WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF IMAGINATION! Designers have had practically from the very beginning, enough, and almost endless, space to let their creative spirit together with their own sense of freedom and independence which this vehicle inspires, so they found a fantastic working field to let their imagination fly. If we go through the history of the two wheels vehicles, in many instances we find plenty of cases of unique and singular units, in some cases they were produced looking for a real specific need, even though it could go against its versatility, or just simply for the pleasure of creating something really different as well as extraordinary. In this new temporary exhibition at the Motorcycle Museum, you will find prototypes that they were never mass produced, even certain models especially focused for sports disciplines only practiced by a minority of fans in very few countries around the world and some of the most brilliant, extraordinary and original ideas ever AREA1. AUTENTHIC SHOW There are times when designers can enjoy complete freedom. It is just when function and shape not necessarily have to go together and perhaps, they don’t even have a reason to be made. Imagination taken to an extreme! 1 MOTO RUEDA MICHELIN 2, 250cc, 1998 Michelin entrusted this project to a renowned engineering company as an exhibition model to highlight the importance that tyres have within the motorcycling world. The main mechanism originates from a 250cc Honda scooter which by means of a friction system pushes the spectacular 2,30 metres diameter wheel. Motorcycle lent by: MICHELIN DRAGSTER OBSESSION, 1100cc, 1996 Handicraft produced, it is one of the very few Dragster available in Spain and it materialises the “obsession” of the author to create a machine of these features so popular in the USA. It has a Kawasaki ZZR 1100 powered engine and some peculiar fittings, such as the rear rim derived from a 4WD car. Motorcycle lent by his constructor: Toni Navarro HARLEY DAVIDSON PANAFINA, 1200cc, 1956 With this unit, evolved from a Hydra Glade 1956 Harley Davidson, prestigious builder and customized motorcycle designer Barcelona born, Ferry Clot, got in 2009 in Sturgis (South Dakota, USA), the “Custom Motorcycles World Builder Champion” title in the “Modified Harley Davidson” motorcycles category. Motorcycle lent by: Hotdreamsbarcelona.com VENDETTA, 750cc, 2013 The company Unitat Métrica, from Barcelona, specialized in motorcycle preparations and transformations, manufactured this spectacular Vendetta which is the only motorcycle in Spain and one of the very few across the world which fits orbital type wheels, no central axis, apart from a frontal single arm suspension and rigid type frame. Motorcycle lent by: Miquel Montsant (Unitat Mètrica) 2 AREA 2. UNBEATABLES One use only. They are prototypes created with very specific purposes for the competition world and had no continuity, neither in its evolution neither in a possible mass production. They are collectors most wanted pieces. BULTACO CAZARECORDS, 175cc, 1960 In 1960, the yet unknown Bultaco brand, beat at the Monthlery French circuit five world long distance records with this prototype of great aerodynamics and a team formed by five riders (G. Monneret, M. Cama, J. Grace, F. González and R. Quintanilla). This great hit meant the international launching of the brand and set up the start of a long series of victories and triumphs in each and all disciplines. Motorcycle lent by: Motorcycle Museum DERBI 4CILINDRES, 392cc, 1954 One of the most spectacular Derbi creations as well as little known. Only this unit was manufactured, under the technical supervision of Jaume Pahissa in charge of the Competition Department with an aim to participate at the mithycal Montjuic 24 hours race. However it never reached the necesary reliability and the project was given up as it needed highly cost materials in those days. Motorcycle lent by Rabasa Family 3 MYMSA EXPERIMENTAL, 125cc, 1955 Barcelona based brand, Mymsa, proved with this unit the high technical sophistication level as well as design capabilities they had. A revolutionary device, presented at the Terramar Racetrack, with which they tried to experiment technological advances with a view to apply them to the mass production line. Most likely, through financial difficulties, Mymsa could not reach the desired development stage they expected. Motorcycle lent by Aragall Family OSSA MONOCASCO, 250cc, 1970 In 1968, technician Eduardo Giró, son of OSSA brand founder, designed this revolutionary famous monohull frame. It was regarded as the fastest single cylinder motorbike at the time and conquered several Grand Prix between 1968 and 1970 ridden by Santiago Herrero, prior to his fatal accident in The Isle of Man. Motorcycle lent by Jaime Alguersuari MONTESA BICILÍNDRICA, 250cc, 1966 This is a new example of the highest technical sophistication that Spanish brands achieved within the racing world. Developed with the Italian