a revealing Interview with Mecatecno and Montesa Rider
Ronald Garcia
We change the steering angle of the front suspension very easily. Joan Ruiz would take the tank off and cut the frame. We would then push the bike into a wall to steepen the angle. He would then weld it back up. This would all be complete in only 10 minutes. No computers needed ha ha. We all work work to make this bike. It was very artisan. Everything was handmade.
Did you start with another tank and make the Montesa tank from this ?
No no no, we started with a mould and use their son to make some adjustments and after many tries we then finish with what you see. I much prefer working for Mecatecno now than working for Sierra who is stupid and I get more money, I prefer Mecatecno now to Sierra. Mecatecno has a big heart. Jordi Rabassa has a lot of passion. He was a strong boss. I remember that he was not to flexible to the thoughts of others. He followed his own mind.
Did you start with another tank and make the Montesa tank from this ?
No no no, we started with a mould and use their son to make some adjustments and after many tries we then finish with what you see. I much prefer working for Mecatecno now than working for Sierra who is stupid and I get more money, I prefer Mecatecno now to Sierra. Mecatecno has a big heart. Jordi Rabassa has a lot of passion. He was a strong boss. I remember that he was not to flexible to the thoughts of others. He followed his own mind.
Mecatecno owner Jordi Rabassa (in the red shirt) has become a very good friend of Retrotrials and we meet up with moto enthusiast extraordinaire Josep (back left) as often as we can. On this occasion we went for dinner with Pere Pi. The Montesa legend is known these days in Catalonia as being a strong and prominent force in the fight for Catalonian independence. Without saying a word the waitress brought him out this dish, which I can tell you ...made his day :). To all those Spanish readers who hate any mention of this independance all I can say is ...." take another glass of wine".
Ronalds time with Mecatecno came to an end, however despite going over the handlebars in the below image he did very well and was considered an up and coming talent rising to 5th in the Spanish Championship.
And how did the year go for you ?
Very good, very good this year. I finish the Spanish Championship in the top super class in fifth position. In Madrid I ride 1 trial and finish second. I very nearly win this trial. First was Gallach and second me. This was 1985. This was in Cirentha near Madrid. I could not believe this, near the end of the trial I was very nervous because I knew at this time I could maybe win the trial. Jordi Rabassa is very happy for me at this trial. He comes to watch me. In the World Championship it was not so good, trials is much more difficult in these trials, in the World Championship. If you do not have points you start at the beginning of the trial and it is your job to make the sections for the other riders and then when you come again on the second lap it is another section completely.
Very good, very good this year. I finish the Spanish Championship in the top super class in fifth position. In Madrid I ride 1 trial and finish second. I very nearly win this trial. First was Gallach and second me. This was 1985. This was in Cirentha near Madrid. I could not believe this, near the end of the trial I was very nervous because I knew at this time I could maybe win the trial. Jordi Rabassa is very happy for me at this trial. He comes to watch me. In the World Championship it was not so good, trials is much more difficult in these trials, in the World Championship. If you do not have points you start at the beginning of the trial and it is your job to make the sections for the other riders and then when you come again on the second lap it is another section completely.
Ronald Garcia on board the Mecatecno MR326 competing in the Spanish Championship.
When you are the first rider and there are maybe 200 riders the section is completely different when you return. I stayed with Mecatecno for 2 years I think, 1985 and 1986. Yes this is correct. When I started riding with Andreu Codina in 1984, he was riding the prototype 330. I remember him fighting with the factory for the production to include the large france exhaust which he said improve the bike a lot and he was pleased that they went with his suggestion.
When you are working with Mecatecno, did you ever see the Dragonfly arriving and being made in production ?
No, I no see the Dragonfly, but when I leave Mecatecno it was very close to the time of this bike. The last Mecatecno that I ride was the green MR 326, it had 3 spokes and also the small tank which would later feature on the dragonfly. At the end the MR 326 was very pretty.
No, I no see the Dragonfly, but when I leave Mecatecno it was very close to the time of this bike. The last Mecatecno that I ride was the green MR 326, it had 3 spokes and also the small tank which would later feature on the dragonfly. At the end the MR 326 was very pretty.