Does anyone know anything about a Penton/KTM Jackpiner? I have one that is compleate. It is a 250cc offroad from the 60s. I want to get rid of the thing, but more I want some info on the thing.

 

The Penton Jackpiner was named after Jack Penton who built the bikes and was an ISDE rider of some fame back in the 60s. Your best bet is to find a "vintage" dirtbike club in your area or on the internet that would appreciate the history behind the bike. I've seen a number of them racing in vintage motocross events in North Texas. I think the smaller (125cc or 175cc?) displacement bikes are more common than the 250cc. Depending on the condition, you could get anywhere from $400 to $800 if you find the right person. I'll see if I can find you a link somewhere.



[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 04-22-2000).]

 

This site even has a message board, check it out.

http://www.pentonusa.org/

[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 04-22-2000).]

 

Penton was actually the importer, and KTM was the Austrian manufacturer. Until the mid '70s or so, the bikes were sold as Pentons in the U.S. I think for a while the east half of the country got Pentons while the west got KTMs.

As mentioned by SixPipes, the Penton family was very successful at racing, and the sons also raced well into the late '70s. The Jackpine is an enduro race (in New Jersey, I think), and the Jackpiner was named after the race.

In 1998 or 1999, KTM came out with a new model called the Jackpiner to capitalize on the famous name. It was was a 200cc enduro, with blue plastic - other KTMs are now orange.

Vintage racing & bike collecting is pretty popular, but prices are usually not too high. As an authentic Jackpiner, your bike is bound to get some interest.

Sixpipes link is great! If you are interested in selling, you might want to put an add in the "Collectors" section of Cycle News. They have a web page & weekly print editions.

There is a company called Vintage Iron in California that restores old bikes - if they have a potential customer lined up looking for a Jackpiner, they might be interested in buying it from you.

 

Dirt Bike Dave -

I bow to your superior dirt bike knowledge. You must be even older than me.

[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 04-22-2000).]

 

The Jackpine was in Michigan
As a kid I remember being up north the same time it was running.
The people where crazy and everything was
mud covered.

 

You're still a young whipper-snapper! I recently sold my Bultaco Alpina for $800. The guy was a vintage motorcycle enthusiast, but has mostly road bikes (Norton, Triumph, etc...). Living in Montana really limits the number of potential buyers. I understand there are a lot of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts in the Denver area.

 

Yea, Bultaco! I've ridden a Frontera and a Pursang, but never an Alpina. That Alpina is a unique bike - would be a lot of fun in the mountains.

One of the biggest vintage meets of the year is at Colorado Springs in August.

KTM has 4 dealelrships in Montana - they are in Hamilton, Columbus, Kalispell & Bozeman. One of them probably sold the Penton when it was new.

 

From all the stickers on it, I would say it isn't from around here. But that is some good research... thanks!!

 

Wow, amazing!!!! You people know what you are talking about, Thanks for the info I will look into it further.

 

I did a little digging on that PentonUSA site and some other links.

Pentons were sold from '67 to '77. Most references to the Jackpiner are for 175cc models. The ones I read about were built from '72 to '75. Prices are not usually listed, but the two I saw w/prices were $700 for one w/a transmission problem and $1,200 for a premium example. A basket case or incomplete model might only be worth $100.

Pentons were fairly rare and expensive, and a typical buyer would be a racer or an affluent enthusiast.

For older dirt bikes, condition & completeness are critical to value. Before the revolution in plastics, easily damaged items such as fenders and gas tanks were metal or fiberglass. If your bike has the original tank & fenders in good condition, that is a big plus. Original exhaust pipe in good condition - another plus.

As an enduro model, the Jackpiner may have had optional head & tail lights and an odometer. If these are intact, that is another plus. Other accessories such as an owner's manual and tool kit would also add value.

Race bikes of that vintage were frequently used hard and then sold to casual riders who rarely maintained them. If the bike falls into this 'worst case' scenario, it may not be worth much.

Best case scenario is the bike was rarely raced or ridden. Penton/KTM owners are brand loyal, and a wealthy guy wanting to relive his glory days would be glad to pay for a perfect example.

KTM owners are frequently racers - post an add at your nearest KTM shop. Racers also will often visit their local AMA District's web page, which might have classified adds.

Sixpipes - I am 37 and have been riding since 1976, but reading everything I could get my hands on regarding cycles since about '74.