technical/rider Francesco Villa, it fits a two horizontal cylinders engine, with a double rotary valve and mixed air/water refrigerated system. Although it had a great potential did not reach the maximum degree of development and only a few prototypes were manufactured. Motorcycle lent by Permanyer Family 4 AREA 3. IS IT FOR RACING? Besides the most popular sport competitions, motorcycling also has other disciplines pretty ignored by the great public. Some of them have even disappeared nowadays, whilst some others, even though being popular in certain areas, they are virtually unknown in the rest of the world RUDGE Speedway, 500cc, 1928 FIM (International Motorcycle federation) established in 1936 the Speedway World Championship still in force with great rooting at the USA, UK and Northern European countries. It takes places in short circuits (400 m), oval shape and compacted land, so that riders are constantly skidding. This unit made in England is one of the pioneer models, when each brand handicraft made special models in limited series. Motorcycle lent by: Motorcyle Museum ANTIG, 250cc, 1978 “Grass-track” or “long track” races, very popular in England, usually took place in lawn circuits of different lengths (ranging from 400 to 1,600 metres). Their origins go back to the twenties but only in 1971 FIM (International Motorcycle Federation) established the first world championship of this discipline. English brand Antig manufactured 50 units like this one, fitting a 250 cc Bultaco engine. Motorcycle lent by: Francesc Xavier Cuéllar 5 CAGIVA DIRT TRACK, 250cc, 1981 In the early 80s, Gicasa, appointed Cagiva importer for Spain, brought from their USA brand subsidiary, just this unit of Dirt Track model. It was ridden by Juan Bultó in some exhibition races, at a time in which they tried hard to implement this speciality in Spain, although it did not work in the end. PROTOTIPO ICE RACING 500cc, 1972 Ice racing, outstanding discipline due to the spectacular inclination of the bikes, originally started in Sweden in the early thirties. In 1966 FIM (International Motorcycle Federation) established the first world championship so called “Ice Racing” which still is being disputed today clearly dominated by Russia. This handicraft prototype belonged to rider Sergei Tarabanko, 1975 world champion. Motorcycle lent by: Motorcycle Museum BAC (British Anzani Corporation), 2400cc, 1932 Cycling behind a motorcycle is a peculiar discipline in which the cyclist rolls on track behind a motorcycle usually ridden by his own coach. It became very popular in the middle of 20th century, however only a few European countries such as Germany and Switzerland, still have national championships nowadays. This unit was used for training by former Spain and World champion, Guillermo Timoner, who won several championships during the 50s and 60s. Motorcycle lent by: Ramon Magriñá OSSA MOTOBALL, 250cc, 1980 Motoball, unusual sport, literally “football on motorbike” started early in the 20th century and still is being practiced in France, Russia and Germany. Here in Spain enjoyed some kind of rooting in the seventies and early eighties so that some brands decided to manufacture special motorcycles, like this OSSA on display evolved from endurance model and its main feature is that the gearbox is operated by hand. Motorcycle lent by Josep Romaguera 6 AREA 4. URBAN SPECIES City and motorbike have always gone hand in hand. A lot of designers and brands have been looking for the maximum functionality in the urban field, with a view to maximize their market share. SCOOTER CENTAURO, 200cc, 1967 Industrial designer Carlos Sotelo (from Barcelona) created, without him knowing, the first maxi scooter in Spain. It is only one prototype derived from 200cc Lambretta which aimed to combine comfort of a car with pleasure of riding a motorcycle. He paid visit to several factories in those days for sponsoring but he could never sell his project out. Motorcycle lent by Carlos Sotelo jr. BULTACO GAVIOTA 200, 1970 This prototype, which we may regard, through its concept, as the predecessor of today’s high wheel scooters, was specifically designed by FX Bultó, founder of Spanish brand Bultaco, so that his daughter Inés could ride it trouble free across Barcelona city. This is the only manufactured unit still in the hands of her first and only owner. Motorcycle lent by Inés Bultó 7 MONTESA FURA, 142cc, 1958 This is a This is a peculiar scooter manufactured in stamped sheet which stands out for the original position of the individual seats on rails. It did not evolve and it was never mass produced, although five years later, Montesa sold in the market place the Micro Scooter, a small 60 cc model under Italian Laverda license. Motorcycle lent by Permanyer Family OSSA URBE, 250cc, 1982 It was manufactured during the last two final years of this brand (1982-1984) with a view to obtain a clean and comfortable vehicle to be used in the city but equally with enough power for intercity trips.