Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
Meet Jose Catena. Jose can be seen in picture below 2nd from the right in the red and back clothing. In the video , you can see Jose riding his GasGas Raga trial bike .
Jose lives near Madrid and recently bought a 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker 326cc for restoration. We are going to be following his work here.
Jose's text is in blue
Retrotrials in black
Jose lives near Madrid and recently bought a 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker 326cc for restoration. We are going to be following his work here.
Jose's text is in blue
Retrotrials in black
Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
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These are 2 other of Jose's motorcycles
Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
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Jose from central Spain contacted Retrotrials to explain that he had bought an old Mecatecno Skywalker . Jose explained that his Mecatecno was in very very bad condition and that he needed some information and a source for spares ( dont we all ).
Jose has agreed to send me pictures and text about his ongoing restoration and that it can be placed online. Looking at the horrible condition the bike is in it is going to taken some work , but thats what its all about. Making something good out of something ropey :)
Jose is a mechanic and good with the computer and is planning on sending me updates regularly. So keep coming back to see how he gets on.
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Brief information on the Mecatecno Skywalker
The Mecatecno Skywalker was built in BARCELONA in 1989 and early 1990. Only 250 units were produced. They were exported to Europe and the far east as well as the UK. Mecatecno were a brave little company manufacturing firstly children s motorcycles , but later trials motorcycles as well. . They only had 11 employees and started in 1982 in the founder , Jordi Rabassa's mothers garden buildings. Later they moved to a factory near the Olympic stadium.
Amazingly the engine is entirely their own and is superb. Mecatecno was ridden in the World Trials from 1982 to 1990 by such riders including Gabino Renales ,Ronald Garcia and Lluis Gallach who won the Spanish World trial in 1987 .
Mecatecno encompass the true spirit of Catalan trial manufacturers. Brave , innovative , uncompromising and passionate. I love them :)
Jose has agreed to send me pictures and text about his ongoing restoration and that it can be placed online. Looking at the horrible condition the bike is in it is going to taken some work , but thats what its all about. Making something good out of something ropey :)
Jose is a mechanic and good with the computer and is planning on sending me updates regularly. So keep coming back to see how he gets on.
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Brief information on the Mecatecno Skywalker
The Mecatecno Skywalker was built in BARCELONA in 1989 and early 1990. Only 250 units were produced. They were exported to Europe and the far east as well as the UK. Mecatecno were a brave little company manufacturing firstly children s motorcycles , but later trials motorcycles as well. . They only had 11 employees and started in 1982 in the founder , Jordi Rabassa's mothers garden buildings. Later they moved to a factory near the Olympic stadium.
Amazingly the engine is entirely their own and is superb. Mecatecno was ridden in the World Trials from 1982 to 1990 by such riders including Gabino Renales ,Ronald Garcia and Lluis Gallach who won the Spanish World trial in 1987 .
Mecatecno encompass the true spirit of Catalan trial manufacturers. Brave , innovative , uncompromising and passionate. I love them :)
From Jose
Hi James, in this condition is the bike.....
I think have very hard work!!
The best? Motor run in good condition.
When more time send to you others pictures in restoration.
Kind regards
Un saludo.
Jose seems happy that his engine is in good condition - keep reading - will he have any surprises ?
Hi James, in this condition is the bike.....
I think have very hard work!!
The best? Motor run in good condition.
When more time send to you others pictures in restoration.
Kind regards
Un saludo.
Jose seems happy that his engine is in good condition - keep reading - will he have any surprises ?
Here are some pictures of the Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker that were taken as soon as Jose recieved it.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
From Jose
I live in Coslada, a small town to eight kilometer to Madrid center.
The rear fiberglass mud guards i lock in Ivan Cirre two months ago, but he no have seat. For this, looking in internet, i find your web.
I remember that Joan Ruiz is old technician in Mecatecno?.
Do you have any email or phone contact of Mr Joan Ruiz?
That would be good for me if any part of engine breaks.
Other parts: Brake pads,brake lines,tires,carburettor,gas trottle, bearings, etc, no have any problem find here.
I have a sandblaster / soda blaster machine in my home.
When this i can polish all motor and aluminium parts.
My friend is going to help me in paint coated frame.
With this, and my knowledge in engines,this unit will fly again soon!!!!
kind regards!!
Jose
I live in Coslada, a small town to eight kilometer to Madrid center.
The rear fiberglass mud guards i lock in Ivan Cirre two months ago, but he no have seat. For this, looking in internet, i find your web.
I remember that Joan Ruiz is old technician in Mecatecno?.
Do you have any email or phone contact of Mr Joan Ruiz?
That would be good for me if any part of engine breaks.
Other parts: Brake pads,brake lines,tires,carburettor,gas trottle, bearings, etc, no have any problem find here.
