Update: Sold for $4k to a collector
Labor of Love
After reading through all the suggestions and comments from our survey last week, we decided to start mixing up our posts. Many of our readers are interested in seeing what is on the market that is not pristine, but still rare and perhaps a great labor of love.
Red found this up in the Green Mountains, and perhaps one of our readers is the perfect person to give the Bultaco a new life.
A little history
Reading up on the history of the Bultaco bikes on Old Bike Australasia was fun and I’m happy to share it. Apparently this obscure bike has some golden cojones in the history of sportbike racing, making the podium more than once in the Isle of Man 250cc Production TT. So don’t judge by the current condition.
A does of enthusiasm
According to the Old Bike article, “The racing kit was summed up in a factory brochure: “the kit can be easily installed by the customer himself, all that is required is a set of spanners, a medium cut file, a drilling machine, three drills and a dose of enthusiasm”. “
On the shoulders of giants
After reading in Cycleworld about history of Bultaco, I became even more enamored with the brand.
Firstly, as a graphic designer I love that the “thumbs up” logo was created before it was an icon. In other words, when Señor Bulto saw the English racers give the thumbs up to their crew, symbolizing that all was good and they were ready for the race, this was not yet an international symbol. Paco recognized it as being a symbol with potential. He was one of those people that just ‘gets it’.
Secondly, when I read about how Bultaco won against the bigger and more favored Aprilia and Ducati because it rained on race day, well now I’m all in. I have lived the scrappy underdog advantage on rain days. Rain levels the playing field and makes everything more interesting.
Now I’m wondering if this is a 1968 TSS model? According to the Cycleworld article, “For the real grand prix enthusiast, the 1968-69 TSS models are the bikes that make the pulse pound. They are held in high esteem by private owners.” If anyone knows the answer to this, please comment. I’m just now learning about this brand, so I’m all ears.
Geoffrey Wood rightly ends the historical piece by stating, “True, Bultaco never may be the world’s largest selling motorcycle, but somehow this doesn’t seem very important to Señor Bulto. The man appears to be a sportsman first and a manufacturer second, and upon such giants as this does the sport of motorcycling rest its case.“
Seller
1968 Bultaco Metralla Kit America .
This Bultaco belonged to my friend Erik who died a couple years ago.
His wife Agi is looking to sell it. Im trying to help her out.
She and the bike are in Rochester VT.This is what she says about the Bultaco…
“It is a Bultaco Metralla (Kit America racing bike).
Matching chassis and engine numbers.
Rebuilt engine with about 300 miles on it
Rebuild by Bob Hogan
New cafe tank
New cafe seat
Clip ons
New tires (not sure of the make).
The tank and carburetor need to be cleaned ( hasn’t ridden it for 6 years)
Appraised at $9200 in 2018 when it was on the road”Agi and I are not motorcyclists. Our info about this bike is from her dead husband, from bultaco groups on the internet and from what Bob Hogan / HoganCycles Agawam Ma. has told us.
$7000 or best offer.
Pick up in Rochester VT or negotiate delivery.
Share the rare
If you are looking for a unique bike in your collection or you know someone that would appreciate this, help spread the word.
Please let us know if you purchase the bike and send some updated photos after giving it some elbow grease love.
Good luck to the buyer and seller!
–LL
Very interesting and unusual find. You’d normally expect to find dirt offerings from this manufacturer.
I believe the TSS models were water cooled. This also has a mikuni carb conversion. It will be advantageous to see this personally. There may some stock parts lurking around. I think the $9K is for a stock Metralia, I don’t know if a race kitted bike, w/o the stock parts, adds or subracts from the value. Hopefully the gas fibre glass tank doesn’t have ethanol gasoline in it.
@Vincent – yes, their best model was off-road. I watched a documentary online about the company and was captivated by the story. For sure this is a niche, within a niche, within a niche bike – but it would not surprise me if this community knows someone that wants a Bultaco.
@Jess – Thanks for the comment – I had never heard of the brand so it was all new to me.
A very clean stock Metralla sold recently on Iconic for ~$9k.
https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/1968-bultaco-metralla-mk2/
Barry Sheene raced Bultacos before Suzukis.
@Kevin – for reference, this Bultaco sold for $4k to a collector. Happy it found a new home with someone that knows the brand and can bring it back to life.
By the standards of the day, these bikes went like stink,and like all strokers of the era, were prone to seizure when spanked, most pics from the era will show riders keeping a few fingers covering the clutch lever.
If this bike has been raced its almost certain that it would have been breathed upon, every lad carried a file and spare pistons/rings etc. it came with the turf.
The Japanese factories with their mass manufacture methods and advanced bikes really put Bultaco to the sword, sadly, as the guys in Barcelona raced with their hearts.
That said, trials competitions really made a name for Bultaco, the roadracing side of things was never their strong point, though racing within Spain was always a hugely popular pastime.
Very collectable, with a niche of serious lovers for the brand
@Brian – Thanks for the insights! An American collector has given this machine a new home. And the Spaniards do seem to love their motorcycles. I just saw that an international school for motorcycle racing is opening up in Spain.