The Muskin El Gato is one funky little scoot. Muskin Corp was aiming to nab a piece of the then-increasingly lucrative small-displacement trail bike market. The company’s strategy was to create a truly unique machine that would stand out from the crowd of other mini offerings and regardless of Muskin’s success, it’s hard to deny the efficacy of said strategy. In addition to the “chrome-yellow” single-piece fiberglass body – adorned in what might be one of the coolest factory tank paint jobs of all time – the marque labeled the two-wheeled cat as a “Midi-Cycle” (or “Midi-Bike”).
With a 44-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 67-inches, and a curb-weight of 125lbs, the snazzy yellow “Midi-Bike” was bigger than most other minibikes of the early-’70’s. The manufacturer also referred to El Gato as an “All Family Bike”, meaning it was small enough to be piloted by children – with a seat-height of just 27-inches – but large enough for a grown adult to (semi) comfortably ride.
Powering the Muskin “Midi” was an air-cooled, 80cc, two-stroke, single that made a claimed 6.6 hp. El Gato’s power-plants were supplied by Fuji, the same company that provided Hodaka with engines. Married to the 80cc thumper was a four-speed constant-mesh transmission and a noise emission-approved spark arrester scrambler-style exhaust spit burnt fumes from the little Fuji motor.
Another rather distinctive feature on the Muskin minibike was the leading-link front end that dampers the machine’s steel-tube chassis. The brakes consisted of front and rear internal expanding 105mm units that slowed the bike’s 3.00 x 16 knobbies. Flexible fenders and folding foot-pegs complete the unique two-wheeled package.
The Muskin El Gato is also visually a really interesting model which was undoubtedly one of its major draws. It’s idiosyncratic looks have lead to the model becoming increasingly sought after in recent years. An absolutely pristine example sold at a 2013 Bonhams auction in Las Vegas for only $1,150, though it didn’t have the cool fastback tail like on this example that is currently for sale. This example is reportedly all original, and as the photos show, it’s in excellent condition. According to the seller it “starts right up and rides great”.
You can find this 1970 Muskin El Gato “Midi-Bike” for sale here on Craigslist in Los Angeles, California with a price of $3,500.