October 2024 37
Thanks to my friend Bill Farrell of Bill's Motor-
cycles Plus in Salem, Oregon (another vintage
bike hoarder) for so generously providing a set
of original side covers that matched the pa na
of the bike just perfectly. The tank was dressed
with a cool old cowhide Hi-Point tank bag with
a route sheet holder and a score from the York,
PA Swap Meet.
Incredibly, the original VDO speedometer and
aluminum crossbar mount were s ll intact and
in perfect condi on. The rolling stock was treat-
ed to a set of Kenda Klassic knobby res and
Kenda Tuff Tubes.
How's it run, you ask? Well, the early air-cooled
250 KTM engines are explosive beasts. The low
end is decent, but the mid-range hit would give
a modern 2-stroke motocrosser a run for its
money.
When it hits, you be er look out as if trac on is
available; the front wheel is usually pointed to
the sky, with the rear wheel doing its best to pass
the front. It could best be described as violent in
delivery. No wonder the pipes on most of these old
Pentons are destroyed!
Plans for this old Austrian steed include some
camp road cruising and possibly some vintage
Cross-Country racing. One thing's for sure, It should
be a hoot on the grass tracks!
Huge thanks to Lectron Fuel Systems for the car-
buretor, Vape.cz for providing the igni on system,
Kenda Tires for the Kenda Klassic knobby res that
resemble the original Metzeler res oh so well,
Kevin Donovan, Alan Buehner, and Bill Farrell for all
their help and support with this project. All above
are a huge asset to the vintage community, please
do your best to support them!
