Show Us Your Bul!

[nsu max]

Originally Posted by fredz43

Nice 143 Max. Actually, it is a late 143 produced about 1976. The first model came out in 1975 and did not have the sidestand or tabs for them on the swingarm, only had a centerstand. Also the early ones had the larger tank with tool box and fiberglass fenders. I had one of each, bought the early model one in 1975 when it was new, and they are great bikes.
My 143 in my pix was a late model and I got an early model tank for it when I was restoring it. Many of the late 143's with the sidestand tab had damaged swingarms after years of idiots trying to start the bikes while standing on them with the sidestand down. That would eventually rip the metal tab out of the swingarm. I was fortunate to find a new original swingarm from a dealer in Canada when I restored my late model 143.

Thank you Fred, the photo show is really cool and your Frontera is beautiful. I am the second owner. I called it a '75 because the certificate of origin and orignial reciept are dated May of 1975 and it came from a local dealer, when I got it had less than 300 miles on the clock, but the crank and top end where roached because the po's little brother ran it out of gas and refilled it with straight gas, no premix. I have another 143 that looks like yours that I took on trade many years ago when I had my repair shop that is on the bench being reconditioned. That one has a higher serial number and has the toolbox tank, side stand and grab handles. I know what you mean about the side stand mount- it was damaged when I got the bike in November of '85. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the other Frontera.

[fredz43]

Originally Posted by nsu max

Thank you Fred, the photo show is really cool and your Frontera is beautiful. I am the second owner. I called it a '75 because the certificate of origin and orignial reciept are dated May of 1975 and it came from a local dealer, when I got it had less than 300 miles on the clock, but the crank and top end where roached because the po's little brother ran it out of gas and refilled it with straight gas, no premix. I have another 143 that looks like yours that I took on trade many years ago when I had my repair shop that is on the bench being reconditioned. That one has a higher serial number and has the toolbox tank, side stand and grab handles. I know what you mean about the side stand mount- it was damaged when I got the bike in November of '85. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the other Frontera.

That is interesting. Generally when they went to the second generation 143's they added the sidestand mount, but deleted the very useful grab handles and also very useful larger tank with toolbox. Some time they made whatever they had handy at the little factory at the time, though.

Glad you liked the photoshow.

[fredz43]

I found a few pics of me and my buddies with our Fronteras, back in 1976.

First one is me showing off (I never did got over that habit ) with my 143, complete with my Bultaco jersey and leather pants.



The next 2 shots are me with my 143 and my buddies with their 152 Frontera 250's. Check out the Scott goggles and facemasks here.




Now all 3 of us at an enduro in Missouri about 1976. Had to be 1976 as 2 of us had out bicentennial (1776-1976) beards that were popular that year.

[DIRTSCOOTER]

Competed with this for three seasons.

[nsu max]

^ ^ ^ ^ Very nice!

[Donzzilla]

ASTRO!!

[Foot dragger]

Man that is a sweet Astro! I wanted one of those so bad when I was a kid.............I painted my 200 Sherpa S to look like one and found an Astro tail section for it. Fun times!!!!!

[Rich B]

That is sweet Don, very sweet

But I am surprised you weren't banned for posting pornography......IMO, your Astro qualifies as hardcore motorcycle porn

IMO, Astro is still one of the best looking bikes ever built by anyone for any purpose

[nsu max]

Originally Posted by rich b

that is sweet don, very sweet

but i am surprised you weren't banned for posting pornography......imo, your astro qualifies as hardcore motorcycle porn

imo, astro is still one of the best looking bikes ever built by anyone for any purpose

amen!!!

[PSchrauber]

The Astro is nice but this bike need two things to be complete in my personal view:

- front brake
- lamps front and rear

a bike without lamps, even a dirt bike doesn't look complete, it's like a face without eyes.

[Rich B]

PSchrauber sez:

"- front brake"

Its simple, no front brake is allowed or needed in dirt track.

[PSchrauber]

Originally Posted by Rich B

PSchrauber sez:

"- front brake"

Its simple, no front brake is allowed or needed in dirt track.

I know, also are lights not necessary...
so where is your problem?

[Donzzilla]

I got ones with no brakes at all too Brakes are for Pu$$ie$

[Donzzilla]

Originally Posted by PSchrauber

I know, also are lights not necessary...
so where is your problem?

Top it all off, we race in the dark with no brakes. Loads of FUN!!!!!!

[exoff-roadgoat]

I had two Buls, a Alpina and a Frontera. Started riding on Yamaha enduros but all the cool fast guys rode Bultacos. There was a Bultaco dealer at the end of my street in Wyoming Mich., Garrisons Modern Sports. Dean Garrison was one fast dude. Many times he would sit on a bike in the showroom or parking lot and talk to customers......with the side stand up and his feet on the pegs. I wonder what happened to him? I fell in love with the Alpina when they came out; super quiet and fast in the tight single tracks which there were alot of in Michigan in the 70s. I saw an ad in Cycle News where Budda Cycles in Cali were selling Fronteras cheap at the end of the year so I sent them a check for about $900 and they shipped me a 360 all the way to Michigan. Talk about trust, you would never do that nowadays. I never had any mechanical issues with either bike but once in a while the exhaust on the Frontera would carbon up and catch fire. I would go down the road with sparks flying everywhere. I replaced the steel fenders on both bikes with Preston Pettys and trashed the new stock fenders... No pictures of the bikes but I still have a Steves Bultaco sweatshirt in the closet.....Thanks for starting this thread.