woody

Can't help with the engine number as I'm not familiar with YZ numbering but I'd have thought it matched the frame number in part. The engine number isn't as important to the V5 as the chassis number. To register it you don't need insurance unless you're in Northern Ireland but you have to tax it which you can then surrender and SORN it if you need to. Check the DVLA website for registering a new vehicle for what you need

The bike hasn't been registered so yes it does have to be recorded on NOVA to register it. It was MOT'd on the chassis number for registration or insurance purposes. There is no V5 to change ownership on

NOVA is nothing to do with the MOT and the MOT won't display any NOVA reference. NOVA is purely a HMRC process concerning duty payable on imported vehicles. DVLA will check all V55/5 applications to see if the vehicle is recorded on NOVA, if it isn't they won't issue a registration number. NOVA records the VIN number

You have to complete the NOVA form. It's really designed for new imports but a NOVA completion is required to register anything. It's to ensure that any VAT and import duty have been aid on a vehicle. NOVA is a declaration to HMRC and seperate from the registration process. DVLA won't register anything until it is on NOVA system If you search this specific topic for NOVA there is plenty of info on what you have to do.

I looked but couldn't find spare plates, the only ones I could find are from the spare engine I have in pieces, I thought there were more, if I come across them I'll let you know but I guess that tool will do the job just as well

I've probably got one in a box somewhere, I'll check later on tomorrow afternoon/eve.

I don't know of anywhere that sells them in the UK. If you can find an old clutch hub plate you can make one by welding a bar to it which passes through a slot in the basket and locks against the cush drive. I welded on a 6" nail, works well enough

When you start the bike and let the kickstart back up does it fully return to it's stop by itself or does it stop short and are you able to push it fully home by hand which cures the problem? The only reason it would sound as though it is still engaged is due to the ratchet not being fully home and still engaging with the starter gear. All that can cause this is a problem with the ratchet cam itself which is unlikely if there wasn't a problem before fitting a new spring. Even if the gearbox was dry it should still have a coating of oil and return fully. Does the gearbox have oil? Firstly, are you sure the spring is tensioned enough to fully return it? Or, the nut that locates the spring is on the threaded end of the ratchet guide so if you undid the nut fully it's possible that the guide moved inwards whilst fitting the spring. I don't think it can move enough to affect its correct location but can't be certain. The guide has a flat on one side and this locates against a recessed flat on the inside of the casing. If the guide moved inwards and turned it might be possible that it turned enough that the flats didn't line up and when you tightened the nut back up and it hasn't pulled the guide back far enough to fully locate the ratchet. With the nut removed there should be approximately 14mm length of thread showing on the outside of the case. If it's less by a few millimetres it could be incorrectly located, try pulling on it gently and turning left and right to see if it slots back into place. This is just a guess but it's what I'd be looking at if I was certain the spring was fitted and tensioned correctly

Yes, model 191 is a 325cc Sherpa from 1976. They were called a 350T but were 325. Always use the engine or frame number when ordering parts

Yes, dykes, same on all of the Sherpas In Motion are only answering phones two days a week during lockdown, tuesday and thursday I think but it will say on their website

I'd say a Miller tank. He never used a proper Bultaco filler cap on his own tanks, they were a chrome cap, probably from a car and were a twist fit, not threaded. The Miller tank that was fitted to a bike I bought also had the breather tube as the cap wasn't vented The glass tanks fitted by Bultaco to the early run of 198/199 were different from this one, they were the new slimmer style that narrowed to the rear, similar shape to the plastic tank. Our UK bikes continued with this old shape introduced from the 158/159

The spacer is 23mm long. I can't remember the exact OD but it sits inside the bearing oil seal, so whatever that is. Make sure you have the inner bush/sleeve that sits inside the fork leg as this acts together with the spacer to position the spindle correctly. I'm not sure if In Motion have the spacer, I think they have the bush. Also make sure you have the top hat spacer that sits in oil seal on the other side of the hub, inside the brake plate

1. Yes, tubeless rear, tubed front. Tubeless front rims were discontinued a long time ago 2. Possibly, they seal normally using a rubber sealing tape around the rim which seals off the spokes to stop air leaking past the spoke heads. Tubes are sometimes fitted as these tapes are a pain to fit and can still leak. Some give up and fit a tube. If the corrosion is bad the tape won't sit correctly and air will escape. If it's really bad be sure that it's not going to fail in some way. Corrosion isn't uncommon on older tubeless rims 3. Tubeless rims need tubeless tyres whether you fit a tube or not. A tube type tyre won't stay on the rim and the bead will drop off. You don't need rim locks with a tube fitted as a tubeless tyre holds itself and won't creep

Red one (both) will look different from how it was when new as it has been repainted, probably more than once. Catalogue pictures will show you how it left the factory. The numbers are the way to accurately identify it. It's 1971 era frame but it has the wrong front wheel, maybe one from an earlier model, I can't tell from the picture. If the blue one has no number on the headstock it's either been removed or it was a replacement frame from the factory as a replacement would be unlikely to have a number stamped. Maybe the number got polished out in the preparation stages of plating. This is also a 1971 era frame, it is Bultaco not Miller. As I mentioned in a previous comment the forks and front wheel are from a 1972 model It would help if you put the numbers that you have on here if you're not sure how to check them. otherwise you're going to go around in circles The Alpina was the trail bike version of the Sherpa. Early models of both looked virtually identical apart from the Alpina having a similar but larger tank

You need the engine and frame numbers to identify which model exactly. The frame number is on the headstock not under the tank. The engine number is on the r/h crankcase under the exhaust. Early model Alpina had the same frame as a Sherpa which is why you need numbers to identify From the pictures they both look like 1971 Sherpas which was a model 80 ie: the frame and engine number would be B-80###### M-80######

