Rabasa's own History of Mecatecno - Mariona Rabasa Yrla
This article was written by Jordi rabasa's daughter Mariona, for the Spanish motorcycle magazine Solo Moto
This article was written by Jordi rabasa's daughter Mariona, for the Spanish motorcycle magazine Solo Moto
Mecatecno, a cradle of champions born in Martorelles. Promotion of the motorcycle from childhood
This article aims to discover the history of the Martorellian brand Mecatecno through his testimony its creator, Jordi Rabasa. Born In 1978, it was the first company in the whole State when making infantile motorcycles, i during the eighties and nineties I contributed directly to forge one
Professional pilot training, some of which they have become champions worldwide in different categories. Likewise, the company also manufactured highway and motorcycle trial cycles. To understand the scope of its history, the text explains the origins of Mecatecno, that the reader will see that he goes to the passage of Rabasa by Derbi, addresses the context of the motorcycle industry in the Baix Vallès at the end of the last century and provides a chronology of the actions most prominent of the brand. Keywords: Mecatecno, Jordi Rabasa, Martorelles, Derbi, children's motorcycles, trial Context
Professional pilot training, some of which they have become champions worldwide in different categories. Likewise, the company also manufactured highway and motorcycle trial cycles. To understand the scope of its history, the text explains the origins of Mecatecno, that the reader will see that he goes to the passage of Rabasa by Derbi, addresses the context of the motorcycle industry in the Baix Vallès at the end of the last century and provides a chronology of the actions most prominent of the brand. Keywords: Mecatecno, Jordi Rabasa, Martorelles, Derbi, children's motorcycles, trial Context
The end of the seventies It was a tough economic era for many motorcycle brands. The historical Bultaco, Ossa or Montesa They faced the beginning of the decline of Its activity, without finding a lace to the new macroeconomic rules which established the arrival of democracy to the state At Derbi, on the other hand, the difficulties were overcome with the launch of new road models. In this context, in 1978 a option for an enthusiastic person of the motorcycle world as was the case by Jordi Rabasa (Martorelles, 1950), Derbi employee at that time, was a search a niche in the motorcycle market. For this young man of 28, years, who had been a trial pilot with He was upset and worked in contact with the competition department at the nothing of Martorelles, the solution goes be the mini-children. Do not leave They manufactured, in Spain, and they did not require Ministry of enrollment permission of Industry. The mark of Derbi The future businessman was the son of Josep
(Pepitu) Rabasa, cofounder together with his brother Simeon de Nacional Motor, SA-Derbi and factory director. His step as a worker to the company where his father worked he just served him to gain experience in the sector of development of product but it was flooded the values of the house, they would mark the idiosyncrasy of the future Mecatecno. A Derbi, Rabasa learned that with illusion And effort was possible to create from from zero any work, it was already one motorcycle or a feat sports front of the Italian giants, Germans or Japanese |
The spirit of the team of thefactory, which impregnated from the owner until the last worker, goes make reality to the sixties and seventy,from a small town like Martorelles, the "red bullets" emerged, world champions despite the shortage of technological resources, i an extensive range of products from world of two wheels This peculiar vision of the industrial world, product For a certain time, it is today hard to find The doctrine was clear: «All at once, with enthusiasm for what it is does, help you need and, back, recognize the merits of each worker and reward them ». In those little light sixty-seventy, the Derbi discipline forged, senseless Doubt, some values to the people of all It ranks that he put his grain of Sand, making it a part of a project enthusiastic who convinced them that, With effort, everything was possible. In June of 1978, Jordi Rabasa Start Derbi and start a new one children motorcycle project which is called Mecatecno, acronym of «Mechanics and Technology.
I do not it's sunny; encourages two of his peers, Ramon Mira and Joan Ruiz, who accept the challenge Mira (1947) occupied then the position of head of the office Derbi's technique, from where they covou all the initiatives so that the product get out right Ruiz (1950) was a mechanic of the racing team of the disappeared pilot Ángel Nieto. At first, hi He worked collaboratively until 1983, year in which Derbi left to form already officially part of the company. That same year, the workshop was already there little and the team decided to move the industrial production in the polygon Els Chop of Lliçà de Vall, place where it was developed the activity until 2003. The three youngsters scored a goal ambitious: create a series of two hundred bikes before the campaign of Christmas, the time they were reached the most important sales of the year in the children's sector. Hands on the work, They settled in a small workshop built in the courtyard of the family house of Jordi Rabasa, in Carrer de les Escoles de Martorelles, the base of operations of Mecatecno until 1983, when they move to Lliçà de Vall. The prototype, worked without rest throughout the summer, baptized with the name of Hobby, and is considered the first motorcycle for to children of all the state. All components, except the tires and the engine, an Italian 50-year-old Italian Morini were done at home or from Catalan suppliers.
