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2010….

John Penton: An American and local Motorcycle Legend
by International Motorcycle Shows on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2:13pm

This year the Cleveland International Motorcycle Show features a beautiful collection of Penton Motorcycles, a brand designed and built by John Penton, an International Six Day Trials competitor from Ohio who was tired of riding heavy dirt bikes that he spent more time working on than riding, and who had a determination to see America on the podium.

With early versions powered by Sachs motors, and later models by a then little known Austrian company, KTM, Penton had a fierce conviction to build a high quality race bike, and continually improve his designs. Working with his son, Jack, the elder Penton was known to personally fly to Austria when a design improvement or upgrade was identified in order to ensure it was implemented immediately on the production line. The Penton’s have spent the better part of their lives redefining American and International off-road riding.

We were excited to host this display of Penton motorcycles, organized by Paul Danik, President of the Penton Owners Group (www.pentonusa.org). But we were incredibly honored when, this morning, John and Jack Penton themselves showed up at the show. They’ve spent the morning talking to hundreds of fans, sharing stories, and still thinking up and discussing design improvements.

Our deepest gratitude to John & Jack Penton, Paul Danik, and the many Penton Owners who loaned thier bikes and time to this display, and to the effort of preserving this important piece of moto-history. Some pictures are below, but we did a full sweep of the Penton collection in our Cleveland Photo Album here on FB.

To learn more about John Penton, the Penton Motorcycles, and the Penton Owners Group, check out www.pentonusa.org, where you can also purchase a copy of the book, “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution,” written by former AMA President and moto-historian, Ed Youngblood.

We hope you enjoy this little montage…

Jack and John Penton

John’s still full of ideas and energy

Penton Owners Group President Paul Danik (center) with Jack & John

The Penton story captured by Ed Youngblood. Available at www.pentonusa.org

Lots of fans enjoyed the Penton display

Fans

And more fans

Just cool

John’s still at it… in this shot he was discussing design improvements with a fan

The Penton Owners Group is recognized worldwide as the premiere vintage motorcycle organization dedicated to the preservation of the Penton motorcycle. This timeless classic came out of a dream by its creator, famed motorcycle racer, John Penton, after approaching a small Austrian bicycle and moped manufacturer by the name of KTM. This dream set a new standard in sport and competition motorcycling. The innovative design and development of this machine began in 1967 and stayed at the forefront for the next ten years. At the end of 1977, John Penton and the Penton name stepped away from this world-class machine. The following year the motorcycle reappeared bearing a new name that is still recognized to this day as one of the leading brand names in the world of motorcycling and that name is KTM.