Montessa "Crappra" But yes some totally beautiful works of rolling art all the spanish Bikes It is a shame they are all gone ,,,,seems like someone would ressurect at least the NAMES of these bikes! Pursang and Stilletto in particular! Would both be AWESOME names for Sport Bikes!
Overrode & revved my 1970’s Bultaco 125. Threw the “timing chain” entirely through the engine casings. Loved how it handled. Heavy and slow, but I loved it.
When I was 11 or 12 years old, I acquired an old Bultaco dirtbike. It was in pieces. My mother was concerned, my dad said “don’t worry, he’ll never get it running.” Imagine their surprise after a few days when they heard it start up! I had to get on it with a milk crate. I would jump off of it just before I stopped because my legs wouldn’t touch the ground! Good times!
What a neat memory to have 👍🏻 Too small to touch the ground but you must’ve been a pretty good wrench to get that Spanish bike going. If I was your dad, I would’ve been saying for a kid I’ve raised.👍🏻😂🤠
Mon's are always surprised. I converted my Harley Davidson Rapido, a 125 CC 2 stroke "Scrambler" for motocross. it had a 19" front wheel and a chopped together exhaust pipe and I wanted to go racing. My mom was very against it but my dad said don't worry, he's going to get beat really bad and won't want to do it again. Well I walked into the store where my mom worked carrying my trophy and she took one look and buried her face in her hands on the counter. She knew I was going racing, again, real soon!
Neither the logo nor the name are goofy....before I knew anything about motorcycles, I heard the name, saw the logo and was completely in awe. Best name ever.
damned straight! Sadly, this 'lad' seems to have an "Ameri-centric" view of the world, and seems to have demeaning comments like this about everything..,too bad, because the videos are otherwise great!
I raced an M120 250cc Pursang (Pomerory replica) at Saddleback Park, Escape Country, Carlsbad and more from 1974 to 1977. The torque on that bike was insane. I got the holeshot MANY times and won a lot of trophies. I eventually met Jim Pomeroy in the early 2000's and even loaned him my restored M120 when he came down from Yakima WA which is where he lived until he died (8/6/2006). He raced my bike at the "Tribute to the Spanish Motorcycle" at sears point in 2002. I dearly loved my M120... and still do. God Bless you Jim Pomeroy, we miss you too.
I was 14 my dad and i went and looked at a Bultaco 1974 360. He test rode it and came back and said it was too fast for me. I never got to ride it 😢 . He then bought me a 1973 Husqvarna CR250 instead. My brother had a 1973 CR 125 with a 175 top end. In 1977 my brother and I both got a Suzuki RM250 from the Suzuki school of motocross, used. I was a RM Suzuki fan the rest of my riding and racing career. Having 8 different year models until 2000, Switched to KTMs for off-road trail/ Desert racing. Then had a few RMZ45Os last one being a 2014. Owned and sold over 100 different motorcycles,you name and i had one. But ALWAYS REGRETTED NOT GETTING THAT 1974 BULTACO 360. Im now 63 and still want one. I'm jus say'n, Flodaddy.
Still can’t believe no one’s tried to revive Bultaco. Especially in light of Royal Enfield and Triumphs success in classic revivalism. Especially in a burgeoning enduro/scrambler market.
Bultaco......it would be nice as a retro......but 1 ) it's too small 2 ) it's 2 stroke...You cannot get the price if it's small & 2 stroke is against the mission drift...
Grew up in Mexico riding a puch 250. Always went to the races and saw the new 125 bultacos five of them and saw them win first thru fifth. They all won by half a lap plus. Everyone had to have one. Several years later and high school and university behind me, living in Connecticut USA got my first pursing.rode dirt for several years. Most of my friends rode Spanish bikes such as OSsa’s and Montesa. Bought a suzuki dealership, Allentown suzuki, in Allentown pa and got into motocross during the decoster era and took on Maico. Became the largest Maico dealer east of the Mississip and raced for ten years. Also sold the Montesa 250 VR verkonen replica.great bikes. Still have my Maico 1979, which my younger friend riding finished third t Unadilla against modern bikes. Still miss my bultaco.
When I read of Pennsylvania Suzuki dealerships I can't help but think of Tony D. In the early 70's as a little kid riding bikes like the Z50 and the XR75, I actually found the look of those early Maico's with their coffin-style tanks rather intimidating, lol. By the late 70's their bikes still looked pretty menacing but in a different way. I think Gaylon Mosier was riding for Maico around that time
I started racing in 68, scrambles then motocross. Have been restoring mx bikes from back in the day. Have a 72 Bultaco Pursang 125 I’m thinking of selling, it’s fully restored, very few in finer condition exist.
@@WilliamLithgowGuitars you call it a split single, it was in reality two pistons on one connecting rod hinged just above the big end bearing, both pistons shared a common combustion chamber. It had oil injection, one carb on the side of the cylinder, if an s model two carbs, one on each side. Super reliable and fast. Would love to have one. Live in South Africa now and have never seen one here, in any condition. Thanks for the cone back, cheers from South Africa. Still riding daily, thanks to our beautiful climate. Pepe limantour
In 1975 I bought a new Bultaco Alpina 250 at the age of 17 with the money I worked for during the summer during that summer. In my eyes it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I would love to find one again.
I also bought a brand new Bultaco 250 Alpina, Green one, it was very dependable entered many Trials events in So. Cal. then later in Oregon. I made the mistake of selling it in Texas about 1990 it was still running Great! I miss that bike.
I had a friend in high school who had a Bultaco street bike. I owned a BSA 650 at the time and my friend asked me if I wanted to take his Bultaco for a ride. That ride was one of the best memories of my motorcycle riding years. Not only was his bike absolutely beautiful but I had never ridden a bike that handled that well! This little Bultaco was just plain magic!
In 1970 my Army buddy had Sportster and I the newly out Yamaha 360. He wanted to swap and test ride, I opened the big Sportster up in first gear expecting a huge rush of power, but it just chugged away more like a motor scooter... whereas the Yamaha did a wheelie if you did that...
I had a Bultaco Frontera back in the day and would give my left kidney for one now. As a side note, Pursang (Pur Sang) means pure blood, in Catalan, the spoken dialect in Barcelona. A rather fitting name for it, being the first purpose built dirt bike. Their road bike, Tralla (pronounced tralya) is short for metralla, spanish for shrapnell. Dont quote me on this but i had been told once that due to steel shortages after the civil war, factories resorted to finding and using scrap metal for their foundries, and there was an abundance of this in shrapnell fragments left everywhere after years of conflict. If so a poignant but stoic testament to their will to resurge out of the ashes of war tiumphantly. Greetings from Mallorca!
I’m 80 years old. I had a 250cc Bultaco. Set up to be street legal, before the factory offered a street legal model. I think it was 1965. Might have been’66. Was quick!
I got a ticket for “No Horn”, when riding to June Mountain from Los Angeles. I called the judge because my court date was in the middle of a snow storm. He asked if I had gotten a horn, I had, he wished me Merry Christmas and dismissed the charges. The rider/racer who enabled me to get the 250cc early tried to “Cut Corners” and added some nitro methane laced 2 stroke oil to his fuel mix…his gas tank started leaking on the starting line @ Ascot. A weekly flat track race in the L.A. area. The nitro had dissolved the resin which held the fiberglass together.
I owned and raced Bultaco's. From Pursang's to an Alpina to a Sherpa T and I loved everyone of them. One thing I noticed watching this was how instantly recognizable these bikes were. Even the 50's-60's bikes. They not only did the job well, to me they had an appealing look. I also owned an Astro, far and away one of my most favorite bikes. I wish you would have included them. Senor Bulto you have a very special place in my heart.
