Some of the Retrotrials.com feedback. This site is just for the love of the memories ....nothing else :)
Jordi Tarres
Thank you for your support
Francesc Tarres
I have seen and read the long story and the interview, which we did in retrotrials.com, congratulations you have made a very good and extensive work, I think more or less we are like you describe in a family that lived and lives for the Trial.
It was a nice experience your visit to our house, you know you're always welcome, if you ever come visit by Spain.
Amos Bilbao
It looks nice . Thank you.keep in touch,best regards Amos
Dear James,
Thanks very much. It’s a really nice report!!!
Eva - Ossa factory
Hi James,
Thanks for your report.
Alex Ballesta
Export Manager - Ossa factory
Hello James,
Many thanks for your comments, i´m very happy about this…
Jordi Tarres
Les Rowe
I contacted you some months ago to thank you for a great website. I'm still very much enjoying it - fantastic interview with Steve Saunders.
Thanks again for such an amazing website.
Les Pattinson
Very nice site
Marc Halfka
Hello to you! First gratulation and thanks for your webiste. It is great to see all these nice bikes and great persons from the past.
Robert von dullen
i'm a big fan of your site, thanks for doing all those interviews and posting them for us to read. all my favorites.
David Skinner
Keep up the good work with the website it’s the best I have seen
R Carrier
Hello Sir nice work done on your site. I have been riding Bultaco's and collecting vintage Spanish motorcycle sales brochures for a good while and was interested in the Merlin and other trials brands the stuff you do not see every day for my own personel collection.
Tim Howells
James Just to say how much I enjoy your site and the effort you put into it,keep up the good work. Tim
R Niemelä
I really enjoyed reading the interview about Jordi. Regards, Reijo Niemelä from Finland
Richard Smith
Just a quick thank you for all that you do for this era, I have just read the fantastic Jason Finn interview, I could have read that all night even though my wife had told me I had been reading it for some 40 minutes it seemed like 10, obsolutely great photos and coverage of one of my all time favourite riders. Yours Richard Smith
John Robertson
Hi James, Another great update to your comprehensive website. Well Done. You must be spending so much time in Spain now that you will soon be classified as an ex-pat for tax purposes LOL. Best regards, to yourself & Anne. John
Phil Froud
Hi There fantastic site!!
Francesc Barnarda
Hello., Wonderful web Catalan motorcycle, I will have liked to see friends muchos en tu pagina y to remember some time
Jordi Climent
Congratulations for the website!
Barrie Lever
I have just stumbled upon your site because a motorcycle writer that I know asked if anything remains of the Bultaco factory and your site came up in Google. I am a Bultaco fan of many decades and the information that is in your interview with Ignacio Bultaco is incredable. Your site is an incredable resource, very well done. Barrie Lever
David Sorrells
Saw the beginnings of the Jordi Tarres interview in the T&E News. Then I checked out the online version, all I can say is WOW!!! What a fantastic interview!!! There was so much I may have missed it but did you ask what he thought of Non-Stop? Best story I've read in T&E other than the news of the World coming back to the US. Thank you, excellent read! David
JamieGourley
How wonderful that you have created this site. Here in the US it has always been hard to find detailed information about the world of trials. Most of the stuff here is all about motocross which is fun to watch but I ride trials exclusivly and that is my passion. I love to collect books, posters, photos, vidios and anything else related to our sport. I loved the Jordi interview and I loved that it was more then 20 stupid questions with a one word response which is what we normally see. I have seen him ride many times and I hope he will be in Tennessee this May for the US round. The STRA is my club and we are so proud to again host the best in the world. Last time I saw him in 2008 I shook his hand as he was standing next to me as I checked a section and he crushed it but I did not care as like you said it is always scary to meet your hero. Keep up this great site and it is now at the top of my favorites. Thanks you and I hope to see you soon in the US at Sequathie. Contact me anytime if there is anything I can do to help you and I will spread the word about your great work. Your friend and fan, Jamie Gourley, Conyers, Georgia, USA PS. You always have a place to stay at my house if you are in Atlanta so do not hesitate to contact me.
Ron Golden
Hi: I really enjoy your site! I recently bought a Cagiva TR3.50 here in Canada, I believe it may be the only one ever imported into the country. It was sold as a 1985 model, but it could be a 1984...I thought that in 1985 Merlin was selling the Gallach replica. This may be the only Cagiva trials bike ever imported into Canada. The bike has seen very little use and has not been restored. Aside from putting new fenders on it and purchasing an air filter for it (which was missing when I bought it) the bike is in very good condition. If you would like me to send you some pictures please let me know your email address. I'm getting the bike prepared to enter some vintage twin-shock trials events starting in April. Keep up the good work on your site, I especially like reading the interviews and learning more of the "behind the scenes" information you have been able to find. Regards: Ron Golden Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Shaun Logan
Hi great features on jordi terres, I have a 96 fortuna gasgas jtx and a beta jordi terres replica ,I don't know the correct name for it,I've always been a twin shock man I have a 198b bultaco ,I'm getting more into my the water cooled monos from the 80 s 90 s now and building my collection slowly ,if you ever want to do a test feature on a bike drop me a email I have access to a 70 acre private quarry over here in north Wales . Shaun.
