Thought it about time I replied to this thread. Bike is now finished, back in its original Matching numbers frame. Bike will be up for sale in the coming weeks.
Some years ago - perhaps 10 or 20, Sammy Miller sold his parts business to someone else. Apparently the stock included about 10 brand new High Boy chrome plated Bultaco frames. These were then sold for around £2000 each.
Would you have any idea where I could find any information out? Who bought the business etc? Many thanks for the reply.
I have recently put my bike back to original spec and now left with what I believe to be a Sammy Miller frame? Can anyone advise on a rough figure this would be worth? Bike is a 1981 T350, the frame has 645 stamped in usual position.
Yep the air box is correct, it’s one many riders used to replace later model air box with as they were smaller. Your frame could be a Miller Hi-Boy but looking at the original frame which has the rear loop deleted I’d be using that one. Chrome plating frames can make them more brittle and as they get older; even more so. If you are selling the original Bultaco blue frame I would be interested as I’m in Nottinghamshire. I’m currently rebuilding/remaking/restoring a M80 Sherpa 250 this to came with a chrome frame and was supposed to be a Miller Hi-Boy but it turns out to be a Bultaco Frame chromed. There were some other small manufacturers that dabbled in frames for the Bultaco and others. Contacting Sammy Miller may be helpful but I doubt he has any records of frames produced, nor do I suspect you’ll get much info from the previous and new owners of Miller Products. The more I look at your bike the more I’d be inclined to go with the Bultaco frame as it’s going to be easier to prove ‘provenance’. Hope you find my input helpful? NB the waterproofing on the air box is not good, you will need to look into making this area better than Bultaco did.
Thank you very much for your advice. My idea is to have the rear hoop replaced and then powdercoated to bring the bike back to original.
I purchased a Sherpa last year with the intention of restoring as I have done a fair few in the past. I am just looking for a little advice as to the definite year/model as there are a few things puzzling me. To start off the bike is sat in a frame believed to be SM but can not confirm, the original frame is supplied which is numbers matching to the engine.
Engine JM-19906685-A
Frame JB-19906685-A
The Number of the frame the bike is currently sat in is 685, no letters just the three numbers and looks to be chrome. Also the bike has what I believe to be an airbox mod which was throwing me off the year and model etc. After some research there seems to a airbox you can fit off a 151/138 model, enables the bike to breathe better. Can anyone shed any light? See attached photos.
Bultaco Sherpa
in Bultaco
Posted
Thank you for you reply. The tank has not been seen to as yet. I have not decided which way to go, restore or leave as is.