POG At Five
By Ed Youngblood
 

The Penton Owners Group was formed to preserve and share the memories and equipment of a very special time in motorcycle history. It is the aim of the POG to be a source of information about the history of the Penton motorcycle, the Penton Company, and its many dealers, riders, and extended family. The leadership of the club has set annual goals, and in most cases has exceeded beyond expectations. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Penton Owners Group, below is a time line of the club’s significant events and accomplishments.
 

1997
 

July, 1997, Al Buehner invites John Penton to attend Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio to sign autographs. The response of fans is so strong that Buehner, Paul Danik, Jack Penton, and Dane Leimbach begin to discuss the idea of forming a Penton Owners Group.

November, 1997, Al Buehner convenes a group of Penton owners and enthusiasts to discuss the creation of a Penton Owners Group. The group includes Dane Leimach, Jack Penton, Norm Miller, Doug Beam, and Paul Danik. Bill Smith volunteers to help develop a Constitution and By-laws. Exploratory meetings are hosted by Dale Barris, owner of Penton Honda in Amherst, Ohio. Buehner explains, “The main thrust of this organization in the next couple of years will be to assemble, accumulate, identify, organize, and preserve as much of the information about Penton history as we can.” Paul Danik suggests that the group set a goal of making Penton the featured marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000.
 

1998
 

March 20, 1998, the Penton Owners Group becomes chartered as a non-profit organization under Section 1702 of the Revised Code of the State of Ohio. Dues are set at $20 per year. The newly formed club receives a charter from the American Motorcyclist Association.

July, 1998, the POG exhibits at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Eleven riders participate in a Penton only race offered by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association.

Summer, 1998, the POG publishes its first newsletter. Entitled “Still Keeping Track,” based on the original Penton Imports newsletter entitled “Keeping Track,” it is 12 pages and contains a story about early American involvement in the International Six Days Trial, and technical tips. It contains an announcement that John Penton has been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

September 28, 1998, POG holds its first meeting at KTM headquarters in Amherst, Ohio.
 

1999
 

January 23, 1999, the POG hosts a special recognition dinner for John Penton in Amherst, Ohio, where he is presented his Motorcycle Hall of Fame gold medal and a special certificate of recognition by the Mayor of the City, declaring it “John Penton Day” in Amherst. John’s sister Pat Leimbach is a featured speaker. KTM hosts a reception and Jack Penton conducts a tour of the Penton homestead and the original “chicken coop” Penton Brothers motorcycle shop. Al Born compiles and presents to John a scrapbook on Penton history.

April, 1999, POG President Al Buehner and John Penton travel to Sonoma, California, to exhibit on behalf of the POG at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days West.

May, 1999, Issue 2 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. Enlarged to 16 pages, it contains profiles of the 1973 ISDT Penton team. President Al Buehner announces that the club has applied to the AMA to become the feature marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2000.

July 9, 1999, POG members Jack Penton, Leroy Winters, and Ed Youngblood are inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

July 9 thru 11, 1999, the POG exhibits at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Seventeen riders, representing six states and Canada, enter AHRMA’s Penton-only vintage motocross race.

August, 1999, following an article about John Penton in Racer X Illustrated, Ed Youngblood proposes to write a book about John Penton. The POG agrees to officially support the project by providing information and editorial guidance. Mat Weisman, Al Born, Dane Leimbach, and Jack Penton are appointed to the editorial committee. The book is given a working title of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”

August, 1999, Issue 3 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It contains a story and photos about Vintage Motorcycle Days West, an announcement that the POG has created a web site, and eulogies for Leroy Winters and Bob Augustine. President Buehner begins a technical series explaining how to date the manufacture of Penton motorcycles, and announces that the AMA has accepted the POG’s proposal to become the Vintage Motorcycle Days featured marque in 2000. With this newsletter, the POG begins to publish the minutes of its meetings.

September, 1999, Whitehorse Press signs on to become the publisher of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”

October 2, 1999, the POG hosts a Penton Reunion Picnic at the Amherst Meadowlarks club grounds in Amherst, Ohio. Club members put their Pentons, scrap books, photo albums, and memorabilia on display. Historical Six Days movies are shown, and Jim Borer serves as head chef.

October 9 & 10, 1999, John Penton, Dane Leimbach, and Ed Youngblood travel to the ISDT Reunion in Cass, Arkansas, to set up a POG exhibit.

October 19, 1999, Al Buehner and Paul Danik meet with the AMA staff to begin planning for the Penton featured marque presentation at VMD 2000. In addition to Danik and Buehner, Barb and MattWeisman, Doug Wilford, and Jack Penton are named to a committee to develop exhibits for both Sears Point and Mid-Ohio.

