Vasan SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno chassis makes / fabricators

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators
Thank you to Santos valencia for contacting WWW.RETROTRIALS COM AND providING THE INFORMATION to produce this article.

Vasan.sa was a metal fabrication company with its foundations established in the 1950's .At this time the company was started by Mr. Santos Valencia Villaescusa with Mr. Joan Jornet in a partnership. The firm was called Laforja and was located in Barcelona .The specialised in metal fabrication however they were open to many different projects and commissions in all sorts of sectors.In the 1970's the partnership disbanded and Mr. Santos Valencia Villaescusa continued the company changing the name to VASAN S.A SANTOS VALENCIA (Valencia Santos SA) .

Mr. Santos Valencia Villaescusa was Santos Valencia Grandfather.

This company is of interest to Retrotrials.com because Vasan.sa fabricated the Chassis and sub frames for many Mecatecno's and Merlin motorcycles.

The company was located down this small road.

Santos Valencia Martinez presenting a trophy that he has made. You will see the trophy is modelled on Eddy Lejeune riding the Merlin Fius. This trophy was presented at the famous D 'Espluges championship motocross race in Spain.

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Vasan.sa was located down this road in Barcelona.

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Carrer Ciutat d'Asunción, 38, Industrial Polígon Besòs , 08030 Barcelona

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

After the death of Santos's grandfather in 1987 Santos's father took over the company. At this point it was renamed in PLAINSA (Industrial Planchisteria SA) .

During the course of the companies life under the leadership of Santos Valencia Martinez (Santo's father) the company made the Chassis, Swinging arms and subframes for the following motorcycles .

This included Merlin chassis and sub chassis for models including the 1986 /7 /8 FIUS and the Merlin DG88. They also made parts for the 1987 Mecatecno Dragonfly and the 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker.

They also made parts for JJCOBAS racing bikes as well as parts for NISSAN PATROL prototypes participating in the Paris Dakar race. They also did work with motorcycle manufacturer Alfer and TCP fairings manufacturer. The company was engaged mostly metal construction.

Finally after years and years of production ,in 1992 the company closed its doors for the last time.

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Today , if you own a Merlin you will see these small stickers on the rear aluminium sub frames. They are a small reminder of Vasan.sa and a whole industry of small companies supplying the motorcycle manufacturing industry in Catalan.

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Some pictures of Santos as a boy and young man

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Today Santos Jnr continues a keen interest in Merlin motorcycles and has recently bought this beautiful little DG1

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Santos also worked at the infamous KM.2 trial dealership in Martorelles , Barcelona. During the 80's and 90's this shop was one of the most successful trials dealerships in Spain. If you were an up and coming rider you had to be sponsored by Km.2. They were the company to be associated. Even though their sponsor ship packages were small they attracted riders such as Marc Colomer, Andreu Codina and many many others. Km.2 was run by Albert Casanovas (now working for GasGas factory) and José Luis Rodriguez (now Puma racing).

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Km.2 operated at 2 different locations. This is the first location Avenida de la Libertad, Mollet del Vallès, 35 , Spain

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

Im looking for any sign of the old Km.2 shop. I look up and see the remains of the old Km.2 sticker. Now , i am happy :)

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

This is the 2nd location of the Km.2 shop

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators

For more information on Km2 and other sponsors , click here or read the Andreu Codina interview which explains things further

Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricatorsThank you to Santos valencia for contacting WWW.RETROTRIALS COM AND providING THE INFORMATION to produce this article.

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Vasan .SA - The Merlin and Mecatecno motorcycle chassis fabricators
Thank you to Santos valencia for contacting WWW.RETROTRIALS COM AND providING THE INFORMATION to produce this article.