Bultaco Metralla advice needed

vtduc · 05-10-2009, 05:25 AM

A friend of mine brought over a Bultaco Metralla he came by a few years back. Supposedly it was rebuilt after he purchased it. He stated that he could start and ride it a mile or two before it would quit. If he let it sit for a while, he could re-start it and repeat the same mile or two befor it quit. It sat in my garage over the winter and we tried to start it yesterday. Fresh gas and pre-mix, clean plug. Its getting gas and spark, but will only fire briefly, and dies as soon as throttle is opened. If I pull the plug after it dies, its wet w/ gas. Supposedly my friend saw it run up and down the road after the rebuild, but I don't think he actually rode it any distance.

The bike has an old single pull Amal Concentric carb, and the only thing I can think of is that the float height is way off. I've found some info on that type of carb, but I haven't tried to pull anything apart yet.

Any advice from the collective?

Thanks in advance

RecycledRS · 05-10-2009, 06:39 AM

Back in the day I can remember several Bultacos had problems with the ignition system failing in just a fashion as you describe. May not be your problem but try pulling the plug and checking for spark when it dies again. Bill.

Donzzilla · 05-10-2009, 10:23 AM

There is a few things that could be wrong with it.

1. They were wired so that when the tail light went out, you would depress the rear brake lever and it would shut the bike off. It 's weird, but will drive you crazy if you don't know it. It was supposed to be a safety thing, so you wouldn't ride in the dark without a tail light. Try a tail light bulb first.

2. There is a little pen spring and ball in the handel bar mounted head light switch. Sometimes the little ball pops out and will roll around and make contact with the kill button. Then it will then move away let the bike start then not do it again 'till whenever.

3. The coil mounted under the gas tank could be bad. Sometimes when they warm up they quit.

4. Bultaco's had some crappy wiring to start out with. Believe me it didn't get better with age. Them little bakeolite connectors that held them together were no real prizes either. Check to see if something's loose in them.

5. Last but not least. The stator could be bad. I would save that for last, as it is not usually the problem and it is the most expensive part.

Parts can usually be found on e bay or go directly to Hugh's Bultaco in NY www.bultaco.com 518 851 7184.

When they run they are great little bikes. Feel free to PM me if you have any other problems with your Bultaco's.

Zilla!

vtduc · 05-10-2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks guys! We'll check for those electrical gremlins.

Sniper X · 05-11-2009, 09:28 AM

put a Boyer Brandson ignition in it and youll never have another problem, or should I say No Mas Problemos de Electronicos.

Donzzilla · 05-11-2009, 10:33 AM

That would be nice if they made one for the Bultaco

I have also had my share of the BB ignitions fail also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper X

put a Boyer Brandson ignition in it and youll never have another problem, or should I say No Mas Problemos de Electronicos.

crampfan · 05-11-2009, 11:40 AM

I had a mud dauber build a nest in the exhaust of a old hodaka I had, I kicked on it for days, all it would do was foul the plug.

norton73 · 05-11-2009, 01:35 PM

check the condenser. Not sure on Metrallas, but most of the sherpa Ts had the condenser mounted behind the flywheel where the heat from the engine could cause the crappy thing to fail.
On my bikes, I rewire so the condenser is up under the gas tank, next to the coil where things are a little cooler.

vtduc · 05-11-2009, 05:22 PM

Thanks again for the replies!!! The burning question in my mind is: We can kick the bike over w/ the plug removed, and it shows consistent (albeit weak....when kicking (low revs)) spark, But when the bike is kicked over w/ a clean plug inserted and the carb tickled, it goes RING RING Ring Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring, and then dies. The headlight lights up bright when its running for those few seconds (glows when kicked over) but I haven't looked at the tail light yet during the process. We just can't keep it going once it catches, either bogging or starving when the throttle is applied. That keeps me thinking its a gas issue, but I've never been particularly good w/ 2 strokes (I traded an RD400 for 3 cords of firewood about 20 years ago, because I couldn't get the Zen of getting it tuned properly...............

channelcat · 05-11-2009, 06:57 PM

Zilla rocks...
TH
bmwthrottlesprings.com

Strong Bad · 05-11-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtduc

Thanks again for the replies!!! The burning question in my mind is: We can kick the bike over w/ the plug removed, and it shows consistent (albeit weak....when kicking (low revs)) spark, But when the bike is kicked over w/ a clean plug inserted and the carb tickled, it goes RING RING Ring Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring, and then dies. The headlight lights up bright when its running for those few seconds (glows when kicked over) but I haven't looked at the tail light yet during the process. We just can't keep it going once it catches, either bogging or starving when the throttle is applied. That keeps me thinking its a gas issue, but I've never been particularly good w/ 2 strokes (I traded an RD400 for 3 cords of firewood about 20 years ago, because I couldn't get the Zen of getting it tuned properly...............

