1982 Merlin DG3.50 Cagiva
Merlin DG3.50 Cagiva 350 cc 1982
Vilanova i la Geltru (Barselona)
Exhibit: Josep Bussot (Motos BR)
Engine capacity - 346.83 pp
Piston diameter x stroke (80 x 69) mm
Carburetor Dell'Orto PHBH 28
Brakes: Front and rear 110mm drum
Tires: Front - 2,75 x 21, rear 4,00 x 18
Shock absorbers front and rear -Betor
Transmission - 5-speed
Fuel tank - 5 l
Weight -89 kg
Number of units - about 1,000 pieces.
Merlin was a Spanish brand of motorcycles, manufactured initially in Vilanova from 1980 to 1984. Then the company expanded and moved to larger premises at Fomels de la Selva , Salt, Girona, Spain, where it operated from 1984 to 1989.
The company was founded by Ignacio Bulto who was the 4th son of the founder Bultaco Paco Bulto . Bulto was 4-time Spanish Trials Champion. He also rode competitively at motocross and was 9 times runner-up but injury held him back. After the resignation of Paco Bulto from Bultaco and the imminent collapse of Bultaco, in 1980 Ignacio conceived the plan to establish another trials manufacturer. He also had the knowledge and contacts of his family to help him obtain similar parts, dealers and customers. Ignacio was the development manager at Bultaco after he had given up competition and had a perfect understanding of the sport to start his own company.
He created Merlin with his business partners Jony Regas Pedro Arpa and Lluis Planes.
Initially the company produced children’s and small trials motorcycles which were considered to be a lucrative business. These initial bikes were fitted with Italinan Franco Morini engines.
Later all trials motorcycles were fitted with Cagivas five speed two stroke 350 cc engine. Given the amount of work that would be required there was little chance and even less evidence to suggest that these engines were modified for trials.
The first factory rider was Juan Freixas.
In Italy and the USA Merlin was branded as Cagiva
The trials motorcycle model was branded the DG-3 and its production commenced in 1983. During the 1980s it won a great deal of competitions including the Spanish championship in 1984 and 1985 rode by Lluis Gallach. Merlin also won the Belguim championship in 1983 rode by Daniel Crosset.
What provided great attention for Merlin in the Trials World Championship in1988 was their sponsorship of the rider Eddy Lejuene, who was the former 3 times World champion for Honda.
It shouldn’t be forgotten however that Merlin had top riders from the start, who all left a significant mark on the World of trials.
In previous years former World champion Manuel Soler rode for Merlin on the DG-3in addition to Llius Gallach , Pascal Couturier,Gabino Renales, Juan Freixas and Jordi Soler.
The both brothers Soler were cousins of Ignacio and it’s likely that this relationship helped to attract their skilled riding for Merlin, which otherwise would have come at a high price that the company wouldn’t have been able to afford.
For the last few months of Merlin's existence the company tried to forge links with Mototrans, an Italian motorcycle company which had links in Spain. Unfortunately this didn’t help either Merlin or Mototrans and both companies disappeared.
Merlin's creation happened at the perfect time. Bultaco were just about to collapse, Ossa , SWM and Mototrans all went bust in the early 80's. Nevertheless the success with the early twin shocks wasn’t followed up with a competitive monoshock. The Beta was leading the way along with Yamaha in creating competitive bikes that the market wanted. Merlin didn’t keep up and it just took 2 years with low sales to write the company off.
In December 1988 Merlin announced about its joining the company GasGas which moved into their premises in Fomells de la Selva. The brand then disappeared from the market. Some of the first Gas Gas 125cc trials bikes were equipped with Cagiva engines that remained at the Merlin
factory.
Vilanova i la Geltru (Barselona)
Exhibit: Josep Bussot (Motos BR)
Engine capacity - 346.83 pp
Piston diameter x stroke (80 x 69) mm
Carburetor Dell'Orto PHBH 28
Brakes: Front and rear 110mm drum
Tires: Front - 2,75 x 21, rear 4,00 x 18
Shock absorbers front and rear -Betor
Transmission - 5-speed
Fuel tank - 5 l
Weight -89 kg
Number of units - about 1,000 pieces.
Merlin was a Spanish brand of motorcycles, manufactured initially in Vilanova from 1980 to 1984. Then the company expanded and moved to larger premises at Fomels de la Selva , Salt, Girona, Spain, where it operated from 1984 to 1989.
The company was founded by Ignacio Bulto who was the 4th son of the founder Bultaco Paco Bulto . Bulto was 4-time Spanish Trials Champion. He also rode competitively at motocross and was 9 times runner-up but injury held him back. After the resignation of Paco Bulto from Bultaco and the imminent collapse of Bultaco, in 1980 Ignacio conceived the plan to establish another trials manufacturer. He also had the knowledge and contacts of his family to help him obtain similar parts, dealers and customers. Ignacio was the development manager at Bultaco after he had given up competition and had a perfect understanding of the sport to start his own company.
He created Merlin with his business partners Jony Regas Pedro Arpa and Lluis Planes.
Initially the company produced children’s and small trials motorcycles which were considered to be a lucrative business. These initial bikes were fitted with Italinan Franco Morini engines.
Later all trials motorcycles were fitted with Cagivas five speed two stroke 350 cc engine. Given the amount of work that would be required there was little chance and even less evidence to suggest that these engines were modified for trials.
The first factory rider was Juan Freixas.
In Italy and the USA Merlin was branded as Cagiva
The trials motorcycle model was branded the DG-3 and its production commenced in 1983. During the 1980s it won a great deal of competitions including the Spanish championship in 1984 and 1985 rode by Lluis Gallach. Merlin also won the Belguim championship in 1983 rode by Daniel Crosset.
What provided great attention for Merlin in the Trials World Championship in1988 was their sponsorship of the rider Eddy Lejuene, who was the former 3 times World champion for Honda.
It shouldn’t be forgotten however that Merlin had top riders from the start, who all left a significant mark on the World of trials.
In previous years former World champion Manuel Soler rode for Merlin on the DG-3in addition to Llius Gallach , Pascal Couturier,Gabino Renales, Juan Freixas and Jordi Soler.
The both brothers Soler were cousins of Ignacio and it’s likely that this relationship helped to attract their skilled riding for Merlin, which otherwise would have come at a high price that the company wouldn’t have been able to afford.
For the last few months of Merlin's existence the company tried to forge links with Mototrans, an Italian motorcycle company which had links in Spain. Unfortunately this didn’t help either Merlin or Mototrans and both companies disappeared.
Merlin's creation happened at the perfect time. Bultaco were just about to collapse, Ossa , SWM and Mototrans all went bust in the early 80's. Nevertheless the success with the early twin shocks wasn’t followed up with a competitive monoshock. The Beta was leading the way along with Yamaha in creating competitive bikes that the market wanted. Merlin didn’t keep up and it just took 2 years with low sales to write the company off.
In December 1988 Merlin announced about its joining the company GasGas which moved into their premises in Fomells de la Selva. The brand then disappeared from the market. Some of the first Gas Gas 125cc trials bikes were equipped with Cagiva engines that remained at the Merlin
factory.
