Renaissance of a French motorcycle
More than 40 years after the production of the last model, two brothers, passionate about mechanics and old motorcycles, try to reproduce "almost identically" a magnificent Gima 125 cc 4-stroke … Not to be missed at the Mondial !
The Hilario and Rafaël Gonzalez brothers, two people from Auvergne who are passionate about mechanics and old motorcycles, are reviving the GIMA of our grandfathers: "initially, we manufactured mechanical parts", explains Hilario, founder in 1991 of the company GB Meca."But with the waves of relocations, in Poland in particular, work began to fail"…
Mechanical workshops of the Center
With the help of his brother, he decided to relaunch the French brand GIMA (Metallurgical and Automotive Industrial Group), which between 1947 and 1954 produced small-displacement motorcycles with the famous AMC (Ateliers Mecaniques du Center) engines in Clermont-Ferrand..
The GIMA was a real success in the 1950s. But like many other French brands, it did not resist the arrival of scooters in the mid-1960s, then the surge of Japanese motorcycles..
Today, the objective of the two brothers is therefore to remake "almost identical"(taking into account the evolution of the legislation) this splendid 125 cc 4-stroke which notably won the Bol d’Or in 1949.
"All parts are made in France", specifies Rafaël Gonzalez – with the exception of the Dell’Orto carburetor -"and many are cut in the mass, like this magnificent carburetor horn".
Result: a motorcycle full of freshness despite its resolutely period style, with its selector on the right "as in time"and its neutral setting using a manual lever on the right side of the machine.
The 21st century GIMA has already registered 73 pre-reservations, including twenty in just four days of the Mondial, despite its more than discreet location at the far end of Hall 2.2, behind the occasions. But the two brothers hope to reach 200 in total, in order to be able to start production: "there is a 90% chance that it will work", believes Rafael,"we just need to help us a little more !"
The time machine…
If all goes well, the first "new generation" GIMA should therefore come off the line "in June 2006"predicts Hilario … Weighing 105 kg, it will be equipped with a 125 cc 4-stroke engine"very economical", a side stand, chrome spoked rims, a 12 volt battery for road lighting, front and rear drum brakes and a 14 liter tank.
Its top speed is estimated at 90 km / h and its average consumption at 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers. Finally, the paint will be chosen by the customer among three proposals: the orange Moto-Net of the model exhibited at the Mondial (Hall2.2, Stand 353) is the most beautiful effect !
An excellent initiative that should therefore be encouraged, especially at 3,600 euros "Salon price"(4,200 euros"normal price") the time machine, there is really nothing to do without … May the force be with the GIMA of the 21st century !
Contact : GB Mecha
Chemin Torrents, Pont de Dore, 63920 PESCHADOIRES
Phone. : 04.73.51.37.07 or 06.80.15.56.25
E-mail : .
Eric MICHEL
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