The John Penton Movie Preview

The John Penton Story

(The movie)

Monday, June 23^rd, I attended a sneak preview of the movie ‘The John Penton Story’.  It turned out to be an even better time than I expected because of the array of riders and motorcycle industry people that showed up.

I talked to riders, shop owners and friends I had not seen in many years at this screening. It was a blast catching up with some of them for the first time in a decade or two! I saw faces from a distance that I couldn’t put a name to (maybe too many concussions?) and didn’t get a chance to walk over to talk to all of them because of the number of people that showed up. I would estimate there were easily over a hundred people there.

I did get to catch up with a few from ‘Back in the Day’, like Dave Duarte, Hi-Point West CEO in the 1970’s and 80’s, who has just gone through a life changing illness and was out here attending the special screening. Then I figured it out when during the movie Dave’s face shows up splashed all the way across the big screen while he is being interviewed/quoted a couple of times! Everyone in our audience cheered at Dave’s cameo appearance.  What a HAM!  But it was great to see Dave up and doing much better than last year when it was touch and go as to whether he would even be with us. That alone was enough to make it a great evening.            God Bless you Dave.

Then there were the usual suspects of riders, shop owners, mechanics, etc.  Bob Messer, Billy Deprado, Mark Gibson, Bob Pearson, Dave Coupe’, Pat Wilson, Brad Teegarden and many others. So many people and not enough time, literally, because the movie was fairly long especially for a motorcycle oriented flick.

The movie was very interesting and covered a lot of ground in both time and people during John Penton’s life.  A great source of information and history much of which I was never aware of until now and I have been riding since the early 70’s. This covers Penton’s life all the way back to his earliest years as a boy even his service in WWII.  It contains a lot of interesting facts and some great old footage and photos of events and races. I would recommend if you like motorcycling and have any interest in the roots and history of our sport that you make an effort to find where it is playing and go see it.  A last tidbit is that it is narrated by the country singer Lyle Lovett and it is revealed how as a kid he worked at a Penton dealership just to be around motorcycles. Now that is my kind of guy.

#33

“A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you will never get anywhere until you change it”

Matrix Concepts Brings New Technology To Gas Cans

Matrix 3 Fuel Jug

I have been using the Matrix 3 fuel container now for over a year and have been impressed with the features. But with my current rehab status and having to pay attention to EVERYTHING I do and use I am just starting to appreciate the Matrix 3.

To begin, the Matrix 3 holds 4 gallons instead of the normal 5 gallons as with most containers. I never realized what a benefit this really is for someone like me that has a hard time just handling the bigger containers with my current physical limitations. Then I started to think about smaller riders, mini riders or women that may not have the physical size or strength to handle the larger and heavier jugs.

True this can holds 4 gallons instead of the normal 5, but when was the last time you ran through more than a tank of gas plus 4 more gallons? If you are like most people your gas can goes back in the garage until you get to go out riding again. So there sits the leftover fuel for who knows how long and with the poor fuel quality we have to live with now days it is much smarter to start off your next ride with fresh fuel. Fresh fuel equals a better running bike.

Then there is the size benefit, I can fit this can into places the larger containers won’t squeeze into. The nozzle has a nicely attached screw on cap that won’t fall in the dirt or get lost. There is a screw top vent to loosen that allows gas to flow as you pour. The side of the jug has a handle molded that lets you control as you pour. Also there are molded ridges in the bottoms that allow you to get a good grip with the other hand. Not the normal flat smooth nothing to grip bottom like the other cans.

This has become my everyday gas can and I had no idea how great this can was until now.

#33

Rehab #33 Style (phase 2)

Well I finally got it!  The doctor said I wouldn’t do any harm to my hand/wrist at this point because it had been long enough into the healing process that it should be solid.  So he said I could start riding again.  I never did bring up our little secret, you know, about my new little part time job riding street bikes as a test rider. But since he has released me to ride I couldn’t wait to venture off road to see how I would do on the trail. I believe moto and racing may be out for most of this year.

The very next day I was awake at 0-Dark thirty (about 4 am) and headed out to the garage to hop on my KTM 530 dual sport and give it a go. I guess I had a bit of trouble sleeping in anticipation of my first off road ride in 7 months. I dressed, geared up with back pack, tools, spares, etc and set off into the darkness with my Squadron 2 headlight showing me the way at about 4:30. This headlight is definitely bright enough to ride off road at night with as long as you are not trying to go race speeds.

I was in the dirt in 10 minutes of leaving the house and realized immediately how much better riders all you dirt boyz are than the rest of the motorcycle people that only ride the street. I actually had to use the arm and hand as I stood up for obstacles and bumps. It became quite apparent that this was going to take some time since I rode like a girl (sorry ladies) because I was still trying to protect the hand/wrist.

It didn’t take too long to relax and really begin to enjoy the ride. The fact that I was out there is what really mattered and the sun was not up yet, but dawn was beginning to break. It was awesome!  So I continued to ride at a leisurely pace and had a great time. After about an hour or so I noticed the wrist was beginning to ache so I started back toward the garage. My total time when done was about 2 hours of seat time. I lost track of how many times I smiled and probably giggled in that 2 hours, but it felt great.

I got home, lubed the chain, took off my riding gear and sat down in a chair in the garage to savor the ride and appreciate it.  I did think to stop and take a couple of pictures along the way, just so I could enjoy it again and again.

Anyone need a trail riding partner?

#33

“Time spent in the saddle, is time well spent”