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In November of that same year, the two hundred units of the Hobby They were ready to open one step expectant market The presentation of the model in the specialized press -with a double page ad on the Motociclismo magazine - had generated great Interest and journalists praised La quality On January 6, 1979, the Kings of the East exhausted stocks of that series mounted in the garden from the house where Rabasa still lives today day. During that year, they mounted three more series, and already by Christmas they had created a new model, the minimoto Cuc, one more elaborate version than Hobby for children seven to eleven. Early models with the heading of one artist: Francesc Bas From the beginning, Jordi Rabasa had very clear the requirements they had to meet your bikes: maximum efficiency,
control of the costs to achieve The expected benefit and the product It was aesthetically appealing. This Last aspect was precisely one of the most appreciated by both customers as well as experts from the whole range of models that Mecatecno designed. One of those responsible for the chassis and fairings were so celebrated it was molletà Francesc Bas, great asset of the cultural and associative life of the city. Cesc Bas, apart from leaving an important one Sculptural legacy in Mollet - like him Monument to Rafael Casanova, the Millennium of Catalonia and the Monument a all the old ones in the world - it was also author, along with Josep Nogué, of the Solemn Giants of the city, in Vicenç and Marinette, the creator of the Figures of the Goat, Beliak and Diablessa from the Molletà Diables Ball, from the who was the founder. Bas had been a technical draftsman of |
Derbi Technical Office. In the end of the seventy I worked as a designer to a major decoration trade of Barcelona. It was at this time when Jordi Rabasa and his team go propose to collaborate with the company. The artist and sketcher made the designs of the first two models, Hobby i Chic, and that of the Tanga moped, born In 1984. He was also the creator of the logo emblematic of Mecatecno, one iconic image that represented one
English wrench that held a set formed by a cylinder and a cylinder head. Bas was not the only collaborator with artistic facet that happened through Mecatecno. At other times, the company counted on the contribution of the outstanding sculptor of Sant Cugat Pep Codó. Chic, a motorcycle to take you under your arm The first two models for children The Chic happened to them, a matriculating moped that allowed the young company diversify the potential market a what they aspired until then, highly seasonal - for Christmas and school holidays - when dedicating exclusively to the Children's models, considered toys.
English wrench that held a set formed by a cylinder and a cylinder head. Bas was not the only collaborator with artistic facet that happened through Mecatecno. At other times, the company counted on the contribution of the outstanding sculptor of Sant Cugat Pep Codó. Chic, a motorcycle to take you under your arm The first two models for children The Chic happened to them, a matriculating moped that allowed the young company diversify the potential market a what they aspired until then, highly seasonal - for Christmas and school holidays - when dedicating exclusively to the Children's models, considered toys.
Chic was a revolutionary in him Its scope: a portable moped ... i folding It was the first of these features made to the state; the Pack 2 Italjet, Italian, enjoyed some popularity, but even though it was a lot light and folded easily, I had driving deficits that the Chic was able to solve. Could be saved Inside the car holder, i At the same time you could ride it by road in average distances;
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in addition, he had a charming aesthetic An anecdote Fun is that its popularity goes arrive, by surprise, to the pink press, specifically in the magazine Hello !, what goes publish a report by Isabel Preysler looking on the moped - in fact, Mecatecno also had commissions for the Royal House, and it is known that the current one King of Spain, Philip VI, and the infants They learned to go on a motorcycle with the its minimotos Chic was also the first Mecatecno vehicle that was approved according to national regulations. This regulation meant some You damned the company, as it marked a certain percentage of nationalization of the product, fact that forced her to produce the rims of the motorcycle instead of importing them. Besides, the maximum weight, the level, was limited Noise, braking performance and He had to carry practicable pedals.
