by Randy Dietzel
and the Cycle News Staff
When the Carabela was first
introduced into this country from
a couple
there
N
,.. Mexico great deal of years back, about
was a
of skepticism
ell
whether any Mexican-- Some of the details have been changed,
U
such as the tank and the fiberglass
sidepanels, so they don't get frayed by
the chain, but as we reviewed the
lightweight racers, we found a version of
the original, refined in most details.
There was mixed opinion as to whether
the righ t combination has yet been
reached but the Carabela is definitely in
three with the big guys (If you can be
said to have big guys in the 125 class.)
During our test of the Carabela,
which involved about four weeks, we
tested three differen t motorcycles.
Either evil coincidence or just plain
rollen luck plagued us during the time
we had the first two. Explaining the
problems encountered is easy, but make
sure you read this whole review before
passing judgment on the bike. Our first
test machine blew second and fourth
gears, due to a defect in the gears
themselves. The second one we tried
shifted its crank and started vibrating
ominously. We shut it off with all
dispatch.
The third time was the charm. The
machine performed beautifully
throughout the en tire two weeks we had
it. First kick starts and everything. It's
basically a reliable machine. It never
K'ems to go sour on you once you get
one that's right to start with.
The Carabela has a well-finished,
long, low, double-y Larry Groves
slosh on your new MX jersey.
The steel rims are as strong as you
could ask for. l'hey are tough and much
lighter than comparable steel units. As a
matter of. fact, some Carabela dealers
have been selling the rims as an
accessory for other make machines. The
seat is well-padded. You can be sure
your posterior won't be sore after a long
day straddling the Carabela. The hump
at the rear looks like a good idea bu t
prevents a full-sized rider from sliding
back smoothly over the shock mounts,
as does the pebble grain finish. Both'
features definitely keep you from
sliding off, though.
As stated earlier, patience provided
more than its own reward. Due to the
fact that two out three bikes we tested
were shop racers, we can't discoun t the
fact that the first two had been flogged
and thus gained the potential for failure.
All we can say is that after the test was
over, we had forgotten the first two
bikes and will be anxious to ride the
1973 model, if it's s good as this one.
Filtron is stock equipment
_terproofed chamber.
CARABELA SPECS AND STUFF
ENGINE •.••..............•...•.•.....................• : ..2·STROKE
BORE X STROKE ••....•..•..•.........••............••.... 52X55MM
HP •..•. _ ..•••.....•.•.................................•.. 19 @ 8000
FUEL CAPACiTy .•..........•...•.............•.•.....•..... 2.1 GAL.
WEIGHT •.••..••....•.............•..•..................... 183 LBS.
HANDLEBAR WIDTH ••..•.•........•....••.•..•..••..•........ .35 IN.
SUGGESTED PRICE .......•..•.•....•.......•............•..... .$695
Sage shocks generated controversy. Pipe was
a bit noisy.
The engine runs
competitive power.
cool;
produces
very