November, 1999, Issue 4 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It is an 18 page issue containing a story and photos about VMD 1999, part two in Buehner’s series about how to date Pentons, an excerpt from “A Life Less Ordinary,” the story about John Penton that appeared in Racer X Illustrated, and technical tips. It is announced that John Penton will be the Grand Marshal at VMD 2000.

November, 1999, Dirt Bike Magazine publishes an article about the best off-road motorcycles of all time, naming the Penton to its “Dirt Bike Hall of Fame.”

December 6, 1999, the manuscript for “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” is finished and delivered to the publisher. As a build-up for the book, special articles are submitted to Vintage Views, American Motorcyclist, Racer X Illustrated, Cycle World, Dirt Bike, Cycle News, BMW Owners News, KTM Underground, Texas MX News, BSA Owners, and Deutsches Motorrad Register.
 

2000
 

January, 2000, Issue 5 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published. It contains 20 pages with reports about the club’s plans for the upcoming VMD West at Sears Point, stories and photos from the October POG Picnic and ISDT Reunion, technical tips, and a member profile on Skip Miller of Grand Prairie, Texas.

January, 2000, Kip Kern begins restoration of Al Born’s Penton V003, the first Penton sold to a private owner. The POG contracts with a professional web service to upgrade and administer its web site. Doug Wilford designs personalized shirts for POG members.

February, 2000, Jeff Borer, owner of John Penton’s NSU enduro motorcycle, announces that the bike will be restored and put on display at VMD 2000 at Mid-Ohio.

February, 2000, Issue 6 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips, a reprint of the story “Brother John,” written by Ted Penton for Motorcyclist Magazine in April, 1970, and a member profile on Jerry West, the Lorain, Ohio photographer who documented much of Penton history.

March, 2000, a Penton owned by Kip Kern is placed on display in the Hall of Fame exhibit at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

March, 2000, the BMW Owners News publishes an article entitled “John Penton and the BMW Connection,” describing how he became a BMW dealer, campaigned a modified R27 at the Six Days and on the AMA national enduro circuit, and set a transcontinental speed and endurance record aboard an R69S in 1959.

March 25, 2000, Paul Danik organizes and hosts an informal dual-sport ride for POG members and friends at Cochranton, Pennsylvania. Four vintage Pentons participate in the event.

April 15 & 16, 2000, “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” debuts at the Grand National Cross Country race at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Penton owners are invited to put their bikes on display, and receive special certificates designed by Barb Weisman. John Penton is on hand to autograph books.

April 28 thru 30, 2000, the POG creates a major display at VMD West at the Sears Point Raceway. Barry Higgins, Don Shultz, and Richard Sanders provide cutaway engines for which Ollie Martin and Dane Leimbach build special stands and shipping crates. Fred Cameron hosts a cook-out for POG members. Grand Marshal John Penton takes a parade lap each day aboard a vintage Penton owned by Scott Sinclair of Kneeland, California. John is interviewed by Dave Despain for Speed Vision.

April 30, 2000, the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram publishes a reminiscence about John Penton, written by Pat Leimbach.

May 24, 2000, Ed Youngblood delivers a presentation to the Amherst Historical Society, based on his book, and John Penton responds to questions from the audience. John presents signed copies of the book to the Society and to the Amherst Public Library.

May, 2000, Issue 7 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing stories about Sears Point, the Paul Danik ride, the Loretta Lynn’s GNCC, and technical tips by Bobby Lucas.

June 5, 2000, the POG receives a letter of commendation from the AMA for its outstanding presentation at VMD West at Sears Point.

July, 2000, Cycle World names the 1972 Penton Jackpiner the best enduro bike for the millennium.

July 8, 2000, POG members Tom Penton, Dave Mungenast, Carl Cranke, and Danny LaPorte are inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

July 8, 2000, a signed manuscript of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” sells at auction for $350.00. The proceeds are divided between the POG and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

July 7 thru 9, 2000 VMD. The POG presents a historical display in a 40'x80' tent. Seventy-six Pentons are placed on display, and over 125 people attend the club cookout, sponsored by Al Buehner and Dale Barris. Twenty-six Pentons participate in the AHRMA Penton-only race. Jeff Borer debuts the freshly-restored John Penton NSU enduro bike that John Penton rode from 1958 thru 1962, and Al Born unveils the restored Penton V003. Six Days veterans Kevin LaVoie, Paul Danik, Dane Leimbach, Tom Penton, Doug Wilford, Jack Penton, Dave Mungenast, and Carl Cranke join John Penton for the lap of honor around the circuit.