Douglas Bolton
Hi, just been reading the great info and articles from your site, I noticed your article from the Garibaldi page, the Brand Garibaldi was available to the UK Through Team Jason Finn who were the official garibaldi importers, after Luis Gallach Garibaldi only made One Piece Suits for Jordi Tarres< Marc Colomer, and Jason Finn, They made Two Piece Replica garments of each of these riders, Trials was 7% of their company turnover, and now concentrate on the Leather and Road Bike market, no trials kit has been available since 2005, They sold their Sublimation machine which printed the special Lycra Garments, so now are 100% committed to the road bike sector, Garibald still Manufacture Jason Finn's One piece Suits and jackets which are printed out of house and then sent back to Garibaldi for Manufacture! there logo has changes 3 times since the 90's, each suit for Jordi, Marc and Jason cost's £1200 each, they had 3 suits per year!!the suits are called Mono's, there were also little tight short zip up jackets that were called "COOL" Jackets, and then there was the short waterproof Jackets called RAIN Jackets, I have worked with Jason for almost 20 years and he said he will wear nothing else!! If you need any info regarding Garibald Pictures, info history people behind the scenes please dont hesitate to contact me. regards -Doug Bolton
Shan Moore
Dear Sirs, I am the publisher/editor of Trials & Enduro News, a newspaper publication covering trials and off-road. I am wondering if it would be possible to print you excellent interview with Jordi Tarres from June 2012? Shan Moore Editor
iker aguirres
Wonderful web,very interesting.It reminds me my youngest days,when I fall in love with trials.Please go on with more videos and reports,I love it! By the way,the unknow rider on a Merlin picture could be Alberto Puig.I was a good trials rider.He rode for honda y 250 and 500cc and he is the current Pdreos Manager.
Jon Yendell
Hi James, Love the site and awesome Jordi interview mate!!! See you have got yourself a new lightweight toy and i'm getting in early here to scrounge a go on it (assuming you will be at the Alton NE this weekend???). Just seen the piccies on Trials Central and frankly I WANT ONE!!!!!!! Cheers and hopefully see you sunday. Jon
DAVID SHAVE
Just read your jtg article, vey impressed and good to find out a bit more about the company. ordered a 300 myself and another for a customer, cant wait1!!.keep up the good work, regards Dave.
Mark Oldar
Your website is nothing short of Fantastic and I Thank you for taking the time to do it The Tarres article is great. Trials is Trials, but the story behind it has always fascinated me. I would like to add a personal story about the Merlin though. I believe the Twin Shock bikes engines were stock or as they were delivered from the Cagiva Factory as your article says. The FIUS Monoshocks were modified though. I was the US Importer for Merlin in 87 and 88. Kip Webb was my sponsored rider. While doing some routine maintenance, he had removed the Carburetor and was disassembling the top motor mt. and accidentally dropped a nut down the intake tract and did not know it. Later started the bike and destroyed the Piston. I had only limited parts and needed a new piston ASAP. We were located in the Los Angeles area and so was the Cagiva Importer at the time. On a chance, I contacted them and they still had left over parts from the time they were selling the Twin Shock as a Cagiva here in the states. Long story short..the piston I acquired from them was sent to Kip and he installed it with no problems until he went to kick it over and the engine jammed up almost as soon as he pushed down on the kickstart.......he removed the head and after turning the engine over, the piston raised out of the top of the cylinder about a half inch!!! Ordered a stock piston from Merlin in Spain and problem solved. Never got to the bottom of the reason due to the language barrier between me and the Merlin Factory. Thanks......Mark Oldar
Will Brown
Hi James many thanks for your comments about the Selborne. Just been looking at your excellent retrotrials site. Like the videos of the Butser World round were I also observed. Could not see my observing starring anywhere but I think I spotted Les and possibly Sallie on the tree root section. Keep up the good work - Will.
Rob Butterfield
tHi Great website I am looking around for a project later in the year Just finished a SWM Jumbo 320 I like the idea of a mecatecno what sort of money are they? I would want to ride in competitions, it would get everyone talking at trials for sure! so would parts be a problem? Regards Rob
Glyn Ridley
Hi,I came across your website after seeing your auction for the Merlin on Ebay. You have an amazing collection of bikes, the Mecatecno,s are superb.They were always a favourite of mine when i was riding back in the late 80's. I followed the links to the videos on youtube and actually found some footage of myself and a group of friends at the British round in 1988, part 2 at 2.25 [3 of us in red and white jackets] at the top of a really nasty section. Congratulations on the site and especially what you have done with the bikes, they are a real credit to you. Best Regards Glyn Ridley Guernsey
bill delozier
Nice website for a SMOG member and trials rider! Great inside scoop on rarified brands. RE: 1999 gas gas txt service manual on ebay. Is the text in english? Still available? Thanks, BILL
CHRIS ANDERSON
FASCINATING SITE.AS SOMEONE WHO HAS RIDDEN TRIALS FOR 30+ YEARS THESE LATE TWINSHOCK/EARLY MONOS ARE REAL CLASSICS TO ME.THE MAIN REASON FOR CONTACT IS THAT I BELIEVE I ONCE OWNED THE 2ND MECATECNO SKYWALKER/SPARES BIKE IN YOUR GALLERY.RECOGNISE THE BLUE PETER SEAT PAD (WAREHOUSE FLOOR MAT!).REMEMBER A SWEET HANDLING CHASSIS & GRUNTY MOTOR.ONE LOCAL CLUB(KENT)REQUIRED CHAIN/REAR SPROCKET GUARD THAT I BODGED WITH JUBILEE CLIP/ALLOY PLATE.BOUGHT FROM SITTINGBOURNE FOR £750 1994ISH & SOLD 1996ISH FOR £600(AAARGH!)TO GUY IN DOVER WHO HAD ALWAYS WANTED 'ONE OF THESE TECHNOS'(BETA!!).DON'T THINK HE KEPT IT LONG AS WE ALL WENT WATER COOLED.ALWAYS REGRET SELLING IT(IF I KNEW THEN ETC.) & NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HANDLEBARS!? THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES,REGARDS,CHRIS.
