So the first GasGas Halley was fitted with the villa engine but this was only for a short time.
30 engine only for the first year. One year later many more sales then in the 3rd year we make 1000 ha ha. There were many problems to take the pieces from villa. One week they not have things ready and this is the same many times. It is very very difficult.
You were making all of these bikes in the 1986 and 1987. Where did you keep them before you sell? You only had tiny premises .
I keep them in Dani House and also my house and also in the house of a man who work for me Seragona. This man he also has a place to make the car good after the accident, so he has the place there to keep. These people with Dani and me make the bike. I make no many of the Trial moto with the Villa engine. Very soon we have our engine for the chassis.
You were both enduro men, so why did you build a trials bike?
Because at this time Bultaco has closed, SWM has closed. Fantic is not at good time in Spain. Montesa have many suppliers here. Narcis make trial riding and I have negotiations with Vesterinan and Lampkin and also with people in the factory and after I say ok, SWM have a good line in Trial and Enduro.
The prototype GasGas Halley, where is this bike now?
Ough, I don’t know ha ha.
And then GasGas move from Salt to Fornells.
30 engine only for the first year. One year later many more sales then in the 3rd year we make 1000 ha ha. There were many problems to take the pieces from villa. One week they not have things ready and this is the same many times. It is very very difficult.
You were making all of these bikes in the 1986 and 1987. Where did you keep them before you sell? You only had tiny premises .
I keep them in Dani House and also my house and also in the house of a man who work for me Seragona. This man he also has a place to make the car good after the accident, so he has the place there to keep. These people with Dani and me make the bike. I make no many of the Trial moto with the Villa engine. Very soon we have our engine for the chassis.
You were both enduro men, so why did you build a trials bike?
Because at this time Bultaco has closed, SWM has closed. Fantic is not at good time in Spain. Montesa have many suppliers here. Narcis make trial riding and I have negotiations with Vesterinan and Lampkin and also with people in the factory and after I say ok, SWM have a good line in Trial and Enduro.
The prototype GasGas Halley, where is this bike now?
Ough, I don’t know ha ha.
And then GasGas move from Salt to Fornells.
The factory at Fornells was currently occupied by Merlin motorcycles. They were going through a crisis of confidence and although were selling lots of motorcycles , realised for them to compete in the future it would require them to invest heavily. They weren't prepared to do this for the anticipated return and stopped production. Having his finger of on the pulse of the motorcycle market , Piber saw an opportunity.
And then GasGas leave Fornells and go back to Salt in the year 2000. GasGas sells 33% to Bank of America 2000/1999, and after Narcis has 33%, me 33% and Bank of America have 33%. Its is running very well for some years and after this 2 people who were directors of Bank of America’s make some problem with each other and they separate, and sells his part of the company to complete new peoples in Spain, a large Capital company, who have 7 or 8 enterprises. Narcis was not running very well with Hebo so Narcis. Me no sell Hebo. Narcis then sells his part of Hebo and I buy this and then GasGas own all of Hebo 100%. Hebo then sell the parts to GasGas who pay Hebo. After me, I then go in GasGas. Before with mine and Narcis we have 60 percent which is a majority, but now Narcis go and I have minority in GasGas. They make me offer as if I was 50% shareholder to buy from me and I take the money and I go. After this time the company is under the control of the bank people and I am in minority position. I no make the work and I am gone from GasGas.
Phew ....your doing it again :). I can't process that much Retro information at once.
Here are the plans for the GasGas factory at Fornells, dated 1988. Of course I've got the plans.......it's normal isn't it. Don't they come with a new bike when you buy one ? :).
Here are the plans for the GasGas factory at Fornells, dated 1988. Of course I've got the plans.......it's normal isn't it. Don't they come with a new bike when you buy one ? :).
This plan was necessary to conduct my detailed geological survey of the Fornells site looking for any cast away Tarres or Bilbao brake levers :).
Did you buy Fornells or did you rent it?
Rent it. We buy the pieces but not the complete building. After, we own the new factory here. You bought Merlin company in 1988 that was based in the Fornells factory, but you did not build any Merlin bikes?. Yes, but we made the last Merlin motorcycles using the remaining spares. Then when these are used we go GasGas. Pere Apra and Ignacio Bulto and Marques make Merlin, Jonny Rigas, Pedro Arpa, Me and Narcis make GasGas. This is my family in GasGas. After 2 years he wins 2 millions and we paid some back and ok I take his percent from him and he make 53,000 pecetas. The father of Pedro make one credit for 25000 pecetas, it is like 2000 euros. After 2 year he wins 2 million pecetas. |
The founders of Merlin . L to R. Ignacio Bulto, Pedro Arpa, Juan Regas and Lluis Planas
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Narcis and me by the part from Pedro and Jonny after 2 years. After 10 years Pedro is married to the sister of Ignacio who make Merlin. After 2 or 3 years Merlin go out and after he speak with me and Narcis and we buy, but not buy really. We come to an arrangement which is best of all of us.