One of the truly great guys of our sport has passed. Carl was a pioneer rider, wrench, developer in the 60 and 70's. Multi time ISDE rider who helped develop the Penton brand. RIP
Penton rider in the 1960s & '70s.
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Carl Cranke was a top American motorcycle enduro racer of the 1960s and '70s. He represented the United States in 10 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) events while competing aboard Penton, KTM and Yamaha motorcycles. He earned seven gold medals and two silver medals in ISDT competition.
At the 1977 ISDT in Czechoslovakia, Cranke suffered torn ligaments in his left shoulder and two broken bones in his left foot. The U.S. team doctor, Ben Meyer, told Cranke: "The most strenuous activity I would recommend for the next month is getting in and out of the shower," to which Cranke replied: " I've got another race next week. I'll be ready." Cranke finished the 1977 ISDT with a silver medal in the 500cc class aboard a KTM.
Cranke was also a noted tuner, and is credited with helping develop Penton motorcycles and his own specialized parts line.
He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.