Escuyer Gilles
Hello, We are from France, restoring and owning a collection of about forty Bultaco bikes. We also love Merlin and others rare spanish bikes, i've bought one Merlin DG3 FIUS to my father for his birthday ! I'm searching for a Merlin 350 Gallach replica or a Merlin DG 350 First model, if you known about one can you tell us ? I love your website, very interesting and precise, i've made a "merlin page" on my website, let's have a look it's www.trial-classic-bultaco.fr. If you want we can also make reciprocity links ? Tell me if you are ok, and i'll make it. Best wishes (and à happy new year !) Gilles Escuyer Reims 51100 France
Richard Allen
Hi,it was interesting to hear of the time i was involved with the Mecatecno.They really wer great times.I was involved with the Jewitts and rode the Scottish as you said as well as riding a bike on loan from Richard Pelling some time later.Got a few tales i could tell you about Scottish antics etc.Do you know what became of the Jewitts?I lost contact.cheers Richard.PS no pig anymore just a load of rabbits now.
Charlie Morris
Hi there, After a brief search of the internet I have come across your website. It has given me a great insight in to the Mecatecno, Back in 1997 I could not find any information or spares for the bike. When trying to source parts for it people often thought I had got confused with a Beta Techno. In 1997 I owned a Mecatecno Skywalker myself. Sadly I don't have any photographs of it, It was sold on to a friend of mine in around 2000-2001. I couldn't help but notice one of you restorations had an aluminium seat unit. I was just wondering where the bike came from as I had an aluminium seat unit hand made for mine as the original was very badly broken. The seat unit was never fitted before the bike was sold on but was given to my friend when he bought it. Surely there cant have been many with an aluminium seat unit. Any information would be greatly appreciated, as a little trip down memory lane for me. Kind Regards, Charlie Morris.
Richard Allen
Hi,I really like your website.Particularly the Mecatecno feature.It was good to see the factory.I rode a Skywalker in 1990 for the UK importer in British Nationals and a couple of world rounds as well as the Scottish 6 day.It really was a great bike and was a pleasure to be involved with it.Please feel free to email or ring me for a chat if you would like to talk about what was a great era for trials.My number is ...
Keep up the good work with the website.Regards Richard Allen
Curtis Lassey
hello, first i must say i have enjoyed your website alot, as i have just got a mecatecno alevin 80, i require a seat and back mud guard, also stickers. any help would be graet! thankyou curtis
mark kremin
great website. i am the guy who came to your house a few weeks ago to pick the merlin up that roman bought from you. i wish you had been at home so that i could look at your fantastic bikes. about 3 months ago i bought a 240 jcm from a guy near alton its a mono with a blue frame white tank drum brakes,the motor was out of the frame he said it would not pull,i have striped the motor put new mains and seals in it and it seems to run very smooth now. do you have any info on this model cant seem to find any thing on the web,have tried jo correy in france but he does not get back to me.i have also got a rough jcm europa,a fantic 240 which i ride also i have a rare beta es 125 enduro bike which you may have seen in a couple of magazines or at telford.. if you send me your email i could send you some pics. regards mark
Tim Pilg
Hello, You have a very nice website. I have small collection (only 8 bikes at the moment) of vintage trial bikes. I am the Beta importer for the US. Keep my email address and we can share stories. Again, great job! I am currently restoring a DG 350 Sincerely, Tim-
Les
Hi James, just read the whole of you retro trials pages, top class mate, very informative and impressive.
Hap OSWALD
James in Hawaii right now on vacation and would love to talk to you when I get home. In 91 I went to gasgas factory with first importer to USA,i bought a 327 delta and picked up all ther factory stuff @ the factory,Codina was our tour guide + export manager so I ended up with a really trick bike. All the goodies that Bilbao and Codina were using.......also spent time @ Km2 shop and at PXC shop where I bought my first SHOEI tr2p. Will be in contact next week I really love this site as it brings back great memories for me thanks again Hap@HAWAII
Hap OSWALD
James in Hawaii right now on vacation and would love to talk to you when I get home. In 91 I went to gasgas factory with first importer to USA,i bought a 327 delta and picked up all ther factory stuff @ the factory,Codina was our tour guide + export manager so I ended up with a really trick bike. All the goodies that Bilbao and Codina were using.......also spent time @ Km2 shop and at PXC shop where I bought my first SHOEI tr2p. Will be in contact next week I really love this site as it brings back great memories for me thanks again Hap@HAWAII
Conny Gustafsson
Nice work - I love people who do things seriously. Have bookmarked the site Conny, Sweden
Kurtis Mc Gauley
Hi, i have a Merlin DG3 350 F.I.U.S. 1987 and saw you have a manual on your page. I was hoping you could send me everything youve got on this bike and the manual because i cant download it and in exchange i can send you photos of the bike or if i can help you with any info on the bike it would be my pleasure to share them as i know its hard to find information on this model online. Please contact me asap because i really need the manual. Thanks in advance and btw great page, very well documented.
