I have finally finished the Sammy Miller refurbishing, photo below. Still have not ridden it, but that will come shortly. In the meantime I have made contact with the original British owner. He informed me that he competed in the IOM 2 Day Trial in the mid-70's. I've contacted the Manx Trials Association seekin the results, but thought perhaps somone on this forum might have a source. Please let me know if you have any results from any mid-80's Manx or UK trials that list a Colin Blake entrant. Thanks for the help.
I'm no expert but from what I've read the High Boy frame was superior to the pre-M199 Bultaco frames. One specific advantage was the use of Reynolds 531 steel which theoretically would be lighter and stronger than the Bultaco "water pipe" steel, the British being well ahead in metallurgy vs. Spain in the 60's and early 70's.
Thanks for the comments on my Alpina. It is very nice considering almost every part is original or from the period. It still has a Sammy Miller exhaust, Mikuni and some other mods I did in the 70's. I know it should have a silver frame but I wasn't planning to build a showpiece at the time.
FYI, I had asked about SM Products decals. I contacted the new Sammy Miller Parts company and they are very kindly sending me some new ones. It's nice that they are honoring their past. I appreciate their help and wanted to publicly tank them.
There is a thread on here where the numbers were in the 700`s as it went through more years than you might think.
I saw that thread but that's a lot of bikes and probably includes the Honda frames as well (?). I read somewhere that production of Bul frames ended when the M199 came out, but don't know when they began. Mine has M151 running gear, was built in 1975 as far as I can tell. What's yours?
I`m working on SM158. Has the same gawd awful pegs as yours. I also ride with another vintage rider that uses his highboy in all of our events. Up until now was the only two I had seen in the states.
Mine is SM552. I haven't been able to get any information on the numbering scheme. I wrote to Sammy Miller, he replied that the records were lost in a fire many years ago. I seriously doubt that over 500 frames were built. My guess is the first number refers to a series or some such. Another bit of missing information.
I have owned Bultacos for over 40 years. Still have my M85 Alpina bought new in the fall of 1972. Rode it in enduros and trials for several years, gave it to a friend for his son's "yard bike", retrieved it, restored it in 1996 and it now resides in the house.
Recently I came upon a Sammy Miller High Boy with M151 running gear. These are pretty rare in the US and I am in the process of recommisioning it. It runs, supposedly has a rebuilt motor, but needs tidying.
I'm have a heck of a time finding information it. Is there any literature on these bikes?
One thing I'd like to find is a couple of the original "Sammy Miller Product" decals, these were the small, black stickers put on the original range of parts.
Hello From Longtime Bultaco Owner W/sammy Miller High Boy
in Classic Trials
Posted
I have finally finished the Sammy Miller refurbishing, photo below. Still have not ridden it, but that will come shortly. In the meantime I have made contact with the original British owner. He informed me that he competed in the IOM 2 Day Trial in the mid-70's. I've contacted the Manx Trials Association seekin the results, but thought perhaps somone on this forum might have a source. Please let me know if you have any results from any mid-80's Manx or UK trials that list a Colin Blake entrant. Thanks for the help.
Alan.