, so much history .

[fastfredracing]

[fastfredracing]

[Scott Douglas]

Cool. Look forward to more pictures when you get them.

[MMiller]

Wow great post!

I ask, what is cooler on a vintage bike than a radial fin head?

So cool, lusted for these back in the day and don't even get me started on CZ's, Bultaco (has there ever been a cooler name) or Husqvarna. Or the 501 Maico...

[billybek]

I had commented in the Norton thread about my friend's dad restoring Nortons. Back in the day he raced a fair amount.
The Bultaco was his bike and his son had stripped it down, fixed what needed fixing and put it back together. Not a full restoration but still looks pretty cool. Looks exactly the same as when his dad was riding it.

I bet the old guy with the dealership would be a cool guy to hang out.

[fastfredracing]

I am anxious to meet him. My bud tells me , that he will be all salty and stand off ish for about 25 minutes, then will become my best friend in the world. I hear he loves to tell stories of the hey days of enduro racing in the 70's.

[KevinTodd]

Wow. I can almost smell the Castrol R by just looking at these pics...and the radial? Oh yes.

[Googam]

I saw John ride in the Inter-Am race in Pepperell MA in 1969 or maybe 1970. The Europeans ruled back then. Roger DeCoster was the man. There is still a very active Penton riders forum.
Penton Owners Group
I spent time around Bultacos. To really get in the weeds, there is a famous shop, in of all places, Hillsdale, NY. www.bultaco.com
Love the smell of Castrol in the morning.

[Steve F]

[asphaltgambler]

I'm so jealous....UFB...