Differs in what way? It depends on which aspect you mean and what you want to do I think physically the actual silencer bodies are the same size model to model although they come off the front pipe at different angles depending on the height of the pipe bend as this differs amongst the 250 models. The 350 models also have different bends The outlet to the rear silencer on the 250 is a smaller diameter than the 350. 25mm OD against 27/28mm OD I'm fairly certain that the inner core is the same diameter on 250/350 The flange that bolts to the cylinder has a bigger stud spacing on the 350 Earlier model pipes aren't a good fit on the A or B models as they had the engine raised in the frame so had less of a bend to clear the underside of the tank. A higher bend will be too close or even contact with the tank and the heat will cause damage, especially to a plastic tank

Yes you can The picture is a 1974 bike but it is the previous model that was produced into 1974, not your bike which was the new model introduced later in 1974. However the differences are very small and for the purpose of appearance yes you can use the picture as from this side it is the same as your bike. The only difference on the other side would be the rear silencer

I'm not sure technical information will help much as it is more appearance that is a bigger issue if you want to return it to original. Although you have a paper with build 1975 the M125 is a 1974 model which carried over into 75, so if you look for an owners manual it is for the 1974 bike, not 1975 as the 1975 model had small differences If you google images for 1974 Bultaco Sherpa you will find an image of the original sales brochure which will help you see the original appearance From a quick look these are the changes I can see:- Brake light switch has been moved, should be on swingarm above chain tensioner Petrol tank sidepanels and seat base have been cut off (tank and seat are a one piece unit) Tank filler cap top missing Rear mudguard brackets have been moved Seat has wrong cover Shock absorber bottom mounting has been moved A plate has been welded in the frame V above the footrest Wrong carburettor and hose, should be 627 Amal MK1 Wrong front mudguard brackets Chain tensioner should have a pad not roller Mudguards are aluminium originally On the plus side, the main frame structure hasn't been altered, the engine doesn't look battered, wheels and forks are correct, exhaust is correct

Just for interest, I ,measured the 151 and 198. The 151 came out as a touch over 52 with the wheel just forward of centre, the 198 was close to 53 with the wheel just behind centre

I've always thought that the wheelbase given in the manual was a bit conservative as when I've measured my Bultacos in standard set up (a while ago) I'm sure they were over 52", even with the wheel forward which it rarely is due to chain length and tension. I'm working on an M151 and a 198 at the moment, both standard so I'll measure tomorrow out of interest. They don't feel that short to ride... When you mention offset it sounds like you're actually referring to the angle of the forks to the steering stem ? which isn't the offset as that's the distance of the forks from the steering stem. Your yokes look like Montesa ? which probably have less offset than Sherpa yokes As Carl said the later Alpina yokes have an offset but run parallel to the steering stem so would reduce the wheelbase slightly. I tried some once but because they were wider new spacers were needed and I couldn't be bothered and you'd have to stretch you mudguard brace to fit or fit it to the inside I've ridden a Sherpa with the head angle tightened and which also had parallel billet yokes which I thought might affect the steering adversely but it steered fine and seemed stable enough

ok, I'll try and explain this just once, as I think that as English isn't your first language you misunderstood what I said. And I don't mean that to criticise your English as it is good, but misunderstanding happens from one language to another. You suggested trying a local supplier or online specialist. Myself and others have done that and in the UK we cannot find the bearings apart from Pyramid and In Motion. I was talking about the UK. and saying that we can't get them here. They are not listed on FAG, SKF or any other sites. That is all I meant, not to criticise you If you have been able to find them in the UK people would be interested to know

Firstly, you do realise that both myself and the person who wants the bearings are in the UK don't you, so how would I be aware of some obscure German make of bearing. You will also note that their bearing size is measured in fractions, not whole numbers so how would I know to search for that, even if I was searching German companies. As for false information I never said they didn't exist, but that they were not available in the UK from local suppliers. If you look back through the Bultaco forum you will find others have said the same as they have been unable to find them either. I also suggested the person who wants them search for himself before using Pyramid if he wanted a known brand Before you respond in such a sarcastic manner (limited view of the world) and then accuse me of posting false information why don't you google "bearing 25x45x11" and see what you get in the search results for the UK. Then have a look on the websites of FAG, SKF etc and see if they list a bearing in that size. Then contact a few UK bearing suppliers and ask them if they can supply that size bearing. Let us know how you get on and the name of any suppliers you find I could ask why you didn't mention your supplier yesterday when you replied if you want to be helpful... With respect to bearing stress loads etc I'm not an engineer so have no idea of what you're talking about and don't care. I replied to you agreeing that it is not a good idea to use cheap bearings in an engine. However, with my limited view of the world, I doubt a steering bearing is going to fail completely resulting in the forks falling off and serious injury to myself, so I was prepared to use a non-name brand. I have used Pyramid bearings in my steering for about 15 years and have never had a failure, they rarely go out of adjustment and I have only had to replace one set on a well used bike in all that time, and that was most likely due to water ingress from repeated pressure washing

None of the main manufacturers supply this size bearing, it's not a standard size. I agree about only using quality bearings in the engine and even wheels but the steering is under little stress and the no name steering bearings have lasted me more than 10 years in some of my bikes with some hard use

Simply bearings don't stock that size. I haven't found anyone that does apart from Pyramid and then latterly In Motion which may well be the same bearings as Pyramid.

I agree there is nothing wrong with the ball set up in terms of efficiency, for me it's just the inconvenience factor when removing and refitting yokes, it's just so much easier with the tapers. I've had the tapers in my bikes for years now though with no issues, only had to replace one set along the way and that was on a bike that has had a lot of use