July 29 & 30, 2000, the POG exhibits at the Jack Pine Enduro. John Penton is on hand to sign autographs. Several vintage Pentons enter the event and Jim Borer enters on a vintage NSU similar to the bike John used to ride. He displays a trophy he won at the Jack Pine in 1959 aboard the same motorcycle. Jeff Borer, Ted Landers, and Ted Del Solar enter the event aboard vintage Pentons.

August, 2000, Issue 8 of “Still . . . Keeping Track” is published, containing photos from the VMD exhibit, tech tips, and a member profile on Carl Cranke. John Penton attends a dealer meeting at the KTM factory at Mattighofen, Austria, and is honored at a 350-person dinner.

August 12, 2000, POG members Al and Rosemary Buehner and Barb and Matt Weisman are invited back stage to visit with KTM dealer and Penton fan Lyle Lovett following his concert at Lakewood, Ohio.

September 9 & 10, 2000, Ed Youngblood and Barb and Matt Weisman man a POG display at the John Penton Grand National Cross Country race near Athens, Ohio. Gary Roach and Kevin Brown enter the event aboard 1974 Pentons, and Roach finishes fourth in his class.

September 30 thru October 1, 2000, the fourth annual ISDT Reunion takes place in Cass, Arkansas. The POG has an exhibit.

October, 2000, the Penton Owners Group has grown to 270 members.

October 5, 2000, Barb and Matt Weisman donate a copy of the John Penton book to the Black River Historical Society

December, 2000, KTM launches a new advertising campaign, including an ad entitled “Roots,” featuring a picture of John Penton at the ISDT in Germany in 1968.

December, 2000, Issue 9 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a story by Al Buehner outlining the major events of his life from 1971 forward that led to the formation of the Penton Owners Group, a story about the 2000 ISDT Reunion, technical tips, and a profile on Colorado POG member David Lindeman. Featured marque pins from VMD 2000 are sent with the newsletter to all POG members.
 

2001
 

January, 2001, POG membership reaches 292.  Illinois POG member Dave Marinaro’s 1973 Jackpiner is selected to appear in the Guggenheim “The Art of the Motorcycle Exhibition,” scheduled to reopen in Las Vegas in October, 2001.

February 8, 2001, Barb and Matt Weisman present John Penton a scrap book containing documents and photos compiled since the POG was formed in 1998.

March, 2001, Ike Penton – oldest of the Penton brothers – dies, leaving John the only surviving brother.

March, 2001, a signed manuscript of “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution” sells at auction for $500. The proceeds are divided between the POG and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

March, 2001, Issue 10 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips and a member profile on Doug Wilford, of Amherst, Ohio.

March 29, 2001, the POG board of directors passes a resolution to make honorary life members of all POG members who are members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

April 8, 2001, Gary Brinton and Lee Buffenmyer host a Penton exhibit at the Will Stoner Swap Meet in York, Pennsylvania.
April 27 thru 29, 2001, the POG exhibits at VMD West. The Del Solars and the Wilfords man the display.

May, 2001, Issue 11 of “Still . . . Keeping Track” is published, containing technical tips, information about VMD 2000, and a story about Ike Penton, including eulogies by Norm Miller and Al Born.

June 7, 2001, Pat and Ryan Mickevicius bring their rare Hiro-powered Penton to the June POG meeting. It is believed that no more than 20 Pentons were built containing the Italian Hiro engine, and this is the only known bike still complete and running.

July 13 thru 15, 2001, fifteen vintage Pentons are displayed at the POG compound at Vintage Motorcycle Days. Fifteen Pentons enter the Penton-only exhibition ride. Commenting on the featured marque display, Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader says, “Anyone who witnessed what the Penton Owners Group did last year knows that the Penton guys put the bar at a level that may not ever be eclipsed.”

September, 2001, Issue 12 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a history of the Penton/Hiro motorcycle, technical tips, and a profile on Illinois POG member David Sanders.

September 8, 2001, the POG exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Pickerington, Ohio. Al Born’s V003 is displayed at the Penton exhibit, then moved into the Hall of Fame exhibit inside the Museum. The POG makes a $500 contribution to the Museum.

September 9, 2001, the John Penton GNCC takes place at Millfield, Ohio. John serves as official starter and sign autographs.

October 26 thru 28, 2001, the POG exhibits at the ISDT Reunion in Missouri.

November, 2001, the John Penton book is listed in Dirt Rider Magazine as a recommended Christmas gift..

December, 2001, Issue 13 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing reports on the Hall of Fame induction weekend and the 5th annual ISDT Reunion, a history of the Penton/Wassell trials bike, tech tips, and a profile on Indiana POG member Kip Kern.

