4 Interview with lifelong Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo |
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Yes, and I also go alone, I live 2 years in America. I live with Kim Kimball for many times. With him and his wife.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com Thanks to Ron Arnone
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Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com photo Ron Arnone
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At this time in the USA i meet the film star John Wayne . I meet him and I am with him when he is presented his Montesa. Also Neil Armstrong is given a Montesa to thank him for landing on the moon and his work for science ,but I no meet him.
How did you meet John Wayne?
He was good friends with Kim Kimball and they meet many times. I was the mechanic in the workshop and to teach dealer in Chicago and Dallas and everywhere.
How did you meet John Wayne?
He was good friends with Kim Kimball and they meet many times. I was the mechanic in the workshop and to teach dealer in Chicago and Dallas and everywhere.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com
And at this time did you still work for Montesa in Spain ?
Yes yes . when ..in 1968 Montesa say no more races and I say what shall I do and at this time I knew Kim Kimball because he come to the factory to see new prototypes to sell to California. When I hear that there will be no more races I speak with Kim Kimball and I say do you need somebody to teach people in the USA about the motorcycles and the mechanics. At this time there were many problems with the crank shaft on the Montesa. Many problems. I make this agreement with the Permanyers and I go only for 6 months and in the shop there was one American engineer with many problems with the Montesa. After 2 months Kim Kimball say to me, you no want to stay here 6 months , you should stay here 1 year. I then make this agreement with him. Then I am the mechanic in the World Championship in 250 and 500cc motorcross in 1968 for Montesa. This was the American Championship and we win both championships with 2 riders.
One rider was Leandro Soto. He is very famous. He was the major in the Honolulu army. After 69, he come to Europe to compete in the 1969 world championship with Ron Nelson and I travel with these 2 men to all of the championship races. From 1969 until now, I never heard anything from this man and then last year he come from the USA to Barcelona to see me. After 45 years.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com photo Ron Arnone
Meet Ron Arnone. In the late 60s/early 70s, he worked for Montesa Motors in Los Angeles. They were the sole U.S. importer of Montesa motorcycles at the time, run by a colorful entrepreneur by the name of Kim Kimball. Ron worked in their parts department for a few years, then left for college, returning soon thereafter to manage their marketing and advertising. Indeed, his career ever since has followed that path and I have "the Montesa mystique" to thank for that.
His is all a long and complicated story involving many interesting people, many of whom were from the Barcelona factory. During those Montesa years Ron also produced motocross races, and was the national coordinator for the American Motocross Team, sending several U.S. teams to compete on the European circuit. He also recalls the excitement of introducing Montesa's Cota 247, around 1969 as he recalls and bought one myself (though I never formerly competed).
Paco Mateo? You bet, I remember him well! He came over with Modesto Sole (lead Spaniard in management) and Salvadore Mon. Later Javier Jordi replaced Mr.Sole, bringing Javier Burgos with him to do accounting. Eventually they took over the distributorship and ousted Kim. Another long and complicated story. As I recall, Paco worked with us on fielding the Montesa team that won the U.S 250 and 360 MX championships with Ron Nelson and John (the Flyin' Hawaiian) DeSoto. Best of days, I think that was 1968. Paco was a dedicated and focused factory mechanic. Good man. It all started with road racing (Sport 250) and Scrambles (Diablo 175). I remember many nights at Ascot park introducing and promoting the Montesa name. I was just a kid working in the parts department at that time (maybe 18-19 years old). In all I was there from around 1966 to 1972.
His is all a long and complicated story involving many interesting people, many of whom were from the Barcelona factory. During those Montesa years Ron also produced motocross races, and was the national coordinator for the American Motocross Team, sending several U.S. teams to compete on the European circuit. He also recalls the excitement of introducing Montesa's Cota 247, around 1969 as he recalls and bought one myself (though I never formerly competed).
Paco Mateo? You bet, I remember him well! He came over with Modesto Sole (lead Spaniard in management) and Salvadore Mon. Later Javier Jordi replaced Mr.Sole, bringing Javier Burgos with him to do accounting. Eventually they took over the distributorship and ousted Kim. Another long and complicated story. As I recall, Paco worked with us on fielding the Montesa team that won the U.S 250 and 360 MX championships with Ron Nelson and John (the Flyin' Hawaiian) DeSoto. Best of days, I think that was 1968. Paco was a dedicated and focused factory mechanic. Good man. It all started with road racing (Sport 250) and Scrambles (Diablo 175). I remember many nights at Ascot park introducing and promoting the Montesa name. I was just a kid working in the parts department at that time (maybe 18-19 years old). In all I was there from around 1966 to 1972.
A few of the Retrotrials collection of Montesa's - 1968 1st series Cota 247. 1972 Cota 49. 1978 H6 360 Enduro. 1985 Cota 330.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com
When you finally finished working in the prototype building in Pampola were you sad to leave and move to Esplugues ?
No no, at this time no, but after I look back at these times and know I was very happy there at this place. Many many times I travel especially to Barcelona just so I can pass the same building.
No no, at this time no, but after I look back at these times and know I was very happy there at this place. Many many times I travel especially to Barcelona just so I can pass the same building.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com
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Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com
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Leopoldo Mila
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com
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You then went to Esplugues and what did you do there ?
I worked in the same department but at the new factory. I worked with Pedro Pi, Leopoldo Mila and Felipe Millet. Leopoldo Mila. The first day I start working here at Montesa I stay working with him all of my life, all my life working with this man. I work very close with him. So you moved to the new factory at Esplugues and you worked with Leopoldo Mila. He would make the design and what would you do ? I would make the bikes with other people from nothing. |
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com photo Pertti Luhtasu
What was your speciality there ? Were you a metal fabrication man or did you work with the fiberglass ?
Then the mechanic did not do one thing only. Everyone do many things and this was the same for me. I work with the engines and I would adjust the cylinders and the pistons to change and adjust the compression. I would be tuning the engine and the exhaust pipe to find more horse power. All the time doing this.
Did you work on Pedro Pi’s bikes ?
Yes, Gordon Farley bikes, Rathmell bikes, Lampkin. All the times from old times to new times . Later I work with Colomer, Bosis, Lejeune, Crawford, everyday I hear something from him, Thierry Girard, Renales, Courtier everyone. All the riders from 1987 to 1994.
Then the mechanic did not do one thing only. Everyone do many things and this was the same for me. I work with the engines and I would adjust the cylinders and the pistons to change and adjust the compression. I would be tuning the engine and the exhaust pipe to find more horse power. All the time doing this.
Did you work on Pedro Pi’s bikes ?
Yes, Gordon Farley bikes, Rathmell bikes, Lampkin. All the times from old times to new times . Later I work with Colomer, Bosis, Lejeune, Crawford, everyday I hear something from him, Thierry Girard, Renales, Courtier everyone. All the riders from 1987 to 1994.
Interview Montesa trial mechanic Paco Mateo www.retrotrials.com photo Pertti Luhtasu