When I was 15, which was 1969, I helped my Dad one summer work on his old wooden boat. He generously rewarded me with something a little out of character. That reward was a "65" 200cc Matador. This bike was a Type I, the first year of production of what became a renowned Enduro model. It was a four speed with a not always seen but original and desirable 21 inch wheel. Some say the 200cc's were homolgation specials for euro competition. There were gobs of open spaces which included a defunct railroad line here in Baltimore County. That striped out track bed became essentially a super highway for Duncan ,Jack and myself to go everywhere and trail ride. No drivers license needed. Dad taught me quite a lot about mechanical things, he was a ME. In the end I could tear that bike down and fix anything, although finances were sometimes short. I was a very skinny kid and would throw that bike around aggressively. Senior year of high school, a badly broken arm eventually encured Moms wrath and that bike got back shelved and replaced two years later with bar tending at the beach,surfing, girls, work career etc. The bike was always stored in the garage at my late parents home. Today 55 years later I still own it and I never seized it. Three years ago a comprehensive mechanical restoration by Hughs Bultaco and a magnificent restoration tank paint job by Brain at J&B Moto, in Pennsylvania. The bike is again in super condition and me and Duncan with his Type II Matador are loving the classic dirt bike scene . Most definitely a shout out to Steve our host at the three day October SMOG rally west of Albany, NY. So very good to tell this story.....loved Bart's video,well done
Thanks for the really great story. I had a couple of Yamaha Enduros in the 70s when I was a teenager. I have a big cruiser now but I sometimes wish I could get back into the dirt.... but now I have no access to any good land to ride on.
I was 15 years old ( now 67) when a local guy started a Bultaco and Ducati. dealership named Speed & Sport. It lasted around 5 years, then folded up. The Japanese Four were here too, and they were all bigger than Speed & Sport. We had the Metralla 250 street, the Pursang 250 dirt, and the Lobito Mk 4. A lifelong friend for 50 years had a Lobito Mk 4, and up to today, brags about the bike. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.
Couldn't agree more. An incredible motorcycle in every way. My favourite bike to this day. Was hoping it would make an appearance ! Great video all the same, well researched.
Montessa it was self suicide as they used crap soft steel in the transmissions etc ....the motors just self destructed and no would buy em no matter how beautiful they were! Bultacos were solid and so were Ossa a friend of mine had a totally trick Stilleto that he did very well on at local races near Los Angeles like Indian Dunes
Bultaco is a great name and the logo is not "weird" as you say, it's beautiful. I have six Bultacos, great machines. Jim Pomeroys' GP victory was significant because he was the first American to win a European Motocross. Jim Pomeroy was a great person, RIP.
I was in Spain in 1977 and I had a Bultaco 50cc, my Neighbor had the Bultaco 250 and his brother had a Montessa 50cc. We would ride in the hills of Spain and it is still a fond memory of my teens. My dad made me get rid of my bike but I had it for one summer in Madrid.
There was a short revival in 1999 with a new trials bike, which very shortly after became Sherco, which is very successful in trials today. Thanks for the video Bart, good to hear the story of old Bulto!
Thanks for making this video. Brings back memories. I rode a modified OSSA Moutaineer. Never met a hill I couldn't climb. My riding buddies had Bultaco Frontera, Bultaco Alpina, OSSA Phantom, OSSA SDR.Yamaha IT, Yamaha DT360. It was the best of times.
Fun side notes. Barry Sheene's father was the UK importer for Bultaco, so grew up going to Spain for holidays with the Bulto family. Sete Gibernau, the GP racer, was the grandson of the founder. Full name Manuel Gibernau Bulto.
When I raced back in the late 60s, Bultaco was highly competitive and very coveted. Out of all the Spanish bikes built, it seemed to be the more reliable one.
I remember being on the starting line at the local motocross, being the last guy off the line and my Bultaco got me first into turn 1. How would you not love a bike that can do that?
Should've mentioned the Astro flat track bikes. Hugely completive in their class. One my HS buddies raced a 250 in NorCal during the mid 70's and did quite well. Absolutely gorgeous machines!
As a child I would go back to Europe with my dad, first to Barcelona then Italia, I remember wondering around Barcelona and I came across Bultaco,they were works of art, I took my dad their the next day and he was amazed, when we got back to the states he got me a 74 pursang, I was a Bull freak till 1979, great motorcycles, thank you!!! Bultaco 👍 Cemoto
Wonderful look into the company that made one of my very favorite bikes ever: the 250 Pursang MkVIII of 1975. My bike was 205 lbs dry. Always miss that 1st Gen long-travel MX bike.
Rode the 250 motocross at Sturgis Week in 1972. Asked my brother who won after the first moto, he said the guy right next to us in the pits. Struck up a conversation, talked the rest of the day. What's your name, Jim from Yakima Washington. Just a regular guy, old van, no leathers, rode in work boots. Then a few months later see him cross the finish line, in the Spanish Gran Prix, crossed up with a "V " sign, was said Ignacio Bulto was crying at the finish. You were the best.
In the late 60s and 70s all the Spanish dirt bikes were just so beautiful! Works of art! Bultaco, Montessa, Ossa. I talked my dad into buying himself a 360 El Montadero which was basically a street legal enduro version of the Bandito 360 (I think?) was such an awesome motorcycle! A little porky but a blast as a fireroading bike!
I saw my first Pursang in 1966, ridden in the hills by a formidable young racer named Eddy Virasco, who won motocross and hill climbs all around our area at the time. Smooth Eddy and his red Pursang could fly, and those of us on our Greeves Challengers were amazed at the power and handling characteristics of the Bultaco. Unmentioned in this excellent video, however, were the Husqvarna motorcycles of Sweden, that soon dominated motocross and Enduro racing from 1970 onwards.
Good call on the mention of Husqvarna in those days, Robert. I rode my Matador to a friend's home where his dad had a Husky 250 and he let me take a brief blast on it. It's been 51 years now since that ride and I still can recall how effortless, responsive and powerful that Husky was compared to my comparatively agricultural beast. It felt like dancing with a ballerina. Even so, I miss the Bultaco greatly and wish it was still in the garage.
What I remember around 1970 was the CZs... they plonk plonked like barely revving, but seemed to win every race... The Trans AMA came here to N W Ohio back then with Joel Robert on CZ and John Banks on BSA vs our fastest local MXers... Those two guys were obviously of a class of their own... Robert won every race and never took his feet off the footpegs on any corner... and Banks was right behind him... and way ahead of any of us guys... of course, Suzuki then bought Robert away from CZ...
Back in the mid seventies, a friend of mine showed up at a local short track practice day with his father’s Sherpa S 200, at a time when I was riding an old Suzuki 250. I finally talked him into letting me ride it and after I rode it I thought that it was the finest running and handling bike I had ever ridden. They were just out of my price range. Great Video! Thanks for Sharing!!!
Thank you so much for making this. The production and narration is wonderful! I have fond memories of my Matador 250 SD that I had in the early 70’s. To quote you: Bultaco was “a small company that was truly passionate, and that’s making everything in house; a high level of craftsmanship with just a touch of pizzazz that you just can’t get from a company that’s mass-producing millions of motorcycles every year.” How true. Go Bultaco 👍
Great video , thank you!!! My dad bought me a new 75' Bultaco Pursang. It was still in the crate $899. It was was my first 250cc motocross bile as I moved up from the 125cc class. It was a great bike but I struggled with the left side kick start because I weighed about 120 lbs, lol. A few years later I got a Maico MX250. Why didn't I keep those machines??? Eventually I got a Japanese MX bike like everyone else. That was back in the day when you cold afford to race. Also being from Washington State we all idolized Jim Pomeroy...RIP, you were the man!
Bultaco's are probably my all time favorite motorcycle. My mom rode a Bultaco, with me sitting on the tank and holding on to the crossbar. Pomeroy is my all time hero, I was 12-14 yrs old when he was at his zenith. When I reached a point in adulthood that I could be finacially irresponsible, I found a beautiful Metralla on Ebay, bought it and then discovered that I didn't exacactly fit the 140 lb spanish dude demographic that the bike was designed for. Whatever, I loved that thing and it was a pain in the ass but a total hoot to ride. I think more than anything, Bultaco's are art pieces. They are beautiful, flowing, pieces of art. And I remember some interview, somewhere, when a national sales rep was reporiting to Bulto that there were many complaints about the fireglass bodywork breaking when riders crashed, he replied "Tell them to stop crashing and start winning". And the guy famously said when he died, "I want to be buried in a Bultaco T-Shirt and have my moustache properly waxed". Awesome.
