This story begins sometime in 1971, or maybe it was 1972, when dad bought a nearly new model 49 Bultaco. This was to replace the 4-speed model he'd ridden briefly, worn-out heap that it was. I never knew that much about that bike as a kid growing up, although I learnt plenty about the other few in the garage. After digging out some boxes of photos from my parents loft I have found that when dad left home in the late 70s to move in with my mum, he left the Bultaco behind in his own mum's garage. A set of photos from 1985 show a very young version of me looking at the bike on the trailer outside her house, and then the early stages of it being dismantled.
(Dad in the 1972 Chairman's Trial, Kent)
A year or two ago dad said he was going to get it back together, and got as far as stripping the paint off the frame. His plan was - I think - to rebuild it and ride the Manx classic 2-day in 2022, 50 years after riding in the 2-day on the same bike back in 1972. Unfortunately though dad left us unexpectedly two months ago, claimed by a heart attack. Whilst he knew practically nothing of this turn of events, and was gone practically in an instant, now of course the opportunity to learn from him has gone. Each time I feel myself teetering on the edge of that nasty rabbit hole called regret (at not asking more, listening more), I remember that he gave me a sound basis in engineering, that we did do a fair bit together. The principles of mechanics were firmly instilled. Everything mechanical responds to reason. Stop, look, think. Use the right tool. Don't rush. And so it goes on.
(Largely forgotten about, and as retrieved in 1985)
But what of the model 49? I found the bits in plastic tubs in the shed. Maybe he hadn't realised but the felt at the back was leaking, and those plastic tubs were now half full of water. The engine, top-end missing but with duck tape covering the hole, had enjoyed some shelter under a wooden shelf.
Here's most of what I found (I do have the missing bits):
It saddens me that dad will never have the opportunity to see it run again, but run again it must. I'll share my progress here, but I confess I have many questions to ask!
