OSSA E-71 (1971-1973) Specs, Performance & Photos

OSSA was a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer, active from 1924 to 1982 and again from 2010 to 2015. The company was founded by Manuel Giro, an industrialist from Barcelona. OSSA was well known for its lightweight, two-stroke motorcycles used in trials, motocross, and enduro.

The original name was Orpheo Sincronic Sociedad Anonima (OSSA), but it was later named Maquinaria Cinematografica, SA. At first, in 1924, OSSA company manufactured movie projectors for their home market in Spain.

OSSA had some success in the AMA Grand National Championship with Dick Mann, who helped them develop a 250cc dirt track machine. The rider won the 1969 Sant Fe Grand National track event on the 250cc motorcycle it developed.

After they dropped down from the Grand Prix motorcycle racing, OSSA redirected its competitive orientations towards Observed Trials in Europe and the United States, alongside other Spanish makers, such as Bultaco and Montesa.

In 1971, the Spanish motorcycle manufacturer launched the OSSA E-71, a small enduro machine that packed a high-mounted front fender, a small round headlight, a single seat, a high-mounted exhaust system with a long muffler mounted on the right side, and wire-spoke wheels with off-road tires.

The 1971 OSSA E-71 had installed underneath its fuel tank a 250cc two-stroke single-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivered 23 hp. The power was sent to the rear wheel through a five-speed manual transmission and a final chain drive. The braking power was achieved by drum units both front and rear.