Great production on Bultaco, thank you for your efforts on this historical Motorcycle Company. I'm 62, back in the early 70s a friend of mine bought the 250 Bultaco pursang, he was the fastest guy in our neighborhood, overnight. This is in 197 2 to 1973 when regular gas was $0.25 a gallon before Saudi Arabia became a bully on the world stage. Jim Pomeroy was a good Rider but when Marty Smith came on the Honda Elsinore that was history! The Glory Days of motocross! If my mind serves me right, Ama races were 45 minutes I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it was.
, Thank you for putting this together. As I thoroughly enjoyed it. In 1969 my father bought me a Bultaco Labito. it was 100 cc painted blue and black. I learned how to ride trails on that little bike. At the same time he had a 1966 matador Mark for 250 cc. It had a fiberglass red and black gas tank and polished aluminum fenders. Once I got old enough I started riding the matador and I have to tell you that to this day is still one of the best riding dirt bikes ever.
In 1974, I bought my friend's 1971 Bultaco Persang 250. What a beautiful bike! It had that gorgeous boat-tail rear fender and the unique flat-top front fender; it is one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made--and man, It was a screamer! I don't know what ever possessed me to sell that bike... If I had it all to do over again, it would still be in my garage right now! Thanks for this great video, Bart! You did good!
I remanufactured an Alpina model in 1973, and now a couple of years ago I stumbled in a 75 Alpina and am working on it now.. I grew up in the motorcycle business, (other brands) but always had a love affair with Bultaco. In 1979 I was in a hill climb competition on a Bultaco Frontera 370…. I was the first bike to go over the top. I was in shock how that machine still accelerated even 2/3 up the hill. Frankly, I just closed my eyes and hung on!
When I was young, I bought a brand new '78 Alpina. That was my first bike and I had the time of my life on that bike. It was exactly what I wanted, after years reading motorcycle magazines to make up my mind. Never regretted the purchase.
I had several Pursangs, three Alpina's, four Sherpa T's, a Sherpa S 125, a Lobito, and a few others. I rode MX from '69 to '74, and competed in Vintage Trials from around '88 thru '93. Later I built a BSA engined Trials bike in a Sherpa T frame (Guess I just wanted a four stroke??) Bultaco played a major role in my early years!! Wouldn't have missed that for the world!!!!
Really great to see the Bultaco story. I was totally unaware. My cousin bought a 1970 Pursang brand new. He had no experience and the bike was too much for him so he sold it to my dad who rode it a while and this sold it to my best friend. My friend eventually made it into a show bike which was unheard of at the time. I used to go with him to shows which he always won. He custom painted the red part black and have the silver parts gold leaf, On the cases where it says BULTACO, he inlaid turquoise. Every other spoke was gold plated. My memory is a bit fuzzy on this last point but he had diamonds set somewhere on the bike. Sounds crazy but the bike was beautiful. I had a few friends who had later models when they dominated the 250 class at Indian Dunes before the Honda Elsinore took over. I'm grateful to have experienced those fabulous times. Thanks for bringing up good memories.
My very first motorized vehicle driving experience was on a Bultaco Sherpa T that belonged to my friends older brother - 16 years old. It was right after he attended the Gary Bailey motocross school. It was on a dirt oval track and all I remember was his dad standing at a specific point on the curve and yelling to go full throttle. Power sliding out of any turn - to this day - is the most satisfying way for me to drive anything. Shortly after that I somehow bought an old beat up Lobito 100 I rode all the time until we moved and I got rid if it...
My best friend's neighbor had one in his garage. We spent most of our time playing with his ATC 185S and ATC 200X while he rode around on his ATC 250R, but the Bultaco sort of gained legendary status. I never got to ride it, but it was a cool bike.
As a teenager growing up in the 1970s Hawai'i, I recall all the great European motorcycle manufacturers Like Maico, Montessa, and Bultaco to name a few. These videos are a nice walk down memory lane. My friends and I would read thru stacks of motorcycle magazines, and dream of owning these iconic machines. We wound up riding mostly Yamahas which wasn't a bad thing. Thank you for your hard work, keep them coming.
In the late 60’s- early 70’s the Pursang, Sherpa S, Sherpa T, and the Montessa Cappra 250/360 dirt bike offerings were tops. Sammy Miller developed the Sherpa T trials bike in 1965. Out of the box it was the best machine out there. The Pursang was at its best in scrambles and flat track. The Matador was the best all around trail bike in 1967. The Sherpa S 125/175/200 ruled the respective classes. The Ossa Stiletto, like Bultaco and Montessa, was an over engineered machine. You showed a picture of a yellow Rickman lookalike, which was the first Bultaco Metisse. I had a 1966 model, fastest 250, period. By the mid 70’s Husky and the Japanese mfgs took over. By the way, the Bandido had a light switch power band. Hard to ride but fast. Senior Bulto was a fabulous businessman. Made the most with what he had. I tip my hat to him, and the Swedes.
I owned a 125cc Bultaco Enduro from about 1968 and into the early 1970s. It was a great little bike and road legal with lights. As my only vehicle I rode it everywhere, summer and winter (and I live in Canada), I even entered a few local enduro events with it. It was a pre-mix two stroke so I had to be careful to not run out of gas away from my pre-mix gasoline. One time I did run out of gas out on the road and after pushing it to a filling station I eyeball measured some 10W30 motor oil into the gas tank at the fill up (10W30 was the only oil they had). It started and ran fine on that with no ill effects. It was a very durable and reliable motorcycle but the brand seemed to disappear from the market shortly after that and I find that most people have never heard of Bultaco these days. Thanks for doing this video!
🛑🛑 I remember we had a local Bultaco Dealership in my home town in the 1970’s. We were in the bike shop all the time, drooling over those bikes. The dealership only lasted a few years, and it was gone. Great Video! Love the content. 😀👍
There's a story that Bulto did not leave Montessa on good terms, and felt betrayed when they left racing. The story was he took a copy of the engine-transmission plans with him, flipped them over, and that was the plans for first Bultaco engine! Thus the right-hand shift. It was also rumored that the gear box was originally designed to withstand 100 hp, even for the 125, and the gearbox design was never changed for any of the engines, at least until the five-speeds were built.
I rode a Bultaco MK 11 250 two stroke, exactly like the blue one at the end of your video in Cape Town in South Africa . Nobody could beat me on any enduro track . Awesome bikes. 👍
I rode and raced 250 Pursangs in the mid,to late 70s. I had a 75 and a 78 loved them both,great bikes for the period. I moved on to Suzuki and later Honda and Kawasaki but there will always be a special place in my heart for Bultaco.
Bultaco was founded the month I was born. I have two Sherpas. Both in need of restoration. Truly great bikes. Thank you for sharing this excellent documentary. Ride safe.
I'm very happy to say, I owned 2 different Buls in the sixties and 70s; a clapped-out Sherpa S I converted to a trials bike, necked down with a 17mm keihin carb, extended forks made with Caterpiller hydraulic unit springs, and a total weight of around 205 lbs. Even against Sherpa Ts, I never failed to place, though these weren't exactly national class events. The second was a Metralla, 250cc road bike, with an original fairing I found in the local dealer's junk pile and put it all back together; without a doubt the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden, and a 250 street bike that would actually pull an honest 100 mph. Pure delight, sold because I was afraid I would kill myself on it - it begged to be ridden fast.
I bought one of the first Bultaco Campera's. Me and my friends beat the hell out of it and it came back for more. I would ride it to work at Lockheed during the week and on weekends we went dirt bike riding. I think it was one of the first dual sport bikes. I now have a 1980 Honda 500 XL with a Wiseco 10.5/1 piston. We have clocked this bike, on dirt tires, on the street, at 105. I have never forgotten that bike and the fun I had with it. Great story. I never knew most of what you presented. Thanks.
I grew up with Bultacos, my father still owns 17 of them! You can have two identical year/make/models and they have totally different personalities, partly bc Bultaco used whatever parts they had laying around. Truly unique, thank you for the video!
Nicely done @bartmotorcycle! Even though I’ve been a fan of Bultacos since the early ‘70s, I did not know this history. As a huge MX enthusiast when the Japanese were taking over I longed for a KX, YZ, CR and especially a TM-RM. But I still remember when I first laid eyes on a friend’s new ‘74 Pursang 125. It was SO exotic - I was in love! I ended up with an RM125 and loved it, but if I could’ve scratched together enough $ I would’ve bought the Bultaco 360 Frontera enduro bike of my dreams. Thanks again!
