Signed by John Penton
1971 Penton 125cc ISDT Six Day

In 1958 John Penton took a year off his Amherst, Ohio farm, to pursue his motorcycling passion. He won the Jack Pine and the Corduroy off road on a NSU 125, crossed Mexico on a BMW R69 and then set the New York to California time record on the Beemer (52 hours). He joined his brother’s motorcycle dealership selling Honda and Yamaha and became the importer of British Wassells, modifying them into his own creations and rebadging them Pentons.

Then in 1967 John became the East Coast importer for Husqvarna. Penton pressed Husky for a smaller, lighter competition motorcycle and Husky said no. John rode the 6-day trials in Poland in 1967 and took a side trip to a moped maker in Austria (KTM) and commissioned a prototype off road racer.

Recognizable by its sunburst cylinder head, the Sachs 125 was at the forefront of small-bore enduro competition in the early Seventies. The Sachs engine was reliable but not fancy – it put out 12.5bhp and required premixing for the oil.

The motorbike offered

The 1971 Penton 125cc Six Day on offer here is fully set up for the next ISDT competitor with Magura ISDT control levers, trapdoor throttle and grips, Ceriani forks, Girling shocks, VDO Enduro Racer 24mph speedo/odo, and alloy mudguards. Photos accompany the sale of John Penton with the bike when he signed the tank (pictured).