Wanted Bultaco

[Hysterkid999]

  Looking :: for a decent priced Bultaco for a project in Arizona. Just a stretch asking here. Ambassador is the bike I had to leave behind. Looking for something for the dirt that I could feel the steel and ride to death.

[Bobic69]

I can't believe how expensive they are now. When I lived in Spain 20 years ago you could pick one up for a couple of hundred bucks.

[GonzoB]

When I was in my teens I really wanted a Metralla. They were fast, light and very pretty (to my eye). Last year (some 50 years later) I was browsing the bikes-for-sale on-line and there was one. They are NEVER advertised. I decided it was a "sign". I made the 600km each way trip to look at it. It was in pretty good nick, so I had a ride. Mistake. It was loud, rough, had an unworkable powerband, etc. It killed all my preconceived ideas about how wonderful they were. I told the guy, "thanks, it's a great example, but it's not for me".

So, my (revised) take on the Bultys is that they were good in their day, but now there are so many better choices. Fine if you want to look and reminisce, but not if you want to ride.


Gonzo

[Guzzistajohn]

I have two Sherpas in the shed. I've ridden many trials bikes over the years, but there's nothing like a Bul, the smell of the motor when it heats up and the way the front end hooks up in a section is incredible. Better that the GAS GAS's i've owned IMO


terminator salvation robot sound<br http://spanishmotorcycles.org/ try here

[pressureangle]

Looking :: for a decent priced Bultaco for a project in Arizona. Just a stretch asking here. Ambassador is the bike I had to leave behind. Looking for something for the dirt that I could feel the steel and ride to death.

Have you spent any time riding a Bultaco?

I ask, because if not and you're romanticizing them, you'll be disappointed. They're badass and a real hoot if you're into eclectic vintage rides, but they're nothing like 'modern'. In the desert, you can figure a crank and cylinder rebuild yearly, unless you ride dunes and then all bets are off. Clutches are a nuisance but workable if you find an old guy who knows.

[JJ]

Check out this website, (Hugh's Bultaco), from my old digs in upstate New York...They are very knowledgeable...

http://www.bultacoclassic.com/

[Guzzistajohn]

Have you spent any time riding a Bultaco?

I ask, because if not and you're romanticizing them, you'll be disappointed. They're badass and a real hoot if you're into eclectic vintage rides, but they're nothing like 'modern'. In the desert, you can figure a crank and cylinder rebuild yearly, unless you ride dunes and then all bets are off. Clutches are a nuisance but workable if you find an old guy who knows.

Hmmm, my Sherpa still has the original clutch from when I bought it in 1976, I guess I should keep an eye on that 

[Guzzistajohn]

 This is my buddy Norton after a AHRMA trial in Ridgedale, Mo. I let him ride my 76 in the event that day. He finished the trial and just took 2 points. He rarely takes a dab with his leg length.

[Roebling3]

I had a Bultaco Metralla as new. '64 iirc. Cripes, I enjoyed that bike - and have wanted another ever since. First off? You've got to like and understand 2 strokes. I have 4, all street/race bikes. They are huge fun, light weight, best back road carvers. If you have mountains to climb (on paved roadways), you'll need 350cc's or more.  R3~

[Guzzistajohn]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BultacoMotorcycles/

[oldbike54]

 Old Bultacos are cool , and in their day were as good as it got . As Guzzistajohn stated his Sherpa T's are wonderful . However , if you really want to beat on something , maybe a more modern dirt bike would be a better choice , even a ten year old 225 Yamaha or a 20 year old XR 250 is likely a better beater (pun intended) than a 1972 Bultaco .

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Old Bultacos are cool , and in their day were as good as it got . As Guzzistajohn stated his Sherpa T's are wonderful . However , if you really want to beat on something , maybe a more modern dirt bike would be a better choice , even a ten year old 225 Yamaha or a 20 year old XR 250 is likely a better beater (pun intended) than a 1972 Bultaco .

