Something Unusual

I spend a fair amount of time researching stuff on the web. All you have to do to appreciate this is look at how many blogs I follow. I also check out multiple auction sites not the least of which is Ebay. There are definitely opinions out there regarding Ebay and I have mine but try and do without it. Every now and then something interesting shows up on Ebay that prompts me to dig deeper. The first thing that comes to mind when I see something rare on Ebay is the thought process behind choosing that venue versus a conventional auction house. I'll admit that I don't know jack about auctions so there may be an excellent reason such as speed of sale or economics. The next thing that comes to mind is whether or not it's real and the item's provenance. Let's face it for all of us regular Ebay users there probably is no other place where the proverb "caveat emptor" figures so prominently.

Tehuelche Racer ridden by Gomez

Right now there is a Tehuelche racer for sale on Ebay US similar to the one above. Wish I could post the pics because they are great but I don't need the trouble. Truth be told, I have been wanting to write a little article on this marque for some time now and this bike's appearance on Ebay is as good a motivation as any.

Tehuelche motorcycles were built between 1957 and 1964 in Argentina through the partnership of Juan Rafaldi and Roberto Fattorini, who were two immigrants from Italy. The Tehuelche marque can be considered Argentina's first and only original motorcycle as all others were copies of mostly Italian origin.

The prototype engine was a four stroke SOHC engine with no oil pump constructed out of aluminum. Its original displacement was 50cc and in 1955 started competition regionally.

1963 Super Sport Model

For the mass market, the engine was redesigned with an increase in displacement to 75 cc. Below is the technical data:

Engine: Four-stroke

Cooling: Air

Bore: 48 mm
Stroke: 41 mm
Capacity: 75 cc
Compression ratio: 6.5:1
Power: 4.74 hp
RPM at maximum power: 6500
Approximate consumption: 1 liter of gasoline per 50 km
Distribution: Single overhead camshaft (SOHC)
Valves: Two valves arranged in a 90° configuration, operated through rocker arms.
Lubrication: Wet sump, splash lubrication. A hook, attached onto the connecting rod, dips into the oil in the sump and splashes it around the inside of the engine.
Clutch: Mono-disc in oil bath
Gearbox: Three-speed
Gear ratios:
    1st gear 2.628
    2nd gear 1.542
    3rd gear 1
Speed relations:
    1st speed: 28 km/h
    2nd speed: 48 km/h
    3rd speed: 74 km/h
Carburation: Dellorto MA16 carburetor, made under license in Argentina.
Frame: Chassis made out of welded steel tubes
Weight: 96 kg

During the seven year production run, Tehuelche produced 5,000 motorcycles of which less than two dozen are known to exist. Making it as rare as the Ebay description suggests.Tehuelche foundered in 1964 amidst the economic turmoil of the developing Argentine economy. Rafaldi and Fattorini went on to start their own workshop to service their clients. They tuned race bikes to 100cc which proved very successful at the hands of Alberto Gomez and Jaime Enriquez

Alberto Gomez in 1964

Jaime Enriquez in 1963

It should be interesting to see how the Ebay auction pans out. I hope the bike goes to a good home or perhaps to a museum so that all of us get to enjoy such a cool little racer.