[Moto] MOTORCYCLE OF THE DAY: DERBI 74 GRAN SPORT

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At the beginning of the sixties Derbi oriented its future towards the sports world and the youngest segment

 

Bike of the day: Derbi 74 Gran Sport
MOTORCYCLE OF THE DAY: DERBI 74 GRAN SPORT
At the beginning of the sixties Derbi oriented its future towards the sports world and the youngest segment
 0   7/20/2022   MIGUEL SÁNCHEZ   50 TO 124 CC, CLASSICS, DERBY, BIKE OF THE DAY
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Lately we have talked a lot about how Montesa and Bultaco adapted to the paradigm shift produced in the motorcycle market from 1957. All this from the presentation with financing and demolition prices of the SEAT 600. However, there were also more brands that managed to survive those years of change. In addition, without the need to resort to the foray into the North American market. In that sense, Derbi was one of the most symbolic examples, with the Derbi 74 Gran Sport as the main reference in this process. The mount with which the Catalan brand was able to combine sportsmanship with a young audience. But let's go by parts.

To begin with, Derbi entered the world of mopeds in 1949. The year in which the SRS moped began a long journey based on making po[CENSORED]r low displacement models with daily mobility in mind. In fact, the truth is that beyond this there were not many business possibilities in the Spain of the autarky. In fact, the highest segments were covered by Lube and, those found just below, by the founded Montesa. Beyond this was a wide range of small manufacturers - often dependent on Hispano-Villiers engines - with practical mounts ranging up to eighth of a litre.

However, as the economy of the Franco regime was opening up to the rhythm dictated by the alliance with the North Americans, the possibilities of consumption exercised by the new middle classes were changing the face of the country. Not only in the environment such as the exodus from towns to cities, but also in everything related to mobility. Thus, by the early 1960s the motorcycle was no longer the only possible transport option for millions of workers as it was a simple whim for the young or for the weekend. A vehicle related not to necessity, but to the pure pleasure of sportsmanship and leisure on two wheels.

Derbi 74 Gran Sport, changing course
At the beginning of the sixties Derbi already began to glimpse the situation, aware that only brands capable of adapting to these new market niches marked by sportsmanship would survive. In this way, in 1961 it began to launch models with engines of up to 74 cubic centimeters defined by lightness – frames with a single central tube were used – and sporty character – the driving position was arranged much more prone than expected in the cars. models designed for comfort on trips or day to day – .

However, it was necessary to go a step further. Why? Well, because the only way to stand out in the field of access sports is to show a radical character with which to counteract the lack of vigorous mechanics. In other words: if I don't have a high-performance engine because I'm moving in the most po[CENSORED]r ranges, the only way to offer sportiness is to increase the level of sensations by going to a pure type of driving. No add-ons.

In this way, before the middle of the sixties, the Derbi 74 Gran Sport was presented, where everything had been eliminated to create a frame that, more than muscle, what it shows is pure nerve. Regarding the mechanics, a single-cylinder two-stroke with 64 cubic centimeters capable of delivering up to 5 CV was chosen, which was later raised to 8 CV by the 75 Gran Sport. All this without counting the countless tricks carried out by the youngsters with pilot fickleness who represented the horrible public buyer in the history of the Derbi 74 Gran Sport.

 

A perfect breeding ground for Derbi to finally set out to create its own racing department. An event that occurred in 1962, beginning not only with the creation of an official team but also with that of a workshop where a multitude of motorcycles were prepared in short series to supply the pilot-customer. A way of working that perfectly illustrated the manufacturing of the Derbi 49 races-customer. Protagonist of a text that is about to fall on our head, although for now we are left with the memory of that mount with which the brand finally united sportsmanship and the young market to fully position itself in a new and successful commercial route. The Derby 74 Gran Sport.

 

Link: https://motos.espirituracer.com/motodeldia/moto-del-dia-derbi-74-gran-sport/