 Dusty

True, I have $2800.00 in my 2010 KTM EXC it's like riding a lazy boy in comparison and runs like a banshee electric start, 4 stroke, water cooled, rocket ship. But trials on a BUL? or Montessa? maybe OSSA? nothing like it. When you ride a section just right and get that power to hook up to the dirt it's just like..............p oetry in motion.

[oldbike54]

True, I have $2800.00 in my 2010 KTM EXC it's like riding a lazy boy in comparison and runs like a banshee electric start, 4 stroke, water cooled, rocket ship. But trials on a BUL? or Montessa? maybe OSSA? nothing like it. When you ride a section just right and get that power to hook up to the dirt it's just like..............p oetry in motion.

 All of those Spanish brand trials bikes were amazing , at least after Sammy Miller got his hands on that Bultaco . Mick Andrews the same with Ossa , and whoever helped with the Cota ? The modern trials bikes are just too weird for this old guy , probably get me killed .

 Now I want a Sherpa T dangit 

 Dusty

[Lannis]

When I was in my teens I really wanted a Metralla. They were fast, light and very pretty (to my eye). Last year (some 50 years later) I was browsing the bikes-for-sale on-line and there was one. They are NEVER advertised. I decided it was a "sign". I made the 600km each way trip to look at it. It was in pretty good nick, so I had a ride. Mistake. It was loud, rough, had an unworkable powerband, etc. It killed all my preconceived ideas about how wonderful they were. I told the guy, "thanks, it's a great example, but it's not for me".

So, my (revised) take on the Bultys is that they were good in their day, but now there are so many better choices. Fine if you want to look and reminisce, but not if you want to ride.

Gonzo

They're the kind of bike I grew up with ... I can stand it.

Thought long and hard about this one ....





Lannis

[huub]

I have been wanting a ossa Yankee since the day I saw one,
Those Spaniards know how to make brutal, but efficient bikes.
Nearly all yankees were exported to the us, so chances of finding one here in europe are pretty minimal.

[Guzzistajohn]

All of those Spanish brand trials bikes were amazing , at least after Sammy Miller got his hands on that Bultaco . Mick Andrews the same with Ossa , and whoever helped with the Cota ? The modern trials bikes are just too weird for this old guy , probably get me killed .

 Now I want a Sherpa T dangit 

 Dusty

We need to get mine poppin' and lay out some sections down at Les's

[oldbike54]

We need to get mine poppin' and lay out some sections down at Les's

 What does it need ? I would probably just fall off in some wildly embarrassing way , end up in a creek bottom with the Bul on top of me , pinned down wondering what-in-hell just happened .

 Still , it sounds like fun doesn't it ?

 Dusty

[JJ]

Always liked the 250cc Metralla!  This lovely restored example seen at a local bike show a few years back!

[Guzzistajohn]

What does it need ? I would probably just fall off in some wildly embarrassing way , end up in a creek bottom with the Bul on top of me , pinned down wondering what-in-hell just happened .

 Still , it sounds like fun doesn't it ?

 Dusty

I have two actually have two, '72 & '76 they just need the regular stuff, carbs cleaned, fresh gas, spark plug. kick kick kick pop pop pop pop

[Rebochi]

   Almost a Bultaco

A nice Ossa on Craigs list

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/d/tonopah-71-ossa-250-pioneer/7097193264.html

[Guzzistajohn]

Funny how a guy can start a thread like this and never comment again. I just noticed he's in NY state, one of the biggest BULTACO hoarders this side of Barcelona in in his state HUGH'S BULTACO Hudson, NY?? I think?? Hugh is passed now, but he had BARNS full of stuff. I think his son runs it now.

[Roebling3]

Thanx for the website Guzzistajohn. Looks to be many followers.

