Features

The SANGLAS

The "Other" Spanish Motorcycle

By Matt Cuddy

Another lesser-known motorcycle, the Spanish Sanglas, was founded in 1942 by the Sanglas brothers, Matin & Javier. This took place right after the Spanish Civil War, when Spanish built motor vehicles were scarce, and demand for new machinery was high. Sanglas Motorcycleta SA Barcelona produced several motorcycles based on the same theme, an under square, single cylinder four stroke pushrod, unit construction 4 speed motorcycle. The first Sanglas displaced 350cc, and started production in 1945. Here’s a direct translation from a Sanglas advertisement:

“The Sanglas young people (brothers), taking like reference the motos of the moment, created trustworthy a single cylinder motor of four times of English long race type moto (Machtless, A.J.S) with the German system of cases (Zundapp, D.K.W) and a chassis of most robust of the time mixes between indestructible BMW and or proven BSA or Royal Enfield. The result was moto safer, robust and elegant of the national market.”

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1945 Sanglas 350cc model 4

The early models resembled a cross between a German NSU and an English Velocette. They were built in 250, 350 & 500cc models, with the 500cc version being used by the Spanish Police, much like the Italian police used the Moto-Guzzi Falcone.

Sanglas also produced single and twin cylinder two-strokes, under the Rovena name that looked like a contemporary European motorcycle. But the biggest market was still for the thumper, which had legendary reliability (something you don’t usually equate with Spanish motorcycles).

In the late 1960's Sanglas completely re-styled their line of motorcycles, but kept the classic streamlined motor. Sanglas also produced a dual-sport version of the 500, called the TT, with a high pipe, and high mounted front fender.

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1977 Sanglas 400cc SE Model

 

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Hey! That looks live a VW Beatle Starter!

The last Spanish Sanglas came out in 1982, with cast wheels, and double front disc brakes. It sported the now over-square single cylinder thumper mill. with pushrod activated valves, and a square bodied Amal carb.

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1981-82 Sanglas 500se

In 1983 Yamaha bought Sanglas, and started producing motorcycles that looked like this:

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1984 Sanglas 250cc twin (by Yamaha)

And that was it for the Spanish designed Sanglas, now absorbed into Yamaha. I’ve always wondered where Yamaha got the basic idea for the TT500, never thought it came from Spain.

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