Ossa 250 Trials

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Founded by Manuel Giro in Barcelona in 1924, Ossa originally made its name producing film projectors for Spanish cinemas but switched to making motorcyles after World War Two – as you do!

By the 1960s they were world famous for their superb range of competition machines spanning road racing, motocross, enduro, dirt track and trials. However, when one of their star riders, Santiago Herrero, was killed at the 1970 Isle of Man TT riding a 250cc machine designed by Manuel Giro’s son, Eduardo, Ossa withdrew from road racing altogether and poured all their efforts into much less hazardous trials bikes instead.

They hired British rider Mick Andrews to help design and ride their trials bike, a hugely successful combination which saw Ossa capture the 1971 and 1972 European Trials Championship and the gruelling Scottish Six Days Trial three years on the trot between 1970 and 1972 with Andrews at the helm each time.

Despite huge admiration and enthusiasm for their trials machines whose reliability was second-to-none, Ossa struggled to keep up with demand for their meticulously crafted products and also suffered from a disorganized and sparse dealer network in the important American market. When cheaper Japanese machines began to come onto the market in the late 1970s, it all proved too much and this illustrious Spanish marque was forced to close down its factory in 1982.

There were still many devoted fans who continued to campaign their beloved Ossas in historic trials events, and in 2010 a group of Spanish businessmen purchased the rights to the famous marque and began producing Ossa branded trials machines once again.

Dating from 1977, this classic Ossa 250 Trials has been owned by the vendor for over 30 years. Never used competitively, it was ridden just for fun in its early years but was then laid up in a barn for almost 25 years. Recently dug out of storage to use with his son, the vendor has serviced and recommissioned it, including fitting a new clutch, new tyres, overhauling the brakes and refurbing the Amal carburettor.

Sadly a four-wheeled classic project has now stolen his son’s affections and the Ossa is being sold to help fund the creation of a Rat Rod. Still in highly original condition after its long slumber and looking wonderful in period Seventies green, this classic twin shock trials bike will probably still be capable of bringing home some silver in the right pair of hands.