I have a sandblaster / soda blaster machine in my home.
When this i can polish all motor and aluminium parts.
My friend is going to help me in paint coated frame.
With this, and my knowledge in engines,this unit will fly again soon!!!!
kind regards!!
Jose
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
From Jose
Hi again,sorry my english no is very good. I send to you pics from my phone. I buy this bike in Tenerife ,Canari islands.
In 20 days it will arrive in Madrid.I need help with technicals manuals.
And to find spare parts for a good restoration.
Hi again,sorry my english no is very good. I send to you pics from my phone. I buy this bike in Tenerife ,Canari islands.
In 20 days it will arrive in Madrid.I need help with technicals manuals.
And to find spare parts for a good restoration.
A split petrol tank
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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a cracked and badly welded frame
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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a welded head stock
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
bad marks on the swinging arm
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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A badly scratched air box
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
oh my god - its been at the bottom of the sea
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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From Jose
The next week arrive Mecatecno Bikes to Madrid.
First make some pictures in this condition and send to you.
The bike, is a very bad condition and some spare parts need for restoration.
The motor start whithout problems but is sure need a good deep check for run 100%
Step by step during restoration send to you news pictures.
In this way you will see the good work. (I am professional mechanic)
At Christmas i will have free time to work on it.
The mecatecno parts, are in Spain or England?
Now i know more people have this bikes for sale in Spain. But price is high.
The next week arrive Mecatecno Bikes to Madrid.
First make some pictures in this condition and send to you.
The bike, is a very bad condition and some spare parts need for restoration.
The motor start whithout problems but is sure need a good deep check for run 100%
Step by step during restoration send to you news pictures.
In this way you will see the good work. (I am professional mechanic)
At Christmas i will have free time to work on it.
The mecatecno parts, are in Spain or England?
Now i know more people have this bikes for sale in Spain. But price is high.
a cracked rim and rusty spokes
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
pitted rusty forks
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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A nice original rubber
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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looks good
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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missing front mudguard. badly compressed and pitted foral forks
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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horribly scarred annodizing
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
if only the rear tyre could tell a story .the exhaust looks good. the silencer and rear mudguard is missing. the rear sprocket is good. the side stand is m issing
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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a great surprise. the engine is complete and its hard to believe but it runs ok
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
a good restorable kick start , good side casing - its all there in this photo
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
a badly bent rear sub frame , coupled with some knarly horrible welds and brackets
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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bars ,levers +throttle all complete. Nice retro light . nice stickers on the forks
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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From Jose
Hi James,There is no lucky. The other bike was sold last month by only 350 euros!
And today I looked my bike slowly. The previous owners were not people. Were troglodyte cavemen...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha. I see the photos. It does look bad. It was ridden by crazy bad children. The more you work , the more you will be happy when it is finished
This totally shattered from the first screw to last.The pictures speak better than me.(sorry my english is very bad)
Front rim broken. chasis broken and bad repair, electrical instalation ......All beaten or bent.....
A real shame!!!
Well, but I encourage you to make it as a new. This is sure
Little by little we will commenting on the progress.
Kind regards
Hi James,There is no lucky. The other bike was sold last month by only 350 euros!
And today I looked my bike slowly. The previous owners were not people. Were troglodyte cavemen...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha. I see the photos. It does look bad. It was ridden by crazy bad children. The more you work , the more you will be happy when it is finished
This totally shattered from the first screw to last.The pictures speak better than me.(sorry my english is very bad)
Front rim broken. chasis broken and bad repair, electrical instalation ......All beaten or bent.....
A real shame!!!
Well, but I encourage you to make it as a new. This is sure
Little by little we will commenting on the progress.
Kind regards
Retrotrials.com comments -
In summary - Oh my God !!!! . Jose ...you are a brave man :)
Jose has a bike here , but the only thing that is really good about it , is that the engine works.This is a major hurdle as altering pistons and bores to fit sends costs soaring. The bike comes from the Canary islands and the salty sea air has corroded it badly.
Now its decision time. Do you restore to so that it is good to use , or do you restore it so that its perfect ?
If you decide that it has to be perfect do you restore it so that it is back to factory spec or that it contained adapted parts or pattern parts that give a different look.
One this is for sure, Jose has got his work cut out . Good luck
In summary - Oh my God !!!! . Jose ...you are a brave man :)
Jose has a bike here , but the only thing that is really good about it , is that the engine works.This is a major hurdle as altering pistons and bores to fit sends costs soaring. The bike comes from the Canary islands and the salty sea air has corroded it badly.
Now its decision time. Do you restore to so that it is good to use , or do you restore it so that its perfect ?
If you decide that it has to be perfect do you restore it so that it is back to factory spec or that it contained adapted parts or pattern parts that give a different look.
One this is for sure, Jose has got his work cut out . Good luck