Sound like a fuel flow problem to me. Check to see that the petcock flows well, and then check flow through the float needle.

darmst6829 · 05-12-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtduc

A friend of mine brought over a Bultaco Metralla he came by a few years back. Supposedly it was rebuilt after he purchased it. He stated that he could start and ride it a mile or two before it would quit. If he let it sit for a while, he could re-start it and repeat the same mile or two befor it quit.

Any advice from the collective?

Thanks in advance

Change the condenser and measure fuel flow at the petcock. Leave the old condenser on the stator plate and run a wire up under the gas tank to the new condenser. Lawn mower condensers work fine. The FEMSA ignition system is solid, I have logged thousands of miles with out problems.
Make sure end vent the ignition cover, I would drill one in the bottom of the cover.

Dave

Nitro_Fluffy · 05-12-2009, 02:49 PM

You might wanna pull the head(s) and see if it's been seizing. I'm assuming this is a two stroke, and you're using premix?

ducsingle · 05-17-2009, 05:29 PM

MZ-B makes an electronic ignition kit for the Metralla. Rick Yamane on the bevelheads list can get you one.

jcf · 08-21-2011, 06:17 AM

My Model 8 is having issues.
Went through it - carbs - new plug cap - new plugs - coil checked out (and even tried it with a new one) - new condenser and points checked (and re-checked).

Was running great though headlight was a high beam wouldn't work and the low beam was very bright.
Tail light also out.

Cleaned switch and headlights worked as they should.

Checked wiring and curcuit on the tail light and and those checked out.

Took it for a ride and still ran fine.
Got a new tail light bulb and then the it all went to hell.

Wouldn't start.
Put old bulb back in - still wouldn't start.
No spark - kept fiddling - tried new coil. Still no spark - put old one back on ( since there was really nothing wrong with it )
Checked points again.
No spark - no spark - no spark - THEN a beautiful healthy spark for a few kicks - THEN no spark........

Could there be a short ?
If so where should I be looking ? - Tail light curcuit ? - Magneto ?

Thanks for any help.

05-10-2009, 05:25 AM	#1
vtduc ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Oddometer: 91	Bultaco Metralla advice needed A friend of mine brought over a Bultaco Metralla he came by a few years back. Supposedly it was rebuilt after he purchased it. He stated that he could start and ride it a mile or two before it would quit. If he let it sit for a while, he could re-start it and repeat the same mile or two befor it quit. It sat in my garage over the winter and we tried to start it yesterday. Fresh gas and pre-mix, clean plug. Its getting gas and spark, but will only fire briefly, and dies as soon as throttle is opened. If I pull the plug after it dies, its wet w/ gas. Supposedly my friend saw it run up and down the road after the rebuild, but I don't think he actually rode it any distance. The bike has an old single pull Amal Concentric carb, and the only thing I can think of is that the float height is way off. I've found some info on that type of carb, but I haven't tried to pull anything apart yet. Any advice from the collective? Thanks in advance

05-11-2009, 09:28 AM	#5
Sniper X De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,792	put a Boyer Brandson ignition in it and youll never have another problem, or should I say No Mas Problemos de Electronicos. __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. Straight Out Da Trailah!