December 6, 2001, the POG hosts a ladies night, featuring refreshments and guest speaker Pat Leimbach who delivers a hilarious presentation about life on the farm. The club votes to sponsor Ed Youngblood to attend and present a paper on the history of the modern dirt bike at the Southwest Pop Culture Conference in Albuquerque in February, 2002. Karl Schneider distributes Christmas candle holders – manufactured in his machine shop -- to all attendees.
 

2002
 

January, 2002, the POG has over 300 active members.

February, 2002, a Penton registry is added to the POG web site.

Feb 2, 2002, the POG holds a special meeting at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum that includes a report on the history of the Museum by Mark Mederski and a tour of the “Century of Indian Exhibit.” Thirty-nine members attend.

Feb 3, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Will Stoner Swap Meet in Mansfield, Ohio.

March, 2002, Issue 14 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, featuring technical tips, a story about the 1968 Corduroy Enduro, and a profile on Florida POG member Frank Walls. It is the first issue of the newsletter to carry classified advertising.

March, 2002, the vintage Penton team of Kent Knudson, Gary Roach, and Kevin Brown are honored at the AHRMA off-road awards banquet in Ocala, Florida. They receive both the Brad Lackey Trophy and the Jim Pomeroy Trophy for their championship performance.

April 4, 2002, the POG holds its monthly meeting at Karl Schneider’s All Custom Fab Shop in Cleveland, Ohio. Attendees tour the facility, which produces a wide range of precision products, including some Penton replacement parts. The club begins to make plans for a tour to the KTM 50th anniversary to be celebrated at the factory in Austria in the summer of 2003.

April 8, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Will Stoner Swap Meet at York, Pennsylvania. Local member Lee Buffenmyer provides Pentons for the display.

April, 2002, member J.P. Morgan wins four first places and one second place aboard his Pentons at Vintage Motorcycle Days West.

June, 2002, Issue 15 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a member profile about Al Born, of Elyria, Ohio.

June, 2002, Ted Del Solar produces club name badges that are distributed to all POG members.

June, 2002, the POG has 315 active members, including members in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Australia.

July 19 thru 21, 2002, the POG holds its monthly meeting at Vintage Motorcycle Days. Jeff Borer debuts his “Maxpiner,” a Penton with an NSU Maxi engine, representing what might have happened if John Penton had been able to build his bike around the Maxi engine, which he thought was one of the best engines of its time. Al Buehner sponsors a cookout and his brother, Dale, serves as head chef.

August 1, 2002, the POG officially announces a club tour to the KTM 50th anniversary celebration in Austria in 2003. The POG makes a $500 contribution to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in memory of Ted Penton.

September, 2002, POG member John Durrill sets up an independent web site for technical information on Penton motorcycles.

September, 2002, Issue 16 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing reports on Vintage Motorcycle Days 2002, Jeff Borer’s Maxpiner, tech tips, and a profile on Illinois POG member Ted Del Solar.

October 19, 2002, the POG exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction in Pickerington, Ohio. John Penton is on hand to sign autographs.

October 25 thru 27, 2002, the POG exhibits at the ISDT Reunion in Missouri. Seven POG members earn gold medals, four earn silver medals, and five earn bronze medals. POG member Dave Mungenast hosts a party and reception at his Classic Motorcycles Museum in St. Louis on the eve of the event.

December, 2002, Issue 17 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing stories about the IDST Reunion and the Hall of Fame induction, tech tips, and a member profile about Matt Weisman, of Elyria, Ohio.

December, 2002, an era comes to an end as Penton Honda is closed when franchise holder Dale Barris moves to a new location and renames his business “On the Edge.”

December, 2002, the POG prints historical post cards, designed by Barb and Matt Weisman, for distribution with membership renewals.
 

2003
 

January 9, 2003, the POG holds its second annual ladies night. Refreshments are served, forty-five attend, and Pat Leimbach is the featured speaker.

February 8, 2003, the second annual Penton Day at the AMA is held at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. Fifty-three members attend and seminars are conducted by Mark Mederski, Kent Knudson, and Doug Wilford, and Al Born shows historical slides from the Hank Penton collection. Canadian member Mike O’Reilly presents a display of rare Penton literature, and over 15 vintage Pentons are exhibited.

March, 2003, Issue 18 of “Still. . . Keeping Track” is published, containing a story about recently deceased photographer Jerry West, tech tips, and a profile about Florida POG member John Durrill.

March, 2003, the KTM 50th anniversary celebration is canceled due to the outbreak of war in Iraq.

April 3, 2003, the POG celebrates its 5th anniversary.