T136 1969 PENTON 125 SIX DAY In the mid-1960s, motorcycle dealer John Penton judged there was a market in the U.S. for high-quality, small-displacement, off- road motorcycles. As one of Husqvarna’s American distributors, Penton approached the Swedish manufacturer with a request to produce two-stroke 100cc and 125cc machines; they declined. So, he met with Austria’s KTM. Although somewhat initially reluctant, in 1968, KTM assembled 10 prototypes that Penton quickly sold, and one of those first models was the 125cc Six Day. Proving to be very successful, more than 400 Penton-badged KTMs sold that year. That ensured production would continue, meaning the 1969 Penton 125 Six Day featured here is a second-year model. Born in 1925, Penton found a 1914 Harley-Davidson in his family’s barn in Amherst, Ohio. He taught himself to ride before serving in World War II, and when he returned, he bought a Knucklehead Harley-Davidson. Although heavy and somewhat ill-suited for the task, in 1948, Penton competed aboard the Knucklehead in the Jack Pine Enduro. He quickly learned a lighter-weight bike, such as a BSA, was a more competitive mount. He went on to ride BSAs, and with help from his brothers, proceeded in the 1950s to build winning off-road motorcycles from a variety of different brands, ultimately leading to his partnership with KTM. From 1968 to 1977, before KTM took over marketing its brand in the U.S., Penton sold approximately 25,000 machines. One of those is this recently restored 1969 125cc Six Day model with its green and white, 2.5-gallon, steel gas tank and flip-up cap. The machine is equipped with its original two-stroke Sachs 125cc engine featuring a cast-iron cylinder and 5-speed transmission. Bosch provided the ignition, while the carburetor is a 24mm Bing. Ceriani 35mm forks and black and chrome shocks suspended the Six Day machine, which had a silver-painted frame with integral skid plate. All Penton components were of the best quality, including the Magura controls, and this machine is correctly equipped. Vintage off-road machines are becoming increasingly popular, and this 1969 Penton Six Day, which hasn’t been ridden since restoration, represents a great opportunity to add a unique American off-road machine to a collection.