Great Doco. Thanks for showing my little Tiron I restored showing it at around the 4 minute mark. After restoration I sold the Tiron at the start of 2023 to an elderly gent, who found out by forensic examinations, it was his first bike as a young 12 year old. It sits in his collection now.
Man this is a page out of my life. I was there for the birth of motocross in the USA. I threw a leg over a 250 Bultaco Pursang, an Ossa, a Husky looking for my first pure breed motocrosser. Maico was unobtainium back then. Well I ended up buying the venerable Honda CR250m Elsinore. It was cheaper, it was faster, it had a real dealership to back it up. With the others I had to go to a boutique dealer that had only two or three bikes on the floor. Needless to say a full factory Honda dealership was the clear winner. Never regretted my CR250 purchase, it put me on the podium from my first race on. 😎
Hate to g break your bubble, but that wasn't the beginning of motocross in the U.S. The Elsinore first appeared at the Daytona 200--in 1973, as a factory only racer.
I bought a brand new 175cc Bultaco Campera in 1969. It was a great bike! Simple, no battery, you had to pre-mix the fuel & oil. It had a wide suede leather strip down the center of the seat, comfortable. It actually had a reverse gear! Well, if you kept pressing the kill button (it had no ignition key) while it was idling, after a few presses, you could hear the sound of the motor change.... it was actually running backwards! You could put it in gear and off you would go backwards! I got an idea of mixing 50 weight Valvoline oil (2-stroke?), at a fuel/oil ratio of 50 to 1, and it worked fine, less smoke, cleaner spark plug. The front and rear mud guards were made of aluminum. Wish I still had it.
Great video, excellent detail. In my early forties, my wife surprised me with a Sherpa T 350. I loved that bike. Rode it for pleasure several years, but sold it due to a corporate move out of state. Wish that I had never sold it. One of the truly greatest off road machines ever produced.
I enjoyed this documentary so much,as I never knew the whole story.1970 a junior in H.S. So.California loved desert racing and purchased a 250 Pursang. I punished that awesome motorcycle so much ,many trophies,it was so beat up but never let me down !
Bought a 1968 Bultaco Matador in 1970. It was a good enduro bike, but a dog on the motocross track. Change a bunch of parts, redesign the frame slightly and and lighten the flywheel a bit and it was a good solid amateur motocross bike for 1971. Still love my Bultaco. I learned so much about handling, suspension and riding. Oh, I still sucked, but had a real good time. The thumbs up always meant "still having fun" to me. Thanks....
In Kansas, 1962, me and two friends bought our first Bultacos from Bultaco Western, our territories distributor. First one was the Sherpa "N", a 150cc with a high pipe, such a fun woods machine. I later got a 200cc Metralla and a 175cc Sherpa "S" which was competitive in performance with most 250cc machines at the time. Our attempt at a dealership disbanded and I moved to the East Coast where I persuaded the Honda dealer I worked for to take on Bultaco and we enjoyed success with them for several years. My fave woods bike became the 200cc Matador which gave me a victory in an enduro event causing several other participants to ride Bultaco machines also.
A delightful program. I had an Alpina that, with a few more teeth on the rear sprocket, was a wonderful trials bike. Back to stock gearing it kept up with other dirt bikes for the one day blast through the woods or sand along with everything else from Europe and Japan. Fun all around. The Bultaco I hoped you'd cover was the Metralla. I had two of those I modified for roadracing. Remembering a 5-hour endurance race that I/we could keep the pace on during a mid-race squall caused all the overhorsepowered bikes to slide out of the corners into the dirt and bend handlebars and footpegs. That Bul just hooked up or controlably drifted around the coarse for a third overall. I still have the Alpina... Buck n Willcox
Thank you for this video. I came super close to buying an alpina 350 but never did. A friend who I rode with however had a few different models alpina and frontiera. Brings back good memories. I also went to the races where Jim pomeroy raced. I thought he was awsome. 👍
@bartmotorcycle It would be good to do a follow-up video on Sherco, as they were raised from the ashes of Bultaco. They are a family owned company that still makes a Trials bike line up and a very competitive range of Enduro race bikes. Indeed the Sherco name is a nod to the BultaCO SHERpa. Worth a video 👍
In the mid-seventies, I was riding Maico and Suzuki motocrossers. One race day, I rode a friend's 250 Pursang, just for fun. The handling of that bike amazed me. I should have bought one, but my boss...the owner of a Suzuki/Kawasaki/Hodaka dealership put the clamps on that. I still love the old Bultacos.
I owned a NEW 1972 125cc. I raced it in early Arizona motocross. LOVED THAT BIKE. it wasn’t very fast or reliable. Switched to Elsinore 125. That bike started it all.
My frist Bultaco was a '68 Alpina 250 I got for $350 in 1973 and it was complete and reliable. Three more Alpina 350's followed until the last, a collector red 1976 with less than 500 original miles. Sold for $950 during a S,M.O.G. rally in 1989. I've owned 19 motorcycles and it was my favorite.
Bultaco Pursang, Montesa Cappra, and Ossa Stiletto are still some of the most beautiful motocross bikes ever made.
I had a 250 Pursang engine in a Metice? frame and a 360 El Bandito.
Montessa "Crappra" But yes some totally beautiful works of rolling art all the spanish Bikes It is a shame they are all gone ,,,,seems like someone would ressurect at least the NAMES of these bikes! Pursang and Stilletto in particular! Would both be AWESOME names for Sport Bikes!
@@chib9427 so did i
Jim polmroy
Overrode & revved my 1970’s Bultaco 125. Threw the “timing chain” entirely through the engine casings. Loved how it handled. Heavy and slow, but I loved it.
When I was 11 or 12 years old, I acquired an old Bultaco dirtbike. It was in pieces. My mother was concerned, my dad said “don’t worry, he’ll never get it running.” Imagine their surprise after a few days when they heard it start up! I had to get on it with a milk crate. I would jump off of it just before I stopped because my legs wouldn’t touch the ground! Good times!
It wasn't a Bultaco but it was a bike !!!!
Great story! lol
Same here😂
What a neat memory to have 👍🏻 Too small to touch the ground but you must’ve been a pretty good wrench to get that Spanish bike going. If I was your dad, I would’ve been saying for a kid I’ve raised.👍🏻😂🤠
Mon's are always surprised. I converted my Harley Davidson Rapido, a 125 CC 2 stroke "Scrambler" for motocross. it had a 19" front wheel and a chopped together exhaust pipe and I wanted to go racing. My mom was very against it but my dad said don't worry, he's going to get beat really bad and won't want to do it again. Well I walked into the store where my mom worked carrying my trophy and she took one look and buried her face in her hands on the counter. She knew I was going racing, again, real soon!
Neither the logo nor the name are goofy....before I knew anything about motorcycles, I heard the name, saw the logo and was completely in awe. Best name ever.
damned straight!
Sadly, this 'lad' seems to have an "Ameri-centric" view of the world, and seems to have demeaning comments like this about everything..,too bad, because the videos are otherwise great!
I raced an M120 250cc Pursang (Pomerory replica) at Saddleback Park, Escape Country, Carlsbad and more from 1974 to 1977. The torque on that bike was insane. I got the holeshot MANY times and won a lot of trophies. I eventually met Jim Pomeroy in the early 2000's and even loaned him my restored M120 when he came down from Yakima WA which is where he lived until he died (8/6/2006). He raced my bike at the "Tribute to the Spanish Motorcycle" at sears point in 2002. I dearly loved my M120... and still do. God Bless you Jim Pomeroy, we miss you too.
Fantastic 👍
I was 14 my dad and i went and looked at a Bultaco 1974 360. He test rode it and came back and said it was too fast for me. I never got to ride it 😢 . He then bought me a 1973 Husqvarna CR250 instead. My brother had a 1973 CR 125 with a 175 top end. In 1977 my brother and I both got a Suzuki RM250 from the Suzuki school of motocross, used. I was a RM Suzuki fan the rest of my riding and racing career. Having 8 different year models until 2000, Switched to KTMs for off-road trail/ Desert racing. Then had a few RMZ45Os last one being a 2014. Owned and sold over 100 different motorcycles,you name and i had one. But ALWAYS REGRETTED NOT GETTING THAT 1974 BULTACO 360. Im now 63 and still want one. I'm jus say'n, Flodaddy.
