1967 Bultaco Metralla Mk2

Picture this, you’re buzzing along a tight twisty mountain road on a classic roadracer that just happens to have lights and a horn. The bike is light, quick and amazingly agile. The bike almost knows what you’re going to do before you do. A very light push on the bars sends you through the corner apex at speeds that put larger bikes to shame. The skinny little tyres turn in with no effort yet keep you right on line. You my friend are riding a Bultaco Metralla and your destination is wonderful little Spanish restaurant and plate of the best Paella in Northern Spain.

Ok, the reality is you’re not in Spain and you’re not going to have Paella, you’re going to have a chili and cheese omelet at the Rock Store on Mulholland Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains and you’re going to have to answer a hundred questions from guys that have never even heard of Bultaco about your little Metralla. These are the guys you blew by in the corners. This is the definition of a really fun Sunday morning.

I love Bultaco’s, always have. I started racing a Bultaco Matador back in 1968, moved up to Pursangs, rode an Astro in a couple of TT races but never owned a Metralla. While I was helped in my desert racing and enduro career by the local Bultaco dealer, they never let me take out the street bikes, probably a smart move on their part at the time. Would I want another Bultaco dirt bike now? probably not. Would I want a Metralla today? Oh Yeah! This is the perfect example of Spanish art on two wheels.

A few years back while on my way from a vintage roadrace at Willow Springs to another one at Sears Point in Northern California I stopped in Minden Nevada to get some Bultaco spiritual guidance (and a couple of parts for a Sherpa T I had inherited), from the Bultaco Guru of the West, Lynn Mobley. Guru Lynn had just finished a full restoration of a ‘67 Metralla and let me ride it around his property for a bit, I had to have the Metralla. I offered up both my roadracers and ‘The Mighty 350’ in trade for the little Bultaco, and while Lynn did everything he could to keep from laughing, I could see that the Metralla was not going home with me.

So, today I found a really beautiful Metralla on ebay that is ready to ride right now. It’s a 1967 Mk2 that has been restored to pretty much stock condition, there are a few little tweaks here and there but the original parts that were changed out will come with the bike. It really is a beautiful motorbike and if you would like something will always put a huge smile on your face consider this Metralla. This is a no-brainer. Click on the pics below for more information and more pictures.

And one last little thing…the Metralla was the first 250cc bike that straight from the factory would top 100mph! How cool is that?!

1967 Bultaco Metralla

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1966 Bultaco Racebike (Cafe Racer Potential)

Up for auction right now on eBay is this supposedly ex-AHRMA race bike that would make a nice street bike if you could get it titled/registered. Plus add a bunch of street stuff to get it through inspection at the DMV. Plus it looks like the footpegs need some work (it’s hard to tell if they’re even there in the photos). Also, please examine photo #4 for yourself. It is hard to tell what’s up with that. Somebody’s been playing with Photoshop too much me thinks. Some kind of weird filter ran over the photo to make it look all artsy. Anyways, nothing really left from the eBay listing other than what I’ve already posted here (word for word below plus all 4 photos). If you are interested it is at $1,500 with 5 bidders and 2 days left…

“”Hi, I’m selling this motorcycle for my brother who’s stationed in Iraq, he used to race it on weekends and tour on bike shows nation wide, this is the description he gives of the bike…

“This is a Bultaco 250cc road racer. The round barrel makes it legal for AHRMA 250 and 350 GP classes among others. The bike was originally a Bultaco Alpina. The motor runs well and the clutch and transmission work great. The motor is stock along with the original Amal 29mm. carb. The body work is a Metralla tank and the seat is of a MV Agusta race seat. The front hub is a Holly 305 Superhawk with an added air scoop for brake cooling. Rims are 18” alloy Akronts. Bike has Betor suspension. The clip-ons are Magura along with the throttle. The bike has been garage kept and is in overall good condition, with few scratches and normal wear and tear. With some new tires and a good “shakedown” it would once again be ready to be a great vintage racer. I do not have a title for it but one can be obtained from http://www.broadwaytitle.com/ if needed”
“”

Photoshop?