Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1517946
April 2024 35 Don said he was only 15 when he'd purchased his new Penton. As one who lusted for a Penton so badly, I'd waste me in class drawing pictures of them, but the fact remained at twice the price of the typical Jap bike of the day, I asked my new friend how he was able to afford a new Penton at such a young age. His story was interes ng. Like many, he wanted a Penton also, but they were out of reach. He'd worked hard and saved just enough to buy a new DKW 125. It was the enduro model complete with lights. He had it registered and with a learner's per- mit, he was able to ride the roads legally. Not long a er buying the new Deek, he was creamed by a US Mail truck. Fortunately, he was fine but his bike was destroyed. Now things were different back in the 70s and strangely and surprisingly enough, Don received a check in the mail from the US Govern- ment for $1000.00. It was that grand that funded the purchase of a brand new Penton from Cape Ann Cycle. Ok, enough jibber jabber, we'll get back to the bike at hand. A couple weeks a er our chance mee ng, I'd called Don to see when I could drive down to Mass and pick up the bike. A er a bit of silence, it got weird. Don said yes he did s ll have the bike, but he hadn't actually seen it in decades. It was buried in the back of his shed and someday he hoped to find me to clean the shed and dig it out. Having been down this road before, I soon forgot about the Penton. Months later, just before Thanksgiving, I'd go en a call from a strange number. It was Don and he said he'd finally cleaned the shed and dragged the bike out. "S ll interested in the Penton?" "Hell yeah, I'm on my way" and I headed south to Boston. When I arrived, Don's Penton was in the drive- way, and man, what a me capsule it was. S ll dressed with the license plate from the last year it was ridden in 1975, the bike looked amazing. Somewhat crusty but they're only original once Somewhat crusty but they're only original once