Juan Garcia
Hi. Excelent web, I have enjoyed a lot. Just a comment. The second photo with the comment "GALLACH RIDING THE FIRST MODEL OF THE DG350" I think that do not belong to Gallach but Joan Freixas, who start before Gallach riding the first Merlin. Have a nice day
Steve Goode
I was informed about your website via John Benton. The bikes are a credit to you. I sold a few bikes whilst under the control of the Jewitts. I knew Richard but wasn't aware of his passing. We sold two bikes in the Midland centre, sucessfully ridden by Alan Nicklin and Nigel Mills. Keep up the good work. Steve Goode.
JM MarlinTec
Hi, Thank you very much for sharing your web. A meticulous research joined to a passionate love for the bikes. I owned a Dragonfly from 1988 to 1992. It was a striking bike! Seeing your collection I now miss my Mecatecno... Congratulations and cheers! Jose M.
john benton
Hi i enjoyed your website and i recently bought a paxau bar pad from you. i remember having a test ride on a skywalker,with steve jewitt and tim peace in Rosedale n yorks. they seemed to grip very well and had plenty of power, but seemed physically big compared to my beta tr34. also i remember lluis gallach winning the spanish world round on a dragonfly in 1987. I am a big jordi tarres fan and have a 87 tr34, 1989 zero prototype replica and i am restoring a 1993 gas gas contact ducados tarres replica. it is good to see the retro bikes becoming popular again and people restoring them again, keep up the good work. regards John.
mabily rené
Hello congratulations on your site. I also have Mecatecno and Merlin. I'm looking for stickers Mecatecno. can you download the parts manual Merlin? have you the manual for the Dragonfly. did you find rear mudguards Mecatecno? best regards, René
Hi James!
My name is Bob Olar.
I apologize in advance for this being lengthy, but I kindly ask you to bear with me - it leads somewhere and I think you will understand.
I currently live in St Marys, Ontario, Canada - about 2 hours southwest of Toronto. I am 47 years old and have been riding trials since I was 12. I was born and raised in a small town in Northern Ontario and lived there until 1990.
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your website - not only is it very informative, it has provided me many, many hours of wonderful reading, bringing back great memories of trials riding in the '80's.
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Eddy (it must have been amazing to sit and talk with this icon), but was saddened to hear about his struggles with anxiety and self-esteem.
As I am sure you can appreciate, in the '80's information was not as readily available as it is now with the internet. Unlike in the UK, info about world trials was very difficult to find here in Canada, especially in Northern Ontario. However, a magazine called Cycle Canada (to which my older brother had a subscription) would have world trials results in each monthly edition. By the time it was printed, it would be old news. But...it was my (only) link to world trials news.
I first learned about Eddy in those issues of Cycle Canada, perhaps as early as 1979. A relatively unknown young sensation from Belgium taking the trials world by storm. I followed him as closely as I could with my limited access to information at the time and was thrilled when he won his first world championship, and was even more excited with each subsequent world title. He was my idol through my teen years and into my early 20's. Oh how I wished I could ride as smoothly as he did.
I had the pleasure of meeting Eddy at the 1989 Canadian World Trials round at Tweed. At this point in time, he was in th etwilight of his proffessional career...but he was still smooth. I can understand that to Eddy, I was just another fan (how could he possibly know how great an influence he'd had on me? How does one express great admiration in such a brief meeting?) but for me it was the moment of a lifetime - I met my idol and I was even able to shake his hand.
I still have his autograph from that day.
I, the years that followed, I too struggled with depression, anxiety and low self-esteem...for quite some time actually. Although I'm certain that those days are behind me now, I can relate to what Eddy feels. Even though I was never a world champion at anything, I can safely say that I am sure the effects of depression/anxiety for him are likely much the same as they were for me (or anyone else suffering in the same way). It is a terrible, lonely experience. What I am trying to say is that depression does not care if you are world champion, Joe Average, man, woman, etc. - it affects everyone the same way.
Anyway, I say all of that to say this:
To be world trials champion is an incredible accomplishment. To do 3 times in a row is simply amazing. I appreciate his openness and willingness to share everything about his life, even the non-glamourous part. People think past world champions live a carefree life! Clearly this is not the case. As I said earlier, it saddens me to know that he is going through these struggles.
I admire his determination to press on.
Please, if you are able to - offer my sincere appreciation to Eddy and let him know that he was a great influence on a young trials rider from Northern Ontario.
In life, as in trials, some sections are more difficult than others, aren't they?
Thank you for your time. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Bob Olar
James,
Just read the Eddie Interview, really great read mate, it's such a shame a legend thinks so little of his past, and his trophies!!
Keep up the great work in preserving this important time in Trials
Your Friend Jason Finn
James ,
Thank you for your work promoting Jotagas
Jordi Tarres
Hi James,
Congratulations!! The best Eddy Lejeune document I've never seen.
Very, very interestng.
Kind regards,
Joan
The Honda Trials History
James,
Just to say thanks for putting together such an incredible website. I have just finished reading the Jordi Tarres interview which was fascinating - my era - I spent most of my spare time and money on trials in the late 80s and early 90s and of course Jordi was, and still is, a legend to me. I last visited your site many months ago and can't believe how much more you've added.
I used to ride with Richard Allen quite a lot and remember him being sponsored on a Mecatechno Skywalker one year. I also remember the Alpha and Alfer bikes appearing in the world rounds for a year or two.
Anyway, best wishes and thanks for putting so much thought and attention to detail into the website.