The introduction to the competition trial:
Marcel·lí Corchs During his youth, Jordi Rabasa He had been an official trial pilot of Montesa Although I do not dedicate myself to it exclusively, Rabasa disputed twice the Six Days of Scotland Trial, probably the competition Most mythical and charismatic of all world for lovers of this discipline. In 1975, the pilot abandoned the competition to focus on yours Work at Derbi, first, and in creation from Mecatecno later. The passion for the Asphalt outside - surely the one that has He also marked his professional career and vital -, I would soon resume the young man the idea to return to practice. Wanting to go on a motorcycle, in the end from 1979 bought a Fantic 155 cc to the brothers Soler to get out the trial kit. The first laps with that motorcycle did not succeed, Not much, the result that Rabasa waited: he did not give up or respond your expectations. When you see that This could be a form of training For future goals, Rabasa he commented on Mira and Ruiz the possibility to create a new motorcycle starting of the engine of that Fantic. All three They decided to get their hands on the work, and in a short time they had already achieved a prototype The new motorcycle, however, "no was going back », as he recalls Rabasa; Ruiz immediately saw that the problem came from the exhaust pipe, and decided to make a new tube following the sizes of the original Fantic but adapted to the chassis of the prototype Mecatecno. Oil in a lamp; the motorcycle I was going "like a thunder". |
The band goes away polish their own youth problems of a prototype and it increased the engine displacement of 155 to 180 cc to give more thrust. Now yes, the vehicle rolled as Rabasa wished. At the end of 1980, in an exit
for Santa Maria de Martorelles for check the performance of the motorcycle, Jordi Rabasa agrees with Marcellí Corchs (Mollet del Vallès, 1965),
a very young pilot of only sixteen years, son of granollerins firaires, who It began to stand out in jú- nior with an Italian SWM. Corchs He tried the Mecatecno through the zones of the Great Sauló and it came out astonished. Rabasa saw him straight away Young, a real promise of the trial,
I had to drive the Mecatecno in the future. Corchs signed a contract with the brand for the season 1981, one year to frame in the race of the pilot and of the martorellenca brand. And it is that all disputed trials they ended Corchs on top of it podium, some of which even goes win them with top-class riders shame
for Santa Maria de Martorelles for check the performance of the motorcycle, Jordi Rabasa agrees with Marcellí Corchs (Mollet del Vallès, 1965),
a very young pilot of only sixteen years, son of granollerins firaires, who It began to stand out in jú- nior with an Italian SWM. Corchs He tried the Mecatecno through the zones of the Great Sauló and it came out astonished. Rabasa saw him straight away Young, a real promise of the trial,
I had to drive the Mecatecno in the future. Corchs signed a contract with the brand for the season 1981, one year to frame in the race of the pilot and of the martorellenca brand. And it is that all disputed trials they ended Corchs on top of it podium, some of which even goes win them with top-class riders shame
Finally, he was runner-up from Spain in a cool competition Frequently, and resolved in a single test, with Lluís Gallach, Montesa pilot, who he only surpassed it by a point. The following year, he continued in Mecatecno, now in maximum category. Then Corchs was already a coveted driver for the main brands of the country. All and that season participated in World Championship events with Outstanding results, by the end of the year go leave Mecatecno to run the 1983 season to Derbi, which ended to take out a trial prototype. The short but prolific experience from Corchs with Mecatecno did that the team, after its departure, decides to take a step forward in the manufacture of motorcycles of trial. Installed already to Lliçà de Vall, Jordi Rabasa, Ramon Look and Joan Ruiz at the head of the company they began to make it first brand own engine. Do, as Rabasa defines, the soul of the Motorcycle was a challenge, and it was not easy get it Ramon Mira drew up to three different versions before to find the final model. The first model was 250 centimeters Cubes that piloted Santfostenc Save Garcia to the 1984 championship. Then it redesigned and increased the displacement up to 326 cc (Mecatecno MR326, known as the motorcycle green for the color of your tank), engine with which Gabino Renales would run, Also of San Fost, Ronald Garcia i Albert Juventeny. The riders ran two seasons with various results, following the path that had begun Marcel·lí Corchs, who in 1984, with just 18 years old, died in one car accident when he was going to to dispute a test of the state championship with your current team.
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In addition to the sporty eagerness, it goes away devote an important effort to produce a series of trial motorcycles with the name MR326 characterized for the green deposit for specialized sale.