In another week or 2 I'll be going through that part of NYS.
I tried to talk Hugh into building a racer for me; 20+ years ago.
Couldn't get him interested enough to make it happen. The killer was, he knew I'd put it on the street. It wasn't well known at the time, but certain states will register a late model 2 stroke for the street. I enjoy rolling into a MA DMV on a 2 stroke. Some times it is as gross as; wtf izzat?  R3~

[Guzzistajohn]

Thanx for the website Guzzistajohn. Looks to be many followers.

In another week or 2 I'll be going through that part of NYS.
I tried to talk Hugh into building a racer for me; 20+ years ago.
Couldn't get him interested enough to make it happen. The killer was, he knew I'd put it on the street. It wasn't well known at the time, but certain states will register a late model 2 stroke for the street. I enjoy rolling into a MA DMV on a 2 stroke. Some times it is as gross as; wtf izzat?  R3~

Right on! I went to a world round trial @ Watkins Glen and made a run over to see Hugh years ago. It was quite the tour!

Here's a shot of Jordi Terres and better yet, his Hot Wife at "The Glen"

[oldbike54]

I have two actually have two, '72 & '76 they just need the regular stuff, carbs cleaned, fresh gas, spark plug. kick kick kick pop pop pop pop

 So two Bultacos just waiting to smack me to the ground .

 Dusty

[mhershon]

Here I am on my 200 Matador trying to become the first 200 ever to climb Flying Hoosiers Hill near Bloomington, Indiana. It's 1965, I think. If I had known how to ride, I'd have done it, ridden that Bultaco over the top, but as you can see, my weight was in the wrong place. I was just asking to have my bike flip over backwards...and it did. This is one of the few moments in my life that I wish I could do over. I also wish I had the bike back.

[ChuckH]

Here I am on my 200 Matador trying to become the first 200 ever to climb Flying Hoosiers Hill near Bloomington, Indiana. It's 1965, I think. If I had known how to ride, I'd have done it, ridden that Bultaco over the top, but as you can see, my weight was in the wrong place. I was just asking to have my bike flip over backwards...and it did. This is one of the few moments in my life that I wish I could do over. I also wish I had the bike back.

You probably know Keith Dick from the Bloomington area.  He had a Pursang back in those days, rode a lot of motocross and hare scrambles at Stoney.  It started out as a 150 (?) and ended up as a 250.  He still has it.  Keith and his brother also raced Ossa 160 and 175's for awhile.  Also, Pete Lavengood had a Matador back in those days and rode a lot at Stoney.

[Deno]

I recently sold a Metralla to a friend. I had it for close to 15 years.  Still in original condition. He will be restoring it. What a fun bike to ride. I took it to a few Giro's many years back. I added a nice dent to the tank when I went to quickly into a spewing down hill left turn.  Old tires, and a panic grip on the front brake is all it took.
I had a chance to meet senior Bulto's grandson at Barber's Vintage. He was racing one of the company's bikes on the track.
However, memories always make the old stuff better than reality.
Good luck with your search. I hope you find and enjoy the experience.

[mhershon]

Chuck, I don't remember Keith's name. I worked at Fox's and at Stewart's in the mid-'60s and rode in the woods mostly. I didn't do any scrambles then. I thought I was a road-racer (a cosmos-class error in judgment) and bought an early Diana, a couple of Metrallas (Or is it Metrellas?) and an Ossa street 175. I was a decent rider on curvy southern Indiana roads, but I was useless on a paved track. A rolling roadblock, as guys used to say. I wish I could say I knew Keith...

[Petrus Rocks]

I race vintage dirtbikes. Currently have a 78 Frontera 250. So much depends how fast you want to ride and what type of terrain.  The Alpinas are nice trail bikes and are low to the ground- they're a trials bike with a good seat.  Later Pursangs and Fronteras with good shocks on the back are similar to
other bikes of the period.  Modern shocks are much better than what was available in the day.  Bultacos are unique, sturdy, and if you like old bikes a lot of fun.

[Moto Vita]

 What sort of Bultaco do you want? Here's two photos taken about forty years apart, wearing the same jersey.