Cheers - Alan Roe
John Robertson
Hi James, Another great update to your comprehensive website. Well Done. You must be spending so much time in Spain now that you will soon be classified as an ex-pat for tax purposes LOL. Best regards, to yourself & Anne. John
Jordi Tarres
Thank you for your support
Francesc Tarres
I have seen and read the long story and the interview, which we did in retrotrials.com, congratulations you have made a very good and extensive work, I think more or less we are like you describe in a family that lived and lives for the Trial.
It was a nice experience your visit to our house, you know you're always welcome, if you ever come visit by Spain.
Amos Bilbao
It looks nice . Thank you.keep in touch,best regards Amos
Dear James,
Thanks very much. It’s a really nice report!!!
Eva - Ossa factory
Hi James,
Thanks for your report.
Alex Ballesta
Export Manager - Ossa factory
Hello James,
Many thanks for your comments, i´m very happy about this…
Jordi Tarres
Les Rowe
I contacted you some months ago to thank you for a great website. I'm still very much enjoying it - fantastic interview with Steve Saunders.
Thanks again for such an amazing website.
Les Pattinson
Very nice site
Marc Halfka
Hello to you! First gratulation and thanks for your webiste. It is great to see all these nice bikes and great persons from the past.
Robert von dullen
i'm a big fan of your site, thanks for doing all those interviews and posting them for us to read. all my favorites.
David Skinner
Keep up the good work with the website it’s the best I have seen
R Carrier
Hello Sir nice work done on your site. I have been riding Bultaco's and collecting vintage Spanish motorcycle sales brochures for a good while and was interested in the Merlin and other trials brands the stuff you do not see every day for my own personel collection.
Tim Howells
James Just to say how much I enjoy your site and the effort you put into it,keep up the good work. Tim
R Niemelä
I really enjoyed reading the interview about Jordi. Regards, Reijo Niemelä from Finland
Richard Smith
Just a quick thank you for all that you do for this era, I have just read the fantastic Jason Finn interview, I could have read that all night even though my wife had told me I had been reading it for some 40 minutes it seemed like 10, obsolutely great photos and coverage of one of my all time favourite riders. Yours Richard Smith
John Robertson
Hi James, Another great update to your comprehensive website. Well Done. You must be spending so much time in Spain now that you will soon be classified as an ex-pat for tax purposes LOL. Best regards, to yourself & Anne. John
Phil Froud
Hi There fantastic site!!
Francesc Barnarda
Hello., Wonderful web Catalan motorcycle, I will have liked to see friends muchos en tu pagina y to remember some time
Jordi Climent
Congratulations for the website!
Barrie Lever
I have just stumbled upon your site because a motorcycle writer that I know asked if anything remains of the Bultaco factory and your site came up in Google. I am a Bultaco fan of many decades and the information that is in your interview with Ignacio Bultaco is incredable. Your site is an incredable resource, very well done. Barrie Lever
David Sorrells
Saw the beginnings of the Jordi Tarres interview in the T&E News. Then I checked out the online version, all I can say is WOW!!! What a fantastic interview!!! There was so much I may have missed it but did you ask what he thought of Non-Stop? Best story I've read in T&E other than the news of the World coming back to the US. Thank you, excellent read! David
JamieGourley
How wonderful that you have created this site. Here in the US it has always been hard to find detailed information about the world of trials. Most of the stuff here is all about motocross which is fun to watch but I ride trials exclusivly and that is my passion. I love to collect books, posters, photos, vidios and anything else related to our sport. I loved the Jordi interview and I loved that it was more then 20 stupid questions with a one word response which is what we normally see. I have seen him ride many times and I hope he will be in Tennessee this May for the US round. The STRA is my club and we are so proud to again host the best in the world. Last time I saw him in 2008 I shook his hand as he was standing next to me as I checked a section and he crushed it but I did not care as like you said it is always scary to meet your hero. Keep up this great site and it is now at the top of my favorites. Thanks you and I hope to see you soon in the US at Sequathie. Contact me anytime if there is anything I can do to help you and I will spread the word about your great work. Your friend and fan, Jamie Gourley, Conyers, Georgia, USA PS. You always have a place to stay at my house if you are in Atlanta so do not hesitate to contact me.
Ron Golden
Hi: I really enjoy your site! I recently bought a Cagiva TR3.50 here in Canada, I believe it may be the only one ever imported into the country. It was sold as a 1985 model, but it could be a 1984...I thought that in 1985 Merlin was selling the Gallach replica. This may be the only Cagiva trials bike ever imported into Canada. The bike has seen very little use and has not been restored. Aside from putting new fenders on it and purchasing an air filter for it (which was missing when I bought it) the bike is in very good condition. If you would like me to send you some pictures please let me know your email address. I'm getting the bike prepared to enter some vintage twin-shock trials events starting in April. Keep up the good work on your site, I especially like reading the interviews and learning more of the "behind the scenes" information you have been able to find. Regards: Ron Golden Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Shaun Logan
Hi great features on jordi terres, I have a 96 fortuna gasgas jtx and a beta jordi terres replica ,I don't know the correct name for it,I've always been a twin shock man I have a 198b bultaco ,I'm getting more into my the water cooled monos from the 80 s 90 s now and building my collection slowly ,if you ever want to do a test feature on a bike drop me a email I have access to a 70 acre private quarry over here in north Wales . Shaun.
