1957 Montesa Brio-81 125 cc
Montesa-Brio-81 125 cc 1957
Formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Francisco Bulto, the first Montesa prototype was built based upon the French Motobecane models of that time. Powered by a 93cc two-stroke engine with no rear suspension 22 of these units were sold in the first year and so promising did the market appear that Permanyer and Bulto formulated their partnership. As a successor to the previous model, Senor Bulto designed a new 125cc roadster, which was tested in many trail type rallies and semi-enduros that were popular in Spain at the time.
This model formed the basis of the 1951 ISDT effort. They were officially entered by the factory, being ridden by Bulto and G. Cavestany. In the early fifties, Montesa entered the 125cc class of road racing. These bikes featured six-speed, bolt on gearboxes, in semi-unit construction, with all gears running on needle-roller bearings. By 1956 these Montesa 125's were very competitive and took second, third and fourth places in the Ultra-Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT.
The most successful Montesa street bike of the 'fifties was the Brio 80, of which more than 12,000 were produced. The success of the Brio and the other models, led to the opening of a new and larger factory in Espluges de Llobregat.
Formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Francisco Bulto, the first Montesa prototype was built based upon the French Motobecane models of that time. Powered by a 93cc two-stroke engine with no rear suspension 22 of these units were sold in the first year and so promising did the market appear that Permanyer and Bulto formulated their partnership. As a successor to the previous model, Senor Bulto designed a new 125cc roadster, which was tested in many trail type rallies and semi-enduros that were popular in Spain at the time.
This model formed the basis of the 1951 ISDT effort. They were officially entered by the factory, being ridden by Bulto and G. Cavestany. In the early fifties, Montesa entered the 125cc class of road racing. These bikes featured six-speed, bolt on gearboxes, in semi-unit construction, with all gears running on needle-roller bearings. By 1956 these Montesa 125's were very competitive and took second, third and fourth places in the Ultra-Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT.
The most successful Montesa street bike of the 'fifties was the Brio 80, of which more than 12,000 were produced. The success of the Brio and the other models, led to the opening of a new and larger factory in Espluges de Llobregat.