Still can’t believe no one’s tried to revive Bultaco. Especially in light of Royal Enfield and Triumphs success in classic revivalism. Especially in a burgeoning enduro/scrambler market.
Actually they tried just a few years ago, making electric motorcycles. I think they didn’t got much success. I have not heard from them in a while.
I am pretty sure the "co" in Sherco is from Bultaco
Bultaco......it would be nice as a retro......but 1 ) it's too small 2 ) it's 2 stroke...You cannot get the price if it's small & 2 stroke is against the mission drift...
And the worst part of the brand is literally the brand name. No one wants to buy a motorcycle called a Bull Taco
@@adadadatt a taco with horns is arguably a cooler an even cooler emblem than a flying thumbs up
Grew up in Mexico riding a puch 250. Always went to the races and saw the new 125 bultacos five of them and saw them win first thru fifth. They all won by half a lap plus. Everyone had to have one. Several years later and high school and university behind me, living in Connecticut USA got my first pursing.rode dirt for several years. Most of my friends rode Spanish bikes such as OSsa’s and Montesa. Bought a suzuki dealership, Allentown suzuki, in Allentown pa and got into motocross during the decoster era and took on Maico. Became the largest Maico dealer east of the Mississip and raced for ten years. Also sold the Montesa 250 VR verkonen replica.great bikes. Still have my Maico 1979, which my younger friend riding finished third t Unadilla against modern bikes. Still miss my bultaco.
When I read of Pennsylvania Suzuki dealerships I can't help but think of Tony D. In the early 70's as a little kid riding bikes like the Z50 and the XR75, I actually found the look of those early Maico's with their coffin-style tanks rather intimidating, lol. By the late 70's their bikes still looked pretty menacing but in a different way. I think Gaylon Mosier was riding for Maico around that time
I started racing in 68, scrambles then motocross. Have been restoring mx bikes from back in the day. Have a 72 Bultaco Pursang 125 I’m thinking of selling, it’s fully restored, very few in finer condition exist.
That Puch 250 was not by any chance a split single,was it? Always been kinda fascinated by them !!
@@WilliamLithgowGuitars you call it a split single, it was in reality two pistons on one connecting rod hinged just above the big end bearing, both pistons shared a common combustion chamber. It had oil injection, one carb on the side of the cylinder, if an s model two carbs, one on each side. Super reliable and fast. Would love to have one. Live in South Africa now and have never seen one here, in any condition. Thanks for the cone back, cheers from South Africa. Still riding daily, thanks to our beautiful climate. Pepe limantour
Wow!!
In 1975 I bought a new Bultaco Alpina 250 at the age of 17 with the money I worked for during the summer during that summer. In my eyes it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I would love to find one again.
I also bought a brand new Bultaco 250 Alpina, Green one, it was very dependable entered many Trials events in So. Cal. then later in Oregon. I made the mistake of selling it in Texas about 1990 it was still running Great! I miss that bike.
I think the "thumbs up" logo is spot on. Quality motorcycle for its time.
I had a friend in high school who had a Bultaco street bike. I owned a BSA 650 at the time and my friend asked me if I wanted to take his Bultaco for a ride. That ride was one of the best memories of my motorcycle riding years. Not only was his bike absolutely beautiful but I had never ridden a bike that handled that well! This little Bultaco was just plain magic!
In 1970 my Army buddy had Sportster and I the newly out Yamaha 360. He wanted to swap and test ride, I opened the big Sportster up in first gear expecting a huge rush of power, but it just chugged away more like a motor scooter... whereas the Yamaha did a wheelie if you did that...
I had a Bultaco Frontera back in the day and would give my left kidney for one now. As a side note, Pursang (Pur Sang) means pure blood, in Catalan, the spoken dialect in Barcelona. A rather fitting name for it, being the first purpose built dirt bike. Their road bike, Tralla (pronounced tralya) is short for metralla, spanish for shrapnell. Dont quote me on this but i had been told once that due to steel shortages after the civil war, factories resorted to finding and using scrap metal for their foundries, and there was an abundance of this in shrapnell fragments left everywhere after years of conflict. If so a poignant but stoic testament to their will to resurge out of the ashes of war tiumphantly.
Greetings from Mallorca!
LOL a bike named after "shrapnel" is anything but confidence inspiring! lol ....makes me think the motor is akin to a hand grenade!
Always wondered what Pur Sang meant, Thanks!
I’m 80 years old. I had a 250cc Bultaco. Set up to be street legal, before the factory offered a street legal model. I think it was 1965. Might have been’66. Was quick!
I got a ticket for “No Horn”, when riding to June Mountain from Los Angeles. I called the judge because my court date was in the middle of a snow storm. He asked if I had gotten a horn, I had, he wished me Merry Christmas and dismissed the charges.
The rider/racer who enabled me to get the 250cc early tried to “Cut Corners” and added some nitro methane laced 2 stroke oil to his fuel mix…his gas tank started leaking on the starting line @ Ascot. A weekly flat track race in the L.A. area. The nitro had dissolved the resin which held the fiberglass together.
I owned and raced Bultaco's. From Pursang's to an Alpina to a Sherpa T and I loved everyone of them. One thing I noticed watching this was how instantly recognizable these bikes were. Even the 50's-60's bikes. They not only did the job well, to me they had an appealing look. I also owned an Astro, far and away one of my most favorite bikes. I wish you would have included them. Senor Bulto you have a very special place in my heart.
When I was 15, which was 1969, I helped my Dad one summer work on his old wooden boat. He generously rewarded me with something a little out of character. That reward was a "65" 200cc Matador. This bike was a Type I, the first year of production of what became a renowned Enduro model. It was a four speed with a not always seen but original and desirable 21 inch wheel. Some say the 200cc's were homolgation specials for euro competition. There were gobs of open spaces which included a defunct railroad line here in Baltimore County. That striped out track bed became essentially a super highway for Duncan ,Jack and myself to go everywhere and trail ride. No drivers license needed. Dad taught me quite a lot about mechanical things, he was a ME. In the end I could tear that bike down and fix anything, although finances were sometimes short. I was a very skinny kid and would throw that bike around aggressively. Senior year of high school, a badly broken arm eventually encured Moms wrath and that bike got back shelved and replaced two years later with bar tending at the beach,surfing, girls, work career etc. The bike was always stored in the garage at my late parents home. Today 55 years later I still own it and I never seized it. Three years ago a comprehensive mechanical restoration by Hughs Bultaco and a magnificent restoration tank paint job by Brain at J&B Moto, in Pennsylvania. The bike is again in super condition and me and Duncan with his Type II Matador are loving the classic dirt bike scene . Most definitely a shout out to Steve our host at the three day October SMOG rally west of Albany, NY. So very good to tell this story.....loved Bart's video,well done
Thanks for the really great story. I had a couple of Yamaha Enduros in the 70s when I was a teenager. I have a big cruiser now but I sometimes wish I could get back into the dirt.... but now I have no access to any good land to ride on.
❤❤EXCELLENT JOB.
VERY EDUCATIONAL.
ENJOYED THIS ONE ❤❤❤
Such the story with a great ending , which really is a new beginning for that legendary bike. Well done and Congrats to bringing her back to life.
I was 15 years old ( now 67) when a local guy started a Bultaco and Ducati. dealership named Speed & Sport. It lasted around 5 years, then folded up. The Japanese Four were here too, and they were all bigger than Speed & Sport.
We had the Metralla 250 street, the Pursang 250 dirt, and the Lobito Mk 4. A lifelong friend for 50 years had a Lobito Mk 4, and up to today, brags about the bike.
Trinidad & Tobago.
West Indies.
No mention of the excellent Bultaco 250 Metralla road bike sadly. A bike that punched way above its weight and certainly worth a comment.
Couldn't agree more. An incredible motorcycle in every way. My favourite bike to this day. Was hoping it would make an appearance ! Great video all the same, well researched.
My brother still has his metralla!
I rode a 1967 Bultaco Matador, handed down from my father. He later imported 2 Banditos one for me and one for himself.