Poster of Lluís Gallach
The last runner with a green motorcycle from Mecatecno was Ronald Garcia. With the intention of improving the Performance of the motorcycle, several evolutions were made and it was created, the 1986, the prototype of the Dragonfly model, the most renowned for the brand regarding the trial models. To face Successfully the season of 1987, the team decides to hire Lluís Gallach, champion of Spain with Merlin in 1984 and 1985. The runner of Santa Cecília de Voltregà accepted the offer when checking the good behavior of motorcycle and signed his commitment to Mecatecno for that season. Gallach's results were satisfactory: the pilot, totally adapted to the Dragonfly, won the first round of the World Cup and that year, and also the next, he was runner-up in Spain and champion of Catalonia. In addition, the good results and the behavior of the motorcycle allowed the projected series For amateur pilots, they would be very welcoming in the world trial In 1989, the Dragonfly model was remodeled into it Skywalker model, which retained the virtues of its antecedent but with less weight and more efficiency. The chance, however, meant that this was exactly the moment of the insurrection in the trial scene of Jordi Tarrés, the second best athlete in history in this discipline, after also Catalan Toni Bou. The arrival of this corridor out of series, added to the fact that it was a time when the trial, both in the competitive side as commercial, lived a fierce fight with one great number of great brands like Beta, Yamaha, Aprilia, Honda, Gas- Gas, Garelli, Montesa, Fantic, Italjet or Alfer, made Mecatecno rethink your stay in the world of the trial. Since then, the focus he focused on training i dissemination of children's trial. |
Mecatecno Challenge: driver's stand professionals
Immediately after Mecatecno bring the acclaimed to the market Dragonfly model, the team made it a small brother: the Dragonfly School
Boy, a motorcycle for young riders ten and fourteen years thought so they could start in a way professional in the trial world. The new Children's motorcycle was appreciably successful and it was exported to countries like United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Australia, Japan or Germany.
The good reception of School Boy and Gallach's entry to the competition team of the company, that contributed prestige, encouraged them to create the championship child and juvenile federated trial Mecatecno Challenge. The championship It was one of the first tests that It was organized with the support of the Federation Catalana de Motociclisme, ja That, until then, the entity did not facilitate child licensing Of competitions For children, however, it had already been in the past.
Immediately after Mecatecno bring the acclaimed to the market Dragonfly model, the team made it a small brother: the Dragonfly School
Boy, a motorcycle for young riders ten and fourteen years thought so they could start in a way professional in the trial world. The new Children's motorcycle was appreciably successful and it was exported to countries like United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Australia, Japan or Germany.
The good reception of School Boy and Gallach's entry to the competition team of the company, that contributed prestige, encouraged them to create the championship child and juvenile federated trial Mecatecno Challenge. The championship It was one of the first tests that It was organized with the support of the Federation Catalana de Motociclisme, ja That, until then, the entity did not facilitate child licensing Of competitions For children, however, it had already been in the past.
In fact, the pioneer of the tests for children is the molletà Josep Isern, who promoted in the seventies and organize a whole series of tests junior in Mollet and other points of the comarca In Isern, we should be thankful for the birth and development of infantile motor cycling in the State, through the Well-known short courses - in that they could not be considered, they had to be considered as of which they were organized under the shelter of the Isern Escuderia. Jordi Rabasa wanted to inherit, Also, the spirit of those competitions, transporting them at a time And a generation that grew up watching the successes of Tarrés and Gallach. In total, Two Challenge Championships were held in Catalonia, of four tests each one, two of them in Martorelles i Montornès; and one at state level, with tests in Bilbao, Madrid, Valencia and Catalonia. With the support of the motoclubs territorial and with Ricard Pinet As a race director, the competition he gathered hundreds of children of all the State. With only six years, the future indoor world indoor champion and outdoor Adam Raga won, In 1988, the Challenge in Martorelles, the first trial of his career where he ran Both the Challenge and the good a acceptance of the Dragonfly School Boy model They made the public's interest clear children in the trial practice. To to extend the age bracket of young people drivers, Mecatecno took off to the market, In 1990, the motorcycle Alevín, a model derived from School Boy but smaller for children under ten years could practice trial. The Alevín It was the only adapted and intended model to this public in the world market and it was exported all over the world. In the United Kingdom, where sales were Notables, the motorcycle was baptized with the Friend name, a suggestion that the importer of the country did it to me taken as a word well known to the Anglo-Saxon public.
