bultaco49

]Hi Mr Greeves Probably the best show to see in the uk with plenty of classic trials bikes is the Classic Off Road Show which will next be on 7th & 8th of February at Telford (central uk). Here is a photo of part of the the Bultaco UK stand at last years show. The stunning Matador mk III in the foreground won a concourse award.

If you punch dalesman/wassell into the search facility above there are a few threads and photos of these bikes posted in the past. Tim

Hi again Are you thinking of buying this bike? Its the last of the slimline models and if it is the 325cc the engine is a cracker. The next Sherpas, the 158 -159 has a seperate seat and aluminium tank and were not nearly so pretty. In the UK fiberglass had been banned for use on road bikes and many of this model was supplied with a 'homerlite' seat and tank unit in blue (as on the front of the Haynes Bultaco Sherpa manual). If you are buying or own this bike the tank unit needs packing up away from the frame (or a hole will wear through pretty quick) and more importantly away from the exhaust which will damage the fiberglass. The mudguards should be aluminium and the rear one should wrap all the way around to the swing arm (with cut out for the chain guard). Ride it across the pond and I'll buy it! Tim

Hi Its not an M80 the frame, fork lower clamp and engine are later. The frame has the centre post below the seat and the engine has the later wider fins. That frame was fitted to later Sherpas M91 -92 but with that engine to m150 - 151. Most of this series were fitted with the boomerang exhaust so as this one has the clubfoot I'd say it is a late 150 - 151. Tim

Until 1975 steel tubing for Bultaco's had to be sourced in Spain as during Franco's rule there were sanctions against Spain. Even though Franco died in 75 and Spain began a transiton to a democracy and high grade imported steel tubing became available it was never used on production Bultaco frames. Though it was better quality the tube was still sourced and produced in Spain.

Hi Michael Just did a brief scientific 'lean on' test on my model 221 (similar swing arm) and yes, it does flex quite easily. The lift on your swing arm is on the leg on which the side stand is attached. I was told off by and old Bultaco sage at a trial for leaning on my bike while it was on the side stand It will 'bend the swing arm' he scowled..... Later model Sherpa's have a rib along the topside of each leg to check this deflection and Comerfords 199bs have a square section. I'm not sure what steel Bultaco frames are made of (old buiscuit tins if the rumours are true) but it has no where near the torsional qualities of regular framemakers high spec steel tube such as reynolds 531 etc. For most years of their production good tube was embargoed and unavalable for production. Sammy Miller frames are made of 531 and had a considerable tensional and weight advantage increased by having alloys available for structural bash plates. My point being that I don't think the steel will be so highly strung that some heat and an equal and opposite force (to that which twisted it) might be the answer to your twisted swing arm. Tim

Hi Michael When I read your qustions on here and on the yahoo sherpa forum it warms the cockles of my heart that someone puts so much effort into their engineering. If only Bultaco had too! I have never managed to get wheel alingment perfect on a used sherpa (including my model 158). I've neve owned a new one to know wether they were any better. I suspect not. My method is to lace up the new wheel so the rim is centred and concentric and then fit it to the bike. The exhaust, chain tensioner and chain guard must be fitted. I then align the sprockets & chain then simply adjust the spokes so the tyre is aligned in the swingarm and fouls niether the chainguard or exhaust. Fitted with a modern tyre this is a tight fit! (be prepared to hook out mud and leaves from swing arm base area and chain tensioner between sections). Many Sherpa's have no paint and occasionaly wear holes through the clubfoot spark arrestor because of the close fit to tyre. Ditto wear to chain guard. Always clear the mud & debris away from the chain tensioner as this gets pushed sideways and will take off the chain and the snap the rear magneto case mount off and rip a piece of alloy out of the crakcase. Tim

I've not come across any diagrams for Bultaco engine timing but here is my method. Remove the magneto cover. Set points to correct clearance (important as changing points setting will alter timing slightly) Remove the magneto flywheel (using special tool obtainable from Bultacouk/Sammy Miller) Disconnect black wire from terminal block (under tank). This should be the wire from the points to the coil. using a multi meter with audible resistance facility (or bulb and battery) connected across exposed points. Remove spark plug and insert tdc tool (obtainable here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TDC-Timing-Tool-Tria...0808141019a5852 ) or google 'tdc motorcycle timing tool'. Wrap a piece of copper wire (stripped from household mains wire) around body of tdc gauge leaving end of wire near tdc gauge slide. Rock engine until tdc is found. Bend copper wire and point to marked point on mm scale on slide. Turn engine anti clockwise quarter turn then turn clockwise slowley and listen for buzzer on multi meter or light to go off (as points open). Read off how many mm slide has dropped (btdc). This should read 2.8 - 3.0 mm btdc. If not adjust timing by loosening three screws on rim of stator plate and move plate accordingly. When happy that measurment is correct turn engine over a few times and re check. More accurate than this method is to use a Bultaco special tool (unobtainable) or Dial Test Indicator instead of tdc gauge.. Replace everything and start bike. At this setting the bike will occasionally kick back on early Sherpa's. If it kicks back badly the timing is too far advanced. Too far retarded and bike will be sluggish. Most people re-set the timing slightly for preference of power delivery. Tim

