Give Promethean a big, ol', fat cigar!
Yessiree, Bobbarubba...
It's a Paton. And thanks to Robero Pattoni, son of Paton founder Guiseppe Pattoni, these bikes are being produced again. They really aren't a "replica" at all, since they are being built in the same place, with the same design, as the original GP bikes. More modern materials are used, but the design and layout is as close as you can get to owning an actual 500 cc GP bike of the late '60's-early'70's brand new.
Some of you may not have heard of Paton, but Guiseppe Pattoni's feats against the might of factories is legendary. Think of WCM today in MotoGP, but imagine a WCM actually taking a second place in a MotoGP and you will have an idea of just how potent Paton's were... As a Paton did take second in a 500 cc GP back in 1970 at Jarama with Angelo Bergamonti in the saddle. This was against the likes of MV Agusta!!! Paton took 4th place in the 1969 500 GP Championship with Billy Nelson at the controls, and 11th in the 1970 World Championship with Roberto Gallina as pilot... All out of literally one man's garage in Italy.
Pattoni and his Paton motorcycles were true giant killers, and it is no surprise he is both honored and revered in Italy by some of the most famous and prestigious Italy motorcycle designers in history.
Anyway, you should check out theire website at:
http://www.paton.it/
and see for yourself. Beautiful machines, with a great history.
Here's a couple more pics...
That's Phil Read riding a Paton in a vintage race!
Anyway, neat bikes... Neat history... Neat that they are still being produced!
Cheers!
Dallara