Douglas Bolton
Hi, just been reading the great info and articles from your site, I noticed your article from the Garibaldi page, the Brand Garibaldi was available to the UK Through Team Jason Finn who were the official garibaldi importers, after Luis Gallach Garibaldi only made One Piece Suits for Jordi Tarres< Marc Colomer, and Jason Finn, They made Two Piece Replica garments of each of these riders, Trials was 7% of their company turnover, and now concentrate on the Leather and Road Bike market, no trials kit has been available since 2005, They sold their Sublimation machine which printed the special Lycra Garments, so now are 100% committed to the road bike sector, Garibald still Manufacture Jason Finn's One piece Suits and jackets which are printed out of house and then sent back to Garibaldi for Manufacture! there logo has changes 3 times since the 90's, each suit for Jordi, Marc and Jason cost's £1200 each, they had 3 suits per year!!the suits are called Mono's, there were also little tight short zip up jackets that were called "COOL" Jackets, and then there was the short waterproof Jackets called RAIN Jackets, I have worked with Jason for almost 20 years and he said he will wear nothing else!! If you need any info regarding Garibald Pictures, info history people behind the scenes please dont hesitate to contact me. regards -Doug Bolton
Shan Moore
Dear Sirs, I am the publisher/editor of Trials & Enduro News, a newspaper publication covering trials and off-road. I am wondering if it would be possible to print you excellent interview with Jordi Tarres from June 2012? Shan Moore Editor
iker aguirres
Wonderful web,very interesting.It reminds me my youngest days,when I fall in love with trials.Please go on with more videos and reports,I love it! By the way,the unknow rider on a Merlin picture could be Alberto Puig.I was a good trials rider.He rode for honda y 250 and 500cc and he is the current Pdreos Manager.
Jon Yendell
Hi James, Love the site and awesome Jordi interview mate!!! See you have got yourself a new lightweight toy and i'm getting in early here to scrounge a go on it (assuming you will be at the Alton NE this weekend???). Just seen the piccies on Trials Central and frankly I WANT ONE!!!!!!! Cheers and hopefully see you sunday. Jon
DAVID SHAVE
Just read your jtg article, vey impressed and good to find out a bit more about the company. ordered a 300 myself and another for a customer, cant wait1!!.keep up the good work, regards Dave.
Mark Oldar
Your website is nothing short of Fantastic and I Thank you for taking the time to do it The Tarres article is great. Trials is Trials, but the story behind it has always fascinated me. I would like to add a personal story about the Merlin though. I believe the Twin Shock bikes engines were stock or as they were delivered from the Cagiva Factory as your article says. The FIUS Monoshocks were modified though. I was the US Importer for Merlin in 87 and 88. Kip Webb was my sponsored rider. While doing some routine maintenance, he had removed the Carburetor and was disassembling the top motor mt. and accidentally dropped a nut down the intake tract and did not know it. Later started the bike and destroyed the Piston. I had only limited parts and needed a new piston ASAP. We were located in the Los Angeles area and so was the Cagiva Importer at the time. On a chance, I contacted them and they still had left over parts from the time they were selling the Twin Shock as a Cagiva here in the states. Long story short..the piston I acquired from them was sent to Kip and he installed it with no problems until he went to kick it over and the engine jammed up almost as soon as he pushed down on the kickstart.......he removed the head and after turning the engine over, the piston raised out of the top of the cylinder about a half inch!!! Ordered a stock piston from Merlin in Spain and problem solved. Never got to the bottom of the reason due to the language barrier between me and the Merlin Factory. Thanks......Mark Oldar
Will Brown
Hi James many thanks for your comments about the Selborne. Just been looking at your excellent retrotrials site. Like the videos of the Butser World round were I also observed. Could not see my observing starring anywhere but I think I spotted Les and possibly Sallie on the tree root section. Keep up the good work - Will.
Rob Butterfield
tHi Great website I am looking around for a project later in the year Just finished a SWM Jumbo 320 I like the idea of a mecatecno what sort of money are they? I would want to ride in competitions, it would get everyone talking at trials for sure! so would parts be a problem? Regards Rob
Glyn Ridley
Hi,I came across your website after seeing your auction for the Merlin on Ebay. You have an amazing collection of bikes, the Mecatecno,s are superb.They were always a favourite of mine when i was riding back in the late 80's. I followed the links to the videos on youtube and actually found some footage of myself and a group of friends at the British round in 1988, part 2 at 2.25 [3 of us in red and white jackets] at the top of a really nasty section. Congratulations on the site and especially what you have done with the bikes, they are a real credit to you. Best Regards Glyn Ridley Guernsey
bill delozier
Nice website for a SMOG member and trials rider! Great inside scoop on rarified brands. RE: 1999 gas gas txt service manual on ebay. Is the text in english? Still available? Thanks, BILL
CHRIS ANDERSON
FASCINATING SITE.AS SOMEONE WHO HAS RIDDEN TRIALS FOR 30+ YEARS THESE LATE TWINSHOCK/EARLY MONOS ARE REAL CLASSICS TO ME.THE MAIN REASON FOR CONTACT IS THAT I BELIEVE I ONCE OWNED THE 2ND MECATECNO SKYWALKER/SPARES BIKE IN YOUR GALLERY.RECOGNISE THE BLUE PETER SEAT PAD (WAREHOUSE FLOOR MAT!).REMEMBER A SWEET HANDLING CHASSIS & GRUNTY MOTOR.ONE LOCAL CLUB(KENT)REQUIRED CHAIN/REAR SPROCKET GUARD THAT I BODGED WITH JUBILEE CLIP/ALLOY PLATE.BOUGHT FROM SITTINGBOURNE FOR £750 1994ISH & SOLD 1996ISH FOR £600(AAARGH!)TO GUY IN DOVER WHO HAD ALWAYS WANTED 'ONE OF THESE TECHNOS'(BETA!!).DON'T THINK HE KEPT IT LONG AS WE ALL WENT WATER COOLED.ALWAYS REGRET SELLING IT(IF I KNEW THEN ETC.) & NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HANDLEBARS!? THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES,REGARDS,CHRIS.
