More racing with Classics in Spain - Pictures

[jurado]

Here some pictures of this weekend race near Madrid, here in Spain. Again, some 22-25 machines on the filed, with Montesa´s, Bultaco´s, Ossa´s, Maico´s. Also one Honda CR 500, 3-4 Yamaha´s 465 and one Maico 490. This occasion, the Maico 490 managed to beat the Montesa cappra 414 VF, which ended 2nd.
































Here the two 414 VF. One of them has been built with a 414 VF engine, a modified Montesa Enduro 360 H7 frame converted to cappra-stile, and a cappra 250 swing-arm. On the other 414 VF (original), notice the strengthening underneath of the swing-arm to withstand the “flies” with no deformation of the swing-arm.










Ready to go !




Here the winner. Just luck this time!   




But the Cappra 414 VF during the race maintaining its power “above” the rest of the bikes !. Enjoy !

[mx250]

Now there's an interesting beast. Not only have I not seen a Merlin before but I've never seen 'mags' on a trials bikes before either .

Thanks again.

[firko]

It'd appear from the photos Jurado has posted that the 'billet and bling' craze hasn't taken on in Spain as yet , a refreshing change from the shiny over restored bikes we're seeing more and more of in the rest of the world.

Not only have I not seen a Merlin before but I've never seen 'mags' on a trials bikes before either .

Me too Graeme. I've never seen photos of a twin shock Merlin before. I've seen a later single shocked model that had three spoke 'mags' and a 350 Aermacci as the twin shocker also appears to have. Despite the Italian engine Merlins were made in Spain and after merging with another company were renamed Gas-Gas in 1989. I much prefer the six spoke mags over the ugly three spokers. I wonder who made them? I'd love a pair of them for a project I have in mind .

[TooFastTim]

Despite the Italian engine Merlins were made in Spain and after merging with another company were renamed Gas-Gas in 1989.

Well, sort of. The Merlins were Cagiva engined and branded outside of Spain as Cagivas. Merlin were founded on the back of Bultacos collapse by one of the Bulto sons, I forget which one. Eddy Lejeune rode Merlins at the end of his career.

Gas Gas also emerged from Bultacos collapse. Two guys, Narcis Casas and Josep Piebernat, had a shop which suddenly had no bikes to sell so they built their own, originally using Villa motors.

[firko]

There you go Graeme, you started the day having never heard of a Merlin and now you know enough to bullshit your way through a pub yarn on Spanish trials bikes.

[Tex]

It'd appear from the photos Jurado has posted that the 'billet and bling' craze hasn't taken on in Spain as yet , a refreshing change from the shiny over restored bikes we're seeing more and more of in the rest of the world.

Yes it is a refreshing change. Adding disc brakes seems to be popular though...

What are those rear shocks on Montesa 46B & 69A?

Tex

PS. Gracias for the pics Jurado!

[TooFastTim]

There you go Graeme, you started the day having never heard of a Merlin and now you know enough to bullshit your way through a pub yarn on Spanish trials bikes.

If you think a Merlin/Cagiva is exotic, cast your eyes over this:



p.s. I feel the need for another pub yarn. Who's in?

[firko]

Yeah that'd be great but I'm committed until after Easter Tim. I'm flat out with prior engagements next weekend and off to HBBB over the Easter break. Let's plan something for after Easter.

[TooFastTim]

Sounds good Mark.

[tony27]

Those aren't even close to being exotic Tim, anyone who's ever been sold 1 of them will tell you that you have to pay somebody too much money to remove it from your shed

[TooFastTim]

Come to think of it Tony, who would spend good money on a bike where you have to remove the tank to change the plug?

[mainline]

Adding disc brakes seems to be popular though...

That seems to have gone thru to the keeper?



great pics though, thanks for posting.

[BultacoMacca]

Yeah, adding disc brakes is a wild rule interpretation. And some were full modern style at that.
We'll be seeing Montynut with twin disc front end, and VW shockies on the rear soon.

[montynut]

No twin disc for me I'm afraid, I wonder would that make the Monty a 'Special' . The H7 360 pictured did have a Marzocchi / Brembo front disc set up as standard but that looks like some sort of Japanese  front end.

YSS shocks for me all the way. The 'VW' ones I assume are those on No46 and 69. They look like a period set of shocks. I can not remember the name but a think they were a French? version of the FOX shocks. Can anyone recall.

You have to admit that old No34 is getting some AIR on that 414/H7 hybrid. Any higher and he would need a fly plan

I'll catch you at Canberra.

[mx250]

It'd appear from the photos Jurado has posted that the 'billet and bling' craze hasn't taken on in Spain as yet , a refreshing change from the shiny over restored bikes we're seeing more and more of in the rest of the world.

Not only have I not seen a Merlin before but I've never seen 'mags' on a trials bikes before either .

Me too Graeme. I've never seen photos of a twin shock Merlin before. I've seen a later single shocked model that had three spoke 'mags' and a 350 Aermacci as the twin shocker also appears to have. Despite the Italian engine Merlins were made in Spain and after merging with another company were renamed Gas-Gas in 1989. I much prefer the six spoke mags over the ugly three spokers. I wonder who made them? I'd love a pair of them for a project I have in mind .

The interesting thing with the wheels of both the 3 and 6 spokers is that they are composites with separate rims, spokes and hubs, like the Honda ComStars.

That exhaust is interesting. The pixies are not perfectly clear but it looks as though the header goes into a two chamber 'expansion chamber' and a long stinger bleeds off pressure mid way along the chamber on the rh side. Interesting although I don't know how sound the design is in science and theory. Comments, Lozza?? I understand that the pressure can be bleed off anywhere along the chamber and the length of the stinger is not critical (I think) but I think it would be pressure rather than a 'tuned' reflected pulse wave than stops the fresh charge from going down the exhaust. I would imagine it could be tuned to give good bottom end but overall it would be pretty inefficient would be my guess.

Thanks for the pixies Firko . Interesting, as always .