The John Penton Story

THE JOHN PENTON STORY

IGNITION

NEWS

If you haven’t had a chance to see the excellent documentary of enduro legend John Penton, it comes out on DVD/Blu-ray in September (pentonmovie.com). Meantime, we caught up with the film’s narrator, Grammy winner Lyle Lovett, at the West Coast premiere in Hollywood.

HOW’D YOU GET INVOLVED?

"Mark Blackwell asked me. I said yes immediately because I’m a fan and because of my whole history with the Penton motorcycle.”

WHAT IS THAT HISTORY?

"My first Penton was a 1971 steel-tank Six Day, so I went down

to the local Penton shop and asked them for a job. I loved the motorcycles and worked all days duringthesummerandon Saturdays during the school year.

Richard Sanders owned the shop.

It was called Cycle Shack. I worked the parts counter.”

DID YOU RACE YOUR PENTON?

“All the time. I did motocross.

After that, I had a 1973 fiberglass-

tank Six Day, a 125.1 always rode a 125. Now, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found a couple of restored Pentons. I have a steel tanker and a fiberglass-tank one as well. I love to look at them. They bring back great memories for me.”

WHAT DREW YOU TO PENTONS?

“I had a Yamaha AT1, but the fast guys in Houston were riding Pentons. Steve Hackney and Fred Hannah, from the H&H Music Company Racing Team, were riding Pentons, and, you know, I wanted to be like them. I just loved the bikes. I love the radialfin head on that Sachs motor.”

DID YOU DO THE MUSIC FOR THE MOVIE?

“No, but directorTodd Huffman used three of my songs. I’m honored, but it’s a little embarrassing to hearyourself talking and singing at the same time! And I couldn’t be happier with the film. John Penton is so important to all of us who love motorcycles. But, beyond that, he’s a great example of hard work, ingenuity, and dedication. He’s a great American, and he’s what we should all aspire to be.” -Andrew Bornhop