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Sports mopeds and the question of the six marches
At the end of the eighties, the appearance on the bicycle scene of mountain-or mountain bike, all-terrain accoutrements- it removes the end of the stable market of the children's motorcycle. The new vehicle, much more economic that a motorcycle affected Direct sales of the campaign
Christmas and the summer. But everything Problem has a solution and in Mecatecno chose to challenge this one new competitor diversifying the
Products of the brand with a line dedicated to road mopeds sports This new path was materialized, at the end of 1991, in the Model Racing, a motorcycle with care Integrated as those of the races of Speed, water-cooled engine, Showa inverted fork - then, the latest trend, alloy wheels
Three sticks, handlebar competition and a false deposit to save the belongings The Racing entered to the market as a star on the carpet red, and the first nine months goes enjoy an extraordinary welcome. Unfortunately, the success he saw moped faded from September 1992, beginning of the first Spanish economic crisis later of the Transition, after the Games of Barcelona'92 and the Expo of Seville. As of that date, they begin
the most difficult years for Mecatecno and also for much of the market global engine In a short time, it is They lost two thirds of the Sales and had to reduce costs to be able to continue with the activity. Racing was, without a doubt, the project more difficult Not only were they Time of the crisis, but when creating a model like this one, went to Most complex and important motorcycle market -and again, the most competitive- throughout the state: that of the moped of road This time, too, goes coincide with the entry into force of the new Spanish regulation that regulated the manufacture of mopeds. The conditions until then in force of legislation regarding weight and speed Maximum, the obligation to carry Practical pedals and limitation to a single driver changed from above down The maximum weight was removed, neither did they need to include pedals,
A pilot and a companion could go there And, most importantly, it was increased the speed limit and, consequently, the vehicles could have ends
to six marches. The question of the six marches was received as a very bad news to Mecatecno. The supplier of yours engines, Italians Franco Morini, they only manufactured up to four. The new scenario, therefore, benefited much more to those companies that they had suppliers of
six speed engines. This situation He left, therefore, even more diminished the chance to recover it level of pre-crisis sales. To face it, the remodeled models of minimotos Alevín, Meteor i tornado However, in 1996 Mecateco produced a new model, the Toast, a four-moped tourism marches, without fairing and with high handlebars. Although they are Rs were sold, the bike is not going Have a very good response to the market.
In 1997, a child model was made, the Mini Kid, and after this the company halted the manufacture of mopeds to continue, until 2003, As an auxiliary industry in the world of the motorcycle
Children's motorcycles, the soul of the company
If for something stood out Mecatecno was a reference in the manufacture of children's motorcycles. The first Model, as it has been pointed out, was the Hobby model of 1978. The following year, The Cuc came on the market, with similar features though Higher to accommodate more children big. The most common feature Of these two bikes was the chassis, who also did the deposit function of gasoline. In 1983 it was manufactured the Grac, absolutely different from the Previous models, which had a chassis of diamond type tubes with a tank Blown plastic gasoline and plates of plastic molded. The model was more Great that the Cuc and supposed another step in the sophistication of these small ones motorcycles At the same time, during this time the brand started to build the skeleton -casks and fittings- of a series for horses of firaires,
mainly for a company of attractions in Zaragoza, but also in Catalonia. Although more have happened Thirty years, still today they can see two Mecatecno bikes on the easels which are permanently installed in the Plaza del Pintor Abelló de Mollet, and which are currently painted with the colors of the body of Mossos d'Esquadra In 1986, the model was replaced Cuc for the Mini model, which it counted with a completely renovated aesthetic, but keeping the chassis. Equally, the model was no longer manufactured If for something stood out Mecatecno was a reference in the manufacture of children's motorcycles. The first Model, as it has been pointed out, was the Hobby model of 1978. The following year,
