Sherpa Mod. 125 Frame Question

[mexbiker]

Hi there,

I have just bought here in Mexico a Bultaco Sherpa, which the vendor was advertising as a 1971 Sherpa 250, but on inspection appears to be a 1974 Sherpa 350 (model 125). It was bought unseen (comparatively cheap, that is my excuse) and when it was delivered to me I discovered that the frame appears to have been repaired / strenthened on the downtube near the headstock. I have had a good look and cannot establish whether the frame fractured and was welded and braced, or whether it has been strengthened - I am inclined to believe the former, given that the forks are slightly bent, suggesting that it may have sustained a heavy frontal impact - the front rim still bears an Akront sticker suggesting it may have been replaced. I am attaching some photos depicting the frame near the headstock and would welcome any views / observations from forum members - is this a weak point on the model 125 frame?

Also, my understanding is that the numbering for frames and engines used by Bultaco comprised the model number, then six digits - as will be seen from the images below, however, the frame and engine numbers appear to be one digit short.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Richard - Mexico City

[feetupfun]

On your bike, the gusseting at the headstock looks standard but there is a doubler/patch on your front downtube that is not standard. I have two Bultaco frames (both Alpina M115/116) that use that same arrangement for the headstock gusseting and one of them has cracks in the gussets at the bottom ends of the main gussets.

To me your frame looks like it has been either repaired or strengthened at that same point on the front down tube.

If no-one else has photos of a Model 125 frame, I will post photos of my M115/116 frame showing the cracking.

I looked at a few of my Bultacos and they have five digits after the model number.

Cracking of the frame downtube below the steering head gusseting is a common frame failure mode on dirt bikes and is usually attributed to spirited riding (repeated overloading).

Frontal impact as in front wheel hitting a tree/car/wall etc with a frame design like your Sherpa T usually causes the top and front main frame tubes to deform into a curve, rather than to crack.

[mexbiker]

Thanks feetupfun for your input.

I have done some more research on the Net and am now confused on another subject (be patient, I have only just boght the bike, so doubtless there will be many more inane questions from me!!). The frame on my bike appears to be different from that on another Model 125 that I have just seen for sale on E Bay - mine has a double tube cradle under the engine with a perforated metal sheet sump guard, as seen in the image below:

The bike that is currently advertised for sale on E Bay, which from the frame number is also a model 125, appears to have a different frame configuration, with teh frame beneath the engine being in two halves, with a removable solid sump guard bolted between the two sections of the frame, as in the image below:

Can anyone shed any light on this anomaly?

Thanks,

Richard - Mexico City

[woody]

Yours is correct, the other one has been modified by cutting off the bottom frame tubes and fitting the bashplate.

It's done to gain a little more ground clearance