Jim - There is a very useful site at www.todotrial.com/.../manuales/manualcota348.htm which has some downloadable info on your bike. mostly in Spanish I'm afraid. I use castrol tts fully synthetic @ 50:1 ratio on my Bultaco's. Most Spanish twinshocks of this era run a similar mix. If you are searching for info on your bike use google image finder and use Spanish terms (like manuales) as well as english. I found this the best search method. There is a wobblers series at berkhamsted MCC Nash Mills site (which is also a practice site I think) http://www.berkotrials.com/home.htm. I found that wobblers trials are a bit thin on the ground near to Oxford (where I am based). I found it best to enter pre65 events which usually cater for twinshocks also and ride around and have a go at the easier sections. Cheltenahm hawks (whittington) and Mortimer Classics (Reading) are nearby. Both clubs are very friendly and helpful. Volunteering to observe is a great way to get to know everyone and watch technique and VERY welcome by the clubs. North Berks as a great and friendly Club but they have among their members some very good riders and even their club events reflect this. I found getting a twinshock around the easy sections very difficult and daunting especially at Seymours Arena which has very unforgiving lumps of concrete (as my row of broken gear levers will testify). Tim

Hi Jim- Hope your planning to (as a member of the berks club) to practice at North Berks sessions at Seymours Arena. It will be good to have another twinshock there. Don't be put off by all the concrete and steep steps. I started my re-entry into trials practicing there and believe it or not there are some twinshockable obstacles and easy stuff there. Get there early before all the experts turn up. There is a good pre-65 and twinshock trial this weekend at Cheltenham - Saturday and Sunday camping & bbq available! Lots of twinshocks will be there and there are three routes. Go to http://www.hawksmc.org.uk/. Long circuit in the Cotswolds. I'll be there with my Bultaco's. Look for the blue van. Tim

I have been to the North Berks practice sessions recently and seen the amazing work Stuart has done on the obstacles at Seymours arena. All the bombholes are twice as deep and the hills are twice the height with added logs and concrete to boot. Some of the names mentioned were also there practicing. Practice sessions are open so you can try your hand at the sections before the big day. Just join the club and pay the fee.. Put OX11 9ER into Mutimap for location of Seymours Arena (its the nearest house so carry on 300m on right from Aston Upthorpe). Visit http://www.northberksmcc.com/ for practice dates and info.

Try this website for some info http://www.todotrial.com/ttclasico/indexttclasico-total.htm click on the indexes on the left for some more info

hi Steve I ride Bultaco's regularly in trials in the Oxfordshire & Gloucestershire area. The Bultaco your talking about will probably be a model 151 or 159 (look at first three number so on frame or engine which should match). First thing. If you ride modern bikes the Bultaco will feel like a great lump in comparison and to ride in modern events you will lose many marks as they don't turn jump or stop like modern machines. Also a Bultaco of that era, in comparable ability hands will not compete against the likes of a late Majesty and especially a Fantic and the very late twinshocks. However, having said all that I love them and at a trial where the sections are laid out for older bikes (most pre-65 clubs welcome twinshocks) you will have a great time competing. The 350 has lots of torquey grunt and if set up properly a fine power delivery. Maintaining them is easy, even spliting the engine, and the parts are readily available from Bultacouk or regularly come up on ebay. If i were you I would buy it, put it together and enter a trial and see what you think. Bultacos in good running order of tha era can fetch

Also swoosh, the chain tensioner ceased to be leading (attached to the rear brake anchor) to trailing (attached under the swing arm). If only I could ride the thing as well as I can talk about it......... We had a great opportunity to compare Bultacos at the ClubBultaco twinshock trial kindy hosted by HUXMCC. 20 Bultacos in a field of 62 twinshocks + smatering of pre65s. Model 10 to 199b. Great day out. Tim

Correct! I came upon this by chance on ebay a while ago and ended up exchanging it for a model 158 which was surplus to requirements. I thought that the tank had been changed at a later date but it turns out it had to be changed when sold for the reasons noticed by feetup. I use the bike for classic trials with road work involved for which, as it shares frame geometry with the Sherpa, competes well in the trail bike class against much more modern bikes. As the gearing has higher ratios it also is great for nipping about in Oxford and beyond. It was on show on Dave Rs stand at the Malvern show and I spent more time talking about it than my other Sherpa on show (but completly eclipse by the two immaculate Matadors next in line, one of which won a deserved 'best in show' trophy). It will soon be upgraded to electronic ignition as Bultacouk's kit will come with a bracket for the lighting coil. A great and practical addition to anyone's Bultaco collection.

Well done feetup for the homerlite tank spot and very well done for the ty lights (it now has the correct lights) but no one has he correct model yet. It is more of less as supplied having hung around in the showroom until the change in law made the supplier take off the fiberglass tank. This model was fiited with a choke. Clue is - it is the first of its kind.... TIm

Ok Bultaco spotters - whats this one, what is not original and why was it changed?

