1975 KTM 250

[Tahitian_Red]

I just bought a 1975 KTM 250.  I'm going to pick it up this weekend.  If it's in really good shape I'm probably gonna let the 1976 MC5 go.

Anyone have info or experience racing this year KTM?  It has the Enduro trim (tail light rear fender and huge pipe) on it now, but I'm going to run it in AHRMA Vintage MX next season.
 

[firko]

Sweet find Red. It just goes to show that the stuffs still out there. I had a '77 400 but sadly passed it on to local KTM guru Brad Lewis. It's one of the bikes I wish I'd kept. It's interesting that your bike is in KTM livery rather than Penton. When did they change over?

[Tahitian_Red]

Thanks Firko!

This is from the Penton Owners Group.

Penton sells western distribution
rights to KTM
_______________

LORAIN, OH., JUNE 20, 1975

John Penton, in the form of a letter to his dealers in
western states, announced Friday the sale of western distribution
rights to KTM. Larry Maiers, Penton's general manager, informed
us that the motorcycles will no longer be sold in the western states
as Pentons, but will carry the KTM name.
The complete text of John Penton's letter follows:

Negotiations have been finalized for the sale of the western
distribution rights of Penton/KTM parts and motorcycles.
The rights have been sold to the manufacturer of Penton cycles,
KTM of Austria. The reason for this is KTM's desire to not be
dependent upon one individual for U.S. sales.
The effective date of transfer is July 1, 1975. It is
expected that KTM will announce a new distributor at that time.
I have been assured by KTM that all existing Penton dealers
will be absorbed by the new KTM distributor. We will furnish
the new distributor a complete dealer listing from which you
will be contacted within a very few days.
We are very thankful for the past considerations you have given
us. With your help the Penton name has been established across
the country as one of the finest dirt bikes available. I am
certain each of you will continue to work with the new distributor
to maintain what you have established.
We will continue to service you with the Hi Point line of
competition accessories. In fact, with no cycles to worry about,
our West Coast emphasis will be 100% on further development of
our accessory line and distribution methods.
Thank you again for your past business and friendship.
See you down the trail. JOHN PENTON


This is a press release from a July 1, 1975 Cycle News.

I guess there were a few 1975's badged as KTM's.

[Tahitian_Red]

Brought it home lastnight. 

It runs great!  It came with a very nice 76-77 KTM stickered tank, a good pair of 13.5" Fox airs and a 75 MX pipe.  The 76-77 tank will not fit the 75 as far as I know and the Fox airs are not AHRMA Vintage legal, but they will work on the 76 MC-5.  Maybe I'll just have to keep the MC-5 afterall.
 

[E74]

Good on ya' Tahito!, looks a treat   

[Lewo81]

Cool buy. Have spent a bit of time riding a similar bike which I believe was a `74.5 GP frame and is probably identical to yours. They have a super strong and reliable engine and respond well to a pipe to smooth out the power a little, no porting or hotting up required. Handling is best described as different, they are unlike many other bikes, a bit heavy and clumbsy. Good rear shocks help a lot and we have found to stay away from the temptation to put on longer shocks to make it turn. 1 day it will bite you with a huge tank-slapper if you do. Have spent years trying to make a Maico run as hard as the KTM and just as long trying to make the KTM handle like a Maico, it won`t happen, get around the corners as best you can and enjoy the way it runs down the straights.You`ll get a lot of miles as they are almost indestructable.Good luck and have fun, Lewo.

[firko]

You could always put a KTM engine in a Maico frame Darryl! You guys did build the Penda after all.
Is the '74.5 THE bike that caused the scrutineering kerfuffle with our old mate Drakie at the '02 Ravenswood Nats? That was a wild and wacky bit of 'scrutineering on the run' by Drakie. Brad's never forgiven him eh!

As I said earlier, I have always regretted selling the '77 400 to your brother, it's one bike I would have loved to have kept. Out of curiosity, how does it match up with an AW400/440 Maico engine and chassis wise?

The Cheney 360 is coming along like a ripper. I picked up PVL ignition for her over the weekend. The offer still stands.

[Lewo81]

Hey Firko, similar but not the bike. The bike in question is the red 250 Pete Horwood rode at the Coffs Harbour nationals a couple of years ago. Did you recognise your old `77 there also? Thought many times about putting a KTM engine in the Maico frame but it just didn`t seem the right thing to do, so never really checked if it would fit. The Penda happened by accident, I found an elsinore at the dump and hassled a guy for a frame and off we went. Looking forward to the 360 Cheney, you here and read about how sweet the British bikes handle, this will be my first ride on anything like that.Hope it continues to come together as planned. Cheers.

[Tahitian_Red]

I'm gonna love the reliablity of the KTM, but I'm wondering about getting the weight down a bit.  Looking at a few old tests it will probably be around 227 lbs in MX trim (without fuel).  That puts me about 10-15 lbs up on most of the competition and 30 lbs up on the Ossa Phantom.  The motor looks hefty, but I would imagine most of the bulk is in the sturdy tank-like frame.  I thought I read somewhere that the 75 frame is 11 lbs heavier than the 76 MX frame.

Anyone ever put their 74-75 KTM on a diet?

[mike1948]

I had a 73 KTM 250 from new, a safe handler, good strong motor, but yes, a bit pudgy.  Trouble is, no one part is that much overweight, everything is!  Probably easier to go on a diet yourself, rather than the bike.

[Tahitian_Red]

I've already lost 40 lbs, I figure the least the bike could do is lose 10 lbs. 

[holeshot buddy]

i think they are a cool bike bit like can am
something different
its good to see unusual bikes out on track
instead of all the same stuff going around
dont know how common over there they are but they
are a bit rare here

[mx250]

I've already lost 40 lbs, I figure the least the bike could do is lose 10 lbs. 

The difference is, when you go on a diet its save you about $100 a lb: when your bike goes on a diet it costs you about $100 a lb .