Yesss!!! Dream bikes for every Spanish rider, Bultaco, Montesa, Ossa, so sad they died unable to compete with more modern and cheaper Japanese bikes
Agree. I remember wondering why Bultacos weren't more popular in the US seeing how they dominated scrambles competitions here.
Montessa it was self suicide as they used crap soft steel in the transmissions etc ....the motors just self destructed and no would buy em no matter how beautiful they were! Bultacos were solid and so were Ossa a friend of mine had a totally trick Stilleto that he did very well on at local races near Los Angeles like Indian Dunes
They got killed off when Cycle magazine started publishing dyno runs around 1970 and everyone saw the engines were a little weak to compete...
The Astro is still one of the sexiest motorcycles ever made
How bout the 360 el bandito, check it out.
Great to see americans appreciate the sheer beauty and quality of one of our most beloved bike company ever. Thanks from a spaniard, man.
Bultaco is a great name and the logo is not "weird" as you say, it's beautiful. I have six Bultacos, great machines. Jim Pomeroys' GP victory was significant because he was the first American to win a European Motocross. Jim Pomeroy was a great person, RIP.
In ‘68 I got my first ‘new’ bike , a 100cc Lobito. Changed my life forever.
I was in Spain in 1977 and I had a Bultaco 50cc, my Neighbor had the Bultaco 250 and his brother had a Montessa 50cc. We would ride in the hills of Spain and it is still a fond memory of my teens. My dad made me get rid of my bike but I had it for one summer in Madrid.
Bultaco Chispa 50cc 😊
I helped my dad rebuild a Bultaco 2stroke when i was 6. Loved that bike, shame he sold it.
There was a short revival in 1999 with a new trials bike, which very shortly after became Sherco, which is very successful in trials today. Thanks for the video Bart, good to hear the story of old Bulto!
ridden by Grimbo Jarvis during his trials days
Thanks for making this video. Brings back memories. I rode a modified OSSA Moutaineer. Never met a hill I couldn't climb. My riding buddies had Bultaco Frontera, Bultaco Alpina, OSSA Phantom, OSSA SDR.Yamaha IT, Yamaha DT360. It was the best of times.
The Bultaco Metralla was a very fine bike to drive.
That enclosed rear chain was pretty tricky too!
Fun side notes.
Barry Sheene's father was the UK importer for Bultaco, so grew up going to Spain for holidays with the Bulto family.
Sete Gibernau, the GP racer, was the grandson of the founder. Full name Manuel Gibernau Bulto.
Hola, soy de Alicante (Spain) lo que menciona es un buen dato. Y si, Francisco "Paco" Bultó era su abuelo. Gracias.✌️✌️
interesting thanks
When I raced back in the late 60s, Bultaco was highly competitive and very coveted. Out of all the Spanish bikes built, it seemed to be the more reliable one.
I remember being on the starting line at the local motocross, being the last guy off the line and my Bultaco got me first into turn 1. How would you not love a bike that can do that?
Should've mentioned the Astro flat track bikes. Hugely completive in their class. One my HS buddies raced a 250 in NorCal during the mid 70's and did quite well. Absolutely gorgeous machines!
As a child I would go back to Europe with my dad, first to Barcelona then Italia, I remember wondering around Barcelona and I came across Bultaco,they were works of art, I took my dad their the next day and he was amazed, when we got back to the states he got me a 74 pursang, I was a Bull freak till 1979, great motorcycles, thank you!!! Bultaco 👍 Cemoto
Was the Bultaco retailer named 'Bultaco Diagonal'? It was indeed beautiful. In 1971 I bought my Metralla Mk2 there (and took delivery at the factory).
@@russbellew6378 i really don’t remember, just a lot of bultacos
At 11 years old I was on my Uncle John's 250 Alpina have had several through the years and still own a 73 Sherpa T. Love Bultaco 👍
Wonderful look into the company that made one of my very favorite bikes ever: the 250 Pursang MkVIII of 1975. My bike was 205 lbs dry. Always miss that 1st Gen long-travel MX bike.
Rode the 250 motocross at Sturgis Week in 1972. Asked my brother who won after the first moto, he said the guy right next to us in the pits. Struck up a conversation, talked the rest of the day. What's your name, Jim from Yakima Washington. Just a regular guy, old van, no leathers, rode in work boots. Then a few months later see him cross the finish line, in the Spanish Gran Prix, crossed up with a "V " sign, was said Ignacio Bulto was crying at the finish. You were the best.
In the late 60s and 70s all the Spanish dirt bikes were just so beautiful! Works of art! Bultaco, Montessa, Ossa. I talked my dad into buying himself a 360 El Montadero which was basically a street legal enduro version of the Bandito 360 (I think?) was such an awesome motorcycle! A little porky but a blast as a fireroading bike!
I saw my first Pursang in 1966, ridden in the hills by a formidable young racer named Eddy Virasco, who won motocross and hill climbs all around our area at the time. Smooth Eddy and his red Pursang could fly, and those of us on our Greeves Challengers were amazed at the power and handling characteristics of the Bultaco. Unmentioned in this excellent video, however, were the Husqvarna motorcycles of Sweden, that soon dominated motocross and Enduro racing from 1970 onwards.
Good call on the mention of Husqvarna in those days, Robert. I rode my Matador to a friend's home where his dad had a Husky 250 and he let me take a brief blast on it. It's been 51 years now since that ride and I still can recall how effortless, responsive and powerful that Husky was compared to my comparatively agricultural beast. It felt like dancing with a ballerina. Even so, I miss the Bultaco greatly and wish it was still in the garage.
What I remember around 1970 was the CZs... they plonk plonked like barely revving, but seemed to win every race... The Trans AMA came here to N W Ohio back then with Joel Robert on CZ and John Banks on BSA vs our fastest local MXers... Those two guys were obviously of a class of their own... Robert won every race and never took his feet off the footpegs on any corner... and Banks was right behind him... and way ahead of any of us guys... of course, Suzuki then bought Robert away from CZ...
Yes, CZ's high revs screamed. I don't remember Banks, but certainly Joel Robert.@@BuzzLOLOL
@@robertodebeers2551 - Banks was #2 in the world... not easy on a heavier 4 stroke bike at the time...
Back in the mid seventies, a friend of mine showed up at a local short track practice day with his father’s Sherpa S 200, at a time when I was riding an old Suzuki 250. I finally talked him into letting me ride it and after I rode it I thought that it was the finest running and handling bike I had ever ridden. They were just out of my price range. Great Video! Thanks for Sharing!!!
That 200 was a beautiful, great handling flat tracker!
This channel is so informative..... gives more knowledge about motorcycles, even some unknown brands....❤❤❤
Yes. They are well researched, aren't they? Very well done.
@@maneki9neko ❤️
Thank you so much for making this. The production and narration is wonderful! I have fond memories of my Matador 250 SD that I had in the early 70’s. To quote you: Bultaco was “a small company that was truly passionate, and that’s making everything in house; a high level of craftsmanship with just a touch of pizzazz that you just can’t get from a company that’s mass-producing millions of motorcycles every year.”
How true. Go Bultaco 👍
Bultaco (& OSSA), my favorite marques!
The 60's & 70's were my formative years.
Great video , thank you!!! My dad bought me a new 75' Bultaco Pursang. It was still in the crate $899. It was was my first 250cc motocross bile as I moved up from the 125cc class. It was a great bike but I struggled with the left side kick start because I weighed about 120 lbs, lol. A few years later I got a Maico MX250. Why didn't I keep those machines??? Eventually I got a Japanese MX bike like everyone else. That was back in the day when you cold afford to race. Also being from Washington State we all idolized Jim Pomeroy...RIP, you were the man!
Bultaco's are probably my all time favorite motorcycle. My mom rode a Bultaco, with me sitting on the tank and holding on to the crossbar. Pomeroy is my all time hero, I was 12-14 yrs old when he was at his zenith. When I reached a point in adulthood that I could be finacially irresponsible, I found a beautiful Metralla on Ebay, bought it and then discovered that I didn't exacactly fit the 140 lb spanish dude demographic that the bike was designed for. Whatever, I loved that thing and it was a pain in the ass but a total hoot to ride. I think more than anything, Bultaco's are art pieces. They are beautiful, flowing, pieces of art. And I remember some interview, somewhere, when a national sales rep was reporiting to Bulto that there were many complaints about the fireglass bodywork breaking when riders crashed, he replied "Tell them to stop crashing and start winning". And the guy famously said when he died, "I want to be buried in a Bultaco T-Shirt and have my moustache properly waxed". Awesome.
