Going a little off topic, I believe some of the earlier Gas Gas EC models in Europe had TM engines. I'm sure I've seen a yellow EC 125 with a TM engine. I think it was a 1996 model. Or is my memory playing tricks ? Sorry, can't find any photos on the web.

You're absolutely correct. The first Gassers in true Gas Gas frames had TM engines, all sizes. The first Gas Gas I ever saw was safety yellow in color, and I believe it was a '94 or '95 EC 250. It had a TM engine in it. The guy's name was Jack, and he had a toddler with a shirt that read, "my daddy rides a Gas Gas."

Just to note,, the 97's came over as the first year fully built by GG,, engine and frame.. this had the CB motor, and since the importation was so limited they did not get the dreaded "not for highway" stamping on the paperwork. Mine came through as a fully street legal euro model and the title work listed it as a street bike 250cc size. was nice to just go to the notary and get tags..

Looking for Positive ID on 99 XC forks
 

Any of you history buffs know for sure what forks were on the 1999 XCs?

50mm WP conventionals I beleive, like the '98 and '99 KTMs.

I think the 99 had marzocchi conventional forks - there was a "six days" model that came with the WP Extreme fork (50 mm conventional).

Mike (roostafish) had one of the six days models with the WP 50mm conventional forks on it - I'll ask him what year it was....

jeff

The '94 125 was red/pink, and came with the proven TM powerplant. Mid '94 saw the first 250 for GasGas, it was yellow (almost a flo green) and came with the brand new TM 250 powerplant. Both were good bikes. There are photos available for both models on the web.

Gears
 

touched on most issues but how many came with six speeds?
Everything but MX/MC?

All the GasGas designed motors were 6 speed except some MCs, which were 4 speeds.

Going Deeper into history. The first Gas Gas enduro bikes were Husqvarna's with Gas Gas graphics on them. I doubt any of those ever made it into the U.S.

Another note. I have owned two '99 model bikes. An EC 200, which had Marzocchi Magnum 45 forks on it, and a XC 250 Six Days with WP Extreme 50 conventional forks. The WP's were very impressive.