Awesome pics! Thank you for the photographic data! ! I am starting to like classic models! their gradual development along the time seems priceless!
hI I'm new,didn't know about this section of the forum so I posted in the two smokers section. "what's a metralla worth',my tragic story is there if you are interested. About 2 years ago there was a 400 Bultaco Pursang offered on Australian ebay and it went for $10,000 and back to Europe. It had the right foot push forward kick start so was a legitimate model. I own a number of Bultacos and have restored two right down to cases apart,swapping cranks,new bearings and seals,complete rewires, designed my own cad wiring diagram if anyone is interested in a copy. The factory ones are too confusing even for a sparky like me it was easier to start again. It's refreshing to see that others know about primary gear drive Bandidos and Montadero's. They are difficult to kick over because of high compression and if a compression release is fitted into the head it can crack. Thinking of fitting a small chainsaw type to my Montadero Just so you know Australia was a big market for Bultaco back in the day,we saw all the models here. From what I have learned the Pursang was designated either Euro or America just before the Astro became a model in itself. When the Pursang Americe won first up at the ASTRODOME there was an instant name change ASTRO. My question ifor you guys in the USA is,have or do you know about the FRONTERA GM, or gold medal. They were unsold Pursangs maybe model 11 sent back to the factory in Spain and retro fitted with lights and sold as competition standard enduro bikes. They were painted gold and I think were about it for Bultaco by then,they are extremely rare. The original stamped frame numbers were hammered over and a alloy sticker with a new number stuck on,that's how to tell if it's a factory retro fit. I must figure out how to post some pictures soon. Thanks.
You might ask Orlando Colander in Switzerland, he was the General Importer of Bultacos in Europe (main land not UK) as I know. He is still in business. You should call him up e-mail doesn't work as first communication, he admit the old fashioned way. He speaks Spanish, Italian, French and German I don't know if he speaks English. He is also publisher of some translations of books over Bultaco, so there you might get the information you need.
I owned a Lobito, and raced Pursangs both in Europe and the USA through the 70s. These two photos are from my first trophy in a German MX. Those were the days! I now own the '67 Metralla pictured above that was for sale. Tom
Just picked up this new addition to the garage. 1976 Bultaco Alpina. Been looking for one for awhile now finally found one in great condition and mostly original, with a fresh motor. Runs and rides beautifully, lots of fun.
What have I gotten myself into... I finally got everything but CB350's and one SL175 out of my garage. I was consolidating. It's so easy working on bikes when you have tons of random bits in bins, that bolt right u,p to pilfer through. Then came VMD. A combination of day drinking, swap meet fever, and bringing more cash than I should've, and now I own a Bultaco. I have no clue about these bikes. I've only owned one two stroke before, and all I did was put gas and oil in, and beat the hell out of it. It's an Alpina 250 model 85 from what I gather. I thought the one piece tank/seat was awesome. I heard it run after the seller bypassed the clogged petcock (probably not a good sign for a glass tank...), and I shelled out some money. Here she is: Now some questions: Parts seem hard to come by and insanely expensive compared to the 70's Honda prices I'm used to. Did I buy a huge money pit? After looking up pictures of the Alpina 250 85 when I got home, I noticed the seat/tank combo seems like it should have number plates attached. The glass seems fairly smooth, doesn't seem hacked up. Is the body work from another bike, or did they just do a decent job of cutting? What gasil ratio should I be going with? I had no clue, went with 32:1 because I seem to have remembered that number :shrug:. Can't get bike to fire now. Is there some sort of magical starting ritual I'm not privvy to, being a lowly Honda enthusiast? Lastly, I'm not sure what I even want to do with this bike. I know they came with lights from the factory-- but are they actually streetable? Thanks for any help, and sorry for the mouthful, just excited/scared being a first time taco rider (ha.)
Good start for an Alpina project! The bodywork looks to be off a later model, possibly an M116 or M138. Points ignition-so there may be the best place to begin on your staring problem. Do you have spark? The Alpinas were streetable when new, but depending upon what state you live in, it may or may not be licensable. In NY, where I live, without the paperwork, there is very little hope. Alpinas are excellent trail bikes and possibly a vintage trials bike. Good find!
1. There are a ton of M85 parts on fleaBay on a regular basis. And the great thing about a Bul, parts from other models can frequently be made to fit quite easily. Now buying new parts can be a bit more expensive, there are a limited amount of sources for new parts. But they do exist. Bul's are also easy to work on and find some common bits. Ball bearings are standard size bearings easily found at bearing distributors. Pretty much the same on seals. 2, For starting, since you are a "H*nda" guy () , you do know you have to tickle the carb? Hold the tickler down (LH side of carbie towards flange end) until gas spurts out. Not a lot, just a little, then try starting. Kicking a Bul effectively is also an acquired skill. 3. The tank does look too large in the picture for an M85, but correct glass is on fleaBay pretty regular. 4. Bul had a strange lighting circuit, it worked, but was unique. An Alpina is only going to go just so fast on the road, but they can be fun in the woods. If you are anywhere that has a vintage enduro, it is possible to use the Alpina. Not ideal, but it will work. And some people do ride them in vintage trials. 5. The air cleaner is missing. I might have one that fits. Good luck with it. I have 4 Buls awaiting love (M68 Pursang X 2, 1 M106 Champion Astro, and 1 mongrel Astro 146 Frame, 207 engine).....too many projects :eek1
A tickler! This is the first I'd ever heard of such a thing... I guess it's like the little rubber clowns nose on my lawn mower that I pump a few times to prime the carb? Oh, and after a bit of googling, it looks like it is the correct body work, just that it is missing the side covers. In most pictures it looks like it's all one piece, but check out this link: http://www.rcycle.com/1974BultacoAlpina250.html Rich B, you mentioned lighting... is there anywhere I can get a wiring diagram? Without lights, it's just a wire from the stator to the coil, right? Is there anywhere I can find a repair manual? There has to be a PDF one floating around, right? Oh and yeah, I'd be interested in the airbox; let me know. Anyways, thanks for the help and encouragement so far.
The link you quoted shows a later model, the M116. The M85 that you have came with one piece body work and it was blue with silver trim. A good site that has model numbers and pics of most models is here: http://cemoto.tripod.com/bultaco.htm
I think someone posted a color wiring diagram on this board a few months ago..... Also check Yahoo Groups, there is a half assed Bultaco board there. It has an old rebuild article and I seem to remember a wiring diagram. I don't know of any PDF manual floating around. Look around for a Haynes, not the best but it does cover the basics. It is better for a Sherpa T or Alpina than any other models. I know where the air cleaner is hiding, but not sure if I can physically get to it :eek1 maybe after I heal a bit from being sliced and diced on Monday :eek1 I will see if I can get to it this weekend, or see if the wife will dig it out (not holding my breath on that). Long story, but my riding is probably done for a few months Yea, the tickler is similar to the clown nose on your mower. You actually raise the fuel level in the float bowl with the tickler to "enrichen" the mixture. Really! And it does mostly work. Be careful of letting the bike sit with fuel in the bowl, Amal carbs are a bit susceptible to clogging the pilot circuit. That bike should have a correct Spanish Amal with a separate pilot jet. Watch getting Amal parts as many are for 4 stroke spec carbs. Needles and needle jets are the largest minefield in incorrect parts.