Rieju
Encyclopedia
Rieju is a manufacturer of mopeds and motorcycles from Spain
. It is based in Figueras, in Catalonia
. They specialize in small displacement motorcycles (between 49 and 450cc), using Minarelli
engine
s. Their products are available in almost all European countries.
They bought some land and started to build the factory, but the Spanish Civil War
thwarted their plans. The Republican Government confiscated the unfinished building and used it as a truck depot. A second story was built above the existing premises throughout the war, and considered a payment of interests when the facilities were returned.
In 1940, once the war was over, Rieju resumed its industrial activity making bicycle accessories.
In 1942, Rieju was established as a Private Limited Company (Sociedad Limitada) with a capital of 1 million pesetas
, and started to build, alongside components, their first bicycle models. The company now had 35 employees and an average of 30 bicycles were built each week.
In 1947 Rieju builds their first moped, incorporating to one of their bicycles an auxiliary 38 cc four-stroke engine (built by Serwa of France) coupled to the rear wheel. This model had a power of 1 HP and a maximum speed of around 40 km/h. Two years later, in 1949, Rieju would launch the "No. 2" model, now with a more powerful engine and a gearbox designed in-house. Later models (No.3, No.4, etc.) would evolve the vehicle to give it a "motorcycle look".
In 1964, Rieju reached an agreement with Minarelli to manufacture their engines under licence, and launches the "Jaca" model, with 3.5 HP and a top speed of 70 km/h, which would have to be limited to 40 km/h due to moped regulations.
The landmark Jaca model was evolved throughout the 1960s and 70s, giving birth to the Confort and TT models. In 1978, Rieju developed a moped with automatic transmission but it was not successful.
Production kept increasing steadily throughout the 80s, with new and more varied models, placing Rieju among the top moped sellers in Spain. Also, Rieju bikes won several prices in international Enduro
competitions, raising the profile of the marque.
In 1994,the company opened itself to other markets and started exporting their models across Europe. By 2006, exports represented about 60% of their sales.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is based in Figueras, in Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
. They specialize in small displacement motorcycles (between 49 and 450cc), using Minarelli
Minarelli
Minarelli is an Italian motorcycle engine manufacturer which was founded by Vittorio Minarelli. It is now part of the Yamaha group.-History :...
engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
s. Their products are available in almost all European countries.
History
In 1934, two young entrepreneurs, Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farrés, founded a company to manufacture bicycle accessories. The name RIEJU came from the first letters of each of their surnames (RIEra + JUanola).They bought some land and started to build the factory, but the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
thwarted their plans. The Republican Government confiscated the unfinished building and used it as a truck depot. A second story was built above the existing premises throughout the war, and considered a payment of interests when the facilities were returned.
In 1940, once the war was over, Rieju resumed its industrial activity making bicycle accessories.
In 1942, Rieju was established as a Private Limited Company (Sociedad Limitada) with a capital of 1 million pesetas
Spanish peseta
The peseta was the currency of Spain between 1869 and 2002. Along with the French franc, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra .- Etymology :...
, and started to build, alongside components, their first bicycle models. The company now had 35 employees and an average of 30 bicycles were built each week.
In 1947 Rieju builds their first moped, incorporating to one of their bicycles an auxiliary 38 cc four-stroke engine (built by Serwa of France) coupled to the rear wheel. This model had a power of 1 HP and a maximum speed of around 40 km/h. Two years later, in 1949, Rieju would launch the "No. 2" model, now with a more powerful engine and a gearbox designed in-house. Later models (No.3, No.4, etc.) would evolve the vehicle to give it a "motorcycle look".
In 1964, Rieju reached an agreement with Minarelli to manufacture their engines under licence, and launches the "Jaca" model, with 3.5 HP and a top speed of 70 km/h, which would have to be limited to 40 km/h due to moped regulations.
The landmark Jaca model was evolved throughout the 1960s and 70s, giving birth to the Confort and TT models. In 1978, Rieju developed a moped with automatic transmission but it was not successful.
Production kept increasing steadily throughout the 80s, with new and more varied models, placing Rieju among the top moped sellers in Spain. Also, Rieju bikes won several prices in international Enduro
Enduro
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
competitions, raising the profile of the marque.
In 1994,the company opened itself to other markets and started exporting their models across Europe. By 2006, exports represented about 60% of their sales.