Escuyer Gilles
Hello, We are from France, restoring and owning a collection of about forty Bultaco bikes. We also love Merlin and others rare spanish bikes, i've bought one Merlin DG3 FIUS to my father for his birthday ! I'm searching for a Merlin 350 Gallach replica or a Merlin DG 350 First model, if you known about one can you tell us ? I love your website, very interesting and precise, i've made a "merlin page" on my website, let's have a look it's www.trial-classic-bultaco.fr. If you want we can also make reciprocity links ? Tell me if you are ok, and i'll make it. Best wishes (and à happy new year !) Gilles Escuyer Reims 51100 France
Richard Allen
Hi,it was interesting to hear of the time i was involved with the Mecatecno.They really wer great times.I was involved with the Jewitts and rode the Scottish as you said as well as riding a bike on loan from Richard Pelling some time later.Got a few tales i could tell you about Scottish antics etc.Do you know what became of the Jewitts?I lost contact.cheers Richard.PS no pig anymore just a load of rabbits now.
Charlie Morris
Hi there, After a brief search of the internet I have come across your website. It has given me a great insight in to the Mecatecno, Back in 1997 I could not find any information or spares for the bike. When trying to source parts for it people often thought I had got confused with a Beta Techno. In 1997 I owned a Mecatecno Skywalker myself. Sadly I don't have any photographs of it, It was sold on to a friend of mine in around 2000-2001. I couldn't help but notice one of you restorations had an aluminium seat unit. I was just wondering where the bike came from as I had an aluminium seat unit hand made for mine as the original was very badly broken. The seat unit was never fitted before the bike was sold on but was given to my friend when he bought it. Surely there cant have been many with an aluminium seat unit. Any information would be greatly appreciated, as a little trip down memory lane for me. Kind Regards, Charlie Morris.
Richard Allen
Hi,I really like your website.Particularly the Mecatecno feature.It was good to see the factory.I rode a Skywalker in 1990 for the UK importer in British Nationals and a couple of world rounds as well as the Scottish 6 day.It really was a great bike and was a pleasure to be involved with it.Please feel free to email or ring me for a chat if you would like to talk about what was a great era for trials.My number is ...
Keep up the good work with the website.Regards Richard Allen
Curtis Lassey
hello, first i must say i have enjoyed your website alot, as i have just got a mecatecno alevin 80, i require a seat and back mud guard, also stickers. any help would be graet! thankyou curtis
mark kremin
great website. i am the guy who came to your house a few weeks ago to pick the merlin up that roman bought from you. i wish you had been at home so that i could look at your fantastic bikes. about 3 months ago i bought a 240 jcm from a guy near alton its a mono with a blue frame white tank drum brakes,the motor was out of the frame he said it would not pull,i have striped the motor put new mains and seals in it and it seems to run very smooth now. do you have any info on this model cant seem to find any thing on the web,have tried jo correy in france but he does not get back to me.i have also got a rough jcm europa,a fantic 240 which i ride also i have a rare beta es 125 enduro bike which you may have seen in a couple of magazines or at telford.. if you send me your email i could send you some pics. regards mark
Tim Pilg
Hello, You have a very nice website. I have small collection (only 8 bikes at the moment) of vintage trial bikes. I am the Beta importer for the US. Keep my email address and we can share stories. Again, great job! I am currently restoring a DG 350 Sincerely, Tim-
Les
Hi James, just read the whole of you retro trials pages, top class mate, very informative and impressive.
Hap OSWALD
James in Hawaii right now on vacation and would love to talk to you when I get home. In 91 I went to gasgas factory with first importer to USA,i bought a 327 delta and picked up all ther factory stuff @ the factory,Codina was our tour guide + export manager so I ended up with a really trick bike. All the goodies that Bilbao and Codina were using.......also spent time @ Km2 shop and at PXC shop where I bought my first SHOEI tr2p. Will be in contact next week I really love this site as it brings back great memories for me thanks again Hap@HAWAII
Hap OSWALD
James in Hawaii right now on vacation and would love to talk to you when I get home. In 91 I went to gasgas factory with first importer to USA,i bought a 327 delta and picked up all ther factory stuff @ the factory,Codina was our tour guide + export manager so I ended up with a really trick bike. All the goodies that Bilbao and Codina were using.......also spent time @ Km2 shop and at PXC shop where I bought my first SHOEI tr2p. Will be in contact next week I really love this site as it brings back great memories for me thanks again Hap@HAWAII
Conny Gustafsson
Nice work - I love people who do things seriously. Have bookmarked the site Conny, Sweden
Kurtis Mc Gauley
Hi, i have a Merlin DG3 350 F.I.U.S. 1987 and saw you have a manual on your page. I was hoping you could send me everything youve got on this bike and the manual because i cant download it and in exchange i can send you photos of the bike or if i can help you with any info on the bike it would be my pleasure to share them as i know its hard to find information on this model online. Please contact me asap because i really need the manual. Thanks in advance and btw great page, very well documented.