Loved my Bultacos - sold the last several this year, 2023.
Great production on Bultaco, thank you for your efforts on this historical Motorcycle Company.
I'm 62, back in the early 70s a friend of mine bought the 250 Bultaco pursang, he was the fastest guy in our neighborhood, overnight. This is in 197 2 to 1973 when regular gas was $0.25 a gallon before Saudi Arabia became a bully on the world stage. Jim Pomeroy was a good Rider but when Marty Smith came on the Honda Elsinore that was history! The Glory Days of motocross! If my mind serves me right, Ama races were 45 minutes I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it was.
, Thank you for putting this together. As I thoroughly enjoyed it. In 1969 my father bought me a Bultaco Labito. it was 100 cc painted blue and black. I learned how to ride trails on that little bike. At the same time he had a 1966 matador Mark for 250 cc. It had a fiberglass red and black gas tank and polished aluminum fenders. Once I got old enough I started riding the matador and I have to tell you that to this day is still one of the best riding dirt bikes ever.
In 1974, I bought my friend's 1971 Bultaco Persang 250. What a beautiful bike! It had that gorgeous boat-tail rear fender and the unique flat-top front fender; it is one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made--and man, It was a screamer! I don't know what ever possessed me to sell that bike... If I had it all to do over again, it would still be in my garage right now!
Thanks for this great video, Bart! You did good!
Me too ! 👍💔😩
I remanufactured an Alpina model in 1973, and now a couple of years ago I stumbled in a 75 Alpina and am working on it now.. I grew up in the motorcycle business, (other brands) but always had a love affair with Bultaco. In 1979 I was in a hill climb competition on a Bultaco Frontera 370…. I was the first bike to go over the top. I was in shock how that machine still accelerated even 2/3 up the hill. Frankly, I just closed my eyes and hung on!
When I was young, I bought a brand new '78 Alpina. That was my first bike and I had the time of my life on that bike. It was exactly what I wanted, after years reading motorcycle magazines to make up my mind. Never regretted the purchase.
I had several Pursangs, three Alpina's, four Sherpa T's, a Sherpa S 125, a Lobito, and a few others. I rode MX from '69 to '74, and competed in Vintage Trials from around '88 thru '93. Later I built a BSA engined Trials bike in a Sherpa T frame (Guess I just wanted a four stroke??)
Bultaco played a major role in my early years!! Wouldn't have missed that for the world!!!!
Really great to see the Bultaco story. I was totally unaware. My cousin bought a 1970 Pursang brand new. He had no experience and the bike was too much for him so he sold it to my dad who rode it a while and this sold it to my best friend.
My friend eventually made it into a show bike which was unheard of at the time. I used to go with him to shows which he always won. He custom painted the red part black and have the silver parts gold leaf,
On the cases where it says BULTACO, he inlaid turquoise. Every other spoke was gold plated. My memory is a bit fuzzy on this last point but he had diamonds set somewhere on the bike. Sounds crazy but the bike was beautiful.
I had a few friends who had later models when they dominated the 250 class at Indian Dunes before the Honda Elsinore took over. I'm grateful to have experienced those fabulous times. Thanks for bringing up good memories.
My very first motorized vehicle driving experience was on a Bultaco Sherpa T that belonged to my friends older brother - 16 years old. It was right after he attended the Gary Bailey motocross school. It was on a dirt oval track and all I remember was his dad standing at a specific point on the curve and yelling to go full throttle. Power sliding out of any turn - to this day - is the most satisfying way for me to drive anything. Shortly after that I somehow bought an old beat up Lobito 100 I rode all the time until we moved and I got rid if it...
My best friend's neighbor had one in his garage. We spent most of our time playing with his ATC 185S and ATC 200X while he rode around on his ATC 250R, but the Bultaco sort of gained legendary status. I never got to ride it, but it was a cool bike.
We had a 1970 250 pursang..street legal..fast bike till crankshaft bearings failed..
I was very fortunate to get my first dirt bike as a Bultaco Pursang 125. It really trained me and I will never forget the sheer joy of that machine.
As a teenager growing up in the 1970s Hawai'i, I recall all the great European motorcycle manufacturers Like Maico, Montessa, and Bultaco to name a few. These videos are a nice walk down memory lane. My friends and I would read thru stacks of motorcycle magazines, and dream of owning these iconic machines. We wound up riding mostly Yamahas which wasn't a bad thing. Thank you for your hard work, keep them coming.
In the late 60’s- early 70’s the Pursang, Sherpa S, Sherpa T, and the Montessa Cappra 250/360 dirt bike offerings were tops. Sammy Miller developed the Sherpa T trials bike in 1965. Out of the box it was the best machine out there. The Pursang was at its best in scrambles and flat track. The Matador was the best all around trail bike in 1967. The Sherpa S 125/175/200 ruled the respective classes. The Ossa Stiletto, like Bultaco and Montessa, was an over engineered machine. You showed a picture of a yellow Rickman lookalike, which was the first Bultaco Metisse. I had a 1966 model, fastest 250, period. By the mid 70’s Husky and the Japanese mfgs took over. By the way, the Bandido had a light switch power band. Hard to ride but fast. Senior Bulto was a fabulous businessman. Made the most with what he had. I tip my hat to him, and the Swedes.
I owned a 125cc Bultaco Enduro from about 1968 and into the early 1970s. It was a great little bike and road legal with lights. As my only vehicle I rode it everywhere, summer and winter (and I live in Canada), I even entered a few local enduro events with it. It was a pre-mix two stroke so I had to be careful to not run out of gas away from my pre-mix gasoline. One time I did run out of gas out on the road and after pushing it to a filling station I eyeball measured some 10W30 motor oil into the gas tank at the fill up (10W30 was the only oil they had). It started and ran fine on that with no ill effects. It was a very durable and reliable motorcycle but the brand seemed to disappear from the market shortly after that and I find that most people have never heard of Bultaco these days. Thanks for doing this video!
🛑🛑 I remember we had a local Bultaco Dealership in my home town in the 1970’s.
We were in the bike shop all the time, drooling over those bikes.
The dealership only lasted a few years, and it was gone.
Great Video!
Love the content. 😀👍
Thank you. Brings back many good memories of my Matador Mk3.
There's a story that Bulto did not leave Montessa on good terms, and felt betrayed when they left racing. The story was he took a copy of the engine-transmission plans with him, flipped them over, and that was the plans for first Bultaco engine! Thus the right-hand shift. It was also rumored that the gear box was originally designed to withstand 100 hp, even for the 125, and the gearbox design was never changed for any of the engines, at least until the five-speeds were built.
Great video. I had a 71 Alpina 175 first motorcycle then 1976 Pursang 370. Wish I never sold either one. Great memories.
I didn't know I needed these kind of motorcycle documentaries until I found your channel. Another damn good video. Thanks man!
That's awesome!
I rode a Bultaco MK 11 250 two stroke, exactly like the blue one at the end of your video in Cape Town in South Africa . Nobody could beat me on any enduro track . Awesome bikes. 👍
I rode and raced 250 Pursangs in the mid,to late 70s. I had a 75 and a 78 loved them both,great bikes for the period. I moved on to Suzuki and later Honda and Kawasaki but there will always be a special place in my heart for Bultaco.
Francesc Paco Bultó was Sete Gibernau's grandfather.
My first motorcycle was a Bultaco Lobito 175.
Bultaco was founded the month I was born. I have two Sherpas. Both in need of restoration. Truly great bikes. Thank you for sharing this excellent documentary.
Ride safe.
I'm very happy to say, I owned 2 different Buls in the sixties and 70s; a clapped-out Sherpa S I converted to a trials bike, necked down with a 17mm keihin carb, extended forks made with Caterpiller hydraulic unit springs, and a total weight of around 205 lbs. Even against Sherpa Ts, I never failed to place, though these weren't exactly national class events.
The second was a Metralla, 250cc road bike, with an original fairing I found in the local dealer's junk pile and put it all back together; without a doubt the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden, and a 250 street bike that would actually pull an honest 100 mph. Pure delight, sold because I was afraid I would kill myself on it - it begged to be ridden fast.
