The MS Racing/alpinestars story.

[joglo]

My ProCompXT does not have that odd steering tube flange - it's pretty much identical to the photo joglo posted above. They may have changed suppliers mid way or maybe different markets were manufactured by different suppliers

Hi, only the Aluminium ones, CR I and II had the bracing at the steeper tube and look like Merida bikes, not the steel ones.

 

[JCS]

I have so much want for a yellow and white Pro Comp with rear U-brake like in the catalogue.

Alas, seems all production erosions had cantilevers.

 

[Rmblfsh]

I know this is an old story but lots of early MS Racing history missing here. Also the move from MS to Alpine Star is misrepresented at best.

 

[sinnett177]

I know this is an old story but lots of early MS Racing history missing here. Also the move from MS to Alpine Star is misrepresented at best.

Do feel free to elaborate.

 

[brocklanders023]

Yeah, feel free to add to or correct any information mate as I'm sure the crew would like to know.

 

[dirttorpedo]

I have so much want for a yellow and white Pro Comp with rear U-brake like in the catalogue.

Alas, seems all production erosions had cantilevers.

Ya, mine has cantis. The yellow has also changed to an ugly yellow brown sadly.

 

[Rmblfsh]

Sorry if some of this was covered, I did not read all 15 pages.
The bikes were sold to motorcycles dealers only. You had to buy a package that included 12 bikes.
6 of each model. The package was a turnkey mtb deal. The package also included jerseys, shorts, gloves, helmets, water bottles and cages. casual wear, ect… (All MS racing). The package came with display, grid work with hooks, catalogs and posters. The package sold for just under $6,500.00 OAC. Terms were 30, 60, 90 days.
The first year bikes did not come with Deore XT as stated on the first page. The pro comp xt had Deore and the comp xt had exage, There was one production run the first year. 3000 bikes I believe 1500 of each model. I’ll post more later. Pictures are of the first years catalog.

 

[joglo]

Sorry if some of this was covered, I did not read all 15 pages.
The bikes were sold to motorcycles dealers only. You had to buy a package that included 12 bikes.
6 of each model. The package was a turnkey mtb deal. The package also included jerseys, shorts, gloves, helmets, water bottles and cages. casual wear, ect… (All MS racing). The package came with display, grid work with hooks, catalogs and posters. The package sold for just under $6,500.00 OAC. Terms were 30, 60, 90 days.
The first year bikes did not come with Deore XT as stated on the first page. The pro comp xt had Deore and the comp xt had exage, There was one production run the first year. 3000 bikes I believe 1500 of each model. I’ll post more later. Pictures are of the first years catalog.

intresting stuff,
and yes, we have discussed this catalog also, just the page before in this thread
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/the-ms-racing-alpinestars-story.116406/post-3332308
There it was said it was a Christmas 1988 catalog.
But it's still not perfectly clear, because most know the "typical" 1989 bikes which had already the nice paint jobs with neon etc. shown below




The blue-white ones are indeed not known at all any longer.
Those must been than indeed 1988 models or a pre-series End of 1988, before they have switched to the different and to most more appealing paint job for a global launch in 1989, using than also a real bicycle dealer network?

Do you have a exact date when the launch of the blue/white ones happened and when Motorcycle dealers had to buy the 12 bikes?


At least we have found a few of those blue or white MS Racing bikes in real, so they do exist, not just in the catalog, pictures also the page before.

 

[joglo]

It would be good if we can share a bit more light on the blue-white MS Racing models.

Nevertheless I want to share a sales flyer from Mid 1989, also just with very bad quality and in Spanish.

Detail pics

 

[27motorhead]

It would be good if we can share a bit more light on the blue-white MS Racing models.

Nevertheless I want to share a sales flyer from Mid 1989, also just with very bad quality and in Spanish.
View attachment 771107
Detail pics
View attachment 771108
View attachment 771109

This looks pretty much 100% original. Even the tyres!!! Came with Mountain LX groupset that only lasted one year only (1989) which is all the MS Racing brand lasted before the name switch to Alpine Stars...
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1989-ms-racing-comp-xt.230626/