A BMW dealer once set up a cannon ball record on an almost -stock motorcycle

Cannonball plates used to be pretty cool. The transcontinental race was the thing of the legend. Of people who do the impossible with outdated technology, half a pack of cigarettes, a full benzent tank and sunglasses during driving. Well, that was the blues Brothers, but they have the idea.

The cannonball was something that was positive mythical in its bad bathroom water. But that is less true than modernity has set.

I have a friend who has completed the trip and I know and spoke to some others who recorded records. Their successes are nothing to wag a finger, but I cannot say that they are records that are as impressive as those that were carried out on the day in view of the technologies assigned to them. I mean, imagine that Brock Yates have remote tanks, night vision, chase, advanced radar detectors, spotters and countless other assists like Waze. It wouldn't be the same, right?

Imagine a motorcycle at the time. Say something like a BMW of the late 50s. One of the first in the country. This is exactly what happened when an fearless dealer tried to shine the proverbial light on the reliability of the BMW motorcycles and to complete the cannon's cue on an almost bone bike bike.

BMW found that the history of the brand was retelled here in the USA. [the trading company] Butler & Smith would handle the operation on the east coast, with the distribution of the west coast to the Flanders Company in Pasadena, California. In 1969 Butler & Smith took over sales for the entire USA and founded a new headquarters and an import center in Norwood, New Jersey in May 1970. Even before this step, Butler & Smith ensured that BMW built motorcycles that corresponded to the needs and taste of the US drivers, most of whom used bicycles such as R 50 and R 69 for remote visitors. ”

And here the fun begins.

According to BMW, a dealer from Ohio took up more Cafe Racer/Cruiser -Vibes before the US invasion of BMW 1958 BMW R 69 and set out to prove the reliability of the brand. John Penton, a motorcycle racer who later won a silver medal in 1962 at the 1962 International Six Days Trial from 1962, set a silver medal from New York from New York and directed the front tires of his motorcycle on Los Angeles. And after 52 hours and 11 minutes he crossed the finish line. The only change he made? A slightly larger gas tank.

BMW would later use Penton and his BMW as part of the company's federal marketing. But what is somehow heartbreaking about the story that BMW has not spoken of was somehow heartbreaking, why Penton did the whole thing.

According to an interview with Penton before going along Motorcycle classic“In 1958 I was a mixed guy. My wife had just died; I stayed with three boys. I was somehow confused. My sister picked up a son and my brothers took one. My brother Ted told me I should just ride. [Ohio] I drove directly from Mexico. When I came home, my brother said that I should go to coast for the record on the coast since my trip [Then held by Cannonball Baker]. “

So yes, Penton was no different from most of us who used motorcyclists or really any power sports as therapy. I know I have it.

He told the outlet that it hadn't happened if he had chosen another motorcycle brand. “I would put everything else myself,” he said, adding, “it was a modern motorcycle. It was an absolutely ply motorcycle. If I drove a Harley, I would have used a support vehicle. Any other brand that I would have to wear a bucket, chains and spare parts.”

I wonder if you could take a modern R 1300 GS and beat Pentons. I don't think I would try it myself, and I also don't think it's a great idea in general. Too many cars, too many police officers, too many people who look at their phones or hope that FSD will drive for them. Nevertheless, the attraction of the OG cannon ball is there. And at least it seems to me that motorcycles are still the thread that binds the past and the present.