59 replies to this topic

[Herr Wankel]

I remember meeting the guy identified as Sr. Giro, although I didn't know quite who he was at the time, other than Santi's manager. I went along to what was probably the Gresham Hotel with Trevor Burgess to discuss a few things concerning Trevor's production bike. Sr. Giro spoke very good English and was a very charming and interesting man. I think Trevor was riding for Terryshep that same year (citation needed Terry ).
Not sure I should say any more about that particular Ossa!!

As you say Sr.Giro a gentleman.Have met him on a couple of occasions.Nothing you could say about the OSSAs in that era would shock,by the way.It must be quite galling for him to see his creations these days on display,having lost everything during the national strikes in spain in the 70s.Factory lock-ins,back door deals,all in the (misguided) hope of a brighter future.And it all came to nothing as there are no independant 'old school' manufacturers nowadays in spain.Echos of the UK eh ?
Its not over either,as the Piaggio group is trying to close down Derbi,in a (misguided) attempt to bolster the flagging fortunes of the ailing Aprillia concern! Even in their glory days,they (OSSA) were on an extremely tight racing budget.When Edouardo asked his dad if they could go GP racing,he said 'Sure,if you pay for it yourself'.I know that Gerard Rolland of france was offered a factory bike after the 1969 french GP,and I think Trevor B the same,but in truth,they had (the factory),niether resources or money.
Edouardo Giro,after the demise of OSSA waved his magic wand over the JJ Kobas 250 of Sito Pons.I think he is one of the few true genius' in the motorcycle design world.
In closing spare a thought for Esteban,driving that SEAT 1500 pick-up from Barcelona to Imatra.Arse-ache,or what !!.And at 81 years of age he's still smiling!

HW

[Herr Wankel]

Bit 'grainy' but good.

HW

[Xover]

Good pic...and lots of interesting detail regarding the Ossa factory. Thanks HW. I had a couple of Ossa trials bikes I used to use for keeping fit out of season. Happy days. As for the pick up, it looks like some poor soul had to drive it all the way to the Island
ps I see you live in SW France. Are you anywhere hear Ste Foie la Grande? I lived there for a while.

Edited by Xover, 28 October 2011 - 11:37.

[picblanc]

Great photo Andy!

[terryshep]

I think Trevor was riding for Terryshep that same year (citation needed Terry ).
Not sure I should say any more about that particular Ossa!!

You are right, X, Trevor did ride for me that year - 1967 I think. I had built a 125 disc-valve single the previous winter and after a sustained development effort, we took it from back-of-the-grid at the first meeting to 3rd place behind Bill Ivy on the 4-cyl Yam and Stuart Graham on the Suzuki twin at the Cadwell International. Thus encouraged, we took it to the TT, where the gearbox immediately disintegrated on the Island's bumps. However Trevor had no difficulty in winning the 250 Proddy race on the Ossa, which was an absolute rocketship, having slid the full-race expansion box through a crack in the regulations. It caused a considerable row at the time, but the result stood.

This is a shot of Trev on the 125 during February testing. As you can see by his gear, no budget for South Africa testing.



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[Xover]

You are right, X, Trevor did ride for me that year - 1967 I think. I had built a 125 disc-valve single the previous winter and after a sustained development effort, we took it from back-of-the-grid at the first meeting to 3rd place behind Bill Ivy on the 4-cyl Yam and Stuart Graham on the Suzuki twin at the Cadwell International. Thus encouraged, we took it to the TT, where the gearbox immediately disintegrated on the Island's bumps. However Trevor had no difficulty in winning the 250 Proddy race on the Ossa, which was an absolute rocketship, having slid the full-race expansion box through a crack in the regulations. It caused a considerable row at the time, but the result stood.

This is a shot of Trev on the 125 during February testing. As you can see by his gear, no budget for South Africa testing.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Nice shot Terry. Trevor looks like he's on his way to work. (Are those trousers over his leathers?) Trevor was a great rider and could have gone a lot further had his career not been ended by a dodgy collar bone which he had broken 3 times in the same place. His doc said - once more and we won't be able to repair it. Obviously not a man of Dr Costa's talents with a scalpel.

Ossa.......expansion chamber.....

[Herr Wankel]

Good pic...and lots of interesting detail regarding the Ossa factory. Thanks HW. I had a couple of Ossa trials bikes I used to use for keeping fit out of season. Happy days. As for the pick up, it looks like some poor soul had to drive it all the way to the Island
ps I see you live in SW France. Are you anywhere hear Ste Foie la Grande? I lived there for a while.

Near Bergerac were you ? We are a bit further south,just north of Pau,surrounded by ducks and maize

HW

[Xover]

Near Bergerac were you ? We are a bit further south,just north of Pau,surrounded by ducks and maize

HW

Sounds lovely. I was South of SF la G towards Duras. Little village called Villeneuve de Duras. During the eighties. Beautiful countryside. Loved it.

[Herr Wankel]

One of the Bronze Trophies awarded at the recent Santiago Herrero Trophy meeting at Albacete.

HW

[Herr Wankel]

One of the Bronze Trophies awarded at the recent Santiago Herrero Trophy meeting at Albacete.

HW

June the 9th at Barakaldo/Lutxana (Bilbao) after a lot of campaigning,the City council are dedicating and naming a Plaza in honour of Santiago Herrero.It is on the site of the former Lube/NSU factory (now housing and commerce). Bilbao was Santi's adopted home when he left Madrid at the age of 16.If anyone would like further information,please PM me.We are expecting a large gathering.

HW