One of The Best Motorcycles I Ever Owned!!!....Bultaco Alpina 250...
I'm 68. My cousin and a friend of the family had the 250 motocross. I was a sucker for the Yamaha. Great video. Thank you so much.
I bought one of the first Bultaco Campera's. Me and my friends beat the hell out of it and it came back for more. I would ride it to work at Lockheed during the week and on weekends we went dirt bike riding. I think it was one of the first dual sport bikes. I now have a 1980 Honda 500 XL with a Wiseco 10.5/1 piston. We have clocked this bike, on dirt tires, on the street, at 105. I have never forgotten that bike and the fun I had with it.
Great story. I never knew most of what you presented. Thanks.
I grew up with Bultacos, my father still owns 17 of them! You can have two identical year/make/models and they have totally different personalities, partly bc Bultaco used whatever parts they had laying around. Truly unique, thank you for the video!
Had 2 Pursangs, both 60's. Great handling (for then), and light. Feet up slides!! They were the stuff... Great Video!
Yes, feet up power slides, easy!
Nicely done @bartmotorcycle!
Even though I’ve been a fan of Bultacos since the early ‘70s, I did not know this history. As a huge MX enthusiast when the Japanese were taking over I longed for a KX, YZ, CR and especially a TM-RM. But I still remember when I first laid eyes on a friend’s new ‘74 Pursang 125. It was SO exotic - I was in love! I ended up with an RM125 and loved it, but if I could’ve scratched together enough $ I would’ve bought the Bultaco 360 Frontera enduro bike of my dreams.
Thanks again!
I currently have three Bultacos; 175 Campera, 250 Matador, 350 Alpena. I love 'em.
Great Doco. Thanks for showing my little Tiron I restored showing it at around the 4 minute mark. After restoration I sold the Tiron at the start of 2023 to an elderly gent, who found out by forensic examinations, it was his first bike as a young 12 year old. It sits in his collection now.
Beautiful bike! Nice work
Man this is a page out of my life. I was there for the birth of motocross in the USA. I threw a leg over a 250 Bultaco Pursang, an Ossa, a Husky looking for my first pure breed motocrosser. Maico was unobtainium back then. Well I ended up buying the venerable Honda CR250m Elsinore. It was cheaper, it was faster, it had a real dealership to back it up. With the others I had to go to a boutique dealer that had only two or three bikes on the floor. Needless to say a full factory Honda dealership was the clear winner. Never regretted my CR250 purchase, it put me on the podium from my first race on. 😎
😀😃
Hate to g
break your bubble, but that wasn't the beginning of motocross in the U.S. The Elsinore first appeared at the Daytona 200--in 1973, as a factory only racer.
Damn that's a good looking dirt bike! I was around when those were new. Miss those days.
I bought a brand new 175cc Bultaco Campera in 1969. It was a great bike! Simple, no battery, you had to pre-mix the fuel & oil. It had a wide suede leather strip down the center of the seat, comfortable. It actually had a reverse gear! Well, if you kept pressing the kill button (it had no ignition key) while it was idling, after a few presses, you could hear the sound of the motor change.... it was actually running backwards! You could put it in gear and off you would go backwards! I got an idea of mixing 50 weight Valvoline oil (2-stroke?), at a fuel/oil ratio of 50 to 1, and it worked fine, less smoke, cleaner spark plug. The front and rear mud guards were made of aluminum. Wish I still had it.
I have fond memories of my 250 Pursang flat tracker with a beautiful flame paint job saying "Bul", such a great handling bike and screaming engine!
I’d love to see Bultaco make a comeback
Making what?
@@CathodeRayNipplez Dirtbikes obviously
@@Mach5Johnny Well hate to burst your bubble but go and google the current reborn Bultaco prototypes The Rapitan and Rapitan Sport.
@@CathodeRayNipplez eww its electric
Great video, excellent detail. In my early forties, my wife surprised me with a Sherpa T 350. I loved that bike. Rode it for pleasure several years, but sold it due to a corporate move out of state. Wish that I had never sold it. One of the truly greatest off road machines ever produced.
My first dirt bike, I was 15yrs old 1968, 250 Alpina Madador, was retired race bike hand me down. Still love it all these years later..
I enjoyed this documentary so much,as I never knew the whole story.1970 a junior in H.S. So.California loved desert racing and purchased a 250 Pursang. I punished that awesome motorcycle so much ,many trophies,it was so beat up but never let me down !
Bought a 1968 Bultaco Matador in 1970. It was a good enduro bike, but a dog on the motocross track. Change a bunch of parts, redesign the frame slightly and and lighten the flywheel a bit and it was a good solid amateur motocross bike for 1971. Still love my Bultaco. I learned so much about handling, suspension and riding. Oh, I still sucked, but had a real good time. The thumbs up always meant "still having fun" to me. Thanks....
Bultaco is kick ass. For me the older the better. I want one and don't know why. I always did like them.
In Kansas, 1962, me and two friends bought our first Bultacos from Bultaco Western, our territories distributor. First one was the Sherpa "N", a 150cc with a high pipe, such a fun woods machine. I later got a 200cc Metralla and a 175cc Sherpa "S" which was competitive in performance with most 250cc machines at the time. Our attempt at a dealership disbanded and I moved to the East Coast where I persuaded the Honda dealer I worked for to take on Bultaco and we enjoyed success with them for several years. My fave woods bike became the 200cc Matador which gave me a victory in an enduro event causing several other participants to ride Bultaco machines also.
I raced Bultaco in the 60’s. Great bikes! 3 1/2 inches of travel in the rear and a whopping 6 inches in the front. A 125cc and a 250cc Pursang.
A delightful program. I had an Alpina that, with a few more teeth on the rear sprocket, was a wonderful trials bike. Back to stock gearing it kept up with other dirt bikes for the one day blast through the woods or sand along with everything else from Europe and Japan. Fun all around. The Bultaco I hoped you'd cover was the Metralla. I had two of those I modified for roadracing. Remembering a 5-hour endurance race that I/we could keep the pace on during a mid-race squall caused all the overhorsepowered bikes to slide out of the corners into the dirt and bend handlebars and footpegs. That Bul just hooked up or controlably drifted around the coarse for a third overall.
I still have the Alpina...
Buck n Willcox
Thanks Bart from all us Bultaco fans
My dad used to race dirt bikes in the 70-80s bultaco was his favorite.
Thank you for this video. I came super close to buying an alpina 350 but never did. A friend who I rode with however had a few different models alpina and frontiera. Brings back good memories. I also went to the races where Jim pomeroy raced. I thought he was awsome. 👍
Excellent video. Great background on the Bultaco line. The Spanish made some tremendous motorcycles.
Back in 1974, I had a Bultaco Lobito 100.
It was stripped down for MX, but originally had a headlight, and a taillight.
It was easy to work on too.
@bartmotorcycle
It would be good to do a follow-up video on Sherco, as they were raised from the ashes of Bultaco.
They are a family owned company that still makes a Trials bike line up and a very competitive range of Enduro race bikes.
Indeed the Sherco name is a nod to the BultaCO SHERpa.
Worth a video 👍
Brings back memories of my teens in the 70s when me and my mates had these bikes brilliant off road bikes
In the mid-seventies, I was riding Maico and Suzuki motocrossers. One race day, I rode a friend's 250 Pursang, just for fun. The handling of that bike amazed me. I should have bought one, but my boss...the owner of a Suzuki/Kawasaki/Hodaka dealership put the clamps on that. I still love the old Bultacos.
I owned a NEW 1972 125cc. I raced it in early Arizona motocross. LOVED THAT BIKE. it wasn’t very fast or reliable. Switched to Elsinore 125. That bike started it all.
I had a '72 Bultaco 125 Pursang back in the day. Loved that bike!
please do a video on Macal or Sachs or some of the iberian brands that existed
also casal
My frist Bultaco was a '68 Alpina 250 I got for $350 in 1973 and it was complete and reliable. Three more Alpina 350's followed until the last, a collector red 1976 with less than 500 original miles. Sold for $950 during a S,M.O.G. rally in 1989. I've owned 19 motorcycles and it was my favorite.