bultaco metralla, what would you pay?

[darmst6829]

Originally Posted by mtothef

There's a mk8 200 for sale on the local craigslist, running, ratty, mostly together. Dude is asking $3300 for it. .


What words of wisdom do the sage heads here have on the subject? What should a mid-California grease monkey expect to fork over for his next mid-life crisis aversion project?

The 200 has a 4 speed gear box and a single leading shoe front brake. Not the same as the later 5 speed bikes. If the bike has a title and is complete I would think the price is OK. It is tough to justify spending so much on what is a really simple motorcycle but folks who own them just love them and Bultaco made so few.

Dave

[PSchrauber]

+1

There are big value differences between the models, early Metrallas are worth a lot, at least here in Europe and getting rare too, you don't find them everyday and everywhere.

Your Metralla modell 8 should be a "Metralla 62", build 1962 - 1966. Number start from 800.001 to 804.919.
The model you can buy should have a number somwhere in between.



This is the very first Metralla model!

[mtothef]

thanks for the perspectives and further clarification. now for the noob question - where do they stamp the numbers on old bultacos?

[PSchrauber]

The numbers are normally directly stamped to the steering head of the frame on the right side, engine number should be stamped üpön the engine case on the right side. The numbers should match too. (At least on my bikes which are later Bul's).

[Trialsguy]

Originally Posted by blaine.hale

Man, who wouldn't pay over 3k for such a beautiful machine:

**sigh** You know those bikes that you once had , and now wish you would have just tucked in the corner of the garage under a blanket ? That's one of mine that I should have. A '66 250 that I picked up as a basket case in a trade , fixed up , then traded for something else again. Damn.

[Renner]

very easy on the eyes

[chazbird]

Just for future reference (once I win a lottery and get a garage) which model and year has the enclosed chain kit?

[darmst6829]

Originally Posted by chazbird

Just for future reference (once I win a lottery and get a garage) which model and year has the enclosed chain kit?

Model M23 late 1966 or early 1967. They couldn't give them away and converted many to scramblers with an up pipe called an El Tigre. From what I understand Bultaco made about 3000 Metralla M23's 1966 to about 1974.

[jcf]

All good advice given - that price seems in the ballpark.
I have seen VERY few of the Metralla 62's for sale anywhere.

The Model 23's I see going for 6-9,000.

Thankfully I have one of the M8's and very soon I may have her a big brother 250

The 4 speed 200 is a perfect little back road runner. Not crazy fast or even exceptionally quick off the line - but once she gets going you get from turn to turn plenty fast.
And the feel of the ride is really wonderful - very solid and responsive - and the sound ! almost the best part of the whole package.

The M23 is a little bigger size - and quicker and faster, but also a little less raw and salvage ( spanish wild )

The balls would be to turn the M8 into the RS version - see below. Used to be just a few dealer options and some head work, move the pegs - now you need to track down some hard to find parts as well - but still do-able.

The Kit America M23 is next to it in the pic.

[jcf]

This is mine ;

[jcf]

Oh - by the way - that bike your looking at has been for sale for quite a while now.
I was going to take a look at it when I was in Cali but didn't have the time.

Definitely worth a look.
That one is RS ready.

One other thing - the M8 is not a bike for big folk - if you're around 200 pounds I would look for a M23

[lemieuxmc]

Originally Posted by Renner

very easy on the eyes

Mods vs Rockers last year at Hooley's?

[lemieuxmc]

Lyons Valley General Store, Mods vs Rockers 2010

A great bike to follow on a twisty road, the sights, the smells, ahhh!

[mtothef]

Originally Posted by jcf

Oh - by the way - that bike your looking at has been for sale for quite a while now.
I was going to take a look at it when I was in Cali but didn't have the time.

Definitely worth a look.
That one is RS ready.

One other thing - the M8 is not a bike for big folk - if you're around 200 pounds I would look for a M23

i know, i've been watching this bike for several months as it has been surfacing and sinking repeatedly. curiosity finally got the better of me.

that M8 of yours is a beauty!

i am, at a few days away from 47, 5'9" and 195 pounds. the heaviest i have ever been, and a good 25 pounds over what i consider a good stable weight. last few years have seen far more hours in front of the screen than on top of the pedals, and i am paying the price. as part of an ongoing series of resolutions, bicycles and motorcycles are the things i need to spend more time playing around on, and work needs to be the thing i spend less time stressing out about. working on that. but thanks for the sizing tip.

out of curiosity - do the M23s differ much in physical dimensions - wheelbase, seat height, bar reach - from the M8, or is it a matter of smaller motor being the fatty killer?

[Renner]

Originally Posted by lemieuxmc

Mods vs Rockers last year at Hooley's?

MvR8 in this case but he's a regular attendee.

I spent a stretch riding alongside during a previous MvR ride.
This one runs as good as it looks.