Gary_in_NJ wrote on 07/27/17 at 13:10:30:There always another project. Funny, I look at craig's everyday too.
Here's what I've been kicking around for a next project...
KTM came to the United States as an import through Penton. In fact, KTM didn't even make motorcycles at the time (mopeds & bicycles), but John Penton promised them distribution in the US. The partnership resulted in a line of great motorcycles in the 1960's & 70's and now, probably the best and most innovative motorcycle company on the planet today.
I was thinking for a next project to do what I did with my DRZ (modern bike wearing clothes from the 1970's) as a Penton / KTM mashup. Maybe a 1972 Penton 125cc Sixday and a KTM 450 EXC-F Six Day. Seems like a natural.
Like "That 70's Show LS650" and my DRZ Tracker, it's a classic bike that never existed. I kind of like that twist on a custom. Although your bike has a look to it where people probably knock themselves out trying to figure out what it is. Have you heard this one yet..."Oh, yeah, I owned one of those back in the 70's" - because I had a guy swear to me that he owned my cafe racer "back in the day" (he was trying to impress the woman he was with, so I didn't rat him out).
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No one has said they owned a GT650 "back in the day" yet, but I do get a lot of complements and people trying to figure out what it is.
I love the KTM/Penton idea. I'm not far from Amherst where KTM USA is located and John Penton grew up.
Mark Hyde (super nice guy!) from KTM raced a few events at my now defunct motocross track a few years back and we worked together at Mid Ohio running motocross races for them a couple of years. If you dig into that project, I can reach out and find out if they have any resources available, but you'll probably have to source parts from swap meets and eBay.
We also have one of the largest vintage swap meets and motorcycle races in the nation during the vintage motorcycle days at Mid Ohio every summer. Oddly, I've never gone to one, but I have a friend who sells a lot down there.