The Cuc came on the market, with similar features though Higher to accommodate more children big. The most common feature Of these two bikes was the chassis, who also did the deposit function of gasoline. In 1983 it was manufactured the Grac, absolutely different from the Previous models, which had a chassis of diamond type tubes with a tank Blown plastic gasoline and plates of plastic molded. The model was more Great that the Cuc and supposed another step in the sophistication of these small ones motorcycles At the same time, during this time the brand started to build the skeleton -casks and fittings- of a series for horses of firaires, mainly for a company of attractions in Zaragoza, but also in Catalonia. Although more have happened Thirty years, still today they can see two Mecatecno bikes on the easels which are permanently installed in the Plaza del Pintor Abelló de Mollet, and which are currently painted with the colors of the body of Mossos d'Esquadra In 1986, the model was replaced Cuc for the Mini model, which it counted with a completely renovated aesthetic, but keeping the chassis. Equally, the model was no longer manufactured new regarding the mechanical sections and Aesthetic (chassis, plastics, deposits, etc.) that was inspired by the great motorcycles of
Raid running at the legendary Paris Dakar rally, destined for children from ten years In 1991, the Hurricane model was replaced by Tornado,
a motorcycle adapted to children more little. That same year Mecatecno He also made Alevín, trial. After this motorcycle, the company goes
devote all efforts to manufacturing of mopeds - Racing and Brindis - i It was not until 1997 when it appeared the latest infantile model, the Mini Kid,
Designed from scratch brakes Mechanical discs in front and rear. The carts were made in the company of the wheels, tweezers and discs of
brake, front suspension, handlebar, the chassis, the back swivel and the plastics, and the wheels were mounted, it is did the general assembly, the tests Tuning, packaging and shipping of customers. This stream of models, together with mopeds and motorcycles trial, in addition to the sports effort of For many years, it's obvious that it was one Time of titanic creativity and dedication for a small team like the one Mecatecno. It is proof that with few means but with great dose of will, savoir-faire i companyonia is They can reach goals beyond what it's usual
Epilogue: Type 1, Type 2 and electric motorcycles
At the end of the eighties, the appearance on the bicycle scene of mountain-or mountain bike, all-terrain accoutrements- it removes the end of the stable market of the children's motorcycle. The new vehicle, much more economic that a motorcycle affected Direct sales of the campaign
Christmas and the summer. But everything Problem has a solution and in Mecatecno chose to challenge this one new competitor diversifying the
Products of the brand with a line dedicated to road mopeds sports This new path was materialized, at the end of 1991, in the Model Racing, a motorcycle with care Integrated as those of the races of Speed, water-cooled engine, Showa inverted fork - then, the latest trend, alloy wheels
Three sticks, handlebar competition and a false deposit to save the belongings The Racing entered to the market as a star on the carpet red, and the first nine months goes enjoy an extraordinary welcome. Unfortunately, the success he saw moped faded from September 1992, beginning of the first Spanish economic crisis later of the Transition, after the Games of Barcelona'92 and the Expo of Seville. As of that date, they begin
the most difficult years for Mecatecno and also for much of the market global engine In a short time, it is They lost two thirds of the Sales and had to reduce costs to be able to continue with the activity. Racing was, without a doubt, the project more difficult Not only were they Time of the crisis, but when creating a model like this one, went to Most complex and important motorcycle market -and again, the most competitive- throughout the state: that of the moped of road This time, too, goes coincide with the entry into force of the new Spanish regulation that regulated the manufacture of mopeds. The conditions until then in force of legislation regarding weight and speed Maximum, the obligation to carry Practical pedals and limitation to a single driver changed from above down The maximum weight was removed, neither did they need to include pedals,
A pilot and a companion could go there And, most importantly, it was increased the speed limit and, consequently, the vehicles could have ends
to six marches. The question of the six marches was received as a very bad news to Mecatecno. The supplier of yours engines, Italians Franco Morini, they only manufactured up to four. The new scenario, therefore, benefited much more to those companies that they had suppliers of
six speed engines. This situation He left, therefore, even more diminished the chance to recover it level of pre-crisis sales. To face it, the remodeled models of minimotos Alevín, Meteor i tornado However, in 1996 Mecateco produced a new model, the Toast, a four-moped tourism marches, without fairing and with high handlebars. Although they are Rs were sold, the bike is not going Have a very good response to the market.