Hi If your based in oxfordshire then a visit this weekend to the North Berks MCC organised Wallace Cup round of the Novogar series would probably be worth a trip out. Top uk stars on a 25 mile circuit based south of Didcot. Visit http://www.northberksmcc.com/ for details. Best place to watch is Seymours Arena near Aston Tirold. bikes will start arriving there around 11 am. Tea and burgers on site. North Berks arrange practice sessions too! Tim

Hi I have found classic transfers at 'classictransfers.co.uk' very helpful. They will even make up ones not in their catalogue for a very reasonable price Tim

If you have an original Sammy Miller tank unit you have a choice as they were supplied in three different colours as show on page from SM catalogue below. The stripe was originally white (on SM tanks) and only became available as silver later. Tim

Here is my latest Bultaco restoration project. A Sammy Miller framed 'kit campeon' model 49 Sherpa to give it its full title. Other than electronic ign most of the mods are contemporary to its early 1970s origin. As it has been trialed for all of its 38 years it was due a re-build so it can go on and do another 38+! It will get its second debut at the Club Bultaco Twinshock trial on Feb 23rd. Personally and hoping not to be to controversial.... I think this Kit Campeon slimline Bultaco is the most beautiful of all trials bikes, but I may be prejudiced by having been dazzled by Sammy Miller rolling over all opposition circa 1970. You may think otherwise and I'm sure your will say so!

Hi ryanroz I have just finished a rebuild of a Miller framed model 49 and used the Miller exhaust system. The system as a whole has some manufacture problems. The front pipe is made of a thicker guage pipe and this makes it much heavier than original. The bends are made over bobins so the pipe is narrower at the radius of the bends (original item is parrallel even on bends). All of the pipes are made slightly different so expect to have to adjust the bends. This has to be done by heating cherry red rings and gently easing the pipe into shape. This, of course, is the end of the chrome but to be honest, the chroming is not the best anyway. The middle box has the same bends issues as the frontpipe though much tougher to sort out as pipes are so short. Only the box of the mid section is aluminium. Pipes and caps are steel. it is very easy to dissasemble and re-pack as it is riveted together with end caps. I use an early end spark arrestor (simmilar in shape to that fitted to model 125). It was a bu**ger to get the whole thing to line up and not foul frame, tyre, shock absorber etc. I would also suggest brazing on a loop to mid section and spark arrestor and using a spring to locate and join the two. However, having said all that it was worth the effort. Just having a properly packed exhaust makes the greatest difference to the performance. I also have a model 85 Alpina with standard exhaust contemporary to the Miller 49 and in comparison I would say that I prefer the characteristics of Miller exhaust. The power delivery seems much softer and exhaust note crisper. The Miller system also complements the Miller frame a treat. To get a good performance from any Sherpa the mid box must be packed properly. Those I have ridden with packing degredation have poor, jerky low rev reponse in my experience. Much as I admire Sammy Miller the trials rider my experience of the after market parts his shop sold is that they are generally better than original in concept but manufacture and quality is a bit dissapointing. This Sammy Miller brand is now. of course, under new ownership and I have found the new owners very helpful. Having said that my experience of the Spanish produced aftermarket parts is similar only add things 'in stock' are invarably not. Tim

Mr. Hewson - the answer to your side stand problem is at - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bultaco-Sherpa-Trial...1QQcmdZViewItem Tim

Hi woody The Sammy Miller product model 80 pipe does not have parallel bends (as it has been fabricated over bobbins) so the exhaust narrows at the bends. Cutting off the last bend and the narrow part will leave the exhaust short. Too short even for rubber hose joint. I 'adjusted' my pipe by gripping the pipe in a vice using soft jaws, heating rings in the part to be adjusted with two mapp guns then easing with a short length of scaffold pole into the correct shape. Propane/butane guns might do if the pipe can be heated cherry red. Done carefully the end result will not distort but unfortunately the chrome does suffer. Two years ago when I restored my model 49 I bought a wreck and almost all the main comonent parts 2nd hand. Now almost nothing for early Bultacos comes up. Has ebay emptied all the sheds of England? Tim

Hi Woody I also tried to get one of these for a long time eventually getting one through a Spanish friend who I have e-mailed for source. He got it through Romeromotors and informs me that they are out of stock there at the moment but are planning to have them in soonish. From experience, this could mean a long wait. There is a Matador exhaust system on Ebay US at the moment. The mk 4 fits but this system looks earlier and unless it is for a radial head it should fit. Needs some work though. Having said that many of the pattern exhausts also need work as they are not generally well made and don't quite fit without a bit of heating and bending. Link - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bultaco-Mat...sspagenameZWDVW You could try Dave Martin who fabricates bits and pieces and offered to make a model 80 exhaust for me. Link - http://www.1stclassmotorcycles.co.uk/ If anyone is looking for the model 80 exhaust the new 'Sammy Miller ' has some under Bultaco slimline in the online catalogue. A bit of bending is required though. Tim