05-11-2009, 01:35 PM	#8
norton73 drinkin' Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Beautiful Downtown Springville, Alabama Oddometer: 8,079	check the condenser. Not sure on Metrallas, but most of the sherpa Ts had the condenser mounted behind the flywheel where the heat from the engine could cause the crappy thing to fail. On my bikes, I rewire so the condenser is up under the gas tank, next to the coil where things are a little cooler. __________________ Loose nut holding the handlebars He’s one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith. Spread your arms and hold your breath, always trust your cape. Guy Clark "The Cape"

05-12-2009, 02:49 PM	#13
Nitro_Fluffy Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: NW Florida Oddometer: 158	You might wanna pull the head(s) and see if it's been seizing. I'm assuming this is a two stroke, and you're using premix? __________________ 2002 R1150GS (ABS)

08-21-2011, 06:17 AM	#15
jcf Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: The state of Me. Oddometer: 211	Metralla electrical gremlins redux: My Model 8 is having issues. Went through it - carbs - new plug cap - new plugs - coil checked out (and even tried it with a new one) - new condenser and points checked (and re-checked). Was running great though headlight was a high beam wouldn't work and the low beam was very bright. Tail light also out. Cleaned switch and headlights worked as they should. Checked wiring and curcuit on the tail light and and those checked out. Took it for a ride and still ran fine. Got a new tail light bulb and then the it all went to hell. Wouldn't start. Put old bulb back in - still wouldn't start. No spark - kept fiddling - tried new coil. Still no spark - put old one back on ( since there was really nothing wrong with it ) Checked points again. No spark - no spark - no spark - THEN a beautiful healthy spark for a few kicks - THEN no spark........ Could there be a short ? If so where should I be looking ? - Tail light curcuit ? - Magneto ? Thanks for any help.

05-10-2009, 06:39 AM	#2
RecycledRS Along for the ride Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Oddometer: 914	Back in the day I can remember several Bultacos had problems with the ignition system failing in just a fashion as you describe. May not be your problem but try pulling the plug and checking for spark when it dies again. Bill.

05-10-2009, 10:23 AM	#3
Donzzilla Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Brackney,PA Oddometer: 373	There is a few things that could be wrong with it. 1. They were wired so that when the tail light went out, you would depress the rear brake lever and it would shut the bike off. It 's weird, but will drive you crazy if you don't know it. It was supposed to be a safety thing, so you wouldn't ride in the dark without a tail light. Try a tail light bulb first. 2. There is a little pen spring and ball in the handel bar mounted head light switch. Sometimes the little ball pops out and will roll around and make contact with the kill button. Then it will then move away let the bike start then not do it again 'till whenever. 3. The coil mounted under the gas tank could be bad. Sometimes when they warm up they quit. 4. Bultaco's had some crappy wiring to start out with. Believe me it didn't get better with age. Them little bakeolite connectors that held them together were no real prizes either. Check to see if something's loose in them. 5. Last but not least. The stator could be bad. I would save that for last, as it is not usually the problem and it is the most expensive part. Parts can usually be found on e bay or go directly to Hugh's Bultaco in NY www.bultaco.com 518 851 7184. When they run they are great little bikes. Feel free to PM me if you have any other problems with your Bultaco's. Zilla!

05-10-2009, 02:30 PM	#4
vtduc ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Oddometer: 91	Thanks guys! We'll check for those electrical gremlins.

05-11-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
crampfan not really a nOOb Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Ozone, arkansas Oddometer: 1,605	I had a mud dauber build a nest in the exhaust of a old hodaka I had, I kicked on it for days, all it would do was foul the plug.

05-11-2009, 05:22 PM	#9
vtduc ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Oddometer: 91	Thanks again for the replies!!! The burning question in my mind is: We can kick the bike over w/ the plug removed, and it shows consistent (albeit weak....when kicking (low revs)) spark, But when the bike is kicked over w/ a clean plug inserted and the carb tickled, it goes RING RING Ring Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring, and then dies. The headlight lights up bright when its running for those few seconds (glows when kicked over) but I haven't looked at the tail light yet during the process. We just can't keep it going once it catches, either bogging or starving when the throttle is applied. That keeps me thinking its a gas issue, but I've never been particularly good w/ 2 strokes (I traded an RD400 for 3 cords of firewood about 20 years ago, because I couldn't get the Zen of getting it tuned properly...............

05-11-2009, 06:57 PM	#10
channelcat Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2006 Oddometer: 171	Zilla rocks... TH bmwthrottlesprings.com

05-17-2009, 05:29 PM	#14
ducsingle Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Redwood City, CA Oddometer: 507	MZ-B makes an electronic ignition kit for the Metralla. Rick Yamane on the bevelheads list can get you one.

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