50 ANS PORTAL
G7001
Description
Portal is the story of two brothers, Gilles and Denis Portal, who, as early as 1960, became involved in motocross racing with the obsession of improving the performance of their machines. Excellent racers, they won several national titles before producing their first innovative motorcycle, the BP 125 cross (Boudet-Portal association), presented at the 1971 Motorcycle Show. In 1973 Marcel Seurat joined the team to create the BPS brand (“S” for Seurat) to expand the range. In 1975, the Portal brothers set out on their own to market eponymous 125cc and 175cc machines powered by Sach engines. This was followed by 250 and 360 models powered by CZ engines, then Rotax from 1977. The train was on the move, and 600 units were sold in Europe the following year. The efficiency of the 25CD4S steel trellis frame was a major factor in the brand's success. The catalog even includes a 250 cm3 (Honda engine) speed model.
In 1980, a national record was set, and it still stands today. Three French motorcycles, three Portals, topped the inter championships! Jean-Luc Fouchet in 125 cm3, Michel Combes in 500 cm3 and Jean-Michel Baron in 250, who took the French championship title at the end of the season, were the apotheosis. 1980 also saw the signing of a golden contract with the giant Peugeot! In 1982, however, the French manufacturer made a questionable strategic choice by installing an 80 cm3 engine in the Portal chassis. The result was a lack of success, and the financial repercussions for the small company from the Tarn-et-Garonne region were catastrophic, from which it never recovered. Some of the models presented in '83 never saw the light of day, like this astonishing 495 cross with inverted forks.
But history is eternal, thanks to an incredible community of “Portalists”. This large family of enthusiasts and collectors, guardians of this French heritage, presents an anniversary exhibition at the Salon du 2 Roues, bringing together some fifty Portal models. Cock-a-doodle-doo!
