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Now we are talking. On a proper bike for a change :)
Ot has a family now and lives nearby. He has had his years competing and now has no desire to jump off electric pylon masts and off the top of houses buckling his wheels. He was keen to remind me that he can still do it but his body isn't as young as it was and the blows take their toll. |
Ot, my son he no move to moto. He keeps with cycle.
Why didn’t Ot move to moto? Why did he stay with cycle? I see photo of him riding moto.
Because at this time we have Monty and then if we produce Monty it was stupid to move to moto because Ot after Andreu, Ot was great for promotion. Ot had many many years being great on the cycle. I never influence Ot to even compete. When there was the possibility to compete I start the car, Ot he put the bicycle in. Me, I never say you will compete and that it is better this way. This is my value. One time in my life with my wife, Ot say, I like to move to moto. Up until this time he had never say this. I said to him “I must say Ot, look the moto is not what we do. We produce bicycle for sale. We need to promote our bicycle for sale, not the moto so that the boy not buy a moto, he buy a cycle “. Ot say “Oh ok” and he never repeated this again ever. He keep bicycle.
Why didn’t Ot move to moto? Why did he stay with cycle? I see photo of him riding moto.
Because at this time we have Monty and then if we produce Monty it was stupid to move to moto because Ot after Andreu, Ot was great for promotion. Ot had many many years being great on the cycle. I never influence Ot to even compete. When there was the possibility to compete I start the car, Ot he put the bicycle in. Me, I never say you will compete and that it is better this way. This is my value. One time in my life with my wife, Ot say, I like to move to moto. Up until this time he had never say this. I said to him “I must say Ot, look the moto is not what we do. We produce bicycle for sale. We need to promote our bicycle for sale, not the moto so that the boy not buy a moto, he buy a cycle “. Ot say “Oh ok” and he never repeated this again ever. He keep bicycle.
Thats what you think Pere. Look what i found down in the garage :)
Now the reason I took this photo is because both Pere and Ot have got hands like horses hoofs, like shovels as we'd say in the UK. When they shake hands with you you feel like you've just handed them a plum that they're about to pop, as they squeeze soooo hard. I gritted my teeth and pulled a funny face. It runs in the family I think.
Ot was an incredible rider with some fantastic results. He was incredible to watch. I see him at the interval at the indoor trial and when Ot comes to ride his cycle the loud music starts with the heavy beat and the crowd is cheering. He would balance in his back wheel on the edge of a tall building and then drop off and the wheels would be damaged because of the great fall.
You know everything about it ha ha ha.
No........ but it is a bit of the problem :). Everything new I learn means something old is forced out of my head. I'm trying to learn how to eat with a knife and fork at the moment :).
You know everything about it ha ha ha.
No........ but it is a bit of the problem :). Everything new I learn means something old is forced out of my head. I'm trying to learn how to eat with a knife and fork at the moment :).
Maria and Pere told me that the areas on the opposite and downside of the road where Ot practiced had now all been built on. I was looking around for anything that I recognised ......... Then looking down the street I saw something familiar....
I knew I'd seen these before.
Here Pere sets out some sections for others to ride. You will note that none of the kids has a cycle, so they all used the little prototype Montesita that Pere was developing in his garage, that you can see with the door open. His house is above. The second photo is of Ot pushing himself in the same street below his house.
Here is exactly the same view today.
At the time of Montesa closing, you were working only in Montesita or DID ?.
In the last two years before Montesa closing, I work exclusive in the development , production and promoting the Montesita.
You refer to the DID department. What does this mean ?.
“D” department, “I” investment and “D” development…
Before Montesa die were there many strikes and many problems with factory workers ?.
Yes, a lot of problems. This was because it is the time soon after finish the Dictator Franco in Spain (1976), and Spain begin the democracy. The workers unions come and drowned strong companies by demanding pay raises of 100% and more etc . Almost all companies had large strikes, the Montesa stroke lasted 3 months. It was crazy and here, after two years of these economic problems with the company come to close. During the time of the strikes , one lasting 3 months, we work at home and workshop of Josep Isern, with the new models Montesa and preparing the bikes for competitions (motocross and trials). It's all a memory.
Why did Montesa die ?
We had a double situation. There were major strikes and also it was the time of the entry of Japanese brands with a great promotion in magazines. The magazines saw get a better future. It was a whole set and everything was against Montesa.
What do you remember of the last days of Montesa ?
The previous days, I was working normally, had no idea of the economic situation. On September 22, 1983, before arriving at the factory Esplugues in the morning at about 8 I went to have a little breakfast in a bar between my house and Montesa. Sitting on my right at the bar cafe was a man who was reading a newspaper and centerfold, said "MONTESA SUSPEND PAYMENT", I froze and was shocked as this was my home life 25 years. I even I had asked Mr. Permanyer in the factory if this was real! . He listen me carefully and he did not answer, he was to think, and maybe, he thing I am a little crazy? We could not understand it to be true. When I arrive in the factory, all the workers (friends) hadfaces low, everything was said, no one poke, was terrible. then thinking expected since hadsuspended payments and other factories too, like Sanglas, Bultaco, Ossa and finally Montesa too.
Why you leave in 1983 when Honda come ?.