Juan Garcia
Hi. Excelent web, I have enjoyed a lot. Just a comment. The second photo with the comment "GALLACH RIDING THE FIRST MODEL OF THE DG350" I think that do not belong to Gallach but Joan Freixas, who start before Gallach riding the first Merlin. Have a nice day
Steve Goode
I was informed about your website via John Benton. The bikes are a credit to you. I sold a few bikes whilst under the control of the Jewitts. I knew Richard but wasn't aware of his passing. We sold two bikes in the Midland centre, sucessfully ridden by Alan Nicklin and Nigel Mills. Keep up the good work. Steve Goode.
JM MarlinTec
Hi, Thank you very much for sharing your web. A meticulous research joined to a passionate love for the bikes. I owned a Dragonfly from 1988 to 1992. It was a striking bike! Seeing your collection I now miss my Mecatecno... Congratulations and cheers! Jose M.
john benton
Hi i enjoyed your website and i recently bought a paxau bar pad from you. i remember having a test ride on a skywalker,with steve jewitt and tim peace in Rosedale n yorks. they seemed to grip very well and had plenty of power, but seemed physically big compared to my beta tr34. also i remember lluis gallach winning the spanish world round on a dragonfly in 1987. I am a big jordi tarres fan and have a 87 tr34, 1989 zero prototype replica and i am restoring a 1993 gas gas contact ducados tarres replica. it is good to see the retro bikes becoming popular again and people restoring them again, keep up the good work. regards John.
mabily rené
Hello congratulations on your site. I also have Mecatecno and Merlin. I'm looking for stickers Mecatecno. can you download the parts manual Merlin? have you the manual for the Dragonfly. did you find rear mudguards Mecatecno? best regards, René
Hi James!
My name is Bob Olar.
I apologize in advance for this being lengthy, but I kindly ask you to bear with me - it leads somewhere and I think you will understand.
I currently live in St Marys, Ontario, Canada - about 2 hours southwest of Toronto. I am 47 years old and have been riding trials since I was 12. I was born and raised in a small town in Northern Ontario and lived there until 1990.
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your website - not only is it very informative, it has provided me many, many hours of wonderful reading, bringing back great memories of trials riding in the '80's.
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Eddy (it must have been amazing to sit and talk with this icon), but was saddened to hear about his struggles with anxiety and self-esteem.
As I am sure you can appreciate, in the '80's information was not as readily available as it is now with the internet. Unlike in the UK, info about world trials was very difficult to find here in Canada, especially in Northern Ontario. However, a magazine called Cycle Canada (to which my older brother had a subscription) would have world trials results in each monthly edition. By the time it was printed, it would be old news. But...it was my (only) link to world trials news.
I first learned about Eddy in those issues of Cycle Canada, perhaps as early as 1979. A relatively unknown young sensation from Belgium taking the trials world by storm. I followed him as closely as I could with my limited access to information at the time and was thrilled when he won his first world championship, and was even more excited with each subsequent world title. He was my idol through my teen years and into my early 20's. Oh how I wished I could ride as smoothly as he did.
I had the pleasure of meeting Eddy at the 1989 Canadian World Trials round at Tweed. At this point in time, he was in th etwilight of his proffessional career...but he was still smooth. I can understand that to Eddy, I was just another fan (how could he possibly know how great an influence he'd had on me? How does one express great admiration in such a brief meeting?) but for me it was the moment of a lifetime - I met my idol and I was even able to shake his hand.
I still have his autograph from that day.
I, the years that followed, I too struggled with depression, anxiety and low self-esteem...for quite some time actually. Although I'm certain that those days are behind me now, I can relate to what Eddy feels. Even though I was never a world champion at anything, I can safely say that I am sure the effects of depression/anxiety for him are likely much the same as they were for me (or anyone else suffering in the same way). It is a terrible, lonely experience. What I am trying to say is that depression does not care if you are world champion, Joe Average, man, woman, etc. - it affects everyone the same way.
Anyway, I say all of that to say this:
To be world trials champion is an incredible accomplishment. To do 3 times in a row is simply amazing. I appreciate his openness and willingness to share everything about his life, even the non-glamourous part. People think past world champions live a carefree life! Clearly this is not the case. As I said earlier, it saddens me to know that he is going through these struggles.
I admire his determination to press on.
Please, if you are able to - offer my sincere appreciation to Eddy and let him know that he was a great influence on a young trials rider from Northern Ontario.
In life, as in trials, some sections are more difficult than others, aren't they?
Thank you for your time. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Bob Olar
James,
Just read the Eddie Interview, really great read mate, it's such a shame a legend thinks so little of his past, and his trophies!!
Keep up the great work in preserving this important time in Trials
Your Friend Jason Finn
James ,
Thank you for your work promoting Jotagas
Jordi Tarres
Hi James,
Congratulations!! The best Eddy Lejeune document I've never seen.
Very, very interestng.
Kind regards,
Joan
The Honda Trials History
James,
Just to say thanks for putting together such an incredible website. I have just finished reading the Jordi Tarres interview which was fascinating - my era - I spent most of my spare time and money on trials in the late 80s and early 90s and of course Jordi was, and still is, a legend to me. I last visited your site many months ago and can't believe how much more you've added.
I used to ride with Richard Allen quite a lot and remember him being sponsored on a Mecatechno Skywalker one year. I also remember the Alpha and Alfer bikes appearing in the world rounds for a year or two.
Anyway, best wishes and thanks for putting so much thought and attention to detail into the website.
Cheers - Alan Roe
John Robertson
Hi James, Another great update to your comprehensive website. Well Done. You must be spending so much time in Spain now that you will soon be classified as an ex-pat for tax purposes LOL. Best regards, to yourself & Anne. John