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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes |
Alfer were a prominent manufacturer of motorcycles which was created in 1982 by Enduro enthusiasts and riders Francisco Almirall and Ramon Fernandez. Their love of enduro meant that the company initially concentrated on making high specification and quality enduro motorcycles , and nothing else.
Alfer founders. Francisco Almirall and Ramon Fernandez
The name Alfer comes from the men's names - "Al" + "Fer".
The name Alfer comes from the men's names - "Al" + "Fer".
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Francisco Almirall the founder formed the brand marque of Alfer under the group name of FAMOTO - (Francisco Almirall MOTO) . It is clear from this title that the main financier of the company was the multi millionaire Francisco who presided over a Catalan company manufacturing all sorts of ceramic tiles for the building industry. The ceramic industrial complex is based in San Cugat, Barcelona and is located less than 1 mile from the motorcycle factory. The close proximity of the 2 companies was ideal for the management of both.
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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During the 1980's the company plowed forward with the full enthusiasm and vigor of the owner. This resulted in numerous Spanish Championships being won by the high performance bikes. Powered mostly by the Italian engines Villa Alfer excelled in the small engine capacities categories winning the 125 cc class in 1986 with Jordi Girona and the 80 cc class in 1989 with Pedro Pérez.
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Alfer benefited from a sales environment free of the orange invasion . But Alfer also benefited as the import of Japanese bikes was barred. The Montesa was an old dated bike which was very heavy. Otherwise the Spanish market was supplied with SWM from Italy , some Apillia's , which were reasonable and some KTM's , but not many. So there was a demand with no really good competition and supply . As a result Alfer flourished in the early days .Backed by success of the enduro and later the supermoto track their enduro motorcycles were very popular and they sold in their thousands , to mainly a Spanish market , but there was more.
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Now Mr Almirall is a wealthy man who was involved in a number of other operations. One such business that he was involved in was building. Infact he built the industrial estate that the Alfer factory was later founded and ran from . And the relationship between Mr Almirall and Mr Villa was so great that Mr Almiral even named the street where his factory was located , after the Italian engine builder . You can see the street names below.
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
The Alfer factory was based at number 11 Carrer Fransesc Villa , San Cugat , Barcelona. In 2011 Retrotrials visited the factory. This is a photo i took when i visited the unit in 2011. The company had closed in 2007 and i knew there was little chance of getting inside , but i was lucky. After laying empty and untouched for 4 years on this specific week of my visit a mountain bike company had just moved in and was setting up shop. They invited my in and i took these photos.
On the left is my 2011 photo . The photo on the right is from 2003. The chap on the left is Alfer sales director Alfonso Dominquez.
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Here are some more comparison photos - 2011 closed factory next to 1990's running factory
The Dyno room in the far right hand corner as it was in 2011. On the right is the same room in 1990.
The Dyno room in the far right hand corner as it was in 2011. On the right is the same room in 1990.
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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The main and only production room. The production line was based on the right under the 1st floor. This left the area immediately behind the front shutter door free for deliveries.The original photo was taken in 1982.
Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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Exclusive - The story and rediscovery of the Alfer and scorpa prototypes
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By 1988 facing hige competition from a now open market Francisco Almiral was looking to niche's and markets
and it was here that he made a big mistake (his words)
and it was here that he made a big mistake (his words)