Strange Bikes... you probably never saw before, part 1

EL GATO ALL-FAMILY MIDI-CYCLE

Spanish for “The Cat”, the El Gato was pitched at a new market when launched in the early 1970s, the “midi-bike”. Powered by a Fuji two-stroke single-cylinder engine displacing 80cc, the El Gato developed 6.6 horsepower and employed a four-speed, constant-mesh transmission. The El Gato was certainly bigger than most current mini-bikes, with a 67-inch overall length and a seat height of 27 inches, the frame boasting swing-arm rear suspension, a leading link front end and 105mm front/rear expanding brakes. Folding footpegs, deformable mudguards, 3.00 x 16 knobbly tyres and a proper exhaust completed the package. Certainly the El Gato looked the business, with the single-piece fibreglass tank/seat finished in Chrome Yellow. Small enough for kids and big enough for adults, the Muskin was marketed as the “All Family” bike and the few survivors are fast becoming collectible around the world.