In fact , this prototype was created by Merlin engineer Manual Marques. In addition to general machine assembly Manuel developed the motorcycles as he had a suitable engineering background having worked in development with Bultaco. He is also related to the Bultaco family , being Ignacio Bulto's cousin.
The rear mudguard sits at a high level. Infact , when we approached Merlin and GasGas factory rider Joan Freixas and told him we had found this bike , he wracked his brains and remembered the really long rear brake arm - can you see it ?
Its highly likely that if produced this bike would have looked similar , being dressed in the same plastics as the red 1988 model. |
A good cross section photo, showing footrest mounting points have been moved back significantly, the long long brake rod, revised swinging arm , exhaust ...in fact everything is non standard.
The coil is mounted in a different location.
The rear suspension is completely different to the earlier models.It is much simplified with a huge weight reduction. There is acres of space there compared to the 1988 standard model that this is based on.
The motocross flywheel is traditionally small , giving a low level of momentum and crazy fast rev increase. Im not sure how this would have worked out for a trials bike (actually i am sure - it couldnt have been that good) . You can see there the low engine mounting makeshift bars.