In 1997, a child model was made, the Mini Kid, and after this the company halted the manufacture of mopeds to continue, until 2003, As an auxiliary industry in the world of the motorcycle
Children's motorcycles, the soul of the company
If for something stood out Mecatecno was a reference in the manufacture of children's motorcycles. The first Model, as it has been pointed out, was the Hobby model of 1978. The following year, The Cuc came on the market, with similar features though Higher to accommodate more children big. The most common feature Of these two bikes was the chassis, who also did the deposit function of gasoline. In 1983 it was manufactured the Grac, absolutely different from the Previous models, which had a chassis of diamond type tubes with a tank Blown plastic gasoline and plates of plastic molded. The model was more Great that the Cuc and supposed another step in the sophistication of these small ones motorcycles At the same time, during this time the brand started to build the skeleton -casks and fittings- of a series for horses of firaires,
mainly for a company of attractions in Zaragoza, but also in Catalonia. Although more have happened Thirty years, still today they can see two Mecatecno bikes on the easels which are permanently installed in the Plaza del Pintor Abelló de Mollet, and which are currently painted with the colors of the body of Mossos d'Esquadra In 1986, the model was replaced Cuc for the Mini model, which it counted with a completely renovated aesthetic, but keeping the chassis. Equally, the model was no longer manufactured If for something stood out Mecatecno was a reference in the manufacture of children's motorcycles. The first Model, as it has been pointed out, was the Hobby model of 1978. The following year,
The Cuc came on the market, with similar features though Higher to accommodate more children big. The most common feature Of these two bikes was the chassis, who also did the deposit function of gasoline. In 1983 it was manufactured the Grac, absolutely different from the Previous models, which had a chassis of diamond type tubes with a tank Blown plastic gasoline and plates of plastic molded. The model was more Great that the Cuc and supposed another step in the sophistication of these small ones motorcycles At the same time, during this time the brand started to build the skeleton -casks and fittings- of a series for horses of firaires, mainly for a company of attractions in Zaragoza, but also in Catalonia. Although more have happened Thirty years, still today they can see two Mecatecno bikes on the easels which are permanently installed in the Plaza del Pintor Abelló de Mollet, and which are currently painted with the colors of the body of Mossos d'Esquadra In 1986, the model was replaced Cuc for the Mini model, which it counted with a completely renovated aesthetic, but keeping the chassis. Equally, the model was no longer manufactured new regarding the mechanical sections and Aesthetic (chassis, plastics, deposits, etc.) that was inspired by the great motorcycles of
Raid running at the legendary Paris Dakar rally, destined for children from ten years In 1991, the Hurricane model was replaced by Tornado,
a motorcycle adapted to children more little. That same year Mecatecno He also made Alevín, trial. After this motorcycle, the company goes
devote all efforts to manufacturing of mopeds - Racing and Brindis - i It was not until 1997 when it appeared the latest infantile model, the Mini Kid,
Designed from scratch brakes Mechanical discs in front and rear. The carts were made in the company of the wheels, tweezers and discs of
brake, front suspension, handlebar, the chassis, the back swivel and the plastics, and the wheels were mounted, it is did the general assembly, the tests Tuning, packaging and shipping of customers. This stream of models, together with mopeds and motorcycles trial, in addition to the sports effort of For many years, it's obvious that it was one Time of titanic creativity and dedication for a small team like the one Mecatecno. It is proof that with few means but with great dose of will, savoir-faire i companyonia is They can reach goals beyond what it's usual
Epilogue: Type 1, Type 2 and electric motorcycles
Through conversations by Ramon Look with the owner of the boat company sportswear Fibrester, Ramon Vila, both in 2005 and Jordi Rabasa resumed the manufacture of children's motorcycles in Centelles. Is He designed a motorcycle model ex-new with all terrain features with two versions of different heights, for children from six to twelve years old; are going be the so-called Type 1 and Type 2. These bikes were the greatest exponents of the time because they had of a double beam chassis (in the style of the big bikes), they went with brakes of Mechanical discs and had the particularity, so little wasted, to mount one four-stroke engine (4T). The noise from the 4T on a children's motorcycle, the band Uncommonly, it was a new sensation and extraordinary for everyone. |
This new project lasted two years because, precisely, it did not meet the virtues mentioned of the time previous In this stage, the tour of Jordi Rabasa and Ramon Look at the industrial world of the motorcycle, as well as that of Joan Ruiz, who is already in this period was not there. However, the brand continues today as a badge of some children's electric motorcycles based in Martorelles, which since the year 2011 they give continuity For forty years in the name of Mecatecno. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, in Catalonia and in Spain there have been Many brands of motorcycles, though you can count on the fingers of the But those who have been able to extend theirs activity over more than four decades cades That especially in the region del Vallès Oriental, and more concretely in the Baix Vallès, they have persisted Brands such as Derbi, Ducson or Mecatecno -with a family tie not at all casual among all three - it is one reason why we should make ourselves proud, first, and then reflect on assess the situation that is currently living this industrial branch.