At the moment Montesa made suspension of payments to workers I saw that there was no future for me. The relations with Honda were slow and I did not see any future. For me , my head was always to innovate, to improve the bikes and saw that I had not future in Honda. I was sure they would do everything from Japan and so this turned out to be. As you know, I do not like to be stopped and needed business to bring the food to the my mouth, which is why I went away. I was only 2 weeks with this disaster after i hear abut the payment problems with Montesa.
Did you try to buy the name "Montesita" from Montesa ?.
Yes, my first thought was to buy all the bicycle material of Montesa, including the "Montesita" name and carry on. I came to a very quick agreement with the directors of Montesa. We agreed in 10 minutes because the cycle was not a subject of concern to Honda. I moved within 24 hours all the material, including the production line to a place that I had rented , but there was a problem. The council and representatives of workers ask for all the materials back. They wanted all, not the money i pay so i had to return it all and I had to break the contract with Montesa Director. Within hours of this happening I make a new drawings of the frame, handlebar, fork, etc of the new Monty. I studied and order the parts from suppliers. I already knew everything and was it was MONTY. It was a name I had in reserve for other Montesa models because normally, I put the names to the Montesa models, the Cota, Cappra, Enduro, Montesita, etc..
What were the best years for you ?.
I don’t know, some of these best top times is when Mr. Simeon Rabasa know I am decide to go to Montesa. He say to me that
if I have any problem in my life, don’t ask to come back again to Derbi, "I can come immediately and rejoin without asking”. Another great moment for me is when the Montesa sport manager (Rafa Marsans) come to my home to ask me if I am agree to go to Montesa for to make a team to riding motocross. This is a great moment. Also , when we became to export Montesa motocross, later the trials, etc. Again , another moment is when we move the goods to the second factory of Monty, and the next movement to the Monty factory three (where is now a brand new factory). These were great days too. The 2004 & 2005 years were my last years onMonty before i decide to retire.Monty have a better business profit in my life. Later I make a book. This is also nice when I make a presentations. All my friends come there and is a very expressive day for me . I am waiting for a new surprise for me.
What is your best memory or Working with Derbi ?.
There are so many. Every day are very nice. When I become to rider motorcycle. When a get a first trophy in one Gymkhana in Aiguafreda.When i win my first motocross in Martorellas and later in Vic and later in Manresa. All three are super because is step by step me imp[rove and bring success to me and factory. The first is like a local motocross the second is by the top riders and also the riders from France and the third is with all the top riders (Elizalde brothers with Morino 4 stroke, also Oriol Puig, etc.). Later, another great moment is when I win the Spanish Championship in road racer, in 100 cc. in 4 competitions (Logroño, Soria, Castellón y Tarragona).
What is your best memory of working with Montesa ?.
Also i have so many special memories with Montesa. One of the top memories is in 1961 when I won the double Spanish motocross championship, 125 cc and 250 cc. Also, I remember when all the factory are for me and cheering for me. I am a motocross rider, and later trial rider. I develop the models in order to put in productions and have many, many good moments. When I win the first Trial Spanish championship (1968), when I make a schools in California. When traveling to Germany for the first European Bike Trial Championship, etc. etc. You see , there are so many wonderful moments for me.
Did you enjoy best the riding moto or the development.?.
Absolutist development.
What were the hardest things about the Montesa DID work ?.
Many were difficult . Basically, when I did something that was not going the way we wanted, I have many tries and ideas also . What I remember is that we had a lot more work than we could do. We need to put into production the new models from year to year (motocross models 125, 250 and 360, Trials 247, 123, 74, Enduro 250, 125 and 75) and also had to develop with the top riders that we had. We demanded much of ourselves. It was very hard years but nice to remember years.
Who do you thank the most for your life in the moto and why ?.
I was hard at work and Montesa people who understood me and helped me all. I think the person who sacrificed most for me was my wife Maria, with these long trips, with very wide time, until the body resisted, always worked and traveled, it was very hard for her. Also the mechanics , Joan Céspedes Oton, Tena also Josep Isern help me very much. Thanks to all and Montesa technical workers like Jordi Ros, Pere Castellví and everybody too.
Where did Jordi Ross the designer from Montesa go ?
Jordi Ros, I liked very much this man . He worked at a computer company manufactures that making special programs for a big companys and remained there until his retirement, he is a very good friend of me.
Where have gone the Permanyers?
The Permanyer, Jordi stayed in Montesa-Honda as deputy director at the factory, three years ago is retired. Xavier find other jobs in different companies until his retirement and Pere (he is the oldest) was retired directly. All of brothers are also good friends of me.
Well ....... we have traveled around in a circle from the very start of Pere's life to nowadays. Its a remarkable insight into one of the most influential men in the Spanish off road motorcycle World.
There is always so much more detail, but I'm sure you have learnt a great deal about this great man and his incredible story and family. Thank you Pere.
There is always so much more detail, but I'm sure you have learnt a great deal about this great man and his incredible story and family. Thank you Pere.
A nice signed photo of 2 Grand men from Catalan motorcycling. Friends from boys to this day. Thank you :)
But there is more .......
Pere is off. Its time to follow him.
Pere is off. Its time to follow him.
Lets jump in the